Madcity Nights - March 2019
Previews of shows around the Madison area by Max Ink Writers
by Max Ink
March 2019
Steely Dane plays in the round at the Masonic Center in Madison
Andy Frasco & The U.N.
w/ Wild Adriatic
Wednesday, March 6, 8:30 PM
High Noon Saloon
Hep jive funks on the downbeat swinging in uptown soul and floating in riverboat soul, beat ambassador Frasco basks in good times boogie squeezing out rootsy grooves from laid-back rainbow flows. The party starts early when the casually agile Wild Adriatic hit the stage running. By John Noyd
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
A Musical Tribute to The Barn Restaurant and Bar
Saturday, March 9, 6 PM
Con Amici, Baraboo
The Barn Restaurant was considered a cornerstone of the Baraboo area live music scene for almost a decade until a fire destroyed it earlier this year. This musical tribute at Con Amici will feature many of the musicians who have performed there during the past 10 years, and be one of the first efforts to raise funds to rebuild this venue. By Teri Barr
Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo
Saturday, March 9, 9 PM
Knuckledown Saloon
Williams and the Hoodoo have been rockin’ roadhouse blues for more than a decade - just a couple of years longer than the Knuckledown has been staking its own claim as Madison’s blues headquarters. As the club celebrates its 9th anniversary, the Hoodoo’s rhythm section (Z and Eric Shackleford) has been stepping up with songwriting and vocal contributions to expand the trio’s tight repertoire. By Dave Leucinger
The Rock Pack: Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Tony Lewis (Outfield)
Steve Augeri (Journey), John Payne (Asia)
Sunday, March 10, 7 PM
Ho-Chunk Gaming, Wisconsin Dells
This show is being dubbed as “hit after hit after hit,” with four iconic voices best known for their hits in the 1980s. Lou, Tony, Steve, and John will all take turns on stage with support from the full Asia band. It’s sure to be a sing-along, and as Lou revealed during an interview, the Rock Pack shows may be some of the last times to catch him, live. By Teri Barr
SHIM, with Madame Mayhem, Seilies and Revolution-X
Wednesday, March 13, 6:30 PM
Red Zone|Annex
Sick Puppies former lead singer SHIM makes a stop in Madison along with Madame Mayhem and Madison favorite Revolution-X and Seilies. SHIM’s high octane performance coupled with his first solo album, is a fresh approach to the Assuie’s former Sick Puppies days. Madison’s own Seilies debut their first release as a perfect Madison local tie-in and make this a can’t miss show. By Tommy Rage
Liz Cooper and the Stampede
w/ The Go Rounds
Wednesday, March 13, 8 PM
High Noon Saloon
As the frisky, freedom-loving filly that commandeers the Stampede, Cooper leads the lean three-piece into steamy dream-country wonders, launching road-tripping whimsy inside cantering Nashville rambles touched with taffeta-laced laughter and saddle-shoe panache. Michigan’s sweet psychedelic fortune-tellers The Go Rounds open up the jangly night. By John Noyd
Music on the Lake with The Retro Specz
Wednesday, March 13, 6 PM
East Side Club
The Winter Music Series at the East Side Club only has two shows left before the Summer Music Series kicks in, and moves outside. But The Retro Specz, a classic rock cover band made up of talented musicians from all around the Madison area, will heat up the place with its choice of songs to get you dancing and singing along. Can’t go wrong when the group covers FOUR-DECADES worth of music! By Teri Barr
Tab Benoit
Saturday, March 16, 8 PM
Barrymore Theatre
South Louisiana has produced an abundance of musical talent, with Benoit fitting in well historically and stylistically with predecessors - the rockin’ boogie of Johnny Allen and Clint West, the swampy blues of Guitar Junior (Lonnie Brooks), and the plaintiff Swamp Pop ballads of Phil Phillips and Rod Bernard. In the quarter-century since Benoit toured with a vintage Greyhound bus, he’s released twenty albums, won numerous awards, and taken on a role as ambassador and champion for the threatened natural environment and cultural heritage of Louisiana’s bayou country. By Dave Leucinger
Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx with Night Ranger
Saturday, March 16, 8 PM
Crystal Grand Music Theatre, Wisconsin Dells
Dennis DeYoung is a founding member, and often called “the voice” of Styx. He also wrote 7 of the band’s 8 Top-10 hits, and will sing every single one at this show, sure to bring back a lot of memories. Night Ranger also had a string of hits, and was one of the first “video” bands, with more than 10 Number-1 videos on MTV. There is not a bad seat at Crystal Grand, making this a must-go show. By Teri Barr
Steely Dane
Saturday, March 16, 7 PM
Masonic Center - Temple Ballroom, Madison
Steely Dane will be playing a unique “in-the-round” show at the beautiful, but little-known-about theater, inside the Madison Masonic Temple. It’s also going to be a pick your seat kind of show, with every chair making you feel like you are on stage with our friends in Steely Dane. By Teri Barr
Sun of Goldfinger
Tuesday, March 19, 8 PM
Arts & Literature Laboratory
2021 Winnebego, Madison
Saxophonist Tim Berne, drummer Ches Smith and guitarist David Torn visit Madison as the sharp, cutting-edge Sun of Goldfinger. Three legendary collaborative improvisers, SoG’s avant jazz ambiance unfurls zero-gravity calamities into deep-space meditations. Don’t miss what is sure to be a breath-taking display of meta-musical grooves. By John Noyd
Carsie Blanton
Sunday, March 24, 8 PM
High Noon Saloon
Salty pop greets sideshow chamber-folk and it’s love and fun for everyone when Blanton trots into town riding her new, “Buck Up,” into the High Noon. Doling out smart, savvy songs spiced in big hearts and bashful smiles, the singer-songwriter dishes pithy experiences rich in succinct wisdom. By John Noyd
Morningstar, Flame and the Void, Fade to Red
Thursday, March 28, 7:30 PM
Crucible
If you like metal bands with female voices, then my friends, this is gonna be the show for you. All three bands that night - Morningstar, The Flame and the Void, and Fade to Red feature hard rock-style crunchy guitars with a soaring voice over them. It’s the “Ladies of Rock” at the Crucible, which means that you’ll have an excuse to check out a new Madison venue as well! By Mike Huberty
Kara Grainger
Friday, March 29, 8 PM
Knuckledown Saloon
From the land that brought the guitar wizardry of Tommy Emmanuel and Dave Hole comes a new dynamic axe-slinger with a country blues and soul context. Australian Kara Grainger has been playing professionally since her teen years, taking to stage with solid original material on at least four continents. Although she’s currently based in California, her most recent release, Living With Your Ghost, was recorded in Austin under the production guidance of Anders Osborne. By Dave Leucinger
Sugar Maple Concert Series
Kaia Kater
Sunday, March 31, 7 PM
North Street Cabaret
Kaia Kater delivers on her singer/songwriter skills as a folk and bluegrass artist, and is described as authentic and distinctive. She returns to Madison for this solo show after playing the Sugar Maple Festival in 2017, and the organizers are thrilled to have her back for the concert series. By Teri Barr
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