The results of this year's Grand Point North Local Band Contest are in. And the winner is … Nina's Brew!

Out of nearly 100 bands and artists nominated, Seven Days readers chose the bluesy soul outfit to join festival founder  Grace Potter, Jackson Browne, Ani DiFranco and others at the two-day music and arts festival, which runs Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16, at Burlington's Waterfront Park. As is tradition, the contest's winner opens Grand Point North on Saturday afternoon.

This year's competition, sponsored by Eyes of the World, saw more engagement than last year. In 2017, 2,449 people participated, with 3,874 votes cast. In 2018, 4,834 people hit the e-ballot box, casting a total of 8,274 votes.

Nina's Brew recently released their debut EP, Don't Tell Mama. 7D contributor Chris Farnsworth called the Burlington-based trio's first effort a "pleasant, intriguing listen," noting front woman/guitarist Giovanina Bucci's "intimate and assured songwriting." Listen below.
For its GPN set, the band will expand from its usual three-piece configuration to the sextet pictured above. Normally composed of Bucci, guitarist Michael Brewster and multi-instrumentalist Isaac French, the group doubles in size with the addition of trombonist Ethan Zawisza, drummer Levi Brewster and bassist Matt Brewster.