Though the music will start earlier this season at 6pm, sunsets will still be determined by Mother Nature.

Following five years of sweeping success, the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series will be bringing you 20 more minutes of music each Thursday evening. These informal sets, known as “pre-shows,” will start at 6pm sharp and feature solo and duo singer-songwriters as well as acoustic, stripped-down versions of full bands. According to Nick Meyer, editor/publisher of Volume One and founder of the event, audience members were hunkering down earlier and earlier anyhow, so the pre-show serves to entertain the early birds as well as showcase a somewhat different strain of music. “Even with 39 local acts, [the number of musical acts including the pre-shows] we still have a list of talented people we want to fit in sometime in the future,” says Meyer. “And we’re particularly proud that 22 of the 39 acts are new to the series this year.” Feathe, a two-girl outfit, will usher in the new tradition, picking slow and pretty tunes. Expect greatness from Greg Gilbertson, too – an prizewinning guitarist and songwriter fond of alternate tunings – as well as jazz/experimental/indie group Thresher Shark. Local favorite Brian Bethke will strum things up on July 29, and the Shillelagh Lads, traditional Irish pub band, will shake things down on August 19. To see the full scheule of 39 acts and other details, visit VolumeOne.org/concerts.