Madcity Nights - March 2020
Previews for shows around the Madison area
by Max Ink
March 2020
Robert Cray @ Barrymore Theatre on March 18, 2020
Tripping Billies
Dave Matthews Band Tribute
Saturday, March 7, 8:30 PM
Majestic Theatre
Giving fans and live music lovers alike the songs of Dave Matthews Band for almost two decades, Tripping Billies are one of most highly-regarded tribute bands out there. Chicago-based, the band is made of the Windy City’s best, to the point that you don’t even need to love Dave Matthews Band to enjoy their shows. For those who do love Dave, you’ll definitely understand why they’ve been named a Top Five Tribute Act in the U.S. by Relix Magazine.
By Adam Benavides
Mighty Stokes Tribute: Wild Onion Blues
Sunday, March 8, 7:00 PM
Anodyne Coffee (Milwaukee)
The patriarch of Milwaukee’s blues scene for more than four decades is celebrated through musical memories by most of the area’s top musicians in the genre – who each will have their own funny stories of what made the otherwise irascible Kermit Stokes loved by so many. Well worth the drive!
By Dave Leucinger
Colony House
w/ Tyson Motsenbocker
Friday, March 13, 9:30 PM
High Noon Saloon
Strong-armed anthems, giddy flings and bittersweet power-ballads turn Colony House’s romantic indie-rock into full-throttled solace cemented in exemplary empathy. Touring behind this year’s feisty, “Leave What’s Lost Behind,” the band just celebrated their tenth anniversary and show no signs of slowing down. Clear-eyed singer-songwriter Tyson Motsenbocker opens.
By John Noyd
The Bel Airs
Friday, March 13, 8:00 PM
Knuckledown Saloon
Veterans of almost four decades of roadhouses and night clubs, the Bel Airs remain the archetype of rockin’ roots and swampy blues music acts, drawing from heralded labels such as Excello and Checker. Co-led by brothers Dick and Dave Pruitt on guitar and bass, with Michael Cherry keeping the backbeat, the trio’s trademark blended harmonies keep an impressive canon of mid-century nuggets and originals in regular rotation.
By Dave Leucinger
Frank Martin Busch and The Names
Music on the Lake Winter Series
Friday, March 13, 7:00 PM
The East Side Club
You may recognize the name Frank Martin Busch. He’s the terrific front man of the Madison-based band, Wheelhouse. But this is a new project, and it is giving him the chance to do whatever he feels like—everything from Red Dirt to Soul to Alternative Country to Rock-n-Roll. Frank’s a pretty funny guy, too. Frank Martin Busch and The Names will get you laughing and dancing inside the Capitol View Room at The East Side Club. Consider this Friday the 13th your lucky night with great live music.
By Teri Barr
ZZ Ward
Stardust Tour 2020
Saturday, March 14, 8:00 PM
Barrymore Theatre
The LA-based singer-songwriter hits Madison on her latest stop in support of 2017’s The Storm, her sophomore album full of the powerful lyrics, strong vocals and bluesy riffs ZZ has become known for. After garnering rave reviews over the past several years from the likes of Rolling Stone, USA Today, NPR and extensive tours supporting rock icons Eric Clapton and Gary Clark Jr., you won’t want to miss ZZ do her thing at The Barrymore on March 14.
By Adam Benavides
Ásgeir
Bury The Moon Tour
Tuesday, March 17, 8:00 PM
Majestic Theatre
A stunning falsetto put to haunted melodies inside upbeat vibes, Iceland’s Ásgeir brings his Bury The Moon tour to forge alliances, mend hearts and reach for the stars. Brace yourself for rhythm-driven folk-pop opulence lit by symphonic strings, balmy harmonies and winged electronics.
