Suzanne Karioki

When the Plymouth Theatre opened in November of 1928, it was a place for the wealthy and well-connected of the city to gather for a night of entertainment. Less than a year later, the Great Depression would render its prized theatre organ and collection of silent films almost obsolete. But the Plymouth Theatre has survived decades of hardship, twice threatened with demolition and often facing an uncertain future in bleak economic times. But today, as the Worcester Palladium, the concert venue has seen stars from all genres of music, from Bob Dylan and Prince to Kanye West and Fall Out Boy. The Palladium is one of the few event spaces in the city capable of simultaneously hosting historically famous acts and local indie artists, including events like the Worcester Music Awards on April 10. 

The opening act that night blazed in with AriBand lead by Ari Charbonneau, an intense guitar player and singer with the attitude and swagger of a rock star in a bygone decade, but with a genuine warmth and fervor. Behind the stage, Charbonneau warms up in the old theatre that opened in 1928. The lush flower baskets and palms are long gone, but there’s still a faint air of grandeur; a rack of lights has replaced its dusky blue curtains and gold detail, but its grand structure remains. Charbonneau’s voice carries and echoes effortlessly in a room designed to project and radiate sound from the stage. Originally from Northborough — a town about 20 minutes from Worcester whose main street, until recently, mostly consisted of a family-owned pharmacy, liquor store and pizza place — Charbonneau launched herself into music immediately after high school, playing in the streets of Boston and taking her laundry home on the train. She’s never stopped creating music, even with her full time job as a massage therapist, which she enjoys as a way to tap into her deep spirituality. In the empty theatre, she muses about the physical and emotional power of music, its ability to move people, to shake the earth and shatter glass. She gets lost there for a while, wanders off in her own thoughts for a moment and then shakes off her nerves. “I feel less nervous after talking to you,” she says, but she has to run; her set starts in a few minutes. 

It’s certainly an interesting start to the show; guitar in hand and eyes closed, it doesn’t seem to matter where she is other than within the music, switching characters from high-pitched to punk swagger. In front of the stage are a litter of very enthusiastic swaying dancers, separated from the rest of the crowd. Like Charbonneau, they don’t seem to care who’s watching. 

Music is a labor of love for independent artists who often lose money touring and recording albums, so events like the Worcester Music Awards are especially important as a space to honor and appreciate local talent on one stage. Matthew Wade, singer-songwriter and guitarist of My Silent Bravery is one of those indie artists who works full time and tours on his time off. 

“You gotta do it for the passion,” he says, and passionate he is; he and his bandmate, Katie Abendroth, performed a rousing set during the show, with Abendroth on a beautifully played electric violin. It was very easy to forget that they were the only two people on stage; Abendroth’s lilting melodies perfectly filled the space over Wade’s tenor and invigorating guitar. The two of them brought a palpable energy that had the audience riveted. 

Originally from Worcester, Wade suffered a sports injury while travelling in Australia which  forced him to really think about his future. It took a lot of self-work to get through the injury, he explains, and that journey made him realize that he wanted to inspire others. With his community of fans — nicknamed the Bravehearts — Wade and My Silent Bravery have created an intensely positive community. Wade has toured in Europe as well as the United States, opening for acts like Saving Abel, Puddle of Mudd and Aaron Carter. But Wade also makes time for his fans, hosting a concert every Tuesday night via Facebook Live and inviting them to share their own talents. Wade has played every club in Worcester and greatly appreciates events like the Worcester Music Awards that showcase and celebrate local talent. With a new album in the works (“Holding Out for Hope”) and a milestone birthday party in June at the Bull Mansion, Wade is looking towards an exciting second half of 2019. 

Giving the most rousing performance of the night was New Pond Fondle, whose members met in 1995 in Fitchburg. They grew up together and formed the band in high school, playing covers until they decided to work on their own original music. 24 years later, the band is family. Even though the internet and social media have drastically changed the indie music scene, New Pond Fondle has stuck around. Comprised of guitarist Mat Babineau, keyboardist Dan Cormier, lead vocalist Dave Harrington, Greg Secino on drums and Kyle Shattuck on bass, the band are very close friends whose connection is obvious both on and off the stage.

 “We play because we really love playing,” explains frontman Dave Harrington.  He, like the rest of the band, are exceedingly busy. “We all have full time jobs, wives, kids, solo projects and other bands,” he says. With all of those responsibilities, I ask, when do they ever get a moment to rest?

