Live music in Dane County, WI

A community song circle gathers for group singing with the Rise Up Singing and Rise Again songbooks, drawing from a collection of 2,400 folk and traditional songs from the past hundred years. Singers and acoustic players of any experience level can take part as much or as little as they like. Bring guitars, mandolins, banjos, fiddles, or accordions, and make use of the standup bass along with guitars and ukuleles available on site. The songbooks provide chords to support accompaniment, though they do not include melody lines. The gathering takes place at Muso Madison in Madison, Wisconsin.

Brain Monkeys Media brings a karaoke event powered by the Songbooks Online app using Show ID SPIKE. Browse songs ahead of time, build a favorites list, submit multiple selections to the DJ, and tip directly through the app. Please treat all microphones, monitors, tablets, and cables with care. Microphones are sanitized after every performance, and the stage ramp should be used for entering and exiting. Sign up for songs using the exact same name each time so your place in the rotation stays intact, with names automatically returning to the queue after each turn. When a singer finishes, everyone cheers to celebrate them. Tracks are provided in .CDG format, and advance requests for new downloads are welcome with a $2 contribution to cover the cost of new tracks.

North Mississippi Allstars perform at Atwood Music Hall in Madison, presenting the sound they call Modern Mississippi Music. Formed in 1996 by brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson, the group began as a flexible gathering of North Mississippi players, shaped by the influence of their father Jim Dickinson and community mentors including RL Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, Otha Turner, and Fred McDowell. Luther’s early national road work with RL Burnside’s Ass Pocket of Whiskey tour, alongside Kenny Brown and Cedric Burnside, helped launch years of steady touring. Since 1998, the band’s live lineup has featured collaborators such as Cedric, Duwayne and Garry Burnside, Chris Chew, Berry Oakley Jr, and Oteil Burbruidgem, with the current show highlighting Joey Williams of the Blind Boys of Alabama and Ray Ray Hollowman, guitar player for Eminem and Nee-O. Over the years they have shared stages with Phil Lesh, Mavis Staples, Robert Plant, John Hiatt, the Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, Snoop Dogg, and Jon Spencer, earning multiple Grammy nominations along the way. General admission standing room only is $25 in advance and $30 day of show. Reserved balcony seating is $35 in advance and $40 day of show.

Blair Clark returns to the Hop Garden stage for a live performance, with craft beer highlighting a farm to pint approach and smoked meats available.

A happy hour performance with Tony Castañeda’s Latin Jazz Band spotlights the vibrant spirit of classic Latin jazz. For more than two decades, this Wisconsin mainstay has honored the golden era of the genre. The group has received fourteen Isthmus Madison Favorite Jazz Band awards and has shared the stage with Poncho Sanchez, John Santos, Giovanni Hidalgo, and John Benitez. This is a free event.

Settle in with a cocktail while Dylan Doyle delivers fiery guitar work and soulful vocals in the event space. With roots in the South and an upbringing in the North, he blends R&B, Americana, and funk into a distinctly American sound shaped by influences that include Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, John Mayer, D’Angelo, Bob Dylan, John Prine, The Band, Chris Stapleton, Bill Withers, and Roberta Flack. His story runs from rural North Carolina with parents who worked on the road in sales to upstate New York with apple-farming grandparents, experiences that instilled grit, heart, and honesty that carry into his music. He first stepped on stage at 13, just a year after picking up an instrument, and has been drawing attention ever since. The tasting room will be open, doors will open before the performance, and the show follows. Butch Dener, tour manager for The Band, has praised him as the real deal.

Presented by FPC Live, this concert at Majestic Theatre features Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel with Rianna Marie. The event is open to all ages. Tickets are available through the Majestic Madison website or in person at The Sylvee box office during posted business hours.

bLAck pARty, a longtime favorite within the industry, steps forward to share his unmistakable style and swagger on a broader stage. This appearance centers on the distinctive presence and creative flair that have earned him lasting recognition.

At The Mill Paoli, Common Chord delivers a genre blending set that weaves original songs with inventive versions of well known tunes across folk, swing, rock, pop, roots country, and classic standards. Layered four voice harmonies take the spotlight, backed by thoughtful arrangements for guitars, bass, mandolin, viola, clarinets, and more. Food and beverages are available for purchase and outside items are not permitted. On site shopping adds to the experience. Supporting local music and businesses is encouraged, and tips for the band are welcome.

Presented by FPC Live, Lenny Pearce brings the Toddler Rave World Tour to The Sylvee. This is an all ages event. Presale is offered through All Access with no code required and free membership. Tickets are available at The Sylvee box office during business hours.

A return to VFW Post 7591 features a fish fry to start, followed by the main hall transforming into a dance floor for the evening. Expect a welcoming, social atmosphere and a night to share with friends.