By John Noyd
St. Practice Day
Tuesday, March 17, 6:00PM
High Noon Saloon
High Noon Saloon will host an array of local bands and music genres in preparation for St. Patrick’s Day this year. St. Practice Day will help you get ready for the big Irish party with a few beers and some great rock, honky tonk, blues and soul music from The Rascal Theory, RailHopper, Mickey Magnum and Mars Hall.
By Adam Benavides
Robert Cray
Friday, March 18, 8:00 PM
Barrymore Theatre
Cray’s soulful and radio-friendly West Coast blues has been an enduring presence for almost 40 years. He’s a detail-focused craftsman on-stage and in the studio; he also humbly allows his sidemen to shine in showcase numbers. His songwriting ranges from atmospheric to conversational, drawing from a keen use of all his five senses (and perhaps an undeclared sixth one, too).
By Dave Leucinger
Poliça
w/ Wilsen
Thrusday, March 19, 8:00 PM
High Noon Saloon
Get lost in posh cyber-soul composers Poliça’s gorgeous electric forests and savory paisley pop-stalkers Wilsen’s razor-sharp rainbow slopes when this dizzying double-bill chills and thrills with tender sensations dressed in sleek beats and dreamy sweetness. Both band bring fantastic new albums to soothe, woo and groove.
By John Noyd
Tent Show Troubadours
High Noon Happy Hour
Friday, March 20, 5:00 PM
Pop-Rock and Americana with a live fiddle, the Tent Show Troubadours are doing a free show at the High Noon for their Happy Fridays concert series. Doors at 4, band starts at 5. Surly beers are only $3. Hey old people, no cover, drink specials, you can go see a band and be home by 8, so stop complaining that you can’t go out, eh?!
By Mike Huberty
Third Eye Blind
w/ Saves the Day
Saturday, March 21, 8:00 PM
The Sylvee Theater
For their sixth full-length album, Screamer, Third Eye Blind collaborates with Alexis Krauss, Ryan Olson and Poliça, while rock icon Billy Corgan oversees the entire project. Initially scoring platinum hits almost 20 years ago, the band just wrapped their most-attended tour ever in 2019. In short, they still got “it,” and are having a good time playing across the country.
By Adam Benavides
Dan Stiernberg Jazz Quartet
North Street Cabaret
Friday, March 27 8:00 PM
Celebrating his fifth decade as a working musician, Chicago-based Don Stiernberg is bringing his quartet to the North Street Cabaret as part of the Sugar Maple Music Festival’s Winter Concert Series. Don has done it all as an artist—performing, writing, recording, producing, and teaching. But he is best known for his mandolin playing which will be on full display, and something you don’t want to miss.
By Teri Barr
Dale Watson & the Lone Stars
Friday/Saturday, March 27-28, 8:30 PM
High Noon Saloon
The County Sheriff of Texas Honky Tonk Returns with his posse, flashing their (Lone) Stars to enforce the roadhouse codes of Truckin’, Cheatin’, and Drinkin’. Those are the themes for Friday; Saturday is an all-request show (with local traditional C&W troubadours, the North Westerns, opening that night).
By Dave Leucinger
Mdou Moctar
w/ Gunn-Truscinski Duo
Thursday, April 2, 8:00 PM
High Noon Saloon
Scorching finger-picked chords absorbed into amplified trance, Sahara marvel Mdou Moctar’s Tuareg guitar twists intricate riffs into flickering pictures of hot exotica. This incredibly rare visit to Madison also includes guitar wiz Steve Gunn and ace drummer John Truscinski creating their own unique brand of minimal mysticism.
By John Noyd
Madison Odd Market
Saturday, April 4, 11:00 AM
The Crucible
Goth, weird, and curious vendors are going to be invading the Crucible for the first ever Madison Odd Market from 11-5. It’s a Maxwell Street Days for the macabre set with DJ Phoole spinning a steampunk soundtrack in the background. Get your monocle on, jump in your hot air balloon, and dress like it’s a futuristic 1899. There’s gonna be plenty of things to buy with skulls on them and you can even bring kids!
By Mike Huberty