What's your favorite Kinks song? All Day and All of the Night? Lola? Come Dancing? Sunny Afternoon? I'm Not Like Everybody Else? Chances are, Ray Davies will sing it for you Sunday November 6th when he plays theBarrymore Theatre.
I've never been lucky enough to see the Kinks, but I have had the opportunity to see Ray Davies live three times, and he does not disappoint. The guy can still sing and entertain..demonstrating that he's still got what it takes to be a fantastic frontman. The first time I saw him was probably more than a decade ago when he was on his Storyteller tour. That show was also at the Barrymore. The small but devoted audience got to hear all the great Kinks songs..and the stories that went with them. How did his brother Dave Davies get that signature tone on "You Really Got Me?" He stuck a knife in his amplifier. And all the stories were told with wit and passion.
I got to see Ray again when he played the Barrymore to start off a 2006 U.S. tour, and then later in the tour at Summerfest. Mike and I sat right next to the soundboard at the Barrymore show, so we could see the setlist..and it was a great one! He included lots of hits, some chestnuts for hardcore fans, as well as songs from his new album...and those were great too! He's funny, he's a talented songwriter and performer..and he has more charisma than the average Well Respected Man. If you're a Kinks fan and have never seen him before..make sure you see this show. If you have seen him before, chances are you've already bought your tickets. --Previewed by Kitty Dunn
What are you doing on Sunday afternoon? Head to the High Noon Saloon to catch some great live music, and support the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Dane County.
Here's an interesting twist--each of the bands performing at the Rock 'n Blues concert has one member who works in the Meriter Hospital Adults Psychiatry Unit.
Here's the lineup:
1pm Mud Room, a rock band featuring Dr. Tyler Rickers singing and playing lead guitar
1:30pm Queenie & The Blue Cats, blues and funk featuring Bill Cheadle, a Meriter Adult Psychiatry Clinical Specialist on drums.
4pm Bonobo Secret Handshake, socially motivated rock funk and blues, with Meriter Adult Psychiatry Mental Health Specialist Teresa Nyholt as singer. Two doctors add to the mix as well, David Melnick and Scott Meskin.
5:30pm:Â Jam session!
It's just $7 for tickets if you buy them in advance, or $10 at the door.
More info here.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness, and was founded right here in Dane County. NAMI Dane County provides free support meetings, educational meetings, a resource library and more.
Most Summerfest headliners don't go on until 8pm or 10pm, a lot of people like to get their Summerfest on early. Kitty, who hasn't missed a Summerfest in nearly 20 years, looked over the schedule to find some not-to-miss shows that will happen while the sun's still out.
Wed. June 29:The Nod 3pm at the Cascio Music Stage. Garage rock from Madison. Find out why Rob Thomas of 77 Square says their music is smart and jangly pop reminiscent of Cake or Spoon.
Thurs. June 30Mighty Short Bus noon at the Briggs & Stratton Stage. See Project M champ Frank Busch in his natural element..on stage with his band.
The Jimmy's, 2pm at the Briggs & Stratton Stage. A great blues band featuring our favorite rock n roll farmer, Jimmy Voegeli
Bascom Hill, 5pm at the Miller Oasis. More great Madison music!
Friday July 1:Big Bob & the Ballroom Blitz with Greg Koch, 4pm at the Harley Davidson Stage. Greg Koch just might be the best guitar player in WI.            Check this show out and experience real gristle!
Saturday July 2M & I Employee Party, Noon at the Classic Rock Stage. What? That's not a band name?
Sunday July 3
De La Buena 6pm at the Harley Davidson Stage. Danceable Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz. Say hi to Jeremy, the drummer. He used to work at Triple M!
Monday July 4
Summerfest is closed. What's up with that?
Tuesday July 5Elusive Parallelograms 6pm at the Cascio Music Stage. That just might be the coolest band name ever! They play alternative experimental pop rock.
