With the start of the so-called “spring” semester (though calling it spring is just cruel as it doesn’t feel like spring until at least April), there are plenty of music options—both live and recorded—for you to check out this mid-winter semester.
Some new releases coming out within the first few weeks of the semester include Young the Giant’s Mind Over Matter, Broken Bells’ After the Disco and St. Vincent’s self-titled album. For jam band fans, Phish’s Mike Gordon is releasing his latest solo effort Overstep. For hip-hop fans, Schoolboy Q’s long-awaited Oxymoron is set to come out in February as well.
But since you are probably just going to steal all these albums anyway or listen to them on Spotify, in order to actually support your favorite artists, I suggest you go see them live. This semester has a gaggle of options for you to choose.
Fans of electronic music will be particularly pleased this semester. Jan. 24, Zeds Dead is coming to the Orpheum. Jan. 30, the Emancipator Ensemble returns to the Majestic. Big Gigantic will bring their live electronic set-up to the Orpheum Feb. 13 and Paper Diamond arrives at the Majestic Feb. 27.
If you find yourself in the precarious situation of being a jam band fan outside of the North East or Colorado, have no fear—your 15-minute itch will be placated as well. A Jeff Austin-less Yonder Mountain String Band will make their annual pilgrimage to the Orpheum Feb. 15 with the fantastic Travelin’ McCourys.
For “dead heads” who never quite got around to seeing Jerry, check out the Dark Star Orchestra on Jan. 30 at the Barrymore. Last but not least, so as to not take up this whole column with a genre virtually no one beyond myself cares about, Mike Gordon of Phish is bringing his great solo band to the Barrymore Mar. 9.
Indie rock fans will be ecstatic to learn Neutral Milk Hotel is coming to the Orpheum Feb. 8, only to be instantly disappointed that it’s sold out. With that being said, anyone reading this is probably pretty creative and there are always tickets to be found for any event. Former Pavement front man Stephen Malkmus is bringing his current project, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, to the High Noon Saloon Feb. 19. Also coming to Madison is Real Estate, a band from suburban New Jersey (but we won’t hold that against them), Mar. 25.
Last but not least is a collection of bands I like yet have no discernible category to attach to them. Zappa Plays Zappa is coming to the Barrymore Feb. 17 and should be an absolute must-see for a fan of virtuosity on an instrument. Dweezil Zappa has fully channeled his father (Frank, for the uninitiated) and faithfully recreates his legendary catalog. Fans of Irish punk music will want to check out Dropkick Murphys at the Orpheum Feb. 22. Finally, Space Curtain is coming to a stage near you.
As always, I probably missed your favorite band, but that’s OK. Madison has plenty of musical options almost every day for fans of jamgrass or shoegaze or whatever you kids listen to these days.
Do you think Brian missed any exciting concerts coming to town this spring? Send him a corrective email at weidy@wisc.edu.