Funk fusion band Wurk teams with the DB Orchestra to launch The WURKestra at The Barrymore Theatre in Madison. Created in collaboration with Heid Music and the Madison Area Music Association, this debut pairs Wurk’s genre-blending energy with a 17-piece big band featuring trumpets, trombones, saxophones, percussion, and sousaphone. The program highlights new arrangements of Wurk originals, inventive takes on familiar songs, and pieces written specifically for this ensemble. Wurk, a six-piece formed in 2016 and a two-time MAMA Artist of the Year, draws from funk, progressive rock, pop, and jam influences, while the DB Orchestra blends jazz swing, doo-wop, Dixieland, and rock and roll under the direction of Andy Kerber. An instrument donation drive will be held with MAMA and Heid Music. Donate a gently used instrument before the show or at the theatre to receive either a $10 discount on tickets or $1 off a drink. Instruments can be dropped at Heid Music in advance to receive a discount code, or brought to the venue where MAMA representatives will accept donations and provide codes for box office purchases. The effort connects unused instruments with young players. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 the day of the show.

Dean’s Blue Country returns to American Legion Post 59 in Stoughton, Wisconsin for a night of classic country. Expect familiar songs, a relaxed vibe, and the option to enjoy a cold drink while you catch up with friends. Settle in, find a seat, and take in straightforward, old-fashioned country tunes with Dean at the Legion.

Raveena was Coachella's first solo female performer of Indian heritage, and she showcases a distinctive neo-soul style that Pitchfork has described as blissful.

Jeffrey Foucault, a singular voice in American music, shares songs shaped by years of steady touring and a run of widely praised studio albums. His writing has earned recognition from The New Yorker, Uncut, and the Irish Times, and his work counts admirers such as Van Dyke Parks, Greil Marcus, and Don Henley. He appears with The Universal Fire, recorded live in a single room, a powerful set that reckons with the loss of his friend and drummer Billy Conway and with the destruction of historic master recordings in a major Universal Studios blaze. The performance centers on vivid storytelling and an intimate sound, exploring themes of mortality, legacy, purpose, and what endures through lean arrangements and a strong emotional pull.

An FPC Live presentation, this event features Digable Planets with a performance honoring 30 years of the album Blow Out Comb at Majestic Theatre. The show is open to all ages. Tickets are available at The Sylvee box office during business hours.

Lynda and The Zeros take the stage for a live show charged with energy and passion. Whether you have followed them for years or are discovering their music for the first time, this performance offers a dynamic way to experience the band in action.

Atwood Music Hall in Madison presents a seated performance featuring Joan Osborne interpreting the music of Bob Dylan, drawing on the artistry that has defined her acclaimed work with this songbook. The multi Grammy-nominated vocalist introduced her take with the critically praised Songs of Bob Dylan and later expanded it on Dylanology Live, a concert recording that captures her onstage with guests Amy Helm, Robert Randolph, and Jackie Greene. That release includes selections such as Spanish Harlem Incident, Buckets of Rain, Masters of War, Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You, and High Water (For Charley Patton). Seating is reserved, with front row tickets priced at $75 in advance or $80 the day of, rows two and three at $65 in advance or $70 the day of, and general admission seating at $50 in advance or $55 the day of.

Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Madison West transforms into a glow-in-the-dark dance floor with blacklights, vibrant lighting, and plenty of music and dancing. Wear white or neon and add glow accessories like glow sticks or LED jewelry so you stand out under the lights. Expect a lively atmosphere with time to dance and play, made for anyone who loves neon style and glow-filled fun.

The Wildcat Blitz fundraiser brings the community together at Hop Garden in Belleville with live music, raffles, auctions, and more. Proceeds support Belleville Youth Football, helping fund athletes, equipment, and continued program development.

Celebrate Sweetest Day with your special someone at Coachman’s Golf Resort. Savor dinner and drinks while showing your affection for Dead Flowers. Add a thoughtful finishing touch by surprising your sweetheart with real flowers.

Back2Back Trio brings live music to Homer Simpson's Antlers Tavern, an iconic Madison tavern known for cold beer, wild vibes, and plaid covered walls. The setting feels like a cozy up north cabin with taxidermy and a neon glow. It all unfolds at a bar with so much charm you might forget what decade it is while the trio performs.

Warehouse 4 performs a live set on the main stage at Warm Belly Farm as part of the Full Harvest Festival. To attend the music performance, a Full Harvest admission ticket is required.

With a playful nod to its name, this event makes its Belleville debut at Hop Garden Brewing and Tap Room - Belleville.

