When the temps start to dip, it’s a sure sign that the live music action starts to heat up, and this fall’s lineup delivers a plethora of pop music options. Here’s a look at some noteworthy shows in September and October:
Sept. 28: The Nude Party
A highlight of the 2022 Waking Windows festival, upstate New York via North Carolina garage rock band The Nude Party returns in support of its third album, “Ride On,” released in March on New West Records.
“The sextet’s combination, some may say collision, of blues, swamp and twang are once again dragged into the garage,” said American Songwriter, “dusted with Todd Rundgren’s pop dust and energized with a ragged but right bluster.”
The Nude Party and opener Lady Apple Tree perform at 8:30 p.m. Thurs-day, Sept. 28 at Higher
Ground Ballroom, S. Burlington. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show (all ages); call 888-512-7469 or go online to www.highergroundmusic.com
The Nude Party and opener Old Lady perform at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at the Stone Church, Brattleboro. Tickets are $20-$25 (all ages); call 802-416-0420 or go online to stonechurchvt.com
Sept. 30: Amythyst Kiah
Called “one of roots music’s most promising new voices” by Rolling Stone, rising Nashville singer-songwriter Amythyst Kiah brings her genre-blurring Americana blend of blues, rock, country and folk to the intimate Dibden Auditorium.
Opening the show is rising Uganda-born, Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter Jon Muq, whose forthcoming debut album is being produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.
Amythyst Kiah and opener Jon Muq perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at Dibden Auditorium, Vermont State University, Johnson (KCP Presents). Tickets are $16-$51 (free for VTSU students); call 888-757-5559 or go online to www.catamountarts.org
Sept. 30: Woods
Formed nearly 20 years ago, New York-based trio Woods has become an unassuming standout on the indie folk-rock scene. Woods settles into the intimate Radio Bean behind a captivating new album, “Perennial,” released last week.
AllMusic said the album “finds the group expanding once more, turning in some of their most ornate production while maintaining their signature earthen songwriting style.”
“‘Perennial’ is yet another step forward for Woods, a band that continues to get stronger as their music becomes gentler and more graceful.”
Woods and opener Anna St. Louis perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at Radio Bean, Burlington. Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 day of show (age 21 and older); call 802-660-9346 or go online to www.radiobean.com
Oct. 4: Andy Frasco & The U.N.
Known for his high-octane, celebratory and interactive live shows, Andy Frasco and his band, the U.N., returns to Vermont in support of a buoyant new album, “L’Optimist,” released in August.
Forbes called it “feel-good music that sneaks in its share of truth.”
“‘L’Optimist’ has Frasco’s put-it-all-out-there lyrics, and his upbeat mix of infectious musical styles and beats,” said Forbes. “At the same time, the lyrics dig deep, touching on serious issues.”
Andy Frasco & The U.N. and opener Cool Cool Cool perform at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Higher Ground Ballroom, S. Burlington. Tickets are $25 in advance, $29 day of show (all ages); call 888-512-7469 or go online to www.highergroundmusic.com
Oct. 10: Andy Grammer
Known for his optimistic, upbeat and super catchy pop anthems like “Honey I’m Good” and “Keep Your Head Up,” multi-platinum singer-songwriter Andy Grammer kicks off his national tour in Burlington.
Andy Grammer and opener Patrick Martin perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 10 at The Flynn, Burlington. Tickets are $39-$274; call 802-863-5966 or go online to www.flynnvt.org
Oct. 12: Live
The only remaining original member of ’90s rock band Live following discord within the top-selling group, frontman Ed Kowalczyk brings a new touring band and hit songs like “Lightning Crashes” and “I Alone” to Rutland for one of Live’s first new unplugged productions.
Live performs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12 at Paramount Theatre, Rutland. Tickets are $65-$95; call 802-775-0908 or go online to www.paramountvt.org
Oct. 13: Rough Francis
Formed 15 years ago by brothers Bobby, Julian and Urian Hackney, Burlington punk rock group Rough Francis has been gradually garnering a growing national buzz. The band, with recently signed a record deal with the independent Drag City label, will be releasing a split single with pioneering proto-punk band Death — which was started by the Hackney’s fathers and uncles in Detroit in the early 1970s — later this year.
Opening the show are Rutland punk rock band Dead Street Dreamers and Montpelier punk rockers Robbery.
Rough Francis and openers Dead Street Dreamers and Robbery perform at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 at Nectar’s, Burlington. Tickets are $15 (age 21 and older); call 802-658-4771 or go online to liveatnectars.com
Oct. 14: Ruth Garbus Album Release
Brattleboro singer-songwriter Ruth Garbus celebrates the release of her third solo album, “Alive People,” released last month. Recorded live at a venue in Greenfield, Massachusetts, the spellbinding 13-song set seamlessly blends Garbus’ melodious compositions with improvised interludes from the performance.
“It’s willful. Sparse. Grand,” said Pitchfork. “In both its idiosyncratic form and meditative execution, ‘Alive People’ is an erudite and overwhelming reflection on the impermanence of all things.”
Opening the show is Locate S,1, Christina Schneider, a recent Brattleboro transplant from Athens, Georgia who performs in support of her third album, “Wicked Jaw,” released in July on the Captured Tracks label.
Ruth Garbus and opener Locate S,1 perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 at The Stone Church, Brattleboro. Tickets are $15 (all ages); call 802-416-0420 or go online to stonechurchvt.com
Oct. 15: Say She She
A soulful female-led band based in Brooklyn, Say She She fuses funk and pop with a heavy dose of dance and disco beats. The seven-piece group brings its dreamy harmonies, catchy hooks and up-tempo grooves in support of its forthcoming sophomore album, scheduled for release Friday.
Say She She with opener Honey & Soul performs at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, S. Burlington. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 day of show (all ages); call 888-512-7469 or go online to www.highergroundmusic.com
Oct. 20: 99 Neighbors
Burlington-born hip-hop collective 99 Neighbors, which two years ago celebrated the release of their major label debut album with a sold-out show at Higher Ground, returns to the venue to perform its final show as a group.
99 Neighbors performs at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 at Higher Ground Ballroom, S. Burlington. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 day of show (all ages; farewell show); call 888-512-7469 or go online to .com” target=”_blank”>www.highergroundmusic.com
Oct. 22 Buffalo Nichols
Milwaukee-based singer-songwriter Carl “Buffalo” Nichols performs an intimate show at Zenbarn in support of his mesmerizing, self-produced sophomore album, “The Fatalist,” released last week on Fat Possum Records.
Glide called it “an ear-opening mix of reimagined blues and folk songs” and “one of the most affecting releases of 2023.”
“‘The Fatalist’ gains in stature with every spin,” said Glide, “as Nichols displays his affinity for electro beats and goth-like sounds that color his dramatic wordplay and deep reverence for a genre he loves and shoulders into the future.”
Buffalo Nichols performs at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Zenbarn, Waterbury Center. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show (age 21 and older); call 802-244-8134 or go online to com” target=”_blank”>www.zenbarnvt.com
Oct. 27: The Wood Brothers
Called “masters of soulful folk” by Paste, celebrated roots trio The Wood Brothers perform in support of their eighth studio album, “Heart is the Hero,” released in April.
Holler Country called the record “an enthusiastic and joyous set, exuding passion and capturing the almost spiritual connection that comes naturally to The Wood Brothers.”
The Wood Brothers and opener Maya de Vitry perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 at The Flynn, Burlington (Higher Ground Presents). Tickets are $43-$53.50; call 802-863-5966 or go online to www.flynnvt.org
