Music
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Ratboys, Adam Greuel, Bizhiki, Humbird to headline 2026 Marquette Waterfront Festival
The 37th annual event opens the summer festival season on Madison's east side.
Rick Dahms
From the top
As John DeMain prepares to step down from the podium as conductor of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, he reflects upon the strides he’s made with the group and what’s in his future.
Mar 5, 2026
Lizzy Larson
The hunt for Harry Styles’ Madison listening party
The British superstar’s team kept the location of a Feb. 18 listening party in Madison for his new album secret. So Isthmus went on the hunt.
Feb 19, 2026
Madison Opera’s premiere of ‘Everlasting Faint’ engages with history — and the present moment
An opera about 19th century ghosts and moms taking down the patriarchy couldn’t be more relevant.
Feb 4, 2026
Courtesy Rob Dz
An on-stage heart attack leads to reflection and change for Rob Dz
As he finished his opening set at the Gamma Ray Bar in mid-November, the 52-year-old emcee and hip-hop veteran collapsed on stage. But he will be back for the Wisconsin Hip-Hop Fest on Jan. 17 at the High Noon.
Jan 6, 2026
Ruthie Hauge
Freezing Man: ‘Rock camp for musicians’
This year’s Joey’s Song benefit concert, now billed as Freezing Man, features Grammy winners, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, alt-rock heroes, and Top 40 hitmakers spanning several generations.
Jan 1, 2026
Onkar Singh
Prolific ‘Pink Pants’ popster Bluejacket has big plans
Bluejacket, aka Isaiah Hasman, is fully tapped into today’s musical trigger points.
Dec 10, 2025
Hedi LaMarr
Why is the city of Madison spending $14,000 on a ‘regional music brand?’
A local marketing firm will develop a ‘music brand’ for Madison under a proposal the city council passed on Sept. 16.
Oct 3, 2025
9:00 AM
John Urban
The Mascot Theory’s latest album grapples with life and death
The Madison band is prepping to perform songs from its most ambitious and personal album to date, ‘Cosmic Hit and Run,’ Oct. 5 at Atwood Music Hall.
Sep 26, 2025
11:30 AM
Peter Rodgers
Madison’s classical scene embraces the new yet upholds tradition
Big changes are coming in Madison’s classical landscape. Even Beethoven’s Fifth gets a makeover.
Sep 4, 2025
8:00 AM
Dogtown Hollow releases its second EP
Dogtown Hollow offers a fresh take on Americana. While the band members include many members from the 2000s Madison band Jim James & the Damn Shames, the sound has matured.
Aug 14, 2025
2:15 PM
Sharon Vanorny
Dan Walkner’s new album is ‘Easy Going’
Dan Walkner’s new album, ‘Easy Going,’ is fueled by his memories of growing up in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
Aug 3, 2025
8:00 AM
Hot Like Mars, Ratboys to headline 2025 Orton Park Festival
The festival runs from Friday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 31, with night one serving as family night featuring the annually anticipated apparance of Cycropia dance troupe. This will be the 60th annual episode of the party.
Jun 23, 2025
9:45 AM
