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BIG EATS Crazy new foods you can try at this year’s fair. Page D4
| THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
THE BIG E IS BACK BIG FOOD. BIG ENTERTAINMENT. BIG FUN.
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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
Pictured are scenes from past years of The Big E. The annual fair — featuring plenty to eat, see and do — returns to the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition on Friday. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)
BIG FOOD. BIG ENTERTAINMENT. BIG FUN.
The Big E B is back
Keith O’Connor | Special to The Republican
ig food. Big entertainment. Big fun. All of that and more awaits at The Big E, the world’s only multistate fair representing all six New England states, with entertainment, food from every cuisine, unlimited fun and educational opportunities for all who walk through its gates. SEE BIG E, PAGE D3
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | D3
THE BIG E FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE TO THE BIG E The Eastern States Exposition has partnered with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to provide free public shuttle service to The Big E all 17 days of the fair. The Big E Express will run daily, from Sept. 18 through Oct. 4. Hours will be Monday through Thursday, from 1-9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is no cost to board The Big E Express. Fairgoers can board the shuttle at Springfield’s Union Station. The shuttle drops fairgoers off and picks them up at Gate 1 of The Big E in West Springfield.
Big E
Above, a fairgoer enjoys a turkey leg while walking the Midway at The Big E. At right, a child enjoys a concert during a past year’s fair. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)
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This year’s Big E begins on Friday and runs for 17 days through Oct. 4. Last year’s fair attracted 1,538,463 visitors from all 50 states and beyond, making the tradition established back in 1916 the fourth largest fair of its kind in North America. “Fairs are inherently patriotic and this year there will be plenty of red, white and blue around the fairgrounds in tribute to America’s 250th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11,” Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition, told The Republican.
Among the special events and exhibits awaiting fairgoers include the “Quilt of Valor” presentation on Friday; the “9/11 Never Forget” mobile exhibit on display daily through Sept. 23; and the Freedom 250 Mobile Museum on display daily all 17 days of the fair. There also will be special entertainment at the Court of Honor Stage on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 by the 215th Army Band. BIG ENTERTAINMENT “We always go into a new year trying to get as diverse a lineup as possible and I
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day night. She will be followed on Saturday by Alice Cooper and on Sunday by Roger Daltry, of The Who fame. Other big ticketed concerts at The Big E Arena include the ever-popular Beach Boys,
Brad Paisley, All Time Low, Twisted Sister with Sebastian Bach, Ice Cube, deadmau5 for electronic music lovers, and Styx. Equally diverse on the free SEE BIG E, PAGE D10
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think more than ever we have achieved that this year with the range of ages and genres hitting our stages,” John Juliano, partner at Mellowship Entertainment, entertainment contractors for The Big E, told The Republican. The opening weekend of the fair will see Jessie Murph, 21, a rising singer and songwriter, play The Big E Arena on Fri-
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D4 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
THE BIG E
New foods you’ll find at The Big E this year include, clockwise from top left, the Uncrusta-Double Burger from White Hut; the new peanut butter cream puffs topped with marshmallow Fluff; a dot cake dirty soda from Sweet & Salty; and salted butter popcorn soft-serve ice cream from Moolicious. (NICK O'MALLEY / MASSLIVE)
BIG EATS ARE ON THE MENU
Here are the crazy new foods you can try this year
G
By Nick O’Malley
nomalley@masslive.com
et ready for the next new burger innovation from The Big E: a double cheeseburger served on a pair of deep-fried Uncrustables. That’s just one of the crazy new foods hitting the fair this year. Media got a sneak peek at what some of the vendors have in store for fairgoers this year ahead of the fair’s Sept. 18 opening. Here’s a rundown of what we saw:
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Uncrusta-Double Burger from White Hut, in The Food Court This is definitely the front-runner for the craziest new food of the fair. This lunch box monstrosity features two White Hut cheeseburg patties that use a pair of deep-fried Uncrustables for buns. It sounds bonkers — and is. But the savory-sweet SEE EATS, PAGE D7
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Bobbie Shuster will play the inaugural Flo Fest in the Florence section of Northampton on Saturday (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
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visions,” they said in a recent interview with The Republican. “Being in community and getting to play as much as I can, and if I have opportunities to do that, then that’s success to me.” Shuster, who goes by just
SEE LIVE WIRE, PAGE D12
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At left are two scenes from past years’ Old Deerfield Fall Craft Fairs. (THE REPUBLI-
DEERFIELD
Welcome fall with craft fair
CAN, FILE PHOTOS)
“It is our 50th anniversary, a big deal, a milestone for us. And we will be embracing that celebration with balloons and other special things.”