Wednesday July 6
Mike Droho & The Compass Rose, 6pm at the Cascio Music Stage. Hey it's Season One Project M winner Mike Droho! Woo hoo!
Thursday July 7Locksley, 3pm at the Rock Stage. Little Steven loves 'em, they're on tons of commercials..and they're from Madison!
Friday July 8Sue DeBaco & The Double Down 6pm at the Potawatomi Stage. How about a little blues for your evening listening pleasure?
Saturday July 9Pat McCurdy 5pm at the Briggs and Stratton Stage. How about a little Sex & Beer everybody?
Sunday July 10Daniel & The Lion, 4:30 at the Cascio Music Stage. Featuring another Project M winner, Jimmie Linville. It's a Summerfest Trifecta!
AVETT BROTHERS JULY 9 CONCERT FROM RED ROCKS TO BE SIMULCAST ON THE WORLD'S LARGEST HDTV AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY![kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/qqZZlL0l5Uk" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
The Avett Brothers sold-out show at Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre on July 9th will be broadcast live via satellite to the band's hometown of Concord, NC on the planets largest HDTV screen. AEG Network LIVE is responsible for producing and shooting the entire event in HD & delivering it via iClips to Charlotte Motor Speedway. Charlotte Motor Speedway, home to the massive 80' x 200' Panasonic HDTV, will host Avett Brothers fans from near and far for a chance to be part of this exciting show as it happens live. Fans who can't make it to Colorado or North Carolina on July 9 will be able to stream the show on iclips.net.
The live simulcast will give the Avett Brothers' rabid local fan base the opportunity to view their historical show from Red Rocks on the speedway's massive HD video board. Tickets for this one-of-a-kind concert venue experience are on sale now and can be purchased at the speedway ticket office or by calling 1-800-455-FANS(3276). Tickets are only $10 until July 1, when they will increase to $15 until July 8. If purchased the day of the event, they will cost $20.
If you're a fan, you don't want to miss the energetic performance that the Avett Brothers will surely deliver with no less than a true fan would expect.
Madison's very own "Funky Drummer" Clyde Stubblefield will lead a stellar lineup of musicians for an event called "Funk For Japan" this Sunday at High Noon Saloon.
The idea to put the benefit together came from Stubblefield, who traveled the world with James Brown, making friends in countries around the world, including Japan. He has friends who live in Sendai, a city which suffered severe damage to its coastal areas when the quake and tsunami hit March 11th.
That band that you hear every Friday at around 7:40 on 105.5 Triple M, the Gomers, will be lending their considerable musical talent to the event, by hosting a special edition of Rock Star Gomeroke. Singers from Emmettville, The Tony Casteneda Latin Jazz Band, Primative Culture, Phat Phunktion, and Chick Singer have all agreed to sing a song or two..or perhaps three. The Madison funk band The Mustache has also been added to the bill.
All proceeds will go the American Red Cross, Badger Chapter. Suggested donation: $10. This is a 21+ show.
Here's the schedule:
6:00pm: The Funky Gomeroke Allstars7:30pm: Clyde Stubblefield Band9:00pm The Mustache
More info here.
Middle Brother with Dawes and Deer Tick
Majestic Theatre, March 13th, 8:30 PM, $16/$18, $45 opera seats,
Musical Style: Â Rock
Middles Brothers is coming to town with Dawes and Deer Tick on March 13th to put on a rock-your-socks off concert at the Majestic. Â Middle Brothers is made up of Deer Tick's John McCauley, Dawes' Taylor Goldsmith, and Delta Spirit's Matt Vasquez. Â This will be an energetic show that you don't want to miss. Â The Majestic is an awesome venue that is conducive to rocking out. Â So, if you're of age, grab a few drinks and enjoy the show on Sunday at 8:30PM. Â Here is Middle Brothers' song "Me Me Me" below:
Middle Brother released their self-titled debut album on March 1st and is definitely something to check out.
Why should you see the show?
Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit is so much fun to see live.
Sunday is the perfect night to do something fun before the start of the work week.
