Field Trip Boston #2
Feat: Mike Fiore, Hello, Shark, Christine Hayward, boy without god
Begins at Modica Way/Graffiti Alley, 567 Mass Ave, Cambridge
June 21, 5pm
[website]

Over the course of the summer, the musician known as boy without god is presenting a series of mobile concerts. With a DIY ethos and adventurous spirit, Field Trip Boston creates a fresh, stimulating experience that sets 30-minute performances as linchpins for a neighborhood stroll of mysterious destination. Part of the fun is not knowing where you'll end up.

Six outings are going to take place every other week with different performers walking new path in various parts of town. The excursions are set to have 4 performances at four locations in a friendly, casual setting that allows anyone to leave the pack at anytime, but you'll want to stay for the next treat to be revealed. Bostonist was on hand for the first Field Trip, and it was a delightful beginning to the weekend.

Slightly more than a dozen people gathered near the "Field Trip" sign by the time boy without god and The Gilded Moons walked into the fountain at Copley Square. The Gilded Moons (aka Alex) began with a passionate multi-pronged sermon that might have been about living in the present. With a wild look in his eyes, the Alabama-transplant was on the verge of grabbing someone and baptizing them in the fountain. The duo belted out songs about love and the human condition over guitars, clarinet, and toy keyboard with chains and coffee-can percussion. By the time a cover of "Viva Las Vegas" (as Bright Eyes might do it) finished the first set, the crowd had doubled and headed off to the Public Garden.

More after the jump.

The Gilded Moons (r), boy without god (l)

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Two singer-songwriters tour from Murfreesboro, TN ended up in rather spacious alternative venues. Maybe because it was Pride Week, but Bostonist couldn't help but notice the big dimples and sleepy eyes of Kids Are Goats. Amid wedding couples on photo shoots, he sang colorful tales of such things as dinosaurs falling in love with a easygoing, conversational manner. The group ambled up Boston Common's hill to the Soldiers and Sailors monument to listen to the urgent, lyrically clever freneticism of Seth Moore.

Everyone was in good spirits as we headed to the final stop in a Chinatown alley. Bostonist simultaneously assuaged fears and defused the rock 'n roll spirit by sharing that City of Boston allows public performances without a permit. Last and certainly not least, Shai Erlichman was perhaps the most polished performer of the afternoon with a classic sense of songwriting. Before he started, Shai made everyone draw numbers for a raffle between every song. About 10 lucky folks walked away with some cool novelty gifts. (Bostonist coveted the ping-pong ball & pipe game.)

Having lost every raffle, we bought a CD from one of the Tennessee guys and bid our new friends goodbye. It was so much fun, Bostonist will keep their permission slip handy for more Field Trips this summer.