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.
Alison Wonderland + Dillon Francis, Thursday, Jan. 31, The Sylvee, 8 pm: Power duo DJs Dillon Francis and Alison Wonderland team up for a co-headlining tour. Francis is based in L.A. and is known for fusing house music and reggaeton and producing huge Latin music releases. Australian Wonderland was No. 1 on the Billboard charts with her electro-pop, which earned her the highest-ever billing for a female DJ at Coachella. Florida-based DJ Diablo opens.
Kacey Musgraves, Friday, Feb. 1, The Sylvee, 8 pm: No popular artist quite captures the tension between the heart’s desires and life’s logistics like this Nashville-born artist. On 2018’s Golden Hour, a best-of list darling, Musgraves tenderly extracts the shards of her past and present relationships, urging us to see our own romantic pasts reflected and refracted in brilliant light. Songs such as “Space Cowboy” are as devastating as they are revelatory. With Liza Anne. Sold out.
Sam Ness, Friday, Feb. 1, North Street Cabaret, 7 pm: Sauk City native Sam Ness visits Madison with a new EP. If this release is anything like his 2017 release, Whispered On The Wind, attendees are in for a sumptuous Hornsby-esque blend of Americana. The album’s title track melds blues, folk and gospel. It’s all combined with horns and choral arrangements, and anchored by Ness’ own hearty vocals. With Nate Meng & the Stolen Sea, Corey Mathew Hart.
Ghost of Paul Revere, Friday, Feb. 1, High Noon Saloon, 9 pm: A “holler” could refer to an Appalachian mountain valley, or perhaps the impassioned calls of fieldworkers. The Portland, Maine-based quartet Ghost of Paul Revere coined the term “holler folk” to describe their not-quite-bluegrass, not-quite-country sound. With beloved Minnesota blues-folk artist Charlie Parr; and Pat Ferguson.
Madtown Mannish Boys, Friday, Feb. 1, Knuckle Down Saloon, 8 pm: Celebrate the release of Live at the Knuckle Down Saloon with this bluesy Madison sextet. Helmed by the vocals of Andy Smith and Paul Schwoerer, who also plays the harmonica, MMB recalls the style of greats like Muddy Waters, injecting it with fresh vitality. Their 2017 LP, Old Dog, contains forlorn ballads such as “Love Her With A Feeling,” alongside brusque send-offs like “Get Out Of My Life Woman.”
Vourteque, Friday, Feb. 1, Crucible, 9 pm: Like a 1920s vaudeville show stuck in the Matrix, DJ Vourteque creates a wild neo-vintage dance experience showcasing the best in glitched-out electro swing. In true Crucible style, this party also features live burlesque and variety performances from Lady Lennox Antibiotix, Mercury Stardust-Deville and Luna Nyx. With DJs Mr. Automatic (electro swing) and Sloth Brigade (glitch-hop funk).
Gender Fest, Saturday, Feb. 2, Bos Meadery, 6 pm: This celebration of gender diversity showcases an appropriately eclectic mix of artists and genres. Come out for music from queer-punk cuties Gender Confetti; R&B singer, rapper and UW-Madison First Wave scholar Dequadray; hip-hop artist KiloSkitl’z; plus spoken word and comedy sets from Call them Q members Ameer(a), Cal Smth and Lev Simmons. Hit up the after party at Black Locust with DJs Saint Saunter and Kalycho starting at 10 pm.
ABBA Mania, Saturday, Feb. 2, Overture Hall, 8 pm: Calling all dancing queens. Take a chance on this world-renowned ABBA tribute act from London. Performers faithfully recreate the ABBA experience, right down to staging, lighting and effects. Come early for drinks, snacks and a special performance from Madison disco royalty VO5 in the Overture Hall lobby at 6:30 pm.
The Tillers, Saturday, Feb. 2, UW Memorial Union-Der Rathskeller, 7:30 pm: The Cincinnati string band visits Madison off the heels of their 2018 self-titled album. Their first release since 2012 and 10 years after their debut, this album contains sweet anthems such as “Like a Hole in my Head” and bitter elegies such as “The Old General Store is Burning Down.” The best song on the album may be “All You Fascists Bound To Lose,” mining the rich reservoir of revolutionary folk. With Georgia Rae.
Darren Jay & the Delta Souls, Saturday, Feb. 2, Knuckle Down Saloon, 9 pm: The Knuckle Down continues to expand its reach beyond the regional blues scene, and this weekend brings visitors from Memphis: Darren Jay & the Delta Souls. Jay is a fluid guitarist and soulful singer with a strong original repertoire, mixing blues and soul with a bit of good time rock ‘n’ roll, and the band’s music should keep the dance floor hopping.
Tesla, Saturday, Feb. 2, The Sylvee, 8 pm: The pop metal purveyors return to Madison ahead of Shock, a new, original album due out this year. Though the band has shifted its musical direction and its members since their debut in the ‘80s, the album’s titular track and sole single thus far is a vintage offering from the Sacramento band. With pugnacious lyrics and swampy guitar licks, this song is an indicator that the members of Tesla still have that same jolt running through their songwriting. With Year of the Locust.
Dan Tedesco, Thursday, Jan. 31, High Noon Saloon, 8 pm: Iowa singer-songwriter Dan Tedesco’s winter tour takes a moment to look back at both a major influence and his own catalog. This solo show begins with a full performance of the classic Tom Petty album Wildflowers. Tedesco will also mark the 10th anniversary of his debut disc, Starin’ at a Green Light, with his current interpretations of that album’s songs.
Demetri Martin, Thursday, Feb. 7, Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm: Comedian Demetri Martin is something of a king of all media: a bestselling author of both prose (This is a Book) and art (If It’s Not Funny It’s Art); film director (Dean); and, of course, stand-up comedian (the current “Wandering Mind” tour). He’s even been spotted playing guitar accompaniment, as on a November appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, so can a band be far behind?
Find the full rundown of this week's Isthmus Picks here.
