Madcity Nights - June 2019
Previews of shows in and around Madison, Wisconsin
by Max Ink
June 2019
Ryan McGrath Band
Between The Waves Madison Music Conference & Festival
Fri|Sat, June 7-8
Various locations for the music festival including: Come Back In, Essen House, Up North complex (inside and outside stages, both nights), The Brink Lounge and Madison Concourse (Friday night), Majestic Madison (Saturday night)
This is your chance to see some of the best artists from Madison, and across the region up close and personal; some solo acoustic, some with bands, but all with tons of talent. Every kind of music will be showcased across the stages on both nights, plus a battle of the bands! Come out, support your favorites, and find some new ones, too. Complete schedule at btwmadison.com. By Teri Barr
Marquette Waterfront Festival
Sat/Sun, June 8-9, 12:00 PM
Yahara Place Park
(1800 Yahara Place)
The Marquette Waterfront Festival is the official curtain raiser to the near-east side’s glorious season of summer music festivals known as Festyland. The Marquette Waterfront Festival celebrates its 30th year the weekend of June 8 and 9, mixing local talent with touring acts on two stages. Catch Jackson, MS’s The Jarekus Singleton Band (Alligator Records) whose blazing yet soulful guitar licks will set Saturday’s performance on fire. By Rökker
J.S. Ondara w/ Adam Melchor
Wednesday, June 12, 8:00 PM
High Noon Saloon
The Kenyan-born American-influenced Ondara wraps up his American tour at Madison’s High Noon Saloon. Bringing along a jumping new album, “Tales of America,” the soulful folk-singer details common struggles and universal needs with a robust series of street-wise scenarios. Fellow singer-songwriter Adam Melchor opens up the festivities.
By John Noyd
Jake Sanders/Christo Ruppenthal Jazz Guitar Duo
Thursday, June 13, 5:30 PM
North Street Cabaret
Ruppenthal’s archival passion for early 20th century recordings and genres – particularly Hawaiian music and Django Reinhardt’s gypsy jazz (among other international styles) is well-known in Madison. Chicago-based Sanders is even more well-traveled in the pre-WWII realm, from his time busking in New York, to being a featured member of the Fat Babies, to fueling the frantic leaps and flips of Lindy Hoppers at events from Seattle to Mexico, South Korea, Italy, France, and Sweden. By Dave Leucinger
Music on the Lake Concert Series (presented by 94.9 WOLX)
Thursday, June 13|Thursday, June 27
East Side Clubs’s Tiki Bar and Backyard on Lake Monona
There are few places you can enjoy live music with a view like this one! Summer is fleeting in Wisconsin, so don’t miss any of the shows scheduled at the East Side Club’s Tiki Bar and Backyard, right on Lake Monona. The June 13th show features your favorite music of the 70’s and 80’s by the “Vehicle 6 Band.” And June 27 will be tunes from the “Madtown Mannish Boys.” Both shows start at 6pm. There are chairs on-site, but feel free to bring your own. You will love the family-friendly atmosphere! By Teri Barr
Mutts w/ Marah in the Mainsail + Christopher Gold
Friday, June 14, 8:00 PM
The Winnebago
Master practitioners of raucous roadhouse boogie, Chicago’s Mutts celebrates ten years and over a thousand shows with a headlining tour and a gung-ho retrospective, “Hey, We Are All Mutts.” Cinematic mavericks Marah in the Mainsail and folk-rock dream-weaver Christopher Gold join the anniversary get-down. By John Noyd
Kings of the Nighttime World, a tribute to KISS
Friday, June 21, 8:00 PM
The Palace Theater in the Dells
This show has been on my calendar for months! KISS tribute bands are few and far between, especially touring through the Midwest, but the Kings of the Nighttime World will bring the full KISS experience from the classic 1970’s era, in full makeup, costume, and with big, professional effects! If I can’t see more of the real thing right now, this will be fun, and you can even grab photos with the group, post-show. Meet you there… By Teri Barr
Joyann Parker
Saturday, June 22, 9:00 PM
Knuckledown Saloon
One-time class valedictorian at a school in northern Wisconsin, Twin Cities-based Parker remains a natural leader. She combines an arsenal of talent: a powerful, soulful vocalist with seasoned phrasing over material that ranges from blues to Patsy Cline; a dynamic guitarist that more than hold her own against “the boys;” a nimble pianist; and an exemplary songwriter who stays true to the blues idiom while delivering a contemporary perspective and assertive presence.
By Dave Leucinger
Wand w/ Dreamdecay
Saturday, June 22, 9:00 PM
Memorial Union Terrace
Summer is here and the Terrace once again brings excellent vibes to the lakeside hot-spot. The ever resourceful Wand mutate cosmic-rock and alt-folk into gripping head-trips whose sprawling gestalt reveal intricate plans unfolding fascinating journeys. Seattle’s Dreamdecay’s dynamic tension launches an evening of chronic sonic labyrinths. By John Noyd
Lucy Spraggan
Wednesday, June 26, 8:00 PM
High Noon Saloon
British singer Spraggan crafts smart, efficient pop whose directness implies an innocent simplicity while her lyrics explore sly metaphors and perceptive character sketches. Clever may undercut her ease with the rhyming verse, but her song’s sensitive insights and casual charm indicates a performance not to be missed. By John Noyd
Heart Bones w/ Good Fuck
Wednesday, July 3, 8:00 PM
High Noon Saloon
Har Mar Superstar has gone through many incarnations over the years. Most of them shirtless. This time he ditches the stage name in favor of his real, Sean Tillman, and has found a female collaborator, Sabrina Ellis (A Giant Dog/ Sweet Spirit) whom he befriended while touring together in 2016. Noting a kindred over the top style of performing, the two banded together in the form of Heart Bones. Inspired by classic duos such as Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood, Sonny & Cher, and Sam & Dave, this twosome has written original material influenced by everything from doo wop, musical theater, electro dance, and melancholy pop. Where will this musical mayhem take them? By Andrew Frey
Red, White and Blues Fest
Featuring the Jimmys w/ Oscar Wilson, Altered Five Blues Band, Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones, Ryan McGrath Band
Saturday, July 6, 1:00 PM
Knuckledown Saloon
The club’s outdoor blues shindig returns for its fourth year with some new names and voices. Among these is the brilliant, vibrant and 100% dance-friendly guitarist Doug Deming, whose take on ‘50s blues with a hint of rockabilly was shaped by his early years in Detroit.
By Dave Leucinger