Regional music recap for 2024
2024 was another excellent year for music in our region. Always check the listings to see where our incredible local talent is playing because it’s all so good. We also have some fantastic national touring acts coming through our area. The year started with a great show and time at Rivershed Killington and their Wintersong Festival. This all-female concert leaned heavily on talent and was on full display. Returning favorites Kylie Sackley and Tiffany Goss performed with new additions to the Killington music scene, Erin Enderlin and Olivia Rudeen. I finally saw Kara Tondorf, the owner of Rivershed, perform, and she didn’t disappoint. Nobody did—it was a fantastic night. These women have written songs for Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, and many more, and even their originals that didn’t go to someone famous were awesome.
February at the Pickle Barrel featured one of the season’s best shows with Roots of Creation (original reggae) and Grateful Dub (reggae-infused tribute to the Grateful Dead). The place was packed, and the show was killer—Roots of Creation had the place reggae rockin’, and Grateful Dub had the place jammin’. My favorites from Grateful Dub were “Fire on the Mountain” and “Turn on Your Love Light.” I couldn’t stop moving; nobody could. This show returns Jan. 23, and you won’t want to miss out.
February also saw one of the best shows at Killington Resort, the Yonder Mountain String Band, part of Subaru Winterfest. Yonder are bluegrass phenoms from Colorado. It may have been cold out, but that was a hot show. You couldn’t stop moving, jumping, and dancing to every song. The show was awesome from start to finish. You can catch them on Jan. 25 at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland.
March kicked off with a rescheduled (from November) Railroad Earth show at the Paramount Theatre. I was glad the timing worked out so I could see them. I’ve seen them a few other times, but it had been years. It was a great show. We had the upper box, filled with people dancing the whole show. John Skehan, who I interviewed for the Mountain Times, is a monster on the mandolin. You also have a guitar, keys, upright bass, banjo, slide guitar, fiddle, and drums. That combo plays absolutely amazing music.
April was a real treat at the season finale party at the North Star Lodge’s Star Lounge. On top of food and drink specials, there was incredible music from The Chunky Seltzers and Andrew Dimarzo. The whole night filled my ears with a fantastic array of music. Andrew did so many great songs; I wanted to film it all. The Chunky Seltzers, led by Big John’s nephew, Jake Palatine, and his incredible, soulful voice provided both chill and upbeat. They tore it up for all of it. They return this Jan. 24 – 26.
In May, I traveled to Waterbury to the Zenbarn to see my favorite band on the planet, Andy Frasco and the U.N. I heard barn in Zenbarn and thought it was a big place. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Still, no matter how small it is, the shows there are killer because the music is right in your face. From start to finish, this show was balls to the wall, nonstop high energy, and absolutely incredible.
I’ve seen Andy Frasco and the U.N. a bunch. They shine because each member is a monster player and great to watch. There was a great opener, too, with Ryan Dempsey and the Young Nocturnals; those guys rip. The drummer’s got some chops. What was really cool was Mike Gordon from Phish sat in with Andy to play bass on Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” I’m pretty sure I’ll never see something like that again. Good times the entire night.
June was a local’s party in Killington, aka the infamous Block Party. This party is a night traditionally filled with all the incredible musicians in this area. I look forward to this every year; the music never disappoints, plus you have me deejaying and Steve Finer, the Magic Man. The bands playing the awesome music were BAK’n, Eddie Turnpike, The Idiots, Squirrel Stew, Last Chair Band, Nick Bredice, Liz Reedy, Justin Burgess and Aaron Normand Band, and The Mojo Birds from Colorado, who put on a banger of a show.
