Enjoy a compilation of selected tracks by artists playing shows we're excited about in Madison this week. For more information on these shows, read on under the playlist or check out all this week's Isthmus Picks.
Charly Bliss, Thursday, Jan. 17, High Noon Saloon, 9 pm: The Brooklynites of Charly Bliss make music that’s tailor-made for teen comedy soundtracks. Their 2017 debut, Guppy, is filled with the kind of hyper-caffeinated pop rock that wouldn’t sound out of place playing as adolescents escape a house party recently broken up by cops. And singer Eva Hendricks’ sugary vocals are, at times, a dead ringer for Letters to Cleo’s Kay Hanley. With Active Bird Community and Disq, before they head out to play a couple shows in L.A.
Tim Dillon, Thursday, Jan. 17, Comedy on State, 8 pm: Podcast host, satirical Manhattan tour bus guide and New York comedian Tim Dillon headlines Comedy on State. Named one of Rolling Stone’s “Ten Comics You Need to Know,” Dillon jokes about how everyone under 23 has a fake job as an Instagram filter and is known for claiming to be Trump’s gross offspring, “Titan Trump.” ALSO: Friday-Saturday, Jan. 18-19, 8 & 10:30 pm.
Star Country Class of 2019, Friday, Jan. 18, Barrymore, 8 pm: Madison radio station 96.3 highlights picks for the best new artists in country music. Though each is certainly one to watch, the highlight of the night may be Mitchell Tenpenny of Nashville. Like Kacey Musgraves, Tenpenny tackles country music in a new way. His biggest song, “Drunk Me,” features his rueful and husky vocals, sweeping Phil Collins-esque drums, and Alanis Morissette-like keys to create something undeniably Americana, but also so much more.
Vanishing Kids album release, Saturday, Jan. 19, Crystal Corner Bar, 9:30 pm: Celebrate the release of Madison quartet Vanishing Kids’ latest album, out now worldwide via the prolific Finnish label Svart. (That’s a reliable marque for metal listeners, but never fear, VK fans: while still heavy, they haven’t become a doom metal band.) Heavy Dreamer features a killer set of their atmospheric, psychedelic visions, which should be even more immersive and hypnotic in a live setting. An excellent evening also includes metal duo Tubal Cain and synth punkers Cave Curse.
Wisconsin Bluegrass Festival (Part 2), Saturday, Jan. 19, Majestic, 8 pm: Part of Majestic’s Wisconsin music series, the second half of Bluegrass Fest features country, roots, and bluegrass bands from around our state. Headlining is Eau Claire’s Them Coulee Boys with their twangy folk rock, featured along with dense Americana from Madison’s WheelHouse. With Feed the Dog, Chicken Wire Empire and Monsters of Grass.
Twelves, Saturday, Jan. 19, Communication, 8 pm: Twelves, we hardly knew ye. The quartet has announced this is their final show, so come out and let them scramble your brain with one more dose of shiv-edged rock deconstruction (note: they are playing first). This bill is custom-designed for high energy all night long and also features frenetic trio Solid Freex, fast and furious Milwaukeeans Sex Scenes, and the Madison debut of Brew City cult pop-rock smart-alecks Dogs in Ecstasy.
Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest, Saturday, Jan. 19, Alliant Energy Center-Exhibition Hall, noon (VIP) and 2-6 pm: Celebrating the 10th edition of Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest is gonna be gouda. More than 100 breweries from around the state (and beyond) bring lagers, ales, cider and other delights to try. Samples from scores of Wisconsin cheesemakers and food vendors will also be available. New this year is a giant Wisconsin cheese board that holds more than 1,000 pounds of cheese. Piano Fondue’s dueling pianos will set the musical mood, and there will be lots of other fun activities as well (silent disco, anyone?). Like all Isthmus events, this festival supports local, independent journalism.
Randy Bachman, Sunday, Jan. 20, Barrymore Theatre, 7:30 pm: Guitarist and songwriter Randy Bachman was a founder of two of the biggest rock bands to explode out of Canada during the classic rock era: The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive. On this tour, he’s playing songs from those bands as well as music from his 2018 solo album, By George — By Bachman. The George referenced is Harrison, one of Bachman’s major guitar influences, and Bachman puts his own stamp on classic songs by the former Beatle.
Con Davison, Sunday, Jan. 20, Communication, 7 pm: Indie rocker Connor Davison veers off from touring with Bad Bad Hats to deliver his own slick jams, combining acoustic elements with bright electric guitars and synths. Fellow Twin-City-based musician (by way of Eau Claire) Hemma brings a country sound and haunting vocals, while Penny Seller represents Madison with jangly pop-rock.
Beyond the Score, Sunday, Jan. 20, Overture Center, 2:30 pm: The Madison Symphony Orchestra presents Felix Mendelssohn’s magnificent Symphony No. 4, aka the Italian Symphony, inspired by his travels. The first half will feature a multimedia dive into the 19th-century composer’s work, with letters, live actors and a history lesson that will illuminate the ideas behind the music to newcomers while broadening the depth for classical veterans. Led by director John DeMain.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events, Monday, Jan 21, Capitol Rotunda, noon; Overture Center, 5 pm: The King Coalition and folks around Madison will gather to celebrate the late civil rights leader’s life and legacy. The weekend kicks off with a free community dinner on Friday at Gordon Commons, 4:30-7:30 pm. On Monday, this year’s keynote speaker in the Capitol Rotunda is Rita Coburn Whack, an award-winning director and writer (Oprah). The evening event at the Overture Center features a keynote from Cheryl Brown Henderson, an activist and founding president of the Brown Board For Educational Excellence and daughter of the originator of the crucial Brown v. Board of Education lawsuit. Both events feature gospel music, and they are just the tip of the iceberg of the weekend’s inspiring and inclusive events.
Eric Johnson: Thursday, Jan. 24, Barrymore Theatre, 7:30 pm: Eric Johnson wrote “Cliffs of Dover,” one of the most memorable electric guitar instrumentals of all time (and it won a Grammy, too). Now, almost 30 years after its 1990 release, Johnson is performing the album on which it appears — Ah Via Musicom — in its entirety, backed by an electric band.
Find the full rundown of this week's Isthmus Picks here.
