The Daily Cardinal's Arts staff has compiled a list of the venues to see in Madison and what you can expect at each one. This is not a comprehensive list, but by virtue of being close to campus we have decided to include them in this guide to your Madison concert experience.
Throughout the year we will be featuring interviews with artists playing at these venues, as well as a blog recapping the weekend's performances. Be sure to check the page throughout the week to see who's playing where, and watch for special giveaways. Last year we were able to give away tickets to both Bassnectar and Girl Talk, and this year we are looking to do even more!
The list we've included here has all the information you'll need to find your tickets, find your way there and how much you'll end up spending, represented on a scale from $-$$$.
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
608-267-3976
www.alliantenergycenter.com
Price: $$$
The Alliant Energy Center is a blank canvas—a huge open space lined with concrete, so its no wonder that this multi-use venue most commonly used for corporate events and conventions. However, when concerts set to perform at other venues get over-sold they are moved here, to allow for a larger crowd. Dance-craze DJ Girl Talk and dubstep pioneer Bassnectar both filled the Center's enormous space with people during the 2011 spring semester, so if a concert moves here you're likely to hear about it.
Barrymore Theatre
2090 Atwood Ave.
608-241-2345
www.barrymorelive.com
Price: $$ - $$$
The Barrymore is a Madison indie-music staple—as a converted cinema, the intricate green dome and classic-style marquees are almost as alluring as the artists that come through its doors. From big-name artists to local community dance exhibitions, the Barrymore keeps their lineup diverse and interesting. This past year the theatre played host to Madison's first Hip-Hop Awards, packing the theater. If you're in town for the summer you can catch Little Feat July 11 or Steve Earle July 20, but if not, have no fear—there is still the stunning Ani DiFranco to be seen in September and even more shows to come.
High Noon Saloon
701 E. Washington Ave.
608-268-1122
www.high-noon.com
Price: $-$$
The High Noon's draw does not end at the wide variety of music genres that come through the venue—its homey, western-style feel, Glass Nickel pizza offerings and smaller atmosphere make it one of most fun venues in town. They feature live music seven nights a week, from local music to smaller touring acts to bands with national fanfare. There's even live karaoke with Madison locals the Gomers. Although many of their shows are 21+, you can catch Fences and Driftless Pony Club as well as a Rock Workshop Showcase/Student Jam in August.
The Majestic Theatre
115 King St.
608-255-0901
www.majesticmadison.com
Price: $-$$
With its accessible location on the other side of the capital and cheap ticketing, the Majestic is an extremely popular venue among UW students. The Majestic is a mid-sized venue, so it caters to both calmer, acoustic acts as well as harder rock, funk and dub. For history nerds, the Majestic is Madison's oldest theatre—it opened in 1906 as a vaudeville theatre and has run through acts from ridiculous to risqué before becoming what it is today. If you're in town a little earlier than move-in day, you can catch Peter Bjorn and John for free August 26, or a sprinkling of local and larger bands throughout the summer.
The Annex
1206 Regent Street
608-256-7750
www.intheannex.com
Price: $ - $$
The Annex is a smaller nightclub in West Madison that attracts mainly rock bands. However, conert-goers this summer can look forward to a variety of appearances coming through the Annex, from local costume-metal band Lords of the Trident to the more well-known Mac Lethal. For aspiring musicians, the Annex also provides opportunities to play with other bands through open jam sessions with no cover charge, amps and drums supplied.
Der Rathskellar/The Terrace/The Sett
Memorial Union/Union South
608-265-3000
www.union.wisc.edu
Price: Free
Memorial Union's der Rathskellar and the Terrace, for winter and summer respectively, are integral to the Madison community and undoubtedly an iconic performance space for local and national-scale bands alike. But the draw for live music lovers doesn't end there—all shows are free because they're organized by students and backed by the Wisconsin Union. So any Thursday, Friday or Saturday night during the school year—or even more in the summer—head to der Rath and grab a pitcher of your favorite beverage while you listen to the latest bands on the music scene.
The class of 2015 is the first class to see full use of the new Union South as well, featuring the wood-lined venue called the Sett. The Sett has the same perks as der Rath and the Terrace (free music), but adds its own twist with a more DJ-friendly environment. In fact, a dance night every Friday may be the new thing to do after the other parties have calmed down and you need to just dance.
