It is time for all of us to get back into the groove once again-not just the school groove, but the concert-going groove. So far, some bands have announced tours with stops in Madison and its surrounding areas. Additionally, Madison will be the home to fine arts events worth seeing. With the shows scheduled so far, this spring should be filled with musical delight. Here is a preview of some shows that will be coming around Madison this semester, and surely something will fit your taste.
A big surprise is the revival of one of the best hair bands, M??tley Cr??e. It seemed as though the \Cr??e"" was gone for good-that each member had moved on to other projects with no hope of a reunion. But they found each other to once again rekindle the hard rock music scene. Vince, Mick, Nikki and Tommy will find themselves in Madison April 9 at the Alliant Energy Center. Hopefully the band will have enough energy to reclaim the hearts of their fans.
If that '80s revival seems too far into the semester, then indulge yourself by seeing Queensryche, another metal band who continues to tour. They will be at the Barrymore Theatre Jan. 23. While they were not as rebellious or acclaimed as M??tley Cr??e, they offered classic hits such as ""Silent Lucidity"" and ""Jet City Woman."" For those who were and still are into '80s music, Queensryche is definitely worth checking out.
Perhaps you like '80s music, but not the whole '80s hair band scene. Fear not, because Duran Duran has announced a tour following last October's album release and will be appearing in Milwaukee March 19. While a venue is still not listed, keep checking. Their reunion tour will be an experience, featuring both old hits and new singles.
There are also shows for those of you missing the jam band scene. The jam band moe. will be coming to The Orpheum Feb. 20. This band is expected to be the next great thing since Phish, so if you missed the whole Phish experience, jump on the moe. bandwagon and see what the hype is all about. Although The Orpheum recently had a fire, the show remains scheduled.
It seems upcoming Madison concerts focus on bands from the past, but the new and up-and-coming bands of the year are not forgotten. This past summer, Secret Machines gained popularity with their release Now Here is Nowhere. For the Secret Machines, 2004 was a successful year as their exposure and fan base continued to grow. They are scheduled to be at the University of Wisconsin Feb. 7, but the venue has not been formally announced.
If distance is not a factor with your musical endeavors, then travel to Milwaukee to see other popular bands making a large splash. The Rave will host the Scissor Sisters Jan. 20 and Modest Mouse Feb. 26. Both bands achieved a great amount of success in 2004, and will put on great shows and offer something a bit different at a concert. In such an intimate space, Modest Mouse and the Scissor Sisters will definitely be a highlight this spring. Find a ride, hitchhike or take a bus to The Rave in order to see these potentially unforgettable performances.
If you are interested in Madison's fine arts scene, many wonderful shows will grace Madison's stages. This semester, the Overture Center will cater to the ""finer"" musical tastes. Currently ""Phantom of the Opera"" is taking center stage. Even if you saw the movie during break, you have not seen anything until you see the show on stage. ""Phantom"" will be playing until Jan. 30.
Additionally, violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg will grace the Overture Center's stage March 11-13. Salerno-Sonnenberg is world-renowned among classical musicians and her talent is utterly awe-inspiring. Accompanied by the Madison Symphony Orchestra, she will play the Barber Violin Concerto, which is artistically challenging but always a treat for classical enthusiasts.
While this list is not exhaustive, it will hopefully motivate you to go out and see some amazing, diverse live shows. With the bands scheduled to release albums in the spring, concert dates will soon become more abundant and some wonderful surprises might come through Madison.
Instead of reading that extra chapter in your textbook, go out and see some good live shows this spring because area venues will be filled with great bands putting on unforgettable concerts.
