Madcity Nights - April 2018
Previews for shows around the Madison area
by Max Ink
April 2018
Wurk plays 420 Fest on Friday, April 20th at the Brink Lounge
MAMA Finalist Party 2018
Sunday, April 8 @ 5pm
Brink Lounge
Madison Area Music Association will announce the 4 finalists in each category vying to win a MAMA award in 2018. The finalist announcement video plays at 8pm while the entire event kicks off at 5pm with live music and Lo Marie, and Madison guitar legend Cliff Fredericksen. The circus funk of White Bush Unicorn kicks of the 7 o’clock hour, and the precision pop of BingBong finishes the night at 8:20pm. Also featured as part of the fundraising effort is a silent auction and raffle items.
Durand Jones and the Indications
Thursday, April 12 @ 8PM
The Frequency
Coming out of nowhere to debut an authentic slice of old-school soul, Durand Jones and the Indications light slow-burning aches under steady beats to ignite hot flames of gospel-fostered blues. Horn and organ fueled cruises erupt into swinging binges and woke grooves that’ll have you shakin’ your tail-feathers.
by John Noyd
Sunspot
Wonders of the Invisible World Release Party
Friday, April 13 @ 7PM
Ruby Madison (624 University Ave)
Well, I would be remiss if I never promoted my own shows. My rock band Sunspot released our latest CD at Austin’s SXSW Music Festival in March and we’re bringing it back to Madison for a special release party Friday the 13th at a brand spanking new venue in town called Ruby. It’s 12 songs based on the paranormal themes from our podcast “See You On The Other Side” and we’ll be celebrating the release by putting on our biggest show of the year. Madison music legend Mike Massey is opening the show at 8 and we’ll have VIP tickets with CD and t-shirt swag bags with a lot more surprises.
by Mike Huberty
Phoebe Bridgers
Thursday, April 19 @ 8PM
High Noon Saloon
Moved from The Frequency to High Noon to accommodate the strong buzz, Bridgers’ precious messages float in electric folk whose gentle spirit casts personal enchantments around dreamy stories filled with poignant discord and tender intellect. Having opened for Conor Obserst and Julien Baker, Wisconsin finally gets the full Phoebe.
by John Noyd
Happy Ben Masel Day
Friday, April 20
Madison, Wisconsin
Official City Holiday
6th Annual 420 Fest
Friday, April 20 @ 4:20 PM
Brink Lounge & Nightclub
12 bands 2 stages starting at 4:20ppm running all night with vendors, non profits, education and motivation to change cannabis laws in Wisconsin. Highlights include performances by The Lower 5th, WURK, Clyde Stubblefield AllStars, Bradley Fish’s Electrified Band (first show in 15 years), Sweet Delta Dawn, Mudroom and more.
by Rökker
4:20 Bash
Friday, April 20 7PM
Bos Meadery
It’s gonna get dank in the Mead Hall with a triple bill of resin-dripped heaviness featuring Droids Attack, subatomic, and DOS MALÉS… skål!
by Rökker
bFriday, April 20 @ 8pm
High Noon Saloon
Madcity reggae vets Natty Nation join Madison jam & R&B sensation The People Brothers Band for another 420 celebration and if you wear GREEN you get entered into a raffle to win a GLASS PIECE and other schwag. Seen?
by Rökker
Hurray For the Riff Raff
w/ Waxahatchee, Bedouine
Sunday, April 22 @ 8PM
A triple-bill of strong, vibrant performers, newcomer Bedouine may be overshadowed by the energetic Hurray for the Riff Raff and empowered Waxahatchee, but her voice packs a wallop and matches the other act’s compassionate impact to make this a rare night of powerfully delivered feelings.
by John Noyd
Kevin Morby with Hand Habits
Monday, April 30 @ 8PM
High Noon Saloon
Always a treat to see indie-rock troubadour Morby spin his wisdom juggling misfortune’s assorted metaphors with lyrical enlightenment. This time his astonishing guitarist, Meg Duffy aka Hand Habits, gets to shine, hopefully drawing from last year’s striking and imaginative, “Wildly Idle (Humble Before the Void).” by John Noyd
The Claudettes
Saturday, May 5 @ 9PM
North Street Cabaret
This avant-garde blues/jazz ensemble defines the cabaret experience. Their EP, Pull Closer to Me: Live in the Piano Room, just earned the Live Performance Award at the 16th Independent Music Awards.
by Dave Leucinger
Alex Zayas
Friday, May 11 @ 8PM
Knuckledown Saloon
Barcelona’s Zayas is not just one of the top European blues guitarists – he’s one of the top practitioners of the genre anywhere. His musical vocabulary extends from Prince back to Lonnie Johnson – all delivered with passion, power, and deft dynamics.
by Dave Leucinger
Bassliss CD Release Party
w/ Begowatts, Colourbilnd
May 5 @ 8PM
The Annex
Madison rockers Bassliss seemlessly blend alternative, hard funk, and metal to give you crunchy rhythms and a hard-hitting energized live performance. Catch them for the release of their debut album Ice Dunes, engineered by Dastin Harmon and produced by Anthony Salas both of Warm Glow Studios.
by Rökker