Burlington International Waterfront Festival gets the party started
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Home-state heroes Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - now a five-piece featuring new members Catherine Popper (far left) on bass and Benny Yurco (second from right) on guitar - return to Waterfront Park on Sunday, July 12. Also on the bill are 1970s Vermont bluegrass super-group Pine Island and soulful Northeast Kingdom-born singer and trumpeter Jen Hartswick, performing with her talented band. PHOTO BY ADRIEN BROOM |
Toolbox
By TOM HUNTINGTON Arts Correspondent - Published: July 3, 2009
Vermont's summer concert season heats up considerably as the 13-day Burlington International Waterfront Festival, a multifaceted centerpiece of the Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration, gets underway.
Here's a look at six concerts that will surely enhance the celebration:
Sunday: The Roots
The legendary Roots crew returns to Burlington for what is sure to be yet another stellar area performance by one of the best live bands in the land, hip-hop or otherwise.
Currently the house band for the "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" show, the previously hard-touring hip-hop ensemble has been breaking away for short mini-tours that have found the band at the top of their game and eager to let loose.
Expect to hear some fresh tracks from the band's forthcoming CD, "How I Got Over," scheduled for release in October.
Waterfront Stage, 7:30 p.m. $30 advance, $35 day of show.
Monday and Tuesday: Dan Zanes and Friends
Popular family music performer Dan Zanes brings his merry six-piece band back to the area for two shows, which are part of the festival's two-day Kids' Day events.
Waterfront Stage, 3 p.m. $15 advance, $17 day of show; $40 Family Pass (4 members).
Wednesday: Steve Earle and Aimee Mann
One of the most influential, guitar-playing troubadours of the American roots-rock scene, Steve Earle, 54, just seems to get better with age. Known for his distinctive vocals and pointed lyrics, Earle is at the top of his game on his excellent new album, "Townes."
The stripped-down set is entirely composed of chestnuts penned by the late, great Texas singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt, a longtime friend of Earle's who he calls "one of the best songwriters that ever walked this Earth."
"Townes," released in May, debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard Top 200 - Earle's highest chart position ever - and recently reached No. 1 on the Americana Music Chart.
Earle's solo set is preceded by Aimee Mann, a compelling indie-pop artist - and former singer of '80s pop group 'Til Tuesday — who is touring in support of her lauded 2008 album, "@#%&*! Smilers."
Waterfront Stage, 7 p.m. $30 advance, $35 day of show.
Thursday: Buddy Guy and Bettye LaVette
A potent double-bill featuring two living legends: Chicago blues king and guitar god Buddy Guy, and underappreciated soul queen Bettye LaVette — a major highlight of the 2007 Burlington Discover Jazz Fest. Both are notorious for their killer live shows, so this should be one for the ages.
Waterfront Stage, 7 p.m. $35 advance, $40 day of show.
Saturday, July 11: Ween and Antibalas
Easily the oddest pairing on the fest concert schedule. Ween is a quirky cult favorite known for its unique brand of prog rock laced with psychedelic pop. Antibalas is a dance-inducing, New York City-based Afrobeat ensemble with a kickin' horn section and plethora of percussionists.
The super-busy Antibalas horns have recently performed with everyone from Public Enemy and The Roots to Paul Simon and TV on the Radio. On second thought, this one could get interesting.
Waterfront Stage, 6:30 p.m. $33 advance, $35 day of show.
Sunday, July 12: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Home-state heroes Grace Potter and the Nocturnals make their Vermont debut as a five-piece featuring new members Catherine Popper on bass and Benny Yurco on guitar.
Expect to hear choice cuts from their forthcoming CD, which the band recently recorded under the guidance of revered roots music producer T Bone Burnett. The album, the group's third for Hollywood Records, is tentatively scheduled for release this fall.
Making the affair extra festive are the Green Mountain State-inspired opening acts: Pine Island, a legendary Burlington bluegrass band in the 1970s that is reuniting for the occasion; and soulful Northeast Kingdom-born singer and trumpeter Jen Hartswick, performing with her talented band.
Waterfront Stage, 6 p.m. $30 advance, $35 day of show.