Music
Lidia Sek
Closing with Shostakovich
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s Andrew Sewell continues his commitment to introducing Madison audiences to rarely performed works, finishing the season with Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 14. Read more
Urko Dorronsoro Sagasti
Mastering both the bark and bite
Michael League chats with Isthmus about Snarky Puppy, which might be the best band you’ve never heard of … yet. Read more
Devotion to the demented
Furious Bongos, a Frank Zappa tribute with members based in Madison, caps off a spring tour with a show at the High Noon Saloon. Read more
Isthmus Picks Playlist: May 16-23
Listen to a curated list of tracks from artists playing shows in Madison this week. Read more
Ken Susi
Hometown shredder
Sarah Longfield, hailed by “Guitar World” magazine as “one of the world’s greatest seven- and eight-string guitarists,” plays for the hometown crowd at The Annex on May 12. Read more
Isthmus Picks Playlist: May 9-16
Listen to a curated list of tracks from artists playing shows in Madison this week. Read more
Marina Koyen
Still tasty
What began as a’70s rock parody has evolved into an accomplished funk rock band with a sound all their own. The Flavor That Kills has been nominated for Best Rock Album in this year’s Madison Area Music Awards. Read more
Isthmus Picks Playlist: May 2-9
Listen to a curated list of tracks from artists playing shows in Madison this week. Read more
James Gill
Slavic splendor
A water spirit pursues a prince in Madison Opera’s resplendent production of Antonin Dvorak’s “Rusalka,” the company’s first Czech opera. Read more
Recorder virtuoso
A rare treat: The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s soloist was the virtuoso recorder player Piers Adams, a born showman with astonishing talent. Read more
Sarah Lang
Making waves
Artistic director Mikko Rankin Utevsky has put together an innovative water-themed concert for Madison’s Choral Arts Society Chorale on April 28. Read more
Pooneh Ghana
Hippo Campus grows up
First, they were high schoolers in the Twin Cities who just wanted to play house parties. Now they’re selling out huge venues and meeting their indie rock idols. Read more
Isthmus Picks Playlist: April 25-May 2
Listen to a curated list of tracks from artists playing shows in Madison this week. Read more
Revenge is sweeter after Gaga
A few years ago, the darkwave duo She Wants Revenge seemed to be on permanent hiatus. Then, Lady Gaga intervened — and the band is selling out shows on a new tour. Read more
Isthmus Picks Playlist: April 18-25
Listen to a curated list of tracks from artists playing shows in Madison this week. Read more
Brendan Forbes
Independent at 17
Skylar Stecker was back in town for a show at the Majestic on March 30. The 17-year-old has broken ties with her label and is now making confident pop on her own terms. She’s never sounded better. Read more
Stephanie Hofmann
Spring arts preview
From art exhibits to documentaries, stage plays and floating parades, you’d be a fool to miss these wonderful spring events. Read more
Miraculous Mozart
The Madison Bach Musicians break the mold with an all-Mozart program. They played a piece he wrote when he was 9 and explored his varied career all the way to the magnificent “Adagio and Fugue in C minor.” Read more
“Thunder Thighs” creator hits Madison
Miss Eaves, the creator of the unofficial roller derby hit “Thunder Thighs,” grooves into North Street Cabaret on her “Unapologetic AF” tour. Read more
Isthmus Picks Playlist: April 11-18
Listen to a curated list of tracks from artists playing shows in Madison this week. Read more
