Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Madison's touring music scene builds into one of its liveliest seasons this week with shows by The Hobart Brothers & Lil' Sis Hobart, Laidback Luke, Sid Wilson, Centime, Fun., Heather Maloney, Special Consensus Bluegrass Band, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Trampled by Turtles, Kopecky Family Band, Shenandoah Davis, and Mother of Fire. The calendar also includes: a Wisconsin Book Festival benefit; talks by Stephen Lerner and Robbert Egger; and, a live podcast with Chris Hardwick.
Monday 4.9
NOTEWORTHY: Prince Charles marries Camilla Parker Bowles, 2005.
Tuesday 4.10
NOTEWORTHY: Paul McCartney leaves the Beatles, 1970.
UW Pyle Center, 7 pm
The labor advocate and longtime Service Employees International Union staffer gives a talk called "From Wisconsin to Wall Street: Challenging the Power of the Super Rich."
Wisconsin Book Festival Benefit
Goodman Community Center, 7:30 pm
The Wisconsin Book Festival isn't till fall, but you can get a leg up with this reading by Madison authors Jesse Lee Kercheval, Susanna Daniel and Michelle Wildgen. The host is Jean Feraca, who on March 30 retired from Wisconsin Public Radio.
The Hobart Brothers & Lil' Sis Hobart
Kiki's House of Righteous Music, 8 pm
Fresh off of a trip to South by Southwest, this trio made up of Jon Dee Graham, Freedy Johnston and Susan Cowsill will showcase what Rolling Stone has described as "Raymond Carver's rubbed-raw characters, singing country, rock and folk."
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
Before he became a DJ, this Dutch producer made a splash with his graffiti in the 1990s. His house hybrids have landed him on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list, where he's been climbing toward No. 1 year after year. With GTA and Jack Mulqueen.
Stage at Regent Street Retreat, 9 pm
Slipknot's turntablist will likely share snippets of his 2011 solo album, SID, and hints of his alterego DJ Starscream, who's a well-known jungle artist in Japan.
Wednesday 4.11
NOTEWORTHY: Adolf Eichmann put on trial in Jerusalem, 1961.
High Noon Saloon, 5:30 pm
With members from the German Art Students and the Sean Michael Dargan band, this quartet knows how to turn a concert into a barrel of laughs without sacrificing its musical integrity. Celebrate the release of a new EP, Occupied, at this show.
UW Union South's Varsity Hall, 7 pm
The founder of DC Central Kitchen, the community kitchen that has been feeding the needy since 1989, discusses "The Role of Nonprofits in Building and Rebuilding Economies."
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
Inspired by the melodies of Broadway and the Beach Boys, this trio can craft a killer hook. Its latest album, Some Nights, brings hip-hop and R&B into the mix thanks to guest vocals by Janelle Monáe and production by Jeff Bhasker, who worked on Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. With Sleeper Agent.
Frequency, 8 pm
Maloney alternates between intimate coffeehouse performances and big-stage gigs with luminaries like Jonny Lang. Steep in her classically trained vocals at this small-venue show, which will highlight this folk-pop of her 2011 album, Time and Pocket Change. With Bascom Hill.
Thursday 4.12
NOTEWORTHY: Confederate troops attack Fort Sumter to ignite Civil War, 1861.
Special Consensus Bluegrass Band
Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 pm
These Chicagoans have been performing bluegrass standards and original compositions for more than 35 years, earning a spot on the Grand Ole Opry stage and numerous NPR programs.
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
Take in a live presentation of comedian Hardwick's podcast The Nerdist, known for its engrossing interviews and Dr. Who references. With Jonah Ray, Matt Mira.
Wisconsin Union Theater, 8 pm
The youngest son of Afropop trailblazer Fela Kuti leads his dad's former band with impassioned vocals and saxophone solos. Expect a set filled with the elder Kuti's most celebrated songs as well as some new material from the band's 2011 release, From Africa with Fury: Rise.
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
What began as a side project for several rock bands has blossomed into a touring sensation that polishes up old-timey gems for modern audiences. Sample the fiddling and banjo picking of their new album, Stars and Satellites, just two days after its release. With These United States.
Frequency, 9 pm
Though the members aren't related by blood, this jovial band is tightly knit thanks to a shared love of folk music, which they pepper with attractive harmonies and lyrics that teem with emotion. With the Lumineers.
Dragonfly Lounge, 9:30 pm
Growing up in the Adirondack Mountains, Davis steeped herself in birdsong and Americana as well as the Chopin études of her piano lessons. These days, she crafts her own tunes, which incorporate hints of ragtime, classical, klezmer and the chamber pop of acts like Antony & the Johnsons and Owen Pallett. With Ian Cooke, Ida Jo and Myles Coyne.
Mickey's Tavern, 10:30 pm
Drones and reverb converge as this Minneapolis-based trio swirls violins, basses, drums and guitars into colossal compositions that bridge the worlds of noise-rock and psychedelia.
