When outsiders assign a nasty slogan to your city, let the local artists rewrite your reputation.
For most folks outside of the North Shore, a mention of Lynn incurs a reflex-like recitation of a ditty long associated with the area: “Lynn, Lynn, the city of sin / You never come out the way you came in.” Jay Moon and other musicians hope to change that unflattering narrative — or at least ensure that people are leaving Lynn changed for the better, thanks to the city’s blossoming arts scene.
This weekend, Moon puts his local community on display at Keep Moving Forward Festival, a day-long showcase of Lynn artists at Frederick Douglass Memorial Park. The second edition of the free fest will gather over 30 area rappers, artists, and DJs on Saturday (September 30) for a nine-hour stream of performances, as well as a panel about the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Aside from instilling a message of perseverance, the festival’s name references the Lynn-based artistic collective Keep Moving Forward, of which Moon is a member. He’ll take the stage, along with other members from the collective — such as KMF Tre and Quan, to name a few — and solo artists like Suriel and C. Wells.
“We have various types of artists from boom bap, trap, drill, hyper-pop, and more,” Moon tells Vanyaland, reflecting on the vibrance of the Lynn’s artists. “Most of the times people see our city in the news for all the negative things but our goals and dreams are coming to life daily.”
Keep Moving Forward Festival presents artists with a platform to demonstrate that reality, instead of letting headlines and an unflattering rhyme overshadow their lived experience.
“Most people outside of the city have a story to tell about Lynn or have heard something about it, whether good or bad, but today we have people that truly represent us and tell the stories of this place from firsthand experience,” says Lynn rapper C. Wells, who released the motivational five-song EP Die for It in August.
Echoes fellow area artist Suriel: “Lynn is a city full talented artists from painters to musicians. It’s time they [the public] hear our voice or hear what we have to say.”
In addition to the live performances and panel, nearby Exchange Street will be closed to make room for a tap truck from Bent Water Brewery and a car show. If this year’s festival grows as much as Moon hopes, he wants to expand the event to Lynn’s Fraser Field and loop in national talent at future editions.
“Even though we are considered a growing community, I will go as far as saying that we are a top music city in our state,” Moon concludes. “It’s starting to show now and it will only get bigger from here.”
View the full lineup below, and RSVP for free on Eventbrite here.
KEEP MOVING FORWARD FESTIVAL :: Saturday, September 30, at Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, 1-15 Exchange St. in Lynn, MA :: 12 p.m., all ages, free :: RSVP and event info
