My family and I enjoyed some good music last night in Railroad Square. The Keene Music Festival (http://keenemusicfestival.com) hosts bands every Friday evening leading up to their big annual event, Saturday August 30th from 10am-10pm, when they shut down mainstreet and set up multiple stages all around.

(Two members of the band, Shadwell)

Last evening the weather was perfect for a small but gathering crowd to enjoy two bands. At about 5:30pm "Shadwell" (http://shadwellsong.com) played some good rock music for an hour, as the children started to dance and the early downtown crowds passed by before committing to a location for the evening. I enjoyed their music, which was almost entirely original. They are a five piece band based in Boston and will be back for the Festival.

(Josh Noone)

Afterwards, "Josh Noone and the Federal Crime" (http://joshnoone.com) started playing. Josh began with some original material on his guitar, as the bass player and drummer got set up. He informed the small audience that this was their debute. As a group, they have only played at his house and recently in a barn to the amusement of the farm animals. This group was slightly quieter, so the crowd of varying ages, gathered closer as they played a mix of love songs and "freedom rock" (as the bass player called it), with a couple of cover tunes thrown in. I especially enjoyed their music and the small children were disappointed when they finished their set.

The much larger crowd at the end was ready for more music from either band. I will be looking for them both during the big music festival at the end of summer.

Russell Kanning