This Friday, May 23, at Higher Ground in South Burlington, Vermont’s music scene will be showcased through the Sonic Futures: Youth Music Collective, highlighting winners of the Harwood Union High School Battle of the Bands. Organized by music department heads Brian Boyes and Molly Clark, the event features four bands, offering insights into the music industry as part of a broader initiative started with a music summit in October.
The summit involved competing high school bands from the region, guided by industry professionals like Matt Rogers, Jer Coons, and Eric George, who acted as coaches and judges. This year marks the first time the Battle of the Bands opened its doors to other schools, enhancing the program to create more opportunities for budding musicians.
The lineup for the showcase includes Montpelier High School’s indie-rock band, Hard Copies, who won professional recording time, alongside acts from Spaulding High School and Harwood. The intent behind the program is to provide students with valuable industry experience and to foster networking among emerging artists.
Additionally, the article highlights Grace Potter’s upcoming single "Oasis" and the release of her album, Medicine, which will be available soon. In local music news, Vermont Public has announced two new programs: "All Ears" with DJ Tad Cautious, focusing on genre exploration, and "Now Playing" hosted by Llu Mulvaney-Stanak, dedicated to showcasing new music releases. Both shows aim to connect listeners with a diverse range of musical offerings, emphasizing the vibrant future of Vermont’s music landscape.
