On Sunday, Feb. 1, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Burlington, a benefit show was held for Jordan Aiken, a young man recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma.
Aiken is the guitarist for the Burlington-based band Airport Park and a frequent attendee of hardcore music and metal concerts across Vermont.
Due to the intensity of his treatment, Aiken was expected to be an attendant rather than a performer. Despite that, he and his band played a full set.
“The doctors told me that I wasn’t supposed to be here, [but] I’m so thankful to be able to do this,” said Aiken.
The show was organized by Northern Corridor Booking, a group of musicians that helps coordinate shows around the Burlington area.
According to NCB, the event raised $1,936, all of which went to the Aiken family. An estimated 150 people attended the event, and several concert-goers donated much more than the requested $10.
“I asked that nobody be turned away if they can’t pay,” said Aiken.
The planning of the event began with a member of NCB, who works as a barber in Burlington. Aiken came in for a haircut and talked about his diagnosis.
Immediately after being informed about Aiken’s illness, the rest of NCB began planning a show that could raise money for Aiken to aid his family in paying for his treatment.
The event featured performances from five local bands, all closely associated with either Aiken, NCB or both.
These bands included Aiken’s emotional hardcore band Airport Park, death metal band Split in Half, electronic-fused hardcore band Crisis Actor, punk band Cooked and power violence band Void Bringer.
“This is the biggest show I’ve ever played, and cancer sucks, but there’s always a silver lining because it’s been a huge goal of mine to play shows like this,” said Aiken.
Aiken also recounted that he had nearly sold his guitars during a darker point in his life. Now, they are helping him find direction and hope when playing shows and in his daily life.
“I’m so happy I didn’t [sell them] because it’s been a thing that consistently keeps me happy and it lets nights like tonight happen,” Aiken said.
Currently, Aiken is cancer-free, though he will still require years of maintenance chemotherapy. The Aiken family has set up a GoFundMe page where regular updates are provided on Jordan’s status.
Following the show, Aiken’s mother, Sara Somerville-Aiken, posted a message of gratitude to those who attended on the GoFundMe.
“It was an incredible evening and one that I will never forget. The Burlington hardcore scene has won my heart, and I will be forever grateful to them,” she wrote.