Putney, VT — The Bandwagon Summer Series rolls into the Putney Inn Field on Saturday, August 16 at 6:00 PM, bringing with it a wave of island rhythms and joyful melodies for a midsummer night to remember. Headlining the evening is Charlie & The Tropicales, the 1960s-style Caribbean lounge band led by New Orleans trombone maestro Charlie Halloran. Opening the show is the ever-soulful Heather Pierson Trio, offering a vibrant blend of jazz, folk, and blues.
Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the gate, and kids under 12 get in free. Food will be provided by Smokin’ Bowls, and a dedicated kids’ play area ensures the whole family can enjoy the night.
Charlie Halloran & The Tropicales: Steel Drum Soul Meets French Quarter Funk
If you’ve ever wandered down Frenchmen Street in New Orleans and caught the sounds of a steel pan grooving alongside a swaying trombone, chances are Charlie Halloran was nearby. A ubiquitous presence in Crescent City jazz circles, Halloran brings his beloved band The Tropicales to Vermont for a one-night-only performance that promises to be as breezy as it is bold.
Their sound is a retro-tropical fusion—equal parts Trinidadian calypso, French Caribbean beguine, 1950s R&B, and traditional New Orleans jazz. It’s music that could easily be playing in a swanky lounge aboard a mid-century cruise liner gliding through the Caribbean.
Halloran, a two-time DownBeat Rising Star and OffBeat Magazine favorite, has collaborated with a staggering array of artists including Jon Cleary, Maria Muldaur, the Squirrel Nut Zippers, and even U2. His projects have landed on Grammy-winning albums and hit TV soundtracks like Treme and NCIS: New Orleans.
His band’s most recent works—The Alcoa Sessions and Shake the Rum—showcase an international collective of musicians and the infectious joy of danceable, sun-soaked instrumentals. Expect vibrant pink and candy-cane-colored vinyls, vintage calypso flair, and enough swing to get the whole field moving.
Heather Pierson Trio: Songs That Shine from the Inside Out
Opening the evening is Heather Pierson, a New Hampshire-based singer-songwriter whose music floats between Appalachian folk, blues, and NOLA jazz. With a voice as clear as mountain air and a masterful touch on the piano, Pierson brings warmth, introspection, and joy to every performance.
Her trio features Shawn Nadeau on bass and Craig Bryan on drums and percussion, and their latest release, Back To The Light, has been hailed as her most vibrant yet. Recorded live in-studio, it captures the essence of community and celebration—two things the Bandwagon Summer Series is all about.
Bandwagon Summer Series: Music in the Open Air
Hosted by the team at Next Stage Arts, the Bandwagon Summer Series transforms familiar local fields into vibrant cultural spaces from May through September. This show takes place at Putney Inn Field, located at 57 Putney Landing Road. Bring a picnic blanket, lawn chair, or just your dancing shoes. The site will offer food from Smokin’ Bowls and drinks—including the return of Barr Hill cocktails.
With kids under 12 always free and a play area set up at each show, this is one of the region’s most family-friendly ways to enjoy world-class music under the open sky.
For tickets and more info, visit: nextstagearts.org
Event Details at a Glance:
- What: Bandwagon Summer Series — Charlie & The Tropicales + Heather Pierson Trio
- When: Saturday, August 16 | Show at 6:00 PM
- Where: Putney Inn Field, 57 Putney Landing Road, Putney, VT
- Tickets: $22 advance / $25 at the gate / Kids under 12 free
- Food: Smokin’ Bowls | Drinks by Barr Hill | Kid-friendly play zone on-site
Expect a night of rhythm, roots, and revelry—where the spirit of New Orleans meets the heart of southern Vermont.
