R-E-S-P-E-C-T: A Celebration of Women in Music

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Nissa Brehmer

After a sold-out show last year, this star-studded, review-style performance is back in a big way, featuring 10 of Madison's best female vocalists backed by the excellent jazz-rock band The Big Payback. Singers including Shawndell Marks, Jen Farley, Liz Fleig, Hannah Baker Switzer and Toya Robinson will pay tribute to stars like Dolly Parton, Janis Joplin, Adele, Bjork and Sharon Jones. Appropriately, the show is raising money for Planned Parenthood. Who knew #TheResistance could be so much fun?

Doors open at 7pm. Show begins at 8pm. Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 day-of-show.

Featuring: Liz Fleig as Adele; Lyndsay Evans as Debbie Harry; Leah Tirado as Chaka Khan; Ginny Kincaid as Gwen Stefani; Shawndell Marks as Dolly Parton; Amber Sebastian performing The Cranberries; Lo Marie as Amy Winehouse; Jen Farley as Janis Joplin; Hannah Baker Switzer as Bjork; Toya Robinson as Sharon Jones; Hosted by Cooper Talbot, with introduction by state Rep. Chris Taylor.

press release: The Big Payback will give Madison a rare chance to sample a cross-section of its impressive local music scene at The Majestic’s “RESPECT: A Celebration of Women in Music.” The fundraiser for Planned Parenthood will feature 10 of the city’s best female vocalists. Four of them will appear on stage with The Big Payback for the first time. One rarely sings on secular stages. A backup singer from last year’s show will get her own chance to lead this year. The same is true for one of last year’s audience members. All will impersonate famous musical women from the past.

2018 MAMA Female Vocalist of the Year and 2018 MAMA Jazz Performer of the Year Lo Marie will be singing with The Big Payback for the first time, appearing as Amy Winehouse.

2018 MAMA Pop/R&B Performer of the Year Shawndell Marks of the adult alternative Shawndell Marks Band and the Americana / pop-rock trio Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets. On performing as Dolly Parton: “Dolly Parton’s one of my favorite artists because of her talent, work ethic, wit, brutal honesty (‘I wanted to look like a hooker’), songwriting, and universal appeal no matter what your political or social leanings are. As a young girl, I remember hearing her Jolene album while mom was cleaning the house. I also sang Dolly every night of the summer at the Wisconsin Opry Theater in Wisconsin Dells at the age of 16.”

Liz Fleig, lead singer and primary songwriter for 2018 MAMA Breakthrough Artist of the Year indie-rock band Bosky Point (formerly known as Late Harvest). On performing as Adele: “She is a powerhouse, and I'm honored to try and reach her heights in support of the women in our music community.”

Toya Robinson, one of the soloists and Praise Team members at Mount Zion Baptist Church, rarely sings on secular stages and will be singing with The Big Payback for the first time, appearing as Sharon Jones.

Amber Sebastian, front-woman and vocalist for the eclectic cover band ShufflePlay, will be singing with The Big Payback for the first time. On performing as Dolores O’Riordan: “I grew up listening to the Cranberries in high school – they were one of my first band-loves. I happened to play the song Zombie at an open mic the night before the news broke of Dolores O’Riordan’s tragic death earlier this year... She was only 46. Having an opportunity to pay tribute to Dolores and The Cranberries is a tremendous honor. I attended RESPECT at the Majestic last year, and it was incredible seeing so many badass babes belting their hearts out and owning the stage.”

Hannah Baker Switzer, singer and guitar-player for estro-rock band Labrador, who sang backup last year. On performing as Bjork: “Like a lot of young women all over the country, I was feeling pretty catatonic the morning after Donald Trump was elected. Back in November 2016, I never imagined that sewing a Bjorkian swan dress would be part of the way I’d #resist under Trump. But it’s a real honor to get to participate in this special event again (last year I was a banjo playin’ Dixie Chick) and raise money for an organization that has provided healthcare to me when I needed it most and done the same for millions of women across the country.”

Leah Isabel Tirado, The Big Payback’s lead singer, traveling all the way from St. Joseph, Michigan. On performing as Chaka Khan, Tirado says: “Chaka Khan is a paragon of human strength. I saw her perform at Taste of Chicago in 2012, and she was out of this world. Knowing that she has overcome so many addictions, sobered up, and still has that kind of star power? It’s inspiring and demonstrates how the power of music and will of the soul can overcome great challenges; she makes me feel like I stand a chance in this world.”

Jen Farley of Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets will be singing with The Big Payback for the first time. On performing as Janis Joplin: “I first started singing her music in college. I'm known for closing out the night with our band singing ‘Bobby McGee.’”

Lyndsay Evans, lead singer of new-wave dance/rock band Sexy Ester. On performing as Debbie Harry: “Sexy Ester is definitely influenced by Blondie and Debbie Harry is an amazing front woman and fashion icon.”

Ginny Kincaid, drummer for experimental rock band Nester and lead singer for a No Doubt cover band, as Gwen Stefani.

Backed by multiple MAMA award-winning jazz-rock band The Big Payback, featuring 2018 MAMA Trombone Player of the Year Jamie Kember

“We chose The Big Payback because they can sound like anything, from electronic dance music to art-house jazz and acoustic folk,” Matt Gerding, owner of the Majestic, said. “They proved that last year. That night still ranks as one of the highlights of my career.”

“We are living in a time when it’s more important than ever to defend our rights, our bodies, our health, and our values,” Amber Sebastian said. “Community events like these are what it’s all about... Let’s dance, raise funds, raise our fists, and raise each other up!”

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Last year, the show sold out; organizers anticipate similar demand this year. All ages show.