After longtime scene soundman and musician Jason Smith was hit by a motorcyclist while riding his bike and very nearly lost his life, veterans and new talent came together in ways rarely seen since the community’s edge-of-the-millennium salad days. Artists of all styles, disciplines and media filled auction rosters, took to multiple stages (State Theatre, Local 662, Emerald), and attracted a vibrant and exciting cross-section of fans from the region and beyond. There was no better place this year to run into someone you hadn’t seen in half a decade, and have it feel like it was only last weekend you were sharing beers and a set. statetheatreconcerts.com, facebook.com/TheLocal662, facebook.com/emeraldbar1950.