Time flies, and for Madaila, it’s hard to believe that their debut album, The Dance, is already ten years old! To mark this milestone, the band is gearing up for a special performance on Halloween night at the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge in South Burlington, where they’ll play the album in full—a reunion show like no other.
Back in 2015, frontman Mark Daly, with a stellar lineup of local musicians, burst onto the scene with a vibrant sound that garnered millions of Spotify streams and caught attention in outlets like Paste and Relix. Known for their flashy neon suits and energetic performances, Madaila quickly became a beloved fixture in Vermont’s music landscape. However, after a promising start and a follow-up album, Traces, Daly put the band on hiatus in 2018 to focus on family life.
Now, the band is back, but with a fresh twist. Though some original members have returned, the lineup features a new crop of Vermont talent, including drummer Steve Hadeka and bassist Josh Weinstein. They recently released The Suite, showcasing their evolving sound. As Daly reminisces about the past, he’s excited to honor his original bandmates and relive the energy of their early days.
During the Halloween show, expect a journey through time: the evening will kick off with the new lineup performing fresh material before the original crew takes the stage for a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Daly recognizes that not just his music, but also his audience has grown. Many longtime fans have settled into family life, but he hopes this reunion will bring them back for a night of pure Madaila magic, even if the iconic neon suits won’t make a return!
As he looks ahead, Daly is just soaking in the moment. “It feels really sweet to play these songs again and know that they still resonate with people,” he muses. Keep an eye out for this special night—you won’t want to miss it!