808s in the 608 🎸

Local music scene in Madison, WI

Sex, Fear performing a basement show at Harrison House. | Photo by @sexcommafear

Between the Alliant Energy Center + FPC Live venues (Think: The Sylvee, Majestic, and Orpheum), Madison is a must-play city for major artists.

While the big names are always a pleasure to have in town, the local music scene in Madison is just as rich and vibrant, and they’re always in town. You can often find live performances happening at smaller venues, local parks, events + festivals, yard shows, and bars.

📍 Where to find local artists

Lisa Link Peace Park | Tucked away on State Street, this spot is popular during street fairs + is always booked through the summer months. The natural amphitheater set-up is perfect for live performances.
Yard + Basement Shows | While this isn’t a specific venue, the music community in Madison puts on full-production backyard + basement shows. See multiple local bands get together to jam out and play their hits. Ask around in your community or keep tabs on local artists to catch a show.
The Rigby Pub | Keep your eye on the event schedule of this eclectic pub to catch shows from some of the artists we list below.

👥 Who to look out for

Sex, Fear | This post-punk band focuses on creating brooding and angular music while retaining a sardonic sense of humor + playfulness along the way.
RAF and Company | Presenting a contemporary fusion of pop, rock, and jazz — this band seeks to redefine what it means to be a musical healer by blending the lines between spectator + performer.
Kat and the Hurricane | Every genre. Every gender. This queer pop/rock group’s music will make you sad in the best way possible.
Excuse Me, Who Are You? | This up-and-coming midwest-emo band has an EP releasing next week. Keep your eyes out for “About That Beer I Owed Ya” out Oct. 28.

Next time you’re in the mood for a killer concert or want to explore a new side of Madison, keep these local artists in mind. That way, when they’re headlining at the Alliant Energy Center someday, you can say you were there from the beginning.

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Today

Ladies Night | Wed., Oct. 19 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | The Bur Oak, 2262 Winnebago St. | Free+ | Grab your gals for a night out with $5 tequila cocktails + music by iconic female artists.
Trivia Night | Wed., Oct. 19 | 7 p.m. | The Brass Ring, 701 E. Washington Ave. | Free+ | Play for prizes in person or virtually during this hybrid trivia event. 📝

Thursday

Fitchburg Famers Market | Thu., Oct. 20 | 3-6 p.m. | Agora, 5511 E. Cheryl Pkwy., Fitchburg | Free | Shop for fresh produce, European pastries, plus other artisanal goods at this outdoor market. 🧺
Words with Nerds: TED Talks, but way funnier. | Thu., Oct. 20 | 7-8:45 p.m. | Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave. | $15 | A great show for information sponges who love to laugh.

Friday

Comedy Night | Fri., Oct. 21 | 9-10:30 p.m. | Harmony Bar & Grill, 2201 Atwood Ave., Madison | $10 | Enjoy a night of laughs at one of Madison’s favorite neighborhood spots 🎭
Dueling Pianos | Fri., Oct. 21 | 9 p.m. | Ivory Room Piano Bar, 116 W. Mifflin St. | $5 | Hear a dueling set from piano aficionados Cassondra Lea + Anthony Cao. 🎹

Saturday

Tail-gate | Sat., Oct. 22 | 2-6 p.m. | The Boneyard, 1018 Walsh Rd. | Free | Bring your Fido along for this tailgate + fundraiser for the Clean Lakes Alliance.
Basics of Baking | Sat., Oct. 22 | 12-3 p.m. | Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St. | $50 | Learn foundational baking skills while preparing cookies, savory scones, and meringues alongside a baking professional. 🍪

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

46º | Mostly sunny | 6% chance of rain

Biz

Quarra Stone Company is preparing to move into its new 25-acre site in Sun Prairie, where a $19 million construction project is currently underway. The move will double Quarra’s production capacity + add two dozen workers over the next two years. 🪨 (Cap Times)

Civic

The final Town of Madison meeting is taking place tomorrow, Thurs., Oct. 20. This meeting will help Town of Madison residents + property owners understand the changes they will see upon becoming a part of the City of Madison later this month.

Edu

The UW System is utilizing a $5 million federal stimulus grant to partner with a telehealth company, Mantra, to provide virtual counseling, psychiatry appointments + a crisis helpline for student support. (Madison.com)

Health

It’s that time of year. SSM Health Executive David Ottenbaker says Madison should expect to see a rough flu season. Doctors are suggesting that Madisonians look into flu prevention options sooner rather than later. 💉 (NBC 15)

Cause

A record-breaking 2,900 families have signed up to receive a Thanksgiving basket through the Goodman Community Center’s Drive. The community hub is asking local residents for help via volunteers + donations. (WKOW)
100+ children at Leopold Elementary School will receive dental care over the next few weeks with help from Access Community Health Centers and their mobile dental clinic, known as the Care-Mobile. 🦷 (NBC 15)

Art

ARTS for ALL Wisconsin is displaying the life’s work of 90-year-old Bob Hanneman. The exhibit features complex artwork Bob has created over his 70 years as an independent artist which has been collected by public institutions + published in national magazines. 🎨 (NBC 15)

Announced

Country Jam Music Festival announced its 2023 lineup. Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, and Lee Brice will be headlining at the festival’s new location, north of Eau Claire. (NBC 15)

Seasonal

If you WFH like us, it’s nearly time to break out the space heater. Solve chilly mornings the energy efficient way with the Dr. Infrared Heater that warms objects, not the air. Hello, cozy legs. Bonus: Heat your patio with infrared, too. 🔥*

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An impressive, fellow, Madisonian 🏆

Monica Kim awarded with MacArthur Fellowship

Bascom Hall from the bottom of Bascom Hill

Kim is one of only five UW Madison faculty members that have ever been named a MacArthur fellow. | Photo by @chrislinephotography

Monica Kim — a UW-Madison professor, historian, and author — was recently announced as a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation fellowship, also known as the genius grant.

The MacArthur Foundation supports creative individuals, iconic institutions, and influential networks in an effort to build a more just + peaceful world. The fellowship is described as “a small number of big bets,” in which the program funds around 25 nominated individuals who have the creativity, knowledge, and drive to make meaningful change in the world.

So, what happens now? Monica, along with her 24 fellow fellows, will receive quarterly payments over the next five years amounting to $800,000 intended to advance their expertise, help engage in new projects, or even alter their career path. This money is presented in a no-strings-attached way, there are no evaluations or expectations as this award is in support of people rather than projects.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ally.

Editor’s pick: Well, it’s officially too cold to work in my sunroom. Let me know if you guys have any hidden gems good for setting up shop + working. Bonus points if they have a good chai latte. Zuzu Cafe is a top pick for me.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We asked you what Madison is missing.

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Editorial: Ally Geiger, Ryan Waldman, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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