Artists are gearing up for two days of music with the In Between Days Festival returning to Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, Massachusetts, this weekend.
First staged in 2022, the festival will feature twenty four performances split between two stages. The lineup includes headline sets from Lord Huron and Modest Mouse, with local talent populating much of the undercard, including sets from Carissa Johnson, Dutch Tulips, Mint Green, Sweet Petunia, and more.
For shallow pools, who perform Saturday, In Between Days is extra local — the band lives in Quincy, just a little ways from the Veterans Memorial Stadium. “We knew about the festival last year,” said lead vocalist Glynnis Brennan, “and I thought it was so cool that they had one in Quincy. And then to be asked to play this year is just so exciting. I can’t wait. What do you mean we’re playing with Modest Mouse?!”
Ali Ajemian, who plays drums for shallow pools, says that the festival organizers “really seem to care about having bands that are from here on the festival as well as headliners that will bring people in. [...] So we’re just excited to not only see bands that are bigger coming through here to bring more of a name to Boston, but also be able to meet and finally hang out with and talk to bands that are from here.”
Ajemian and Brennan both agreed that their goal for shallow pools’ set at In Between Days is to “bring a big queer vibe [...] and some fun pop songs,” including new tracks from their forthcoming album.
Brooklyn-based artist Allison Ponthier has a similar vision for her Sunday afternoon performance. Ponthier says that “a part of my story is that I’m specifically a queer singer-songwriter so I’m excited to share those stories.” Fans and new listeners alike can look forward to “pop songs that are influenced by 70s folk music” during her set, including an unreleased track: “I am performing an unreleased song called ‘Crash Test Dummy.’ That song is not out yet and I’m only doing it at shows—there’s no other way to hear it.”
The festival will mark a reunion of sorts for Ponthier and headliners Lord Huron, since the two collaborated on Lord Huron’s 2021 single "I Lied." “I’m very excited to see them and maybe do something together,” Ponthier said. “I’ve always been a really big fan of [Lord Huron frontman] Ben [Schneider]’s stage presence. I just think he’s like a true rock star and one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. So I’m always happy when I get to see him.”
For country and Americana singer-songwriter Miko Marks, who recently re-entered the performance arena after a 13-year hiatus, her Sunday set “is going to be special because I get to have my whole band, and I love getting out and enjoying festivals, like In Between Days, because you get really connected with the audience and the people in the bands.” Her performance at In Between Days will be the last of her current U.S. run, before she heads to the UK later this month. The festival circuit, particularly, is exciting for Marks and company because “I like to be present in the moment. I’m definitely looking forward to different musicians that I’ve never seen or heard of, so I like to go see people that [I am] curious [about].”
Marks says that audiences “can expect me and my band to just leave it all on the stage. We enjoy what we do, 110%, and that’s what we try to give because it’s such a special time for us.”
In Between Days Festival runs August 19 and August 20, Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy, Massachusetts. Tickets range from $105.00 to $400.00.