S
By Keith O’Connor
JENNIFER SMITH, COORDINATOR, OLD DEERFIELD CRAFT FAIR
Special to The Republican
he is a potter from Brookline, New Hampshire. He is a painter from Southampton. Both are among the 20 new exhibitors joining over 100 crafters and artisans from all over New England and beyond at this weekend’s 50th annual Old Deerfield Arts & Crafts Festival. They will be selling their creations on Saturday and Sunday outdoors on the sprawling grounds surrounding Memorial Hall Museum in Deerfield. Later I took some classes for fun and ended up buying a potter’s wheel, and now I have an art room just for creating my pottery,” she added. O’Neil employs a decorative technique into her pottery called sgraffito, which is achieved by hand painting each unfired form with underglaze and then carving through the pigmented layer to create the design. Her obvious love for animals, but also for gardening, guides her designs. They include black and orange cats, dogs, swallows, bees, dandelions, red poppy flowers, thistle, and many
SEE CRAFT, PAGE D8
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“I found myself doing too many craft fairs on top of having a full-time job. I wanted to start doing bigger and better shows to maximize my time. Old Deerfield has a good history and is a juried show, which I like, so I applied,” said Allison O’Neil, co-owner of Compassionate Care Veterinary Services in Groton. It should come as no surprise that with her love for animals, especially cats which she has several, O’Neil calls her business MadCat Stoneware. “I did some pottery in high school and enjoyed it, and then when COVID hit I started making pottery again.
A LIMITED TIME ONLY EXHIBIT
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THE BIG E
Eats
BARGAIN BITES ON SEPT. 21 For one day only, The Big E will again offer a special “Bargain Bites” day on Monday, Sept. 21. Participating “Bargain Bites” vendors will offer special menu items at discounted prices. Some of the eateries participating include Poutine Gourmet, which will be offering a mini serving of poutine; Spudtastic, offering sweet potato fries with hot honey and cinnamon and sugar; and The Donut Family, offering a dozen fresh hot mini donuts. See a complete list of participating “Bargain Bites” vendors on The Big E’s website at thebige.com/p/food2/bargain-bites.
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combination is an unexpected delight. This thing is wildly decadent and heavy. But it tastes surprisingly good. Salted Butter Popcorn Ice Cream, Moolicious, Springfield Road & East Road This is the other early contender for craziest food of the fair. Moolicious, which has a long history of playing with savory-sweet ice cream combos, is back with a new concoction. This includes salted butter popcorn soft serve that’s covered in salted butter and rolled in popcorn dust. The butter flavor is weird, but strangely satisfying.
Above is a Cajun Lobster Tail from NOLA Kitchen and at right is the Campfire on a Stick from Moolicious. (NICK O'MALLEY / MASSLIVE)
Campfire on a Stick, Moolicious, Springfield Road & West Road If you want your dessert to have s’more efficiency, get this. The Campfire on a Stick Cajun Lobster Tail features vanilla ice cream “Hushpuppy-Style with toasted marshmallows Skewer,” NOLA Cajun sandwiched between two Kitchen & Raw Bar, graham crackers. That all gets New England Avenue dipped into a chocolate shell This was probably the single that gives you the perfect best-tasting item I tried. sweet treat for the late summer weather. It’s one of the rare cases at the fair where lobster isn’t a Maple Creemee novelty. It’s a well-utilized Bacon Waffle, ingredient that explodes in Ferrindino Maple, flavor. Better Living Center In this case, you get butter-poached lobster tail meat Ferrindino has some of the that’s fried in sweet hushpup- best maple syrup at the fair. py batter and covered with Now you can get it in crazy waffle form. hot honey and remoulade. This creature features a Peanut Butter Cream Puff caramelized Belgian waffle (with Fluff), The Big E topped with Maple Creemee, Bakery, multiple locations maple-cooked bacon and Another year, another varia- maple syrup. tion on The Big E cream puff. This year, it’s a peanut butter Pop-up Sushi, K’s Japanese Restaurant, cream that pairs nicely with The Food Court a layer of marshmallow fluff I never thought I’d be eating on top. sushi on the go at The Big Birria Bombs, Macho E. But this has changed my Taco, East Road mind. The pop-up sushi is a fun inWhat’s a Birria Bomb? Apparently, it’s super-tender, novation that dispenses sushi tasty birria beef and cheese like a push pop. stuffed inside a rice ball and The sushi silo comes served deep-fried. That then gets with a tube of soy sauce that rolled in Hot Cheeto dust to doubles as the plunger you create a savory, spicy, luxuri- use to push the roll of sushi ous eating experience with an out of the tube. awesome texture. It’s as fun to eat as it is tasty.
