Every year I am encouraged about the future of our world when I see how well kids can team up, work together, and step into the spotlight with courage and grace. This year was no exception. Our Showcase was abound with dedicated, driven, and promising young musicians. Check out these video clips:
The four piece band, Stones n’ Rotation, sold the most tickets to the event, and secured the headline spot to close the show. Vocalist Sage Leger of Leominster plays rhythm guitar. Ryan Costa, from Clinton, is the lead guitarist. Driving the beat are Dominic Pistone on bass and Eric Moreira on drums, both from Lunenburg. Their camaraderie is unmistakable and is evident in their performance. You can catch them at the Gardner Ale House for Brian Chaffee’s Audio Wasabi on June 7th. Follow them on FaceBook at Stones n’ Rotation.
When their older members retired, FutureStars veterans Max Vanderwerf (drums), Ben Lichtman (guitar), Drew Femino (bass), and Will Thompson (guitar/vocals) re-united under the new name Critical Thinking and added a keyboard/saxophone player, Charlie Bardenheuer. All hailing from Harvard, MA, the group has diverse musical influences, but they blend their interests to play folk, funk, classic rock, and blues. You can follow them on Instagram @criticalthinkingband
The Crushers were back for their third year on the FutureStars stage. Since April last year, this Sterling based group has performed at numerous local music venues like The Gardner Ale House and they have been featured on FATV’s “Barbara & You”. Lead vocalist, James Barone, brothers Ben & Jonathan Godbout (guitar/vocals and drums) and Jake & Zac Brennan (bass and guitar) know how to crank out the classics. The Crushers are in their element when they are playing for an audience, but they also enjoy creating original music. They’ll be at the Southside Grille & Margarita Factory an May 19th. Visit www.crushers.rocks to hear about more performances.
Isle, a trio, has been playing together for two years, working on contemporary blues music. Brendan Daly (drums), Liam Asselin (guitar/vocals) and Ethan Whipple (bass), all attend Lunenburg High School. Isle has played school events, and open mics at the Dragon Fly Cafe in Lunenburg. They have a robust collection of blues/rock songs that you are going to love. Listen to an original on YouTube: “Trail Among The Pines”- Isle and subscribe to their channel while you are there. We look forward to hearing about their next gig.
Zabelle (Isabell Lassell) returns to our FutureStars Showcase with new folk rock/indie pop covers by Frank Turner, 21 Pilots, Imagine Dragons and Jake Bugg. Since FutureStars 2017, she has been performing open mics at Legends Bar & Grill and the Gardner Ale House. Like the music she plays, Zabelle is bold and fearless, and we are sure to hear more from her in the coming years. Follow Zabelle on Instagram: @zabellesmusiccovers
Point.Blank.Period is a pop/rock instrumental group. Tyreece Younger (drums), Jamie Teele (keyboard), Alex Gurganuz (saxophone), John DeWitt (rhythm guitar), Tyler Stevens (lead guitar), and Eathen Willard (bass) all attend Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School in Orange, MA. They have played at several events in Royalston and Orange. Their musical influences are Fall Out Boy and One Republic, but their renditions are entirely unique as they incorporate saxophone and trumpet in lieu of vocals. They’ll be performing at the at the Royalston town hall on April 27th at 7 pm, and at Gardner Ale House’s “Audio Wasabi” with Brian Chaffee on May 10th. Follow these up-and-coming musicians on Instagram: @tyreece_younger_drummer and @teele.jamie
City Music’s FutureStars Showcase received the generous support of several companies. Fender donated a CD60SCE guitar for the drawing, Fishman, Gator Cases and D’Addario all provided free lanyards for the bands and roadies.
Thank you especially to vendors that provided services for the Showcase. Please share our appreciation by patronizing these local businesses: Sound and stage management provided by Steve Gaetz of Bedlam Productions,
