Fall music festivals in and around Boston

Mobile artists will once again flood Harvard and Davis Squares this weekend for the 19th annual HONK! Festival. Festival of Activist Street Bands. The free festival and parade usually precedes Indigenous Peoples Day, but this year it's taking place a week earlier, running Friday through Sunday at locations like Seven Hills Park and Statue Park in Somerville and Eliot Triangle and Charlie's Kitchen in Cambridge .

While this year's lineup brings together grassroots groups from Brazil, Texas, Washington and Louisiana, the local representation is just as strong with acts like… Rara Bel Poze (Boston), The party band (Lowell), Exceptional playback band (Providence), The Bread & Puppet Circus Band (Glover, Vt.) and Brass balagan (Burlington, Vt.) represents various areas of New England.

Levitate's Flannel Jam, the fall extension of the summer Levitate Music and Arts Festival, revives its signature blend of roots rock and Americana on two dates this fall: October 12 at the Marshfield Fairgrounds and October 14 at Cisco Brewers in Nantucket. Trampled by turtles And Bird talker will perform at both locations, although lineups otherwise vary by date; Marshfield will host acts like Margo Price, Evan Honer, And Hans Williamswhile Nantucket's leaner lineup includes Deer tick And Doug & Co. This year marks the fifth Flannel Jam, building on the legacy of the Midsummer Festival founded in 2013 by Massachusetts surf shop and lifestyle brand Levitate.

Also on the South Coast, the Mad Love Music Festival celebrates its 10th edition on October 13th in Hingham. The festival was founded in 2015 to honor the late Scituate musician Dave Jodka and returns next Sunday with locals-only programming including: Divine sweater, Mint greenAnd Aldous Collins & friendsamong other things.

As a single afternoon event, the Mad Love Music Festival is the shortest event of all, but it doesn't lack for impact; Proceeds from the festival go toward scholarships that support young musicians, such as recent honorees (and 2024 festival artists) Sound Waves.

GIG GUIDE

An international spectrum of hip-hop bookends this weekend at Paradise Rock Club with an American emcee whales on the way to the venue on Friday and a Mexican rap group La Santa Grifa Collaboration with a Latin American hip-hop act Dharius on Sunday. In between, a New York alternative rock band Nada Surf Listen to their dazzling 10th album, “Moon Mirror,” on Saturday.

New York siblings Infinity song On Friday, visit the Red Room at Café 939 for “Metamorphosis Complete,” an expansion of her gently sung 2023 R&B album. On Monday, the esteemed jazz pianist Kris Davis performs with her trio at the Berklee venue for an overview of their September album Run the Gauntlet and a live question-and-answer session.

Friday at the Crystal Ballroom, band from Providence and Los Angeles The rare opportunities return to the East Coast and present their new album “Through Moonshot Eyes”. The uptempo alternative rock band scored a viral hit in 2021 with their song “Notion,” originally released on their 2016 EP Futureproof while the band was still based in New England.

Jim Kweskin – founder of the legendary local Jim Kweskin Jug Band – joins longtime collaborator and folk singer Samoa Wilson for an appearance at Passim on Saturday. The duo previously worked together in Kweskin's U and I band and recorded the albums Live the Life (2004) and I Just Want to Be Horizontal (2020).

Finally you can knock ArtemasThe viral song “I like the way you kiss me” will get out of your head (or, beware: get it back in your head) at the English alt-pop artist's Brighton Music Hall show this Sunday. Singer of the Growlers Brooks Nielsen goes solo on Monday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the band's record “Chinese Fountain,” followed by performances from the Las Vegas electronic wizard Witch on Tuesday and Seattle's neo-psychedelia quartet La Luz on Thursday.

Boston art rock band Take me home kicks off a North American tour in support of their debut album, “What Do You Think,” alongside other locals at Rockwell on Wednesday The Croakers. The following night, a Boston-born, Brooklyn-based alternative act Raavi – who released their acoustic-focused EP The Upside last month – are returning to the area boycott in the Armory's Center for Arts.

SPINN NOW

Leon Bridges“Leon.” Folks who were charmed by Leon Bridges' “Boston Calling” set last May won't be surprised by the effortless bliss of the Texan singer-songwriter's fourth LP, a self-described reflection on “simpler days.” “Leon” presents a rich brew of string-assisted neo-soul, from slow opener “When a Man Cries” to gorgeous tracks like “Laredo” and “Ain't Got Nothin' on You.”

Half waif“See you at the maypole.” The sixth studio album from Half Waif – the project of Williamstown-raised artist Nandi Rose – is a behemoth full of longing and gentle experimentation. The 17-track opus refines Rose's smooth blend of folk and ethereal synths as she slowly emerges from a family illness, a miscarriage and the ever-present weight of grief.

Miranda Rae and Notebook P“Roscato Nights.” Raise your glass to this collaboration between local crooners as they envelop listeners in cozy R&B in their new duet. “Roscato Nights” is a classic date night soundtrack composed by two artists who perfectly balance each other's casual seduction. Rae and P's velvety vocals pair as well together as wine pairs with a decadent dessert.

BONUS TRACK

Finally, a flea market you might actually want to browse: The Great Lilypad Yard Sale returns to the Inman Square venue this Saturday between 10am and 7pm. The small club turns into a second-hand store selling records, instruments, books, vintage clothing, art and even furniture and amplifiers.

Victoria Wasylak can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X @VickiWasylak.