Madcity Nights - February 2019
Previews for shows around Madison and surrounding areas
by Max Ink
February 2019
JD SIMO at the High Noon Wednesday February 6th
JD SIMO w/ Thompson Springs
Wednesday, February 6 @ 8:00 PM
High Noon Saloon
Screaming pleads beneath stinging rhythm rages in acid flashback crashes and formidable jam-band storms; blues-guitar howler JD SIMO wrenches things out of those electrified strings that burns deep inside every bruised heart. Country-funk folk-rockers Thompson Springs jump onboard the runaway train as the come-early opener. By John Noyd
Bad Companions
w/ Phil Gnarly & the Tough Guys
Friday, February 8 @ 8:00 PM
Knuckledown Saloon
The rockabilly/roots rock Bad Companions are only one of the many projects former Madisonian Alan Subola supports with his resonant hollow-bodied guitar. In the Twin Cities, he also backs Kinda Fonda Wanda, a Wanda Jackson tribute show; he also occasionally communes with former running buddy David Wolfe for infrequent reunions of the Vibro-Champs. In Madison, he’ll rejoin former bandmate Phil Gnarly for a return to raucous retro riffs. By Dave Leucinger
The Fiendish Phantoms, The Bottles
Friday, February 8 @ 9:00 PM
Crucible
Let’s be honest, the Madison scene just doesn’t have enough songs about Countess Elizabeth Bathory, who was said to bathe in the blood of virgins because it was good for her skin. The Fiendish Phantoms have you covered though, with their Danzig-ish horror hard rock. The opening band is The Bottles, who play somewhere around a thousand miles an hour. It’s fast screamin’ classic mohawk-style punk. I can’t tell what they’re singing about, but you won’t care about the words in the moshpit anyway. By Mike Huberty
Natty Nation Celebrates Bob Marley’s 74th
w/ Akasha, Tropical Riddim Soundsystem
Saturday, February 9 @ 7:00 PM
High Noon Saloon
Madison’s own reggae rock stars honor one of their essential influences for the 11th consecutive year. While Bob Marley brought reggae to stereos worldwide, Natty Nation pioneered the movement in the Midwest with their vibrant live shows and undeniable rock influences. Celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2019, Natty Nation will rock this birthday bash just three days after the icon’s 74th birthday. By Adam M. Benavides
Rainbow Kitten Surprise w/ Mt. Joy
Monday, February 11 @ 8:00 PM
The Sylvee
These five band members from North Carolina bring a mix of enthralling harmonies and catchy rock riffs that is simply undeniable. With over 75 million streams across digital platforms and an already-legendary live performance track record, the band visits the Sylvee while touring their third album, “How To: Friend, Love, Freefall” released to critical acclaim last year. By Adam M. Benavides
Hinder
w/ Revolution X and Sliver
Thursday February 14th @ 6:00
Stormy’s Music Venue in Beaver Dam
Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to spend at a rock show. Hinder, with their hits, “Lips Of An Angel”, “Use Me” and their latest single “Halo” play Stormy’s in Beaver Dam. Nothing says ‘true-love’ like spending Valentine’s Day with a great band, while you serenade your date “Get Stoned.” By Tommy Rage
Davina & the Vagabonds
Friday, February 15 @ 7:30 PM
Stoughton Opera House
Chanteuse/pianist/bandleader/composer Davina Sowers is darkly cathartic and revealing in her performances. Her experience/survival in New Orleans continues to shape her musical vocabulary. By Dave Leucinger
Jake LaBotz
Friday, Feb 15 @ 8:00 PM
Kiki’s House of Righteous Music
Troubadour LaBotz has yet to catch fire from Jimmy Sutton’s Hi-Style Studio the way that JD McPherson did a few years back, but that’s no knock on his talent. With a brooding, authentic blend of original blues/gospel and roots-a-billy flourishes, expect LaBotz to explode to larger venues at any time. By Dave Leucinger
Welles
Tuesday, February 19 @ 8:00 PM
High Noon Saloon
Standing on the shoulders of giants, Welles lays down heavy grunge runs over classic-rock steam-rollers. Raising spirits and chasing demons in thunder-dome pageantry, his ravenous struts, cavernous bass and leather-clad lyrics fold into solitary melancholy before amassing militant passion. Sounds like one hot winter’s night. By John Noyd
Daniel Champagne
Wednesday, February 20 @ 9:00 PM
Art In
Australia’s double-tapping riff-twisting mastermind Champagne spares no part of the guitar in his roaring performances. A one-man caravan carrying melodic stamina, string-smashing gymnastics and rootsy boogie, the intimate Art In should see sparks fly and roofs raised with this live wire’s jaw-dropping props. By John Noyd
Dropkick Murphy’s
Wednesday, February 20 @ 6:45 PM
The Sylvee
Known for their loud and energetic live shows, the Celtic-punk band Dropkick Murphy’s return to Madison. Supporting Madison during the 2011 Worker’s Rights protests, the Dropkick Murphy’s have a strong connection to their fans here in Madtown and are sure to “Take ‘Em Down”. Kilts, bagpipes, and ear plugs are a necessity at this show. By Tommy Rage
The Glorious Sons
Monday, February 25 @ 7:30 PM
High Noon Saloon
The second release from The Glorious Sons has propelled the young Canadian band to the top of the album charts. With their hit song “S.O.S.”, The Glorious Sons have eight consecutive top-10 rock radio hits in Canada including their first #1 modern rock single “Everything Is Alright”. A small venue for the show will definitely capture the bands energy and fun enthusiasm. By Tommy Rage
That 1 Guy
Thursday, February 28 @ 7:30 PM
High Noon Saloon
If you haven’t seen That 1 Guy and you enjoy virtuoso musicianship with a bit of weirdness, do yourself a favor and check it out. He plays a one string bass called “The Magic Pipe” and while that description sounds like it’s just going to be some stoner navel gazing, it’s 100% awesome. It’s a one-man show that’s also a multimedia extravaganza, funky, jazzy, and a lot of fun. By Mike Huberty
Lula Wiles
Part of the Sugar Maple Concert Series
Thursday, February 28 @ 8:00 PM
North Street Cabaret
Isa Burke, Eleanor Buckland, and Mali Obomsawin make up this quickly rising trio, Lula Wiles, and is touring to support a new second album, What Will We Do. The title carries through the Boston-based group’s songs—asking us some of the questions that can only best be answered in a folk song. Their tone and inflection will both awake and haunt you. Weave in the lyrics, and the result is described by some, as brilliant music. By Teri Barr
The Revivalists w/ Rayland Baxter
Friday, March 8 @ 8:00 PM
The Sylvee
With frontman David Shaw’s howling vocals backed by eight comrades on saxophone, bass, keyboard, trumpet and guitars, the New Orleans-based band might be the most exciting “new” band in rock and roll. After a 10+ year career highlighted by exhilarating live performances across the country, the band will bring their mix of soul, jazz, rock and blues to the Sylvee in early-March. By Adam M. Benavides
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