Gluten-Free Fried Oreos, Corn Dogs, Mozzarella, Simply Gluten Free, East Road Finally, our gluten-averse friends get to have some Big E staples. Simply Gluten Free is offering some tasty gluten-free takes on Fried Oreos, Corn Dogs and Giant Mozzarella. They’re also cooking them all separately to prevent cross-contamination with eggs and dairy. Dirty Soda, Sweet and Salty, Springfield Road Ever wanted to drink a Dot Cake? Now’s your chance with some wild, colorful soda offerings. The Stack, The Paddock, West Roach The Paddock has four fun sliders coming this year, ranging from a take on a Big Mac to candied bacon. “The Stack” features all four sliders served on a skewer and topped with spicy sauce, BBQ sauce and crispy onion straws. Snow Globe Martini, The Spirited Christmas Bar, The Young Building V-One Vodka is continuing its long line of cocktail innovation with a new holiday-themed drink. This one comes served in a Christmas ornament-style glass and sparkles like a snow globe.
Caramel Apple Mocktail, W.A.V.E. Mocktail Stand, Near Gate 5 Don’t want alcohol at the fair? The mocktail spinoff offers plenty of anti-booze options. Fried Chicken with Special Sauce, Storrowton Soup Shack, Avenue of States Storrowton Tavern is a bit more refined than the rest of
the fair — tasty, with fewer gimmicks. This year, it’s just some really good fried chicken with a sweet-savory dipping sauce. Colossal Centennial Lobster Roll, Yankee Boy, Springfield Road Yankee Boy is celebrating its 100th birthday by serving an an extra-large lobster roll this year.
NOW ON VIEW
Explore the bold inventions, groundbreaking ideas, and creative thinkers that shaped the City of Firsts— from the American Revolution to the industrial age and beyond.
SpringfieldMuseums.org •
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Tours of Memorial Hall Museum and it’s three floors of historical exhibits are free with festival admission. Current special exhibits include “Brewing Massachusetts,” “Pioneer Valley Picture Show,” and “Barbie – All Dolled Up.”
