Kicking off Penn State's annual daylong music festival is no easy task, even for national acts. But the beginning of this year's Movin' On just might be the most energetic and diverse portion of the event.

New York City-based group Bouva will get things going from noon to 1 p.m. this Saturday on HUB Lawn's main stage. Lead singer/songwriter Josie Diels described her band's sound as guitar-driven, experimental rock/pop/trip-hop.

"Unfortunately, we can't be easily pigeon-holed," Diels said, "but overall, it's catchy."

Diels had been writing songs for several years when she met up with guitarist Matthew McMullen Smith. The two began playing together but were not even looking to form a band until they met keyboardist Winston Jeune and eventually drummer Manuel Rhinesmith.

Each member's interest in rock music with an experimental edge fueled the idea of pursuing the for-mation of a band. Using a nickname that Diels' parents gave her based on the first thing she ever said as a baby, the four created the core of Bouva.

"I really think that it's very important for us to not stick into one style," Diels said. "I do want to bring in different styles, but I don't want it to be messy."

But as an individual, Diels said her influences also include popular artists such as U2, Garbage and No Doubt.

Bouva was booked for this year's Movin' On after a successful reception at last year's Voodoo Music Festival in New Orleans, where the group had the opportunity to perform alongside some of its influences. Diels was interested in obtaining more festival gigs and was able to get her band a spot on the Movin' On lineup.

For a group that is "just beginning to get out there," performances with large-scale exposure are exciting, Diels said. She also stressed that a show in an area in which the band has not already performed is very important to Bouva.

"We're not this crazy, party-your-ass-off band, but we really want people to like us," she said.

But above all, the group is aware that it will be starting off this year's festivities. Diels expects that her band's high-energy show will get people up for the day.

"We want to wake you up and we just want to have fun," she said. "I hope people are inspired to come out early and see us."

Following Bouva at 2 p.m. on the main stage will be alternative rock group Seven Nations, another unique act whose style is hard to pigeon-hole.

The band's music might be found under the pop/rock section in a record store, but its influences extend deeply into the Celtic music world.

"Personally, I try to keep an open mind and to feel free to write wherever inspiration leads me," said vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Kirk McLeod.

The group's sound is a mix of its varied instrumentation, often combining guitars with mandolin, violin and even bagpipes.

The main foundation of Seven Nations also has its roots in New York City, but as the band has toured and traveled, its lineup has changed. And though the group's members come from various parts of North America, they all grew up listening to both Celtic music and rock and roll.

But promoting his group has not always been easy. McLeod said that sometimes the idea of a Celtic group immediately scares away potential fans with preconceived notions of Riverdance.

"Often, people just hear the word 'bagpipes' and they shut off immediately," he said. "Once a promoter starts to advertise a show, they often [focus on] the easy way out, the thing that sets us apart, and that can backfire."

Years of rigorous self-promotion have paid off for Seven Nations, most recently in the form of several high profile appearances at events such as the New York City Marathon and the 2002 Winter Olympics Torch Arrival Ceremony.

But in spite of these prestigious gigs, McLeod said that the most rewarding experience was performing in front of an extremely receptive audience in Puerto Rico, an area not usually associated with Celtic influence.

"For me, the biggest compliment is for people who have nothing to do with Celtic music to enjoy our music," he said.

"Our music really transcends cultural boundaries."

As for Saturday's performance, McLeod is confident that he will find a receptive audience at Movin' On.

"It's all about the energy," he said regarding the group's live show.

"We try to keep a dynamic, focusing on the highs and lows to keep it flowing."