They laugh. 

With almost the same lineup since 1996, the band has been around long after most others have broken up and moved on. Bands are notorious for ending relationships, but remarkably for these five, they all still love spending time together outside of the band. Their children and wives are friends, and they’ve attended everything from each other’s weddings to their children’s birthday parties. 

That friendship is clear on stage, where the band plays seamlessly together; Babineau sports an impressive collection of pedals which he demonstrates with an inspiring technical precision. Although he sets them up to do specific things before shows, he still has room to experiment on stage, striking out into expansive solos as he alternates between pedals. Shattuck keeps up an unmissable bass line while Secino starts the party on the drums, kicking off a beat that has the audience unwittingly tapping their feet. Dan Cormier — the quick-witted keyboardist with a brilliantly sharp sense of humor — is spritely and upbeat, both on his keyboard and with his bandmates. They’ve clearly been playing for years but are still brimming with ideas and haven’t lost the spark that pushed them to form the band over two decades ago. 

Although that night was their first time performing at the show, New Pond Fondle as won an award in 2008 and were nominated again in 2016. They were flattered to be asked to perform and greatly appreciate the show’s dedication to local music. “It’s nice to be in a room with other musicians,” says Harrington, who, with the band, have played other local shows with the intention of supporting the community and the friends and family who have never missed a show. 

When asked what’s the best thing a music lover in Worcester could do?  “Support local music!” the band said. 

As well as the ever-entertaining New Pond Fondle, there were a lot of new faces taking the WMA stage for the first time that night. David Jette, of Booty and the Jett, was surprised and flattered by his win. Flushed with pride and surprise, the Greendale native accepted his award for Best Up and Comers Act, beaming with gratitude. Jette was living in Arizona before he moved back to Worcester about a decade ago and despite playing music for years, he didn’t get serious until about a year ago under the encouragement of friends. “I’m excited to keep doing music,” said the Greendale native, a little dazed but definitely charged by his win. 

Jette wasn’t the only one who went home with a prize that night: 

Best CD: The Promise is Hope (“Every Seed Must Die”)

Best Radio DJ: Rick McCarthy 

Best Up & Comers Act: Booty & The Jett

Best College Act: Fordham Road

Best Blues/R&B Act: Big Jon Short 

Best Club DJ: DJ Kid Kash 

Best Country Act: Ashley Jordan

Best Americana Band: The Promise is Hope

Best Jazz Act: Jazzed Up Trio 

Best Female Vocalist: Ashley Jordan 

Best Rock Act: Hot Letter 

Best Acoustic Act: Ashley Jordan & Kathryn Haddad 

Best Cover Band: He Said She Said

Best Rap/Hip-Hop Act: Boston Kev

Best Electronica Act: Dub Psychonauts 

Best Male Vocalist: Ricky Duran 

Lifetime Achievement Award: Jimmy D’Angelo 

Best Local Music Station: WXLO

Best Jam & Groove Act: Clamdigger

Best Live Venue: Michael’s Cigar Bar

Best Punk/Pop-Punk Act: Michael Kane & The Morning Afters

Best Pop Act: The Promise is Hope

Best Cover Art: The Promise is Hope (“Every Seed Must Die”)

Local Tribute Band: Burning Sky 

Best Hardcore/Metal Act: Whiskey Church 

Best Music Video: Ashley Jordan (“Come Home”)

Sexiest Musician: Cara Brindisi 

Best Live Act: Ashley Jordan 

Pulse would also like to thank our generous sponsors, without which the show wouldn’t be possible: 

Budweiser 

The Palladium

Union Music

E.L. Music

Joe’s Albums

Powderfinger Productions

For more information about the artists featured here: 

Matthew Wade and My Silent Bravery are on YouTube, Spotify and any place you find music. For updates about upcoming tours, visit mysilentbravery.com 

Find out what Ari Charbonneu and AriBand is up to on her Facebook page @aribandofficial and find her music on Spotify, Bandcamp and anywhere you find music. 

Follow Booty and the Jett on Facebook @rickyboothmusic for upcoming shows and updates.

Follow New Pond Fondle on Facebook @newpondfondle for upcoming shows and updates. 

And don’t forget to nominate and vote for your favorite acts for next year’s show – you won’t want to miss it.