Craft
décor for inside and out. The festival will also showcase specialty foods such as fudge, CONTINUES FROM PAGE D6 honey teas, gourmet veggie other brightly colored objects and oil dips, sauces, salsa, found on lidded ceramic trav- jam, and pickles, among many other tasty creations to bring el mugs, everyday mugs for coffee and tea, tumblers, soap home to the kitchen. “It is our 50th anniversary, dispensers, ring bowls, spoon rests, garden totems, and a big deal, a milestone for us. even spooky ghost Halloween And we will be embracing decor. that celebration with balloons Now that Rick Neilson is and other special things. And retired, he has more time to the first 50 people through enjoy painting and selling his the gates each day will receive a special gift,” said Jennifer works at shows such as this weekend’s Old Deerfield Fall Smith, coordinator of Old Deerfield Craft Fairs. Craft Fair. For the kids, there will be “I’ve always enjoyed art a free family craft table and since I was a child. It was while in college that an face painting. Before, after, or inbetween instructor encouraged us to paint outdoors, which shopping, visitors can head is known as ‘plein air,’ and to the Food Tent for some Filipino street food from that is where it all started,” Ginger Love Café and wraps Neilson said about finding inspiration in the landscapes and bowls with chicken and and scenes of New England veggies from Roadhouse Grille, as well as hamburgers, and other places he visits. cheeseburgers, and other He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Design and treats. Also, DJ Greg Stewart, Illustration from Southwestlocated near the Food Tent, ern Massachusetts University will be playing something for everyone from pop to rock to and went on to spend more country. than 30 years working in publishing and as a freelance Tours of Memorial Hall illustrator, including drawing Museum and it’s three floors of historical exhibits are free for SpongeBob Square Pants with festival admission. Curcomics. “I enjoy painting and it rent special exhibits include “Brewing Massachusetts,” got to a point where I had so many, I didn’t know what to “Pioneer Valley Picture do with them all, so I started Show,” and “Barbie – All to sell them at fairs. And it’s Dolled Up.” It is open noon to nice, because my wife and I 4 p.m. both days. enjoy interacting with people. The craft fair will also be It’s great when someone holding its own little exhibconnects with your paining, it, “Now and Then,” in the and if they buy it, great,” Blue and White Room of the Neilson said about his numer- Teachers’ Building featuring promotional material and arous paintings from a winter ticles from past craft festivals. barn to lavender fields, from The Old Deerfield Craft a flowing river to autumn landscapes and many other Fairs are organized by the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial environments. Association, which operates In addition to pottery and paintings, shoppers will find Memorial Hall Museum, a unique array of dolls, soft Indian House Children’s Museum, PVMA Library, sculpture, jewelry, sea glass art, soaps and herbals, hand- and the Deerfield Teachers’ bags, photography, cutting Center. The proceeds from boards, candles and many all three yearly craft fairs support the many historical and other creative one-of-a-kind items, including fall-themed educational programs of the
non-profit association. Admission to the craft fair is $8, with children 12 and under admitted free. Hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. Free shuttle buses and parking available at marked lots along Route 5 and 10 at Yankee Candle Corporation headquarters at 16 Yankee Candle Way. For more information, visit Above is a scene from a past year’s Old Deerfield Fall Craft Fair. deerfield-craft.org. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTO)
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THE BIG E SHOWCASING BIG ACTS ON FAIR’S OPENING WEEKEND The Big E is kicking off its 17-day run with a packed schedule of big talent this weeekend in West Springfield. Here is a snapshot of just some of the big-name bands and artists playing this year’s fair.
ALICE COOPER Alice Cooper is a pioneering rock artist whose theatrical performances helped launch a new brand of hard rock. From his breakthrough with the original Alice Cooper band in the 1970s to a successful solo career, he has released numerous influential albums and hits, including 1989’s “Poison.” Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, Cooper continues to tour, record music and host a long-running radio show. Alice Cooper will play The Big E Arena on Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $64-$84 and include admission to the fair.
Big E
JESSIE MURPH Jessie Murph is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter. In 2024, she released her debut album, “That Ain’t No Man, That’s The Devil,” which reached the Top 25 on the Billboard 200. Her Platinum song “Wild Ones” racked up nearly 300 million Spotify streams alone. Her sophomore album, “Sex Hysteria,” debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart in July 2025. Jessie Murph will play The Big E Arena on Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $64-$84 and include admission to the fair.
ROGER DALTREY Roger Daltrey, of The Who fame, will bring his "A Great Night Out" tour to The Big E Arena. Daltrey will perform classics by The Who as well as solo favorites from his more than 60-year career. Known for being the co-founder of legendary rock band The Who, which went on to release hits such as “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Pinball Wizard.” Daltrey is also an acclaimed solo artist with songs such as “Giving It All Away” and “Under a Raging Moon.” Daltrey was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. Roger Daltrey will play The Big E Arena on Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $64-$84 and include admission to the fair.
