Music-booking collective Waking Windows announced the initial lineup for its 2024 music and arts festival on Friday. The annual indie-rock showcase enters its 12th year hosting a slew of local talent and national headliners at an assortment of venues, restaurants and other businesses in downtown Winooski.
Post-pandemic, the festival has transitioned to a smaller-scale event than it was in previous years. It relies more heavily on local artists, and the 2024 lineup continues the trend. Burlington’s Death and Rough Francis, along with Portland, Maine, indie rocker Lady Lamb, headline the three-day fest, which kicks off on Friday, May 3.
Downsizing the festival hasn’t stopped the folks at Waking Windows from booking a stacked lineup of indie and underground music. Highlights include New Hampshire folk act John Andrews & the Yawns, Brooklyn singer-songwriter Aubrey Haddard, Israeli guitarist Yonatan Gat, and Austin funk band the Vapor Caves.
As always, Vermont indie acts are the backbone of Waking Windows, and the Green Mountains have a strong showing in 2024. Among the choice local picks are indie rocker Greg Freeman, queer punks Burly Girlies, Michael Chorney‘s psychedelic jazz collective Freeway Clyde, scene veterans Swale, and three — count ’em, three — surf bands (the High Breaks, Barbacoa and the Wet Ones, for you completists).
Other weekend festivities include a showcase hosted by local comedian Max Higgins, the Page Burner Reading Series and a drag queen story hour.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at wakingwindows.com.
This article appears in Apr 10-16, 2024.
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