FRZN Fest, a live-music event organized by local concert promoter True Endeavors, will return in 2013 with bigger lineup and a Saturday-night dance party.
The two-year-old festival will expand from two days to four, running Thursday, Jan. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 27 at the High Noon Saloon. Like last year, the lineup features a cuddly assortment of electronic, folk and indie-pop music. The swanky pop of Chicago's Wild Belle tops the Thursday bill, and Free Energy headline Friday with their pedestrian party-rock.
The fest is also branching out admirably. The Saturday, Jan. 26 event will be helmed by New Orleans bounce act Nicky Da B, whose "Express Yourself" video with Diplo has been a YouTube hit. But Sunday has the most promising bill, in my opinion: Multifaceted singer Kelly Hogan will return to town with her great new album, I Like to Keep Myself in Pain, and Iowa's the Pines will play a set of meticulous and eerie Americana.
Other confirmed acts include Ramona Falls, Night Moves and Psychic Twin on Jan. 24, the Fatty Acids, California Wives and Now, Now on Jan. 25, and Kids These Days and DJ Zebo on Jan. 26.
It's still not clear what exactly FRZN Fest is supposed to be, but its acts will enliven Madison's winter concert schedule, which tends to hit the doldrums in January.