at the Front Porch, deep-fried sushi and push-up sushi pops at the Food Court on East CONTINUES FROM PAGE D3 Road, and more. It was only a matter of time Court of Honor Stage this before the dirty soda craze weekend is Chubby Checkhit The Big E and Colleen and er, Recycled Percussion and Uncle Kracker on Friday; Michael Martone, who have operated Sweet & Salty on the Ireland with Michael, Live! grounds for nine years, are inand The Calling on Saturday; troducing another food stand and Christian artist Jamie McDonald on Sunday. In all, alongside their longtime crowd favorite, called The Big 28 acts will grace the stage Fizz E, on Springfield Road throughout the fair. Juliano noted the highly sucnext to the Giant Slide. “We were looking to switch cessful The E Stage returns things up, looking for somedaily, focusing on emerging thing new and different to add and regional artists hoping to take the next step to stardom. A fairgoer enjoys a cold drink during a concert last year at The to our lineup. We saw a lot online about dirty sodas which More than 40 performers will Big E Arena. (STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTO) appeal to the age group we take the stage at the intimate seek to serve,” Colleen said. One of the big questions venue, performing their own 5 p.m. at The Big E Arena. She predicts customer faasked each year is about what original music, during the Collector Car Live will be vorites will be Cotton Candy fair’s 2026 run. followed on Sept 29 with Bike the new Big E Cream Puff flavor will be and for 2026, it Cloud, Pumpkin Spice, Slush In addition, Collector Car Night. Live returns to the fair with The event runs from 4-8 Milk and the energy drink is peanut butter with a pourHallowtacular among a long over garnish of chocolate or new hosts April Rose and p.m. with a special perforlist of other flavors to choose marshmallow fluff on top. Tyler Hoover, of Hoovies mance by local favorites from. New foods looking to grab Garage, who will join previTrailer Trash at 6:30 p.m. ous show hosts Wayne Carini For additional drinks, there the attention of fairgoers BIG FOOD are plenty of beer gardens this year include deep-fried of Chasing Classic Cars and throughout the fairgrounds, “Food is the new entertain- calzones on Industrial Ave., Mike Joy of NASCAR. as well as plenty of mocktails walking tacos with Flaming “We had so many cars regis- ment,” Cassidy once said. and other nonalcoholic sips. And there are plenty of Hot Cheetos on West Road, tered this year that we had to Fairgoers can escape the turn some away,” Juliano said new dishes to be served up at half-and-half Korean corndog high cost of food nationwide filled with mozzarella on top about the event, which will be the fair alongside returning held on Sept. 22 from noon to favorites. on Bargain Bites Day, Monand a hot dog on the bottom
day, Sept. 21, when special menu items at a discounted price will be offered from participating vendors. Portion sizes vary by vendor, from snack-sized bites to full-sized plates. A list of participating vendors can be found on the fair’s website, thebige.com. BIG AGRICULTURE Last year, more than 29 4-H beef steers were exhibited and offered for sale at The Big E. Proceeds go to the exhibitor and are often used to purchase the next year’s 4-H beef project animals. Many 4-H exhibitors have even made significant college expense investments with the income from their 4-H beef animals. Fairs across the United States have their roots in celebrating agriculture and The Big E is the largest agricultural event on the eastern seaboard. Daily in the fair’s Mallary Agricultural Complex, fairgoers can watch cows being milked in the milking parlor, get the scoop on dairy nutrition from the animated Singing Refrigerator, and see skilled livestock showmanSEE BIG E, PAGE D11
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Scenes from The Big E are shown above and at left. (ABOVE: DOUGLAS HOOK / THE REPUBLICAN; AT LEFT: STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTOS)
Gates open daily at 8 a.m. with most buildings opening at 10 a.m.