Have you been to the Majestic Theater? Â Now is your chance.
Jackie Greene
w/ Baghdad Scuba Review
Majestic Theatre, March 11th, 9PM, All Ages, $15/$18, $35 for Opera Seats
Musical Style: Â Blues and Rock
Jackie Greene has been around in the musical scene since his early days growing up in California. Â His first album Rusty Nails was released in 2004. Â In 2005 he signed with the label Verve Forecast. Â He has also done performances with Phil Lesh and Friends doing old Grateful Dead songs. Â Greene has also done extensive touring with B.B. King, Huey Lewis and many others and has released his latest album Till The Light Comes last June. Â Here is his song "Shaky Ground" below:
So if you feel like a good dose of rock and blues, come down to the Majestic at  9PM on Friday night for an awesome show.  You can check more about Jackie Greene at his website.
Truth and Salvage CompanyThe RagadorsWhitney Mann
The Frequency, February 18th, 10PM, 18+, $10
Independent Madison artist and former Project M contestant Whitney Man will be playing with Truth and Salvage Company and The Ragadors on Friday night at The Frequency (121 West Main Street). Â Truth and Salvage Company are a 6 piece group that plays a southern country/rock sound. Â They have been signed to Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson's Silver Arrow Label since 2009. Â They have been around since 2005 and will be a fun band to see live.
Whitney Mann released her self-titled debut EP The Way Back Home and was featured on NPR and won the 2010 Madison Area Music Award for New Artist of the Year. She grew up in Camden, Michigan and started singing and songwriting there.  She went to school at the University of Michigan receiving a degree in English and now lives in Madison.
Mann has played at Summerfest, opening for Willie Nelson and George Jones and recently with Loretta Lynn. Â You can check some of her music and her upcoming shows on MySpace. Â The Ragadors are a Milwaukee based quartet that play rock 'n roll. Â Their debut album "blackinkyswells" was released in October of 2010.
Here is a video of Truth and Salvage Company playing their song "Call Back" below:
Why should you go?
You'll get a variety of fun live bands that have incredible talent.
Whitney Mann is a force to reckon with.
The Frequency is a nice venue to have a few drinks and rock out to the music.
Marc BroussardMajestic Theatre, Feb. 19th, 8Pm, all ages, $15/$17Musical Style: Rock, Pop, Soul
Marc Broussard is only 29 years old, but has been involved in the music scene for a long time. He is of music stock, his father was the lead guitarist of The Boogie Kings. He started a band in 2001, but quickly moved on to solo work. His most recent album was released in 2008 and was called Keep Coming Back. He has toured with many acts including Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson, OAR, and many others. He has been featured on several late night talk shows and his song "Home" served as the theme song to the NBC show "Medium." Here it is below:
Why Should You go?
Listen to the above song.
He's a great singer live and it will be an energetic show.
The Majestic is a cool venue to explore.
So come just off the square to the Majestic and enjoy a Saturday night with some good friends and music. It starts at 8PM.
Bobby Long w/Mike Droho
High Noon Saloon, Feb. 14th, 8PM, 18+, $12, more info at trueendeavors.comStyle: Folk/Rock
Musical Influences: John Hurt, Jimi Hendrix, Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Elliot Smith
Bobby Long is a British songwriter who started playing guitar/cello and writing songs around the age of 18. He played open mic clubs in London and self-released several albums in 2009. He sprung to fame when Robert Pattinson performed his song "Let Me Sign" in the 2008 "Twilight" film. Long signed with ATO Records in 2010 and just released his debut recording A Winter Tale on February 1st. On February 3rd, he was on The Tonight Show w/Jay Leno. Here is his song "Dead & Done" below:
Here is a free download of his song "Penance Fire Blues" off of the new album:
http://www.spinner.com/2011/01/31/bobby-long-penance-fire-blues-free-mp3-download/
You can check more music by him on his myspace page. You should check him out live at the High Noon Saloon on Monday, February 14th at 8PM. It will be an amazing show!
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
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