Writer/Photo: Tom Schassler

Twiddle celebrated their third annual Tumble Down festival at Burlington’s Waterfront Park this past weekend in Vermont. They hosted a number of talented acts including Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Matisyahu, Billy Strings, Ripe, Bradon “Taz” Neiderauer and more.

The festival kicked off on Friday, July 27th. Faced with a few weather scares, the Connecticut quartet Eggy was unable to perform their set. Which was highly anticipated following the recent release of their “Tumbledown Boogie,” a song dedicated to Tumble Down accompanied by a humorous video teaser. After the weather cleared, attendees were permitted back into the grounds, which continued into the night with Billy Strings followed by Matisyahu taking the main stage.

Before Twiddle appeared there was a load roar from the crowd as U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders took the stage to share a few words and introduce the band. Last year Sanders was unable to attend, but left us with a thoughtful letter and showed his support for local Vermont music.

Twiddle was able to get in a one set of music including songs “White Light”, “Drifter”, “Doinkinbonk”, and “Syncopated Healing” before fans were forced to evacuate due to lightning. They shortly announced on Facebook after that fans would get three full sets of music on Saturday, and thanked them for understanding of the situation at hand.

Saturday was met with a rain delay that cut Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s set short by a few minutes – although they were able to get in some funk filled jams that had the crowd filled with energy. Brandon “Taz” Niederauer rocked the side stage with his band. The 15-year-old guitar prodigy had the crowd in awe while displaying his unbelievable talent.

Twiddle thankfully had no interruptions on Saturday, because this is the night where they truly displayed their talent and creativity. Second set had thier fans buzzing long into the night and for years to come. It featured the song “Orlando’s” which is a fictional location where a number of the characters they’ve created through other songs meet up at a bar to reminise and grab a drink. But it didn’t end there – they used this oppurtunity to transition into each song mentioned within the verses of “Orlando’s.” It was telling that it was well thought out and practiced with some precise execution on the transitions. You can give a listen to it on Edmund Edward’s recording – which I would highly suggest. This set may never be played again, or for a very long time to come. They closed out the night with a third set and a more than fitting “When It Rains It Pours” featuring Grahame Lesh and Elliot Peck.

Set One: Second Wind, Dr. Remidi’s Melodium, Polluted Beauty (w/ Brandon “Taz” Niederauer on guitar), Hallelujah (w/ Kat Wright on vocals)

Set Two: Orlando’s > Jamflowman > Hattibagen McRat > Orlando’s > Frankenfoote > Tiberius > Orlando’s > Carter Candlestick > Cabbage Face > Orlando’s

Set Three: Lost In The Cold (w/ Grahame Lesh on guitar), Apples, Hatti’s Jam (w/ Grahame Lesh on guitar and Elliott Peck on vocals) > When It Rains It Pours (w/ Grahame Lesh on guitar and Elliott Peck on vocals) To listen to the full show please click here.

Tumble Down 2018 was a success, and it only gets better as the years roll on. Many were speculating on how they could top the two previous years with special appearances by Page McConnell and Phil Lesh, but now we know exactly why the trip to Burlington has been so worthwile. Twiddle and their crew have been able to create a magical experience to live up to and past expectations.