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ship in action with cattle, sheep and more. The fair’s ag hub is also home to sheep shearing demos, livestock competitions, 4-H Milk Booth, Butter Sculpture, blue-ribbon Christmas trees and the Eastern States Farm-
of prestigious competitions featuring Hunter, Jumpers, Saddlebreds, Hackneys, Morgans, Friesians and Draft Horses. Additional Infinite Fun includes a myriad of shopping opportunities in The Better Living Center, Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula Showcase in the Young Building, Craft Common in Storrowton Village, the Avenue of States and all along the byways of the fair. And there is still more to do and see including The Big E Circus Spectacular, Eastern States Exposition History Museum, Giant Slide, Big Parade, Dolly’s Honky Tonk (nothing to do with Dolly Parton who actually did perform years ago at the fair) and the North American Midway. A newborn baby chick inside of the hatching room at the In Majorland, riders can Farm-A-Rama exhibition at The Big E. (HOANG 'LEON' NGUYEN, FILE defy gravity on 1001 Nachts, PHOTO) race through the lights and ers Market. is also home to the Hampden music aboard the Himalayas, Farm-A-Rama, located County Beekeepers and HKS fly through the air on the Cliffhanger, take a full-loop in the A Barn, is the heart Clydesdales. of hands-on agriculture Also, the Coliseum is host to ride on the Ring of Fire, view learning during The Big E. It the Eastern States Exposition the fairgrounds from the highfeatures a chicken hatchery, Horse Show from Sept. 9-28, est heights on the Sky-High Super Wheel and test their giant pumpkins and squash bringing together top riders skills at games for a shot at contest, 4-H apple booth, and horses from across the native produce displays, and country to compete in a series oversized prizes and ultimate
bragging rights. For younger fairgoers, Kiddieland is a fun-filled world of mini adventures, featuring rides like the Double Decker Merry Go Round, Teacups, Madagascar Fun and plenty more sized just right for little explorers. Tickets at the gate are $20 for adults, children 6-12 are $12, and children 5 and under are free. Sunday through Thursday is Eleven-After-Five with tickets priced at $11 after 5 p.m. Senior Days are also offered Sunday through Thursday with tickets priced at $16 for those older than 60. A full-season pass is $70 for adults and $35 for children 6-12. Opening day is Military Appreciation Day and is free for active duty and retired military personnel and dependents and veterans with ID. Gates open daily at 8 a.m. with most buildings opening at 10 a.m. For more information on hours, complete events, things to do and times, admission tickets and ticketed concerts, parking charge, how to get there and more, visit thebige. com.
WEEKEND
D12 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
Live Wire CONTINUES FROM PAGE D5
Bobbie professionally, will play Flo Fest on Saturday, Sept. 19, appearing at JJ’s Tavern in Florence at 7:20 p.m. The festival celebrates all sorts of art in the village, including a full slate of music. More information can be found on the festival’s website at westernmassflofest. wixsite.com/event. But don’t mistake Shuster’s attitude as lackadaisical. They’re just being realistic “If I can play more and hear more music and be around people making stuff, that is everything,” they said. “And obviously I would love to be paid for my art, but that’s unfortunately not how it works.” Shuster plays what can be loosely defined as dream pop, with elements of ambient music woven in. They play solo, sitting on the floor with a guitar, microphone, looper pedal, Omnichord and various effects. Shuster started their current musical pursuit during the COVID lockdowns. “It was just being by myself a lot and trying to find ways to explore with sound, and someone gave me this looper pedal in that time period, and like I was sort of experimenting with plug-ins and pedals and things, and it really grew out of just sort of a meditative practice and spending a lot of time by myself,” they said. Shuster cites Enya as a huge inspiration for their sound, and while their music is definitely different from hers, you can hear the influence. While Shuster’s records are filled with shorter pop-length songs, their live shows take on a more atmospheric quality featuring longer soundscapes enveloping the songs. “When I play live, it’s often without pause. I try to string together the set without interruption. I think that’s sort of what I’m building to in my recording process and that’s sort what I’m excited about,” they said. “But it really just depends on my mood and
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
“If I can play more and hear more music and be around people making stuff, that is everything. And obviously I would love to be paid for my art, but that’s unfortunately not how it works.” Bobbie Shuster
Bobbie Shuster. (SUBMITTED)
where I’m at, and sometimes I like to just sort of take it in a sonic multidimensional state, and other times it’s more discrete songs.” As far as creating those songs, Shuster’s process is both loose and structured at the same time. “There’s definitely a fair amount of noodling around,” they said. “But I sort of learned this practice from a workshop I took with Laraaji — he does ambient sound bath sort of stuff. So, I took this workshop with him and he suggested just setting a timer for 7-minute blocks of uninterrupted time. “So, I usually start with that and just sort of see what comes from that exercise. just sort of moving with whatever is coming to me, and it’s hard to describe, but like the lyrics and music just come simultaneously, and I know when it’s right if it just sort of clicks.”
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