This Week in Live Music

Friday, Sept. 14: Grand Point North Festival, Day One.

Gates at 4 p.m.

If you’re still wondering who Grace Potter is and what all the hype is about, now is the time to find out. Friday kicks off her second annual Grand Point North Festival on the waterfront. Day one will feature guests such as Dr. Dog, the Carolina Chocolate Drops and the popular local band Heloise & the Savoir Faire, who combine electronica, pop and soul for your listening pleasure.

The main attraction of the festival for many is Grace Potter herself. She and the Nocturnals have been taking the national scene by storm after breaking out of Vermont several years back. A rock band at heart, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals know how to put on a show better than most with their energetic, loud and innovative sound. Potter’s voice is one that you want to hear really let loose.

Saturday, Sept. 15: Grand Point North Festival, Day Two.

Gates at 3 p.m.

Tickets are sold-out for day two of this killer festival, so I’ll keep it short. The Avett Brothers are going to be here – enough said. If you did manage to snag some tickets, local acts Bob Wagner, Gregory Douglass, Bow Thayer and Waylon Speed are all worth checking out earlier in the day. 

Sunday, Sept. 16: Rebecca Padula at the Bee’s Knees. 

7:30 p.m.

The Bee’s Knees, located all the way out in Morrisville, Vt., is a haul to get to, but if you have the means, Rebecca Padula’s whiskey and honey voice will make it worth your while. 

She is one of the most respected musicians on the Vermont music scene: her lyrics are beautiful, her style is relaxed and old-timey with a hint of rock ‘n’ roll and her voice is to die for. She draws from apparent influences Merle Haggard and Pete Segar, but it’s my personal theory that she had a pretty big Black Sabbath phase at some point in her life. 

Monday, Sept. 17: Bob Wagner Trio at Red Square. 

7 p.m. 21+.

Bob Wagner, aka Ginger Moses, is keeping it hot at Red Square on Monday nights. 

I’ve mentioned Wagner in previous issues, but again, he’s fantastic. A little-known fact about Wagner: He was a drummer before he was the melt-your-face-off guitar player he is today. 

Listen for his impeccable sense of rhythmic style in his bluesy-rock guitar playing while you enjoy his tastefully chosen covers, soulful lyrics and powerful, yearning voice.

Tuesday, Sept. 18: DJ Craig Mitchell at Red Square. 

10 p.m. 21+.

If you don’t know Craig Mitchell, I hope you’ve been in Burlington for less than a year. 

The best DJ on the scene, Mitchell treats DJing as a real art, unlike many of the bozos who just push buttons on their laptops and make too much money for it. 

Burlington’s house music extraordinaire, Mitchell is a real musician and it comes through in his choices as a DJ. This guy is worth hearing.

Wednesday, Sept. 19: Dwight Ritcher Trio with Dave Grippo and Thunderbird Research at Nectar’s. 

9 p.m. 21+.

New York City-based singer/songwriter Dwight Ritcher, of Dwight and Nicole, rules. This killer lineup is a great reason to not write that paper you really should finish – or start. 

This Wednesday is the third in his four-week residency at Nectar’s in Burlington, and every week has been phenomenal so far. 

Seeing that Ritcher is joined by renowned saxophonist Dave Grippo, you should expect an indie vibe with clear blues and soul roots. 

Thursday, Sept. 20: Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band at Radio Bean. 11 p.m. 

Yep, I’m highlighting Kat Wright again. It’s because by the time Thursday rolls around, you should be dancing into the weekend to some classic soul music and, if you’re of age, a Switchback. This is the place to be.