Anthill Collective comes through with another hot ticket in Winooski tonight. The big news for January's installment is the debut of Princess Nostalgia and the return of rapper/producer/etc Network, who has not been seen in these parts for quite some time. There will also be sets from Fresh Patterns and ILLu, who just released an EP.
A damn hot ticket tonight in downtown Montpelier. Charlie-O's has had some strong hip hop bills in the past year, but this an exceptional evening. VMB Productions is bringing in some out-of-state talent: Cody Pope and Two Story are both from New Hampshire, and Ill By Instinct has been killing it in Maine for many years now. Many readers may know him as the founding & frequent host of Rap Night™ in both Portland, ME and Manchester, NH. DJ Myth will also be in the house.
Throw in local support from Fresh Patterns, Mister Burns, Trono of Self Portrait...and a set from Face One, who has been on sabbatical for quite some time. He played his first set in years just this Thursday at the Monkey House.
And, of course, all of this goes down at Vermont's greatest dive bar. There ain't a better lineup anywhere in the state* this evening. 9 pm. 21+ only. Free as in free.
*...unless you're in the NEK. Then head over to Parker Pie to see the young legends Maiden Voyage tear it up.
One of my favorite BTV venues - the food! the people! the beer list! - will be hosting a damn promising bill next Saturday. The headliner is Viva La Hop, a Boston-based, Berklee-heavy nine-piece (!!!) band. They're a throwback act to the glorious days of acid jazz: killer rhythm section, a polished top end with keys and horn section, and even the whole "conscious lyrics" / "educate your mind" routine on the mic. Perfect for Burlington, in other words.
For local support, ArtsRiot are bringing the biggest & best outfit in town, Cultural Chemistry, an "802 supergroup" with a deep catalog. (And breakdancing.) Current lineup appears to be Skysplitter Ink on the beats, DJ Kanga on the 1s and 2s, and Learic, Mister Burns and Tha Truth on the mic; they're a dynamic posse so that is subject to change. Also, expect special guests.
Earlier in the evening, there will be performances from live hip hop crew Fresh Patterns, who held down Rusty Nail last night solo when Sophistafunk couldn't make it, and Bless the Child, always a reliable source of good vibes.
The upstate NY Moog Demolition Unit known as Sophistafunk will be rolling through Stowe's Rusty Nail on Friday evening. Sharing the bill will be Fresh Patterns, an interesting outfit that gets tighter with every show. Show starts at 9 pm sharp. $10 bill.
Tomorrow night January 12th is the Yo! BTV RAPS Vol. 6 with a great lineup of local Hip Hop featuring Fresh Patterns (a new group featuring Mister Burns and Cworner Stwore), Self Portrait, PreciseMC, Matt Hagen MC, SkySpliiterInk and Al Dose. DJ Kanga will be holding down the music all night at this monthly event. Yo! BTV RAPS has previously been held at Nectar's and is now moving to the new Sidebar venue next to Mr. Mike's in downtown Burlington. This is a 21+ event that is FREE! Music starts at 10PM.
