Higher Ground Closes Down

Murder By Death opens a show at Higher Ground last August.

The anticipation builds inside, awaiting an explosion of flying arms and screams in the artsy multi-color lounge. The “roadies” rearrange the stage, adding and subtracting amps, drum sets, and lighting equipment. A mixed CD plays over the speakers—a mere backdrop in the sea of conversations through the crowd. The lights go down, the CD stops, and the audience falls silent. Another show begins.

Almost 300 shows a year are featured at Higher Ground, a concert venue in Winooski, Vermont. The excitement, however, is about to stop. In comparison to other concert halls of its size, Higher Ground has featured an especially large number of big name acts—from the Black Eyed Peas and Sean Paul to Norah Jones. The venue is large enough to host quite a crowd, but still has that incredibly close-knit, music-generated atmosphere that makes for an awesome time.

Geoff Rickley, lead singer of Thursday, sings out into the crowd at a recent show at Higher Ground.

"Many venues are just too big and you don't get the same personal connection that you get when you see a band at Higher Ground," says Eric Dufrane, an avid concert attendee who often often travels to the venue from his home in Malone, New York.

Not only is the atmosphere lively, there is easy access to the restrooms, the bar, and perhaps most importantly, a parking spot.

After six years of shows, Higher Ground will be coming to an abrupt end after it hosts one last performance on April 25. The joint restaurant, lounge, and music hall is being shut down by the City of Winooski to make room for a $185 million redevelopment project. If you have been to Higher Ground lately, you would have noticed a huge void in the plaza—everything is shut down. A supermarket, pizza shop, and Chinese food place have since vacated the Main Street plaza, and Higher Ground is the next to go.

One of many great bands that have played at Higher Ground—Thursday takes the center stage.

“We’ve known about the project since it was announced publicly 3 years ago," says Alex Crothers, co-owner of Higher Ground. “The city has always been up front about the fact that the project would displace us.”

The folks at Higher Ground seem to be surprisingly upbeat about the decision, referring to the close as “bittersweet.” “We’ve been fortunate to have had an amazing six year run with over 1,500 shows in a business that’s known for having a short shelf-life,” says Crothers. “We’re happy to be closing on such a high note.” A high note, indeed. Higher Ground has featured tons of amazing musicians throughout its life, befriending many loyal patrons along the way.

“The outpouring from the community has been enormous,” says Crothers, “making us realize how much the venue meant to the overall community. It’s been very heartwarming to say the least.”

You always could get that up-close look at your favorite musicians at Higher Ground...if you could fight your way to the front of the crowd, that is!

Don’t worry though, because Higher Ground is planning to relocate. “We hope to be in a new and better facility by early fall,” Crothers said. Though there is no word as to exactly where it will be, we can hope that when it does open, it will be as great as it was for those six successful years.

Been to Higher Ground before, or sad to see it go? Let us know!