By Tom Huntington
Arts Correspondent
Safe to say that the onset of summer is looking a lot more promising for live music lovers than last year. Case in point: this summer’s lineup has plenty of compelling options in Vermont and beyond.
“It feels great to be back at it,” said Higher Ground co-owner Alex Crothers on Tuesday.
“What most people don’t realize is that there are months of planning that go into any single event,” he said. “We’re effectively scrambling to do in three months what normally takes 12 months.”
“Couple that with the fact that reopening does not mean recovery,” added Crothers. “Restaurants and the live events sector suffered a devastating financial hit from the pandemic, and the impact of nearly 15 months of reduced operating restrictions and closure will continue to be felt for months or years.”
Higher Ground is presenting the lion’s share of events, including a new outdoor concert series in Burlington, Backside 405, a collaboration with Burlington City Arts that kicked off May 28 and runs through the end of August.
Located behind BCA Studios in Burlington’s vibrant South End Arts District, the series features live music every Friday and Saturday night all summer long.
“Backside 405 was born out of an idea to provide opportunity for club-level artists this summer,” Crothers said, and to reconnect artists and audiences since Higher Ground won’t be opening until late August.
“We designed the space with ample capacity,” he said, with “plenty of space for folks to be comfortable with what for many will be their first in-person concert experience post pandemic.”
“The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” Crothers said. “Lots of hugs, high fives and even a few tears of joy.”
Crothers said two more Shelburne Museum shows, both in the fall, will be announced next week. “That should wrap up our summer season across Shelburne, Midway Lawn and Backside,” he said.
Also next week: an update on the 10th anniversary edition of Grace Potter’s Grand Point North, which returns to Burlington Waterfront Park Sept. 11-12.
thomaswhuntington @hotmail.com
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