Hello everyone
and Happy 4th of July. As I rapidly approach one year of living in
the great state of Vermont, I feel so blessed to be living in a city with such
a vibrant music scene. I got to enjoy every bit of it last night. So with here
we go, July 3rd Celebration in Burlington VT 2018.
A few months ago,
RATM tribute band Burning Monk announced they were playing on July 3rd
at Nectar’s after the fireworks. They were one of the few local bands I really
wanted to see but hadn’t yet. They only play 3 or 4 shows a year so I made sure
to have off from both jobs on July 4th. What I didn’t know was what
a big deal July 3rd is up here. A few weeks ago Zach Nugent of JGB
with Melvin Seals fame announced a show at the Skinny Pancake, located along
the Waterfront. And then the Metronome, directly above Nectar’s, announced a
Dead Set with guitarist extraordinaire Seth Yacovone. So now my night was all
mapped out.
The last week has
been a scorcher up here, and the 3rd was no different. It was in the
90’s as I made my way down to the Pancake, a 15 minute stroll from my crib. They
opened with Feel Like a Stranger followed by West LA Fadeaway. Zach plays a
Tiger replica and the tones were super clean. He also stayed true to Jerry’s
fashion sense and sported a black t shirt despite the heat and the sun. A raging Jack Straw was the highlight of the
first set for myself. They played roughly an hour and then the fireworks began.
I proceeded to
walk back up the hill, found a patch of grass, and exercised my newly granted
right to puff. While doing so in public is still illegal, no one objected. The
fireworks were quite spectacular. While I don’t care for the Price Chopper
corp. that I currently work for, they sponsored the fireworks and it was money
well spent. I then walked another short distance away to my favorite bar and
music venue in Burlington, Nectar’s.
I am still in awe
that I live so close to an historic and epic music venue. I got there right as
Dead Set began. Didn’t keep a set list but some of the highlights were Greatest
Story and Walkin’ Blues. I first heard Seth when he sat in with Phish on
November 29, 1998. He sang a blues tune with them that gave me goosebumps
hearing it on tape. His voice sounds like he has a hellhound on his trail. It
is perfect for the blues tinged Dead and Americana he excels at. And did I
mention he shreds?
At set break I
went outside were it was a wee bit cooler than inside to puff and chill out.
Right across the street from Nectar’s is a really small green space with 2
sculptures to democracy. Going to assume Bernie put then there when he was
mayor. It is the acceptable place to puff when attending shows at Nectar’s. The
police were out on foot patrols last night and I watched a cop just walk by and
not even cast a glance at the 20 or so people assembled over there. It is truly
something to behold living in a state with legalized recreational cannabis.
Second set
started with St Stephen>Eyes which was phenomenal. Truckin’>He’s Gone was
a nice inverse of how the boys used to do it. The highlight of the entire even
for me was when they launched into Caution. This was a Pigpen highlight from
his area. I saw Phil and Friends perform it with Joan Osborne singing but this
was a whole other animal. As Seth sang it, it sounded like the devil himself
was wrestling for procession of Seth’s soul. Spine tingling.
I am sure some of
you are wondering, what about Burning Monk? They were super high energy. I went
back and forth between the floors and caught a few songs. They were almost too
intense for where my head was at but the highlight for me was Bulls on Parade.
So there you have
it. Another reason why Burlington kicks so much ass. Up next, Phil Lesh and the
Family band on the Waterfront!
Dave Kemp
BA American Studies
PhD Rock and Roll