Orpheum Theatre
216 State St.
608-255-6005
www.orpheumtheatre.net
Price: $-$$
The Orpheum is the venue, besides the Union, closest to the UW campus, which makes it a hot spot for student-focused acts. Many of the most popular musicians out there grace the stage of this romantic mid-sized venue on State Street, including Snoop Dogg during the blizzard last February. Converted from an old movie theatre, the lush lobby is also home to a restaurant and bar. Besides regular musical acts, the Orpheum stays true to its roots by showing films from time to time in its main auditorium, usually one smaller, independent film and one wide-release film. Although its summer calendar is unavailable, be sure to check in for shows in the fall.
The Frequency
121 W. Main St.
608-819-8777
www.madisonfrequency.com
Price: $
The Frequency is a paradise for hipsters and local-music junkies, essentially anyone who wants a musical experience further off the beaten path. Tucked into the Bassett neighborhood, this smaller venue takes a variety of musical genres to its stage as well as some regular events, such as Chicago Blues Tuesdays and Thrash Thursdays. This is a great place to check out local bands at some of their first headlining gigs, as well as an intimate venue for any show. So intimate in fact that aforementioned local costume-metal band Lords of the Trident lamented, ""there might not be room for the firewhip."" Yes, that is apparently a thing, and it's a little too big for this fun little gem of a club.
Overture Center for the Arts
201 State St.
608-258-4141
www.overturecenter.com
Price: $$$
Welcome to the less-expensive art capital of the Midwest! Madison may not be Chicago, but it has plenty to offer if you are new to town and looking for a great way to spend an evening. Immersing yourself in the local music scene is great, and a trip to the Art Fair on the Square in July is nearly indescribable, but one Madison venue remains a leader in entertainment for the entire city: the Overture Center for the Arts.
Intensely connected to the broader world of art across the nation, the Overture Center brings to the stage multiple Broadway shows each year in addition to major headlining concerts, and they do it all while retaining a close link to the local arts scene. Last year, as I waited in line to enter Overture Hall to see award-winning shows like ""Wicked"" and ""Legally Blonde: the Musical,"" I was able to check out local artwork from area elementary schools displayed on the walls. I had the chance to see one of my favorite bands of all time, the Goo Goo Dolls, perform live at Overture's ornate and historic Capitol Theater, and in their intimate Playhouse Theatre that seats only 350 people, I was dazzled by the Bach Dynamite & Dancing Society, a resident group of musicians rightfully claiming to play ""chamber music with a bang."" The day I graduated from that beautiful campus on which you now stand, I sat in the audience of the most stunning production of ""Les Miserables"" ever. I got to see all of these here in Madison and without the three-hour trip to the Windy City (and all of those Illinois toll roads), all thanks to the Overture Center.
This year at Overture appears to be no exception. On the schedule for the 2011-'12 season are musical classics like ""Cats"" and ""Fiddler on the Roof,"" as well as the smash hit ""Billy Elliot."" One of personal favorites will also be making an appearance: ""Beauty & the Beast."" I've seen Disney do it in an hour and a half on VHS and I've seen a local high school do the entire show with only about twenty cast members, yet I am still eagerly anticipating the Broadway version of this beloved tale at Overture Hall in December.
In addition to classic Broadway and vocal powerhouses, Overture is also serving up several nights of Blue Man Group for your artistic experience in January, as well as performances from four-time CMA Vocal Group of the Year nominee Little Big Town and Canadian folk-rock legend Gordon Lightfoot.
There really is something for everyone at Overture this coming year, and don't let the ticket prices online scare you: any time a show doesn't sell out, tickets are available at the box office for extreme discounts when you show your student I.D. These are sold on a first come, first served basis, giving the apt name of ""Student Rush"" to these affordable last-minute event tickets.
Since I am writing this as a member of the alumni now, I am no longer eligible for great student-rush discounts the night of a performance. However, I would encourage each and every one of you, Broadway fan or not, to check out a least one performance at the Overture Center this year. You will not regret it. I know I already bought my season subscription and am ready to enjoy Chicago-style entertainment without the Chicago-sized price tag. Welcome to Madison, arts fans!
