Eye on the Scene: Rough Francis at Waking Windows

Rough Francis at the Monkey House during waking windows in Winooski Credit: Luke Awtry

Rough Francis at Waking Windows, the Monkey House, Winooski, Sunday, May 4:

A wise Beatle once sang, “All things must pass.” Rarely has that notion resonated so loudly in the local music scene as when the Waking Windows music festival celebrated its last hurrah around the Winooski rotary. Not only did we bid the fest a bittersweet farewell after 15 years, but our local punk brotherhood Rough Francis also announced they were playing their last show ever, closing the festival on Sunday night at the Monkey House. The place was packed to capacity, with the overflow spilling up the sidewalk to Mule Bar, where DJs, dancing and late-night food kept the party going. Losing the fest and Rough Francis in one night was quite a one-two punch. But to quote that same Beatle, “It’s not always gonna be this gray.” After a rain-soaked weekend, I’m holding out hope for a phoenix-type story with something new rising from the ashes of our beloved past.