Music
Summerfest 09: Debauchery and Philosophy
Submitted by Jason Dean on Wed, 2009-07-01 14:00
“This is how you should be entering Summerfest; drunk and with a broken shoe.”
The strap of my partners sandal discarded blocks earlier after some problems with the most basic form of human movement, we purchased purchased our tickets and entered the grounds. The turnstile gives way, giving me a brief view of the ground below before I regain my balance.
Following a drunk through a sea of people when you've had one too many yourself can be a bit of a challenge. Colors blur together like a bad trip. The key is to focus on some aspect of who you are following. I choose her tattoo.
Before long we are parked in front of a stage. A blur of Gibson guitars and alt-country greets us before the sky opens and the rain begins. Defiant, I stand in the rain while my partner sowers under a tree. Standing in the rain with my foot propped on a metal bench and my sunglasses still on, I look way cooler than I actually am.
Forward Music Fest expands in scope for year two
Submitted by Joshua James on Tue, 2009-06-30 12:04
How do you best yourself after planning a massively successful two day festival that spread across Madison’s downtown? Answer: You make it a three-day festival utilizing almost every free space downtown and even stretching into Maple Bluff. The Forward Music Festival is back and, judging by its 50 confirmed acts, the organizers are looking to top the excitement from last year.
The collaborative behind FMF have enlisted the help of a number of new friends to make this year’s line-up even more eclectic and local. One of the new additions is Wongz Walk, a Madison based group of artists and musicians who have recently gained notoriety for their dance and techno parties at the Corral Room. While no longer an organizing member of the FMF, Kyle Pfister returns to represent his blog, Just Sayin’ is All. Pfister had been schedule to host shows at Gates of Heaven and Café Montemarte. With this morning's announcement that the Momo would be closing the venue for that showcase is up in the air.
FMF2009: Forward Music Festival Headliner Andrew Bird Pre-Sales Now Available
Submitted by Jesse Russell on Tue, 2009-06-30 11:40Roughly two hours ago the news broke that Andrew Bird would be opening his Fall tour at Madison's Overture Hall on September 19, 2009 as the main headliner for the Forward Music Fest. Bird will be performing along with Madison's Pale Young Gentlemen. Tickets will officially go on sale July 11, 2009 at 11 a.m., but a little bird now tells us a handful of pre-sale tickets for the event are NOW available (being a member of the Overture has benefits). The link and password for ordering pre-sale tickets are below the fold.
FMF2009: Andrew Bird Headlines Forward Music Fest 2009
Submitted by Jesse Russell on Tue, 2009-06-30 10:00
The cat is out of the bag with Andrew Bird posting on his website that he will be performing at Madison's Overture Center on September 19. The Forward Music Festival is announcing today that Andrew Bird will be the headliner for the citywide music festival's sophomore year. Bird has a long history with Madison with regular and multiple appearances nearly every year of the last decade. Opening for Bird at the Overture on September 19, 2009 will be Madison's Pale Young Gentlemen. Josh will have more details on the festival later today. Until then please enjoy the shows and videos we have collected below.
Cafe Montmartre is Closing, Cardinal to Follow?
Submitted by dane101 on Tue, 2009-06-30 07:22According to a press release sent out last night by True Endeavours, Cafe Montmartre is closed. The bistro and music club on East Mifflin has long been seeking a buyer to takeover the establishment. The press release says the Jessica Lea Mayfield show scheduled for July 7 will be moved to the High Noon.
According to IQ's Liz Tymus on the Facebook event for IQ Discotech at the Cardinal on June 27, the Cardinal on East Wilson is also closing. In her post she said it would be closing at the end of the month, but this has yet to be officially verified. More details to come.
Summerfest '09 - Sunny Sunday
Submitted by Jason Dean on Mon, 2009-06-29 13:24
My phone rang as I was packing my truck for the voyage to Milwaukee. It was the friend I had arranged to stay with after my day at Summerfest.
“Dude, don’t freak out when you see me, I’m going to look a bit different,” he stated nonchalantly.
I had no idea what to expect from him, as he is notorious for being slightly outrageous. Last time I saw him he was sporting a green mullet wig. It was possible he was burned to a crisp. Maybe he had shaved his head and eyebrows.
The real answer is the stuff Summerfest legends are made of.
Summerfest 09 – A Prelude
Submitted by Jason Dean on Sun, 2009-06-28 10:04
Milwaukee. It was my hometown for the better part of a decade before I moved to Madison for graduate school. The highlight of the year to my friends and me was Summerfest. The 11-day music festival was our religious holiday. The schedule book was our bible, and a different choir could be found on every stage. Communion consisted of Miller and Saz’s. Faith was determined by the number of days attended all 11 was always the goal and occasionally achieved.
Vacation accumulated throughout the year was quickly relinquished to spend time sitting at a picnic table consuming sun, beer and music. At night, the tables became our dance floor. For those who had their days free, the Summerfest pin allowed admission for next to nothing. Arriving early meant a hand stamp for the main show at the Marcus. For us, the free grass seats were just fine. Click here to read more...
Music Around Madison: June 26 and 27
Submitted by Jesse Russell on Fri, 2009-06-26 14:21
There is a shockingly difficult amount of music to choose from around town this weekend.
Starting at happy hour the High Noon is hosting Bonorama 3 where you can pick up new issues of a comic series that “irreverently” lampoons U2 frontman Bono. The comics will be accompanied by some fantastic music including the one of our new favorite local acts Archie Powell and the Exports. Also performing will be Highwaters and the awesomely named Cliffs of Insanity. The happy hour show will be followed by fundraiser for La Hesperia featuring Eugene Smiles Project and The Ragadors.
The Majestic has an early show starting at 7:30 p.m. With a solid lineup featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam, Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo, and The AJ Loves Blues Band.
The Annex has a local hard rock showcase with Hebron headlining. They'll receive an assist from Black with Envy, Habit of Force, Thin Herd, and Barapa.
Cafe Montmartre will be rolling out The Right Now, Adam Mackintosh, and the Cartwalkers.
If your wallet is feeling a little light you may want to head over to the Memorial Union Terrace where you can enjoy Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, Jenny Gillespie, and Little Red Wolf. Or hit the boat shop in James Madison Park at 5 p.m. For Nightmare of You.
Madison Remembers Michael Jackson: Reflections from Amy
Submitted by Amy D on Fri, 2009-06-26 10:08
I shouldn't have been watching MTV as a preschooler, but if I hadn't I wouldn't have been enchanted by Michael Jackson. I feel fortunate to have become a fan at a young age, as I've been able to spend most of my life awed and inspired by his talent.
Michael Jackson instilled in me a love for music, dance, and rhythm. These are precious gifts responsible for some of the happiest sensations I've ever felt in my life.
Here are some more Michael Jackson memories that have helped me grow into a unique, glowing person:
I used to collect images of Michael Jackson whenever I found his picture in magazines or newspapers. My aunt took the collection I made and created a laminated poster for me to hang in the room I shared with my sister.
I remember, in Kindergarten, coming to class wearing one white glove and spending some energy hiding my Jackson hands from the 8th grade helper.
TMZ Reports: Michael Jackson Dead at 50
Submitted by dane101 on Thu, 2009-06-25 17:16
TMZ.com is reporting that the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, is dead at the age of 50.
We've just learned Michael Jackson has died. He was 50.
Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.
He was the first mega-celebrity of my generation and his life was a menagerie of controversy and stardom. Thriller was the first piece of vinyl that many of the children of the late 70s and early 80s remember. Madisonians and Wisconsinites (and anyone else passing by) can leave thoughts and reflections below.
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