Mad Gael Music Festival
to
Breese Stevens Field 917 E. Mifflin St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703
There’s a distinct advantage to Mad Gael’s rising popularity — combined with Milwaukee’s longstanding Irish Fest, Ireland’s top musical talent now have even more reason to come hang out in Wisconsin in August. Three of Mad Gael’s headliners, including the Americana-inflected We Banjo 3, Scotland’s Skerryvore and Celtgrass specialists JigJam (pictured), will have honed their chops on the shores of Lake Michigan last weekend. This year’s lineup certainly doesn’t stop there: Madison faves the Kissers and Tairis are in the mix, as are non-musical things like art exhibits, kids activities and hurling demonstrations. Take that, Ultimate Frisbee.
8/25-26, Breese Stevens Field, with exhibits, kids' activities. $20 per day ($15 adv.; $30/$25 weekend). madgaelmusicfest.com.
Friday: Pub Stage: Garry O'Meara Band 4:15 pm, Runa 6 pm, JigJam 7:45 pm. Main Stage: Welcome 4 pm, Screaming Orphans 5 pm, We Banjo 3 6:45 pm, Skerryvore 8:30 pm. Afterparty at the Coopers Tavern with the Currach, 10:30 pm.
Saturday: Pub Stage: Dance exhibition 10:30 am, Kiana June Weber 1:30 pm, Moxie Strings 3:30 pm, Garry O'Meara Band 5:30 pm, Screaming Orphans 7:30 pm. Main Stage: Hurling/Gaelic football 10:30 am, The Kissers 12:30 pm, Rising Gael 2:30 pm, Skerryvore 4:30 pm, JigJam 6:30 pm, We Banjo 3 8:30 pm. Afterparty at Brocach-Square with Tairis 10:30 pm.