The Best Vermont Music of 2025

Like Indiana Jones famously said: “It ain’t the years; it’s the mileage.” 2025 has come and nearly gone, and let’s just say it left a mark. No, I’m not talking about America’s ongoing flirtation with fascism, bird flu, Diane Keaton dying, the bleaching of the coral reef, Saudi Arabian comedy festivals or even NBA betting scandals. Who has time to think about all that when the Vermont music scene has just experienced a roller coaster of a year?

It was a rough one for live music venues, particularly in Burlington, which saw several crown jewels exit stage left. I’m still struggling to wrap my head around the fact that when I walk downtown to survey the city’s nighttime music offerings, my path no longer leads to Main Street and its neon, rotating marquee. Without the Nectar’s sign glowing in the night, it almost feels like the city’s “open” sign has been turned off.

The Nectar’s Sign Credit: File: Matthew Thorsen

ArtsRiot headed for the great venue in the sky as well, closing after years of upheaval and a carousel of owners. By the time the South End club finally folded, it felt like it had actually been dead for years — the Abe Vigoda of clubs. (What, too soon? RIP, Abe!)

And speaking of death, we’ve had our share this year in the local music scene. We lost legendary soundman Sergei Ushakov in January in what felt like a harbinger for the end of Nectar’s. A pair of folk musicians with long-running radio programs who left an outsize mark on the state, Robert Resnik and Jon Gailmor, both died in 2025. So did writer Jay Stevens, who wrote books on drumming with the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart. And the so-called “Godfather of Freak Folk,” Michael Hurley, who recorded some of his best work while living in Vermont in the 1970s and maintained connections here, died in April.

And RIP to Rough Francis. No, the Burlington punk rockers haven’t broken up or taken an ill-advised flight instead of getting on a bus — aka the Buddy Holly Maneuver. They just decided to ditch the name and work on different material. Why, you say? Uh, reasons? As of press time, they’ve yet to announce their new moniker, but who says no to Rougher Francis, eh? What’s that? Everyone? OK, fair. I’ll leave it to the professionals. Either way, 2025 was it for Rough Francis, at least in name.

Despite all that, it was a banner year for local music. Indie acts Greg Freeman and Lily Seabird dropped big records garnering lots of buzz abroad, and bands such as Robber Robber, the Dead Shakers and the Wormdogs released some of their finest music.

The Green Mountain heavy hitters showed up as well. Grace Potter released Medicine, produced by T Bone Burnett; Neko Case dropped the excellent Neon Grey Midnight Green; and Noah Kahan … well, he’s still riding on Stick Season, but hey, he’s headlining Bonnaroo in 2026, so there’s that!

That’s just scratching the surface. So I’m here to unwrap it all for you — you know, sort of like Spotify but without any U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ads or investments in weapons developers! Behold, the Vermont 2025 Music Scene Unwrapped.

Best Albums of the Year

Greg Freeman, Burnover
Neko Case, Neon Grey Midnight Green
Hammydown, Former You
Freddie Losambe, Nevermore
Lily Seabird, Trash Mountain
Caitlin Canty, Night Owl Envies the Mourning Dove
Paper Castles, I’m Sad as Hell and I’m Not Going to Fake It Anymore
Asterisk, No School
Page McConnell, Something Will Land
The Dead Shakers, Now That’s What I Call Missiles & Bombz 4 Kidz!

Best Singles of the Year

Robber Robber, “Talkback”
Grace Potter, “Oasis”
James Kochalka Superstar, “Good Frog”
Willverine, “do I do it for you?”
Jarv, “Rap 101”
Acqua Mossa, “Dirt”
Tom Gershwin, “Belong Here”
COOP, “I Don’t Need Noboday”
Repelican, “Cloud Gets Full”
Astral Underground, “Your Father Is/Was a Vampire”

Best Music Podcasts and Radio Shows

“Abstract VT,” hosted by Abbey B.K.
“3SOME,” hosted by Fattie B
“Everyday Sunshine,” hosted by the Purple Shaman on WRUV
“The Sounds of Burlington,” hosted by Tim Lewis on WBKM
“Golden Hour,” hosted by Travis Card and Shaun Machia
“Rocket Shop Radio Hour” (RIP) on Big Heavy World, WBKM
“Load-In Through the Back,” hosted by Troy Millette and Paul Varricchione
“Music to Go to the Dump By,” hosted by Joel Najman on WDEV
“Blues for Breakfast,” hosted by Charlie Frazier on WIZN
“Cultural Bunker” hosted by Melo Grant on WRUV

Chris’ Arbitrary Awards

Best Record to Get High to: American Classical Studies by YETI MANE,
Best Song to Smash the Patriarchy to:“Don’t Own Me” by Violet Crimes and Bri Lucas
Best Song to Get Lost in the Woods to: “Snow on Juniper Island” by Pangaea Projekt
Band I Wish Hadn’t Broken Up: Community Garden
Best “I Miss the ’90s” Record: Radiolaria by Phantom Suns

Musicians’ Choice Awards

Abbey B.K.

(singer-songwriter, podcaster)

Favorite Musical Moment of 2025: the Vermont’s Rising Creatives Workshop, hosted by Grand Point North and Senator Rocket of Eat Vermont. “The workshop gave me the chance to reconnect more deeply with familiar faces and also meet new people who have since become friends — and podcast guests. Sharing in the collective power of music and art was truly moving.”

Tim Lewis

(Burlington super fan, radio host)

Favorite New Band of 2025: Coven. “I’ve seen them several times and have been blown away every time. Discovering Coven this year is one of my many highlights — I can’t say enough great things about them.”

Jon Ehrens

(Repelican, Vermont Public producer)

Favorite Live Show of 2025: the Spirit of Vermont Festival. “Two of my favorite Burlington bands were scheduled back-to-back: Emerald Ground Water and Rockin’ Worms. A welcome change from the late-night black boxes that typically host these kinds of sounds.”