Madcity Nights - May 2019
Previews for shows around Madison
by Max Ink Writer List
May 2019
Sleep w/ Big Business at the Sylvee June 3rd
Eagle Trace w/ HaveaHeart
Saturday, May 4, 5:00 PM
BarleyPop Live
I used to drink a lot of Pabst at The Frequency, but that beloved venue is gone and like a pheonix from a glass pipe’s ashes rises Barleypop Live. I doubt I’ll be sucking down a PBR there because it’s one of those craft beer places with about one million beers on tap, so gird your liver for their second show there this Saturday at 5pm. Headlining will be the Brit-Pop-ish alternative sounds of Eagle Trace but opening will be the emo guys from HaveaHeart who have the whole early 2000s emo thing down cold. They used to be in a band called Tiny Riots, so if you remember that group, you’ll enjoy the new stuff. By Mike Huberty
Johnny Likes Noize (CD Release)
w/ Mars Hall
Saturday, May 4, 9:00 PM
Crucible
Madison power trio Johnny Likes Noize releases their new album at one of our newest venues, The Crucible. Big beats, sing along choruses, guitar solos, it’s a fun straight ahead rock show. And if you were wondering if there’s going to be guitars, the opener is Mars Hall (we see what you did there) one of the area’s newest original bands who wear their 70s-style sound as a badge of honor. By Mike Huberty
Shovels & Rope, Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Trapper Schoepp
Sunday, May 5, 7:30 PM
The Sylvee
Fusing country-rock honky-tonk and roots-blues swing, the long-fuse dynamite duo Shovels & Rope alongside bronco-bopping Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls will surely reap a king’s harvest when this co-headlining jamboree kicks into high gear. Wisconsin’s very own Trapper Schoepp adds to the already robust night of grandstanding Americana. By John Noyd
Lucius w/ Pure Bathing Culture
Wednesday, May 8, 8:00 PM
Barrymore Theatre
Riding high on their acoustic album of reworked originals and re-envisioned covers, charming, talented Lucius take the second leg of their Live Nudes tour to Madison’s Barrymore Theater. Opener Pure Bathing Culture bring their sparkling new, Night Pass,” to an evening filled with vibrant vocals and melt-able melodies. By John Noyd
Corey Dennison Band
Friday, May 10, 9:00 PM
Knuckledown Saloon
Although Dennison apprenticed under the masterful Carl Weathersby, his presence recalls two other blues masters: the soulful angst, phrasing, and passion of Otis Rush, and the electric intensity and vocal power of Albert King. Also worth noting: his stiletto-sharp sideman, fellow guitarist Gerry Hundt. By Dave Leucinger
The Mountain Goats w/ Shana Cleveland
Tuesday, May 14, 8:00 PM
Majestic Theatre
Whether wrestlers, goths or dragons, the stellar Mountain Goats always come to Madison bearing the most wonderful gifts. This time, a splendid new album and a lovely opening act, cosmic-folk heart-decoder Shana Cleveland. The Goats’ character-driven collisions make great shows if you’re hard-core or just woke up new. By John Noyd
S. Carey w/ Shane Leonard
Friday, May 17, 8:00 PM
The Winnebago
After touring all around the world, the energetic and imaginative Wisconsinite S. Carey returns to Madison to perform in one of the city’s newest musical venues. Chill vibes in this intimate setting should highlight his rich pastoral nuances and inner driven rhythms. Arrive early for indie-folk nomad Shane Leonard. By John Noyd
Cash Box Kings (CD Release)
Friday, May 17, 9:00 PM
Knuckledown Saloon
Madison’s world-class blues act knocks it out of the park again with their new Alligator release, Hail to the Kings!
Atomic Prom
Skintones, White Bush Unicorn, Cordoba
Saturday, May 18, 8:30 PM
Art In
This night starts with the circus punk of WBC followed by a Drag Show at 10pm into the Chicago Jazz Fusion sextet Cordoba and brutally taken home with Madcity punk-metal legends The Skintones. By Rökker
Jim Liban & the Joel Paterson Combo
Saturday, May 18, 9:00 PM
Knuckledown Saloon
Liban’s half-century of dedication to blues harmonica has no equals in Wisconsin – and few anywhere. Paterson’s fluid mastery of multiple mid-century genres also has few peers. The return of these musical masters recalls their show last fall, with a Little Walter-powered third set that defined “sublime.”
Badflower
Wednesday, May 22, 6:00 PM
Stormy’s Music Venue (Beaver Dam)
The debut album, ‘OK, I’M SICK’ from the L.A. foursome Badflower has scored two top 10 hits “Ghost”, and “Heroin”. Taking on socials issues such as suicide and drug abuse with an emphasis on storytelling, mixed with a tight-modern guitar sound; these up-and-coming rockers are poised to be the next big thing. By Tommy Rage
Brat Fest
Fri/Sat/Sun May 24-25-26
Willow Island at Dane County Col.
Rock fans rejoice: you have great rock music to listen to as you enjoy your brats and beers this Memorial Day weekend. Wayland, Steven Adler from Guns N’ Roses, and Smashmouth, along with dozens of extremely talented local bands highlight three full days of music, food and festivities all in support of over 100 local charities. By Tommy Rage
Last Crack (CD Release)
Friday, May 31, 9:00 PM
High Noon Saloon, Madison
With two brilliant albums released over 25 years ago, Madison’s own Last Crack returns with their long anticipated new album, ‘The Up Rising’. Signed with EMP Label Group, their follow-up to 1991’s ‘Burning Time’ not only captures the essence of the home-town rock legends, but carries their loyal fan base into the modern era. Maintaining their heavy/quirky sound, ‘The Up Rising’ CD release party is one that you shouldn’t miss. By Tommy Rage
Rockin’ Johnny Burgin
Saturday, June 1, 9:00 PM
Knuckledown Saloon
Burgin’s energetic guitar work livened up many Chicago blues clubs (and several CDs) in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. He spent several years away from music before returning with a drive to pursue more eclectic collaborations from a new home on the West Coast – including surf and Zydeco (“Neoprene Fedora”) and Iberian jazz/blues with Spaniard Quique Gomez (“Dos Hombres”).
Sleep w/ Big Business
Monday, June 3, 8:00 PM
The Sylvee
The legendary stoner metal band SLEEP is back and in a big way! After releasing the seminal Volume One in 1991, Sleep’s Holy Mountain in 1992 and Dopesmoker in 2003, Sleep’s guitarist Matt Pike veered off and started HIGH ON FIRE, while bassist / vocalist Al Cisneros performed with the group OM. Years passed, but then in late 2018 Sleep released The Sciences. Over the years the legions of fans swelled to the point that the band is now playing large venues to 1000s of people. By Andrew Frey
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