Live music has long been a popular pick for ringing in the New Year, and this year’s offerings deliver a plethora of compelling events. Here’s a look at some noteworthy options happening around the state.
Dec. 28-29, 31: MihaliMiddlebury-based singer-songwriter Mihali Savoulidis, aka Mihali of Castleton-born reggae-funk-rock band Twiddle — which last month ended its 18-year run as a nationally touring band with a three-night “Friendsgiving” celebration at the Capitol Theatre in New York — performs three shows in support of Mihali’s 2022 album, “Effection”:
— Thursday: Mihalidaze with Gubbulidis (Mihali and Twiddle bassist Zdenek Gubb) at 8 p.m. at Pickle Barrel Nightclub, 1741 Killington Road in Killington. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 day of show (age 21 and older); call 802-422-3035 or go to www.picklebarrelnightclub.com online.
— Friday: Mihalidaze featuring G. Love & Brandon “Taz” Niederauer at 8 p.m. (age 21 and older; sold out); call 802-422-3035 or go online to www.picklebarrelnightclub.com
— Dec. 31: Mihali performs at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall Theater, 68 S. Pleasant St. in Middlebury. Tickets are $40 ($20 for children under 12); call 802-382-9222 or go online to townhalltheater.org
Dec. 30: The TenderbelliesBurlington-based string band The Tenderbellies celebrates its 10th anniversary as a band. The six-piece group, which blends Americana and bluegrass with jazz and rock, released its debut album, “One by One,” one year ago.
Sharing the kickin’ co-bill is Northern Vermont bluegrass band Beg, Steal or Borrow, which also celebrates its 10th anniversary as a band.
The Tenderbellies and Beg, Steal or Borrow perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30 at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, S. Burlington. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 day of show (all ages); call 888-512-7469 or go online to www.highergroundmusic.com
Dec. 30-31: Bella’s BartokBella’s Bartok, an Amherst, Massachusetts-based band known for its raucous and theatrical live shows, brings its 6th annual Strange Ones Ball back to the Stone Church in Brattleboro for another two-night extravaganza.
The self-described “foot-stomping freak folk” group performs in support of a stellar new seven-song album, “Apocalypse Wow!” released in October.
Bella’s Bartok sixth annual Strange Ones Ball is 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 30 and 31 at Stone Church, 210 Main St. in Brattleboro. Robber Robber opens on Dec. 30; Gold Setter opens Dec. 31. Tickets are $30 for Dec. 30, $35 for Dec. 31, $60 for both nights (all ages); call 802-416-0420 or go online to stonechurchvt.com
Dec. 31: Highlight
Highlight, Burlington’s official New Year’s Eve celebration, returns for its sixth straight year. Live music includes “Big Gay New Year” at the ECHO Center, “a night of Queer joy, art and allyship” featuring performances by singer-songwriter Caroline Rose, Burlington grunge pop band Hammydown, Vermont-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Lutalo, and Burlington indie-rock group The Burning Sun.
Waterfront Park features a compelling lineup that includes Brooklyn-based soul-funk trio The Nth Power, one-man musical force The Suitcase Junket and rising Burlington rocker Greg Freeman.
At Foam Brewers, synth-driven band Roost.World brings its popular Burlington Electronic Department monthly party with a nonstop mix of live electronica acts, DJs and bands.
Other performers include standout Burlington-based singer-songwriter Henry Jamison at the Unitarian Universalist Church, and Burlington indie-rock trio Greaseface opening for Queen City country group Wild Leek River.
Highlight is presented by Burlington City Arts and Signal Kitchen. All-access buttons are $15 (free for age 5 and younger); for information, go online to highlight.community
Dec. 31: Dave Keller BandMontpelier blues and soul standout Dave Keller brings his popular New Year’s Eve dance party to Tunbridge, capping an impressive year that found him garnering widespread acclaim for his 10th album, “It’s Time to Shine,” released in August.
“Equally confident and individualistic as a singer, guitarist and tunesmith, the Vermonter works his longtime fascination with bygone soul-blues … and pounds out alluring blues-rock numbers,” according to Downbeat, which called him “one of the Northeast’s few world-class blues artists.”
The Dave Keller Band performs at 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31 at The Shindigs at Tunbridge Town Hall, 271 VT-110 in Tunbridge. Tickets are $20; go online to www.shindigsvt.com
Dec. 31: Zach NugentBurlington-based singer and guitarist Zach Nugent brings his ever-popular Dead Set back to Higher Ground, taking Grateful Dead fans back to 1967 for “classic and deep cuts as well as a strong dose of ’60s Dead tunes.”
A liquid oil light show and special guest Sunshine Garcia Becker of Further and JGB enhance the festivities.
Zach Nugent’s Dead Set performs at 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31 at Higher Ground Ballroom, S. Burlington. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 day of show (all ages); call 888-512-7469 or go online to www.highergroundmusic.com
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