• courtesy of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals — The Waitsfield-born rock diva, backed by the Nocturnals, is Vermont's second-most-famous musical export after Phish. But Potter and co. haven't forgotten their homies. The band launched the Burlington music festival Grand Point North, held in September.

Other Finalists

• Rough Francis
• Josh Panda and the Hot Damned
• Vaporizer
• Waylon Speed