Annual Free Weekend with Signals Midwest/Worship This/Cherry Cola Champions/Walking Wounded

Walking a thin line between pop punk and indie rock, Signals Midwest, the indie rock act that headlines this, the first night of the Grog Shop’s annual “free weekend” of local shows, is slowly evolving into a major player on the local scene. The foursome’s 2011 debut, Latitudes & Longitudes featured songs like “Limnology,” a track which starts timidly before roaring into a breakdown and ending with a bang (literally). On its most recent release, a split EP with French Exit that came out nearly a year ago, Signals Midwest still proves hard to pin down, but they’ve got strong melodies and terrific breakdowns, something that should translate well on stage. (Nikki Hunt)