Every July, you should head to Brandon for the Basin Bluegrass Festival. This festival was my third one, and the music never disappoints. What’s cool about it is that most of the music is jug-style, old-school bluegrass. I saw Larry Efaw and The Bluegrass Mountaineers (I interviewed Larry),
Seth Sawyer Band, Remington Ryde, High Peaks Bluegrass Band, and Canaan’s Land Bluegrass. They were all great, but some shined. Larry and his grandson were a highlight; his band is incredible. There are so many amazing pickers. The fiddlers and banjo players were crazy good. Remington Ryde ended with a salute to U.S. Vets, which was heartwarming and cool. The show ended with some blazing tunes from Canaan’s Land.
I’m looking forward to their 30th Annual show this July 10 – 13.
Aug. 3 was the annual Taps and Taste Festival at Okemo Mountain Resort. I DJ’d it alongside the Chris Pallutto Trio, who play great rock ‘n’ roll music. The Remember Jones set was fire. What an awesome mix of tunes. I loved it; the crowd loved it, and my 16-month-old son Judah loved it, which made me love it even more. I looked forward to this show because it was my first time sharing the stage with them and seeing them outside. They didn’t disappoint. They’re one of my favorite bands to see live. The whole show is high energy mixed with the coolest covers and incredible originals. They have costume changes and dance moves; it’s a show.
Remember Jones played a lively set at the Taps and Taste Festival at Okemo Mountain Resort.
On Oct. 11, I finally saw Chad Hollister’s big nine-piece band. I’ve been friends with Chad for 25 years and have seen all his lineups except this one. I’m psyched I got to attend this astonishing show at the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre. What an incredible show. It was extra special that this fell on the anniversary of my mother’s passing since Chad Hollister is all about family, and it warmed my heart to see Barbara Poremski, aka Prima, watch her son Jeff Poremski, aka Primo, absolutely rip. I loved the performance by Kris Gruen, who opened the show. They played a 15-minute version of “This is Life” that I filmed. It’s my longest filming to date, but it was so worth it. They ended with my all-time favorite song of his, “Wake Up.” It’s an oldie but definitely a goodie. I told Chad, my favorite music is music that moves you, and this whole night did that. Every song moved me. It’s honestly one of my all-time favorite shows.
November brought the Women’s World Cup back to town, and this year, it featured Fitz and The Tantrums, who played their hit song “Hand Clap”. That’s the one most people know, but the whole show was filled with high-energy music that had everyone dancing along to it. It was cold outside, but they made you forget that. They played some covers like “Sweet Dreams” and several originals. The show was phenomenal, representing the best musical act the World Cup has had. Later that day, G. Love played at the Pickle Barrel for the World Cup Rebels Apres Ski Party for charity. Mihali joined G for most of the show. I’ve seen G Love a lot; this was the best he’s ever been. He was having a blast on stage, and everyone in the sold-out crowd was having a blast with him. They did some amazing covers of “You Say He’s Just a Friend,” “Going up the Country,” and “Casey Jones.” Of course, he did a lot of his sweet originals, too. I Can’t say enough great things about this show.
December was not about music but about comedy. The 3rd annual Vermont Comedy Festival (Dec. 5 -8) showcased comedy performances all over Killington, Woodstock, and Bridgewater. This year kicked off with a 50-comedian one-minute stand-up battle, which was absolutely hilarious. It was a laugh-a-minute, pun intended. The audience picked the winner, Max Higgins, but it was tough to decide because everyone was funny.
I also caught an Apres Ski show at the Long Trail Brewery on Dec. 8. Over 10 comics performed, with Mike Toohey being my favorite, but all were great. The highlight and headliner of the festival was a show by Tim Meadows at the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre on Saturday Night, with openers Collen Doyle, Matt Vita, and Holly Johnson. What a hilarious night. Collen gave an on-point impression of Chris Farley, which was funny as heck. Matt had a solid set. Holly was hilarious from start to finish. Tim Meadows was freakin’ awesome. His “I love weed” bit was so funny I was crying laughing.
I know all the shows I mentioned represent only a fraction of the great music featured in Vermont over the year, mostly in the Killington and Rutland areas, but our entire state is filled with great music. So do yourself a favor in 2025 and get out and see some.
