Arts - The Daily Cardinal

ARTS

Amidst challenges within the industry, ‘Siege’ a solid contribution

By Marty Forbeck | Mar. 7, 2019

Well, I had a piece planned on “Rainbow Six: Siege” for this week — a little thinkpiece about the whole ‘games as a service’ trend and how “Siege” has managed to both stumble into that model and sidestep the worst parts of it. But after the Activision-Blizzard layoffs, it just feels disingenuous to talk about anything other than the weird, terrible ways this industry is run and the ways it could be better.

ARTS

'Electric Lady Sessions' is intelligent, refreshing live album

By Carl Zabat | Mar. 6, 2019

At the time of the Electric Lady Studios’ founding, it was the only artist-owned studio in existence, built by and for the one and only Jimi Hendrix. He only got to use the space for a few weeks before his untimely passing. Dance-punk act LCD Soundsystem has added their name to the legendary studio’s list of inhabitants. On Feb. 8 of this year, Electric Lady Sessions was released. A concise and groovy collection of their own hits and three covers, LCD Soundsystem’s latest release is a rewarding live album.

ARTS

Aglow and alive, Hippie Sabotage electrifies Madison

By Sam Jones | Mar. 6, 2019

Hippie Sabotage, the EDM duo consisting of brothers Kevin and Jeff Saurer, infected the Sylvee last Wednesday with one killer jam sesh. As someone who doesn’t frequently indulge in EDM and rave culture, this concert was a really interesting step into that world.

ARTS

Madison prepares to celebrate city’s first Black Arts Matter Festival

By John Everman | Mar. 1, 2019

The inaugural Black Arts Matter Festival will be held from March 3-9 at multiple locations throughout downtown Madison. The goal of the festival is both to provide a platform for black artists and to get the community thinking a little more about curing a noticeable lack of representation in a largely white city.

ARTS

Simply fun, 'The Masked Singer' is surprise success

By Joseph Marz | Feb. 28, 2019

A remake of a Korean game show, Fox’s latest hit “The Masked Singer” is not your average competition. However, it consistently serves as a surprisingly fun spot on television.

ARTS

Young the Giant fills the Sylvee with energy, blending their New and Nostalgic tunes

By Sam Jones | Feb. 28, 2019

Young the Giant graced the stage this past Friday night at the Sylvee, rocking out their funky tunes to the crowd.

ARTS

Travis Scott electrifies sold-out crowd in Milwaukee for ‘ASTROWORLD’ tour

By Carl Zabat | Feb. 28, 2019

Travis Scott performed in Milwaukee to a sold-out crowd as part of the ASTROWORLD tour.

ARTS

‘Into the Woods’ is a must-see with splendid cast and crew

By Emma Hellmer | Feb. 26, 2019

"Into the Woods" is a tremendous experience that combines the musical magic of different fairy tales into one theater performance that you will never forget.

ARTS

Road to redemption: The troubles of Theon Greyjoy in ‘Game of Thrones’

By Dominic LeRose | Feb. 26, 2019

Theon Greyjoy's redemption story is messy; the struggle to belong and discover his identity as a Greyjoy or a Stark leading to one question: Can he be saved?

ARTS

2019 Academy Awards: Predictions of the nominations

By Dominic LeRose | Feb. 22, 2019

A close preview and predictions of the 2019 Academy Awards, which will be presented Sun, Feb. 24 at 5pm PST.

ARTS

21 Savage slips at times, but still shows us his best work yet

By Nick Baumann | Feb. 22, 2019

21 Savage releases his latest album, i am > i was, which is introspective and poignant in terms of lyrics. One of his best works yet, but there is potential for more.

ARTS

Top 25 Most Underrated Films of the 21st Century

By Dominic LeRose | Feb. 18, 2019

Listed below are 25 of the top underrated films in this century that range from indie to mainstream.

ARTS

Surpassing expectations, 'Apex Legends' is uniquely thrilling experience

By Marty Forbeck | Feb. 17, 2019

As a mashup of “Overwatch,” “Fortnite” and “Titanfall,” “Apex Legends” surpasses being a mere imitation of these three to become a uniquely thrilling experience. Set vaguely somewhere in the universe of “Titanfall,” the game follows your standard “Player Unknown” or “Fortnite” Battle Royale formula.

ARTS

Rainbow Kitten Surprise serves up mellow Monday soul food at the Sylvee

By Sam Jones | Feb. 15, 2019

As I rushed to the Rainbow Kitten Surprise concert at the Sylvee this past Monday night, I had high expectations after their gig at Majestic Theatre last year, which was full of head-bang worthy rock-inspired renditions of their classics and an intimate feel despite Sam Melo’s overwhelmingly energetic stage presence. However, this show was quite different from the last time I saw RKS — mellow undertones dominated, and I felt as though I was digging into a giant, steaming bowl of soul food during their set.

ARTS

‘thank u, next’ is spectacularly honest, celebration of self-love

By Molly Carmichael | Feb. 15, 2019

Ariana Grande ended 2018 as the most relevant pop star and for good reason. Grande released her fifth studio album, thank u, next, just over five months after the well-received Sweetener. She experienced astounding commercial success, all while crafting her unique brand and reviving pop through heavy EDM, R&B, and hip-hop influence. Following an aggressive year of personal relationships in the spotlight, Grande hinted she’d been healing in the studio. She released three singles — one, of course, the infamous title track “thank u, next” and its iconic accompanying video — in anticipation of the album.

ARTS

Rock of Ages proves an enjoyable 1980s tribute show with few minor quirks

By Emma Hellmer | Feb. 14, 2019

Glorified 80s rock ‘n’ roll takes the audience back in time at the Overture Center on Feb. 7 as part of the Broadway’s tenth anniversay tour of the classic musical, “Rock of Ages.”

ARTS

McCarthy shows off acting range in 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?'

By Dominic LeRose | Feb. 12, 2019

Although Melissa McCarthy is best known for her unfiltered, aggressive and outright hilarious performances (“Bridesmaids”, “The Heat”), it’s clearly evident that this comedic genius is quite capable of tackling dramatic, darkly comedic roles as well. Such is the case in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” from director Marielle Heller, a rather different kind of film that can best be described as pleasantly enjoyable.

ARTS

Netflix film 'Velvet Buzzsaw' fine but falls flat

By Christian Memmo | Feb. 12, 2019

As I comb through the marketing (or lack thereof) in the wake of viewing “Velvet Buzzsaw,” I’m repeatedly confounded by director Dan Gilroy’s quasi-epithetic obsession as the creator of the fantastic 2014 neo-noir “Nightcrawler". While “Nightcrawler” knows exactly what it is in both grounded characterization and sensical narrative progression, “Velvet Buzzsaw” is a gross juxtaposition to such competency.

ARTS

Holy fork!: ‘The Good Place’ returns with heavenly hilarity

By Joseph Marz | Feb. 7, 2019

NBC's show "The Good Place" returns for a third season that subvert our expectations and hit the reset button.

ARTS

Grammy 2019 Preview and Predictions: episode 4

By Carl Zabat and Molly Carmichael | Feb. 7, 2019

On Feb. 10, the music industry's biggest names will vie for a prized Grammy Award while Alicia Keys hosts the event.