The most recent announcement is, I believe, a first for the Lowell Summer Music Series – a true co-bill.  I’m pleased to announce that Howie Day and Carbon Leaf will each perform full sets on Saturday, August 2.

Lowell Summer Music Series

I have never seen Howie Day perform, but not because I haven’t been interested. I’m glad he’ll be playing at my favorite music series.

Howie Day (Official Photo)

“Howie Day’s emotionally resonant lyrics and inventive melodies have earned him both critical praise and a legion of devoted fans. He is known for his energetic, heartfelt shows, where he connects with audiences through the strength of his songwriting and his quirky sense of humor. Day’s warm tenor voice ‘soars into fluttering, high registers, but also grates with real, pleading grit,’ as one critic put it. After sales of over a million albums and two Top 10 hits, Day is back on the road showcasing old favorites, as well as new material from his upcoming studio album.”

I saw Carbon Leaf perform at the Series a number of years ago and enjoyed the show quite a bit. I have not seen them since then, but am excited for their return to the Series.

Carbon Leaf (Official Photo)

According to Nancy Dunham of WashingtonExaminer.com, “Some call Carbon Leaf’s music Southern, others label it Celtic and still others say it leans toward bluegrass or some combination of formats. No matter what your take on the band’s sound, almost everyone can agree that Carbon Leaf creates music that just isn’t heard anywhere else–and that’s what keeps fans clamoring for more music. ”

Tickets for the Howie Day and Carbon Leaf show are priced at $29 in advance (fee-free!), $35 on the day of the show (if available), and children 12 and under are always free courtesy of Eastern Bank. There are also premium seats – beach chairs are provided by the Series – set in two rows directly in front of the stage for $129.  Tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 23 at 9 a.m. through Lowell Summer Music Series.

For those of you who are unaware of the  Series, or if you are aware of it but have never attended a show there, it is an outdoor (weather permitting) concert series held on National Park Service grounds in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Series is not-for-profit, which helps keep the ticket prices reasonable.

Surrounding Boarding House Park are old mill buildings, part of the Lowell National Historical Park, which you can tour if you arrive early enough. They provide an unusual setting for an evening of great music and ambiance.

The Series generally runs from late June to early September.

This Series is dear to my heart. I have been a season pass holder since 2007 and it is one of the highlights of the year (and of summer in particular) for me. Many lasting friendships have been made there. I expect this will be an especially excellent year since they are celebrating their 25th season!

I will post additional announcements for the Series as they are made.

Shows announced to date are:

Ziggy Marley – Thursday, June 19

Delta Rae – Friday, June 20

Amos Lee – Saturday, June 21

Lucinda Williams – Friday, June 27

Neko Case – Saturday, June 28

Trombone Shorty – Thursday, July 10

Andrew Bird – Saturday, July 12

Barenaked Ladies – Saturday, July 19

Howie Day and Carbon Leaf – Saturday, August 2

Marcia Ball – Friday, August 8

Gregg Allman – Saturday, August 9

JJ Grey and Mofro – Thursday, August 14

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band – Saturday, August 16

Peter Wolf & The Midnight Travelers – Friday, August 22