Music on the Elm Street Stage

ArtBeat: Sat., July 16th

12:30pm — Humanimals
Part human, part animal, these furry minstels were found wimpering under the Lowell Street Bridge. Once brought into captivity, the humanimals—Jackcoon Raccoon and Fun Bunny—demonstrated a great knack for rapping over boom box beats. Now stuck as performers on a crappy children’s show called Kidzztown, our hybrid heroes long to break out and start their own band.

1:15pm — International Pen Pal
International Pen Pal are a five-piece with a focus on melody, instrumentation and trying not to rock. But even with wussy instruments, they have a ton of positive energy and sometimes can’t help stomping and yelling. All of their songs are catchy, and many of them are even playful and fun. The band promises to deliver a unique mash-up set at Artbeat that we’re guessing will end up rocking.

2:15pm — Rachel McCartney
Rachel McCartney has toured U.S. blues/folk venues since 1994—gracing audiences from Boston to Atlanta and opening for national stars like Shawn Colvin and David Gray. Aside from busking in the Boston subways, McCartney’s favorite stages include the Somerville Theatre, Lizard Lounge and Club Passim. McCartney’s soaring voice is unmistakable, and her presence strongly felt. At Artbeat, McCartney’s band will round out her folk stylings with drums and a stand-up bass.

3:15pm — Choo Choo La Rouge
Choo Choo La Rouge is an indie pop trio with exceptional smarts, hooks and melody. Avoiding the twee sound of some indie rock, this local band churns out songs with a gutsy garage flair and casual, quirky vocals that bring to mind Jonathan Richmond. With some ridiculously catchy songs, Choo Choo La Rouge is hard to forget.

4:15pm — Los Nitidos
Los Nitidos blends styles like Cumbia (Columbia), Tex Mex and the fast-paced rhythyms of Bachata (Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic) to create a singular sound. This seasoned seven-piece band, which released “Mi Lindo el Salvador” in 2001, features two singers, guitars, bass, drums, conga and guero. Whether fast and feisty Bachata or sweetly syncopated Cumbia, Los Nitidos creates sounds perfect for dancing.