If you are going to drive to Vermont for a punk show this winter, make it this one. The Bouncing Souls are bringing the Born To Be Tour to Higher Ground Ballroom in South Burlington on Wednesday, December 9, with a support lineup that could fill the room on its own — doors at 6:30 PM, show at 7:00 PM, all ages.
About The Bouncing Souls
Over 35 years in and the New Brunswick, New Jersey punk institution shows no sign of slowing down. Formed in 1989, The Bouncing Souls — Greg Attonito (vocals), Pete Steinkopf (guitar), Bryan Kienlen (bass), and George Rebelo (drums) — built their national profile the hard way: touring relentlessly, signing to Epitaph in 1997 after a high-profile run with Youth Brigade, and recording a catalog of records about friendship, resilience, and the kind of everyday life punks actually recognize.
The occasion for this tour is Born To Be, a 10-track album releasing June 26, 2026, produced by Grammy Award-winner Will Yip (Turnstile, Title Fight). The record wrestles with disillusionment and grief and comes out leaning into human connection. The opening track, “The Light” — drawn from vocalist Greg Attonito’s foggy morning drive to his kid’s school — sets the tone for the whole thing. Alongside new material, the band will also reach back into Maniacal Laughter, How I Spent My Summer Vacation, and The Gold Record across the tour.
Support is deep. The Suicide Machines — formed in 1991 and marking 30 years of Destruction by Definition — will perform that record in full each night. The Flatliners, Toronto-based punk veterans who have held the same lineup since 2002, and The Jack Knives round out the bill.
About Higher Ground
Higher Ground is a 750-capacity ballroom at 1214 Williston Rd in South Burlington — one of the anchors of the North Country live music circuit. Give yourself a little extra time for the December drive north, and you have got yourself a proper punk night in Vermont.
Tickets
Doors at 6:30 PM, show at 7:00 PM. All ages. This is 35-plus years of punk history on one stage — grab tickets below before they go.