Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Burlington Celebrates the 4th of July, on July 3rd 2018




     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

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