Celebrating the American spirit with museum concert series

There aren’t many concert halls that can be described as having “a cathedral sound with a steampunk vibe,” said musician Mark Erelli, but to bands and singers who have played at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation, that’s a great part of its appeal.

Artists are “visually and acoustically blown away by the space,” said Erelli, curator of the upcoming 2nd Shift music series which takes place in the facility’s main hall. This fall marks his 14th season at the helm.

“People love playing here,” said Joe Niedbala, the museum’s director of operations. “The acoustics are amazing.”

Niedbala estimates the museum has put on about 100 concerts since the series began in 2016. Erelli, a Melrose resident, took over as curator from Waltham musician Michael Tarbox, who came up with the idea almost 10 years ago.

Asked how the museum chose Erelli as the current curator, Niedbala said, “he’s extremely well known, respected and liked in the Americana genre. He also has exquisite taste … and is extremely hard working.”

Previously, Erelli played the 2nd Shift series, an experience that inspired him to agree to replace Tarbox.

Strong lineup

Looking at who will be coming to perform, Erelli said, “This is the kind of concert series that I wanted to go to as a kid.”

Famed artists including Livingston Taylor and Patty Larkin have performed in previous years. This season will feature the following artists. All shows run from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

• Oct. 3: Darrell Scott, a “multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter.”
• Oct. 23: Kaia Kater, whose “influences [are] rooted in Quebec, the Caribbean, and Appalachia [and] her ties to the Canadian folk music scene.”
• Nov. 6: Maya de Vitry, who was “part of singer/songwriter string band phenoms The Stray Birds [and has a] … growing catalog of solo albums.”
• Nov. 20: The Wolff Sisters, a trio whose “music is honest yet genre-defying, rooted in traditional storytelling that puts a decidedly New England spin on Americana music.”
• Dec. 4: Hickman, Anick & Woodsmith, a trio who “will move more air and rouse spirits higher than ensembles twice their size.”

When selecting acts, Erelli said he considers which musicians would be a good fit for the venue. He said he also books talented artists who haven’t played much in the Boston area.

While some attendees may come to simply be entertained and forget about the news of the day, Erelli said audience members can also connect with the musicians and their work on a deeper level.

“I want people to ….  hear themselves in those songs” that are being played, he said. “You will find things in the songs that you will hear that connect with your own life.”

The museum itself honors creativity, ingenuity and utility, and Erelli said the pieces also have a real utility that can impact people’s lives.

“You’re going to hear some things that resonate deeply with you,” he predicted.

Looking to the future

While the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation has provided a welcoming space for the concert series, the shows in turn are shining a light on the museum itself.

Before the 2nd Shift shows began, “a lot of people didn’t know that we were open or existed at all,” said Niedbala.

Now that the series is nearing its 10th anniversary in 2026, Erelli said he hopes “that we can continue to grow.”

Planning to stay in his role as long as possible, he said when he eventually hands the 2nd Shift over to the next curator, he hopes it will remain “a vibrant, strong series that I helped grow.”

More information

The Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation is located at 154 Moody St., Waltham. Parking can be found at the public lot behind Embassy Theater at 42 Cooper St. Take a short walk across a footbridge next to the lot’s lower level and follow signs to the museum. For more information, visit charlesrivermuseum.org

For more information on or to buy tickets for the 2nd Shift Music Series, visit charlesrivermuseum.org/second-shift-music-series