If you have not made the drive to Higher Ground in South Burlington for a show, this is a strong reason to start. On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Portland folk songwriter Alela Diane comes to the Showcase Lounge — the intimate room that makes a night like this feel exactly right. Doors at 7:00 PM, show at 7:30 PM. All ages.
About Alela Diane
Alela Diane has been writing and recording for over 20 years, with seven full-length albums behind her. Glide Magazine recently called her someone who has “quietly become an American treasure.” UNCUT named her albums among the 50 best singer-songwriter albums of all time — alongside Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez — and Consequence described her sound as one that “comes a few times a generation.”
This fall run supports her seventh album, Who’s Keeping Time?, out May 22, 2026 on Fluff & Gravy / Loose Music. It was recorded live in under five days in the attic of her Victorian home in Portland, with producer Sam Weber and collaborators including Peter Lalish of Lucius, violinist and songwriter Anna Tivel, and drummer Danny Austin-Manning. The album came out of reconnecting with her Portland community in the wake of losing folk legend Michael Hurley — a close friend and mentor. Fingerpicked guitars, piano, dulcimer, clarinet, and violin carry songs about time, grief, and the light that finds its way back in.
Live, Diane keeps it intimate — not showy, not overproduced. She connects. For the Showcase Lounge, that is exactly the right setting.
About Higher Ground
Higher Ground is one of Vermont’s most-loved music venues, at 1214 Williston Rd in South Burlington. The Showcase Lounge is the room for a close, unhurried evening — and Alela Diane is exactly the kind of artist it was made for.
South Burlington sits right outside Burlington, so if you are coming from the North Country or making a longer trip of it, build in some time to walk around Burlington before the show. September in Vermont is its own thing — the foliage starts turning, the air sharpens, and the drive up becomes part of the experience.
Tickets & Pricing
Tickets for Alela Diane at Higher Ground’s Showcase Lounge on September 16 are available now. Pricing was not listed at time of publication — check the link below for current availability and details.