Atwood Music Hall hosts an upbeat night of roots and bluegrass featuring Them Coulee Boys, Adam Greuel & the Space Burritos, and Madison’s Cork n Bottle Stringband. Them Coulee Boys arrive with five albums behind them, including Die Happy produced by Dave Simonett of Trampled By Turtles and No Fun in the Chrysalis produced by Grammy winner Brian Joseph, earning attention from outlets like Americana UK, American Songwriter, Ditty TV, Folk Alley, and The Bluegrass Situation. They have shared stages with Trampled By Turtles, Los Lobos, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Band of Heathens, and their latest work has been praised by No Depression for its range and heart. Adam Greuel & the Space Burritos stir together country, blues, bluegrass, and show music into a rock and roll spirit, pairing a playful vibe with top-tier musicianship from a rotating cast led by Greuel of Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. Expect a swampy mix of originals alongside favorites from artists such as Little Feat, The Band, and Jerry Jeff Walker, all aimed at getting the room moving. Madison’s own Cork n Bottle Stringband brings a six-piece bluegrass sound marked by tight three-part harmonies and standout picking on fiddle, guitar, and banjo, sharing lively tunes and stories rooted in tradition. Ticket options include general admission at $15 in advance or $20 day of show, and balcony seating at $30 in advance or $35 day of show.

FPC Live presents The Menzingers at The Sylvee as part of the Everything I Ever Saw North American Tour, with Hot Water Music and Weakened Friends joining the bill. This event is open to all ages. Presale access is available through All Access with no code required, and membership is free to join. Tickets can be purchased online through The Sylvee or at the box office during regular business hours.

Live blues returns to Bierock as Madison band Chaos in the Kitchen takes the stage. The lineup features Tim Seery on drums, Kara Rogers on bass, Eric Finchon on harmonica and vocals, and Wayne Seiter on guitar and vocals. The group previously performed at this venue in April for Record Store Day. There is no cover charge, and tips for the musicians are appreciated. During the day Bierock operates as a comfort food restaurant and bar, then it becomes a local music club that highlights emerging and live local talent and supports the creative community.

FPC Live presents Medium Build at Majestic Theatre as part of The King Of Having Fun Tour, with Bella White joining the lineup. This all ages show also supports PLUS1, with $1 from each ticket benefiting REVERB and its work toward a more sustainable music industry while empowering fans to take action on environmental and social issues. Tickets are available at The Sylvee box office during business hours.

Karaoke Night at Thirsty Goat invites singers of all levels to take the spotlight. Bring friends for a lively outing as you step up to the mic, show off your onstage charisma, and belt out your best vocals. Expect a fun, social atmosphere that celebrates crowd-pleasing performances and memorable moments.

Stone Cold Country takes the stage at The Barrel Inn Bar & Grill in Marshall/Deansville for a live country performance.

Midwest Choral Artists presents Effortlessly, part of its annual concert series, featuring music by Cook, Davis, Edenroth, Hernandez, Holmes, Kirchner, Lawlor, Weelkes, Whitacre, and more. Admission is free, and donations through a free will offering will be welcomed.

Josh Joplin Group presents a seated concert highlighting the literate, hook-filled songwriting that has earned years of critical praise. Known for the breakthrough single "Camera One," the first independently released track to top Billboard’s Triple A chart and enter the Top 40, the band followed with national television appearances as Useful Music sold 500,000 copies and tours reached audiences around the world. Recent releases include Figure Drawing and GpYr, created with Grammy-winning producer Lorenzo Wolff and longtime collaborators, and featuring Joplin’s daughter Lomie on lead guitar and shared vocals on "Before the Light Takes Us." Coverage from outlets such as The Daily Vault, Spin, Paste, and Americana Highways has underscored the blend of sharp pop craft and inventive spirit across albums like The Future That Was, Jaywalker, Among the Oak & Ash, and Devil Ship. A silver anniversary collection connected to Useful Music gathers demos, outtakes, and newly recorded material from the original sessions, including a fresh version of "Camera One" by many of the original members. This is a seated show. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the show.

After a decade away, the Grammy-winning folk rock duo returns to Overture Center with a performance that draws on more than forty years of music and activism. Emily Saliers and Amy Ray first broke through with their eponymous album and the hit Closer to Fine, building a devoted community through evocative songwriting and unmistakable harmonies. Their recent release, Look Long, underscores their enduring craft and collaborative spark. The atmosphere often becomes a shared celebration, with audiences joining in song across generations. Presented in collaboration with True Endeavors. For each ticket sold, $1 benefits First Peoples Fund, supporting Native artists and cultural bearers as they strengthen their livelihoods and share their talents, insights, and wisdom within their communities for the good of today and tomorrow.

The SP West High School bands present a fall concert at the West PAC. This event showcases the school’s band ensembles in performance.

Presented by FPC Live, Judah & The Lion headlines The Sylvee with Breakfield and Band of Silver also performing. This is an all ages show. Presale access is available through All Access with no code required and free membership. Tickets can be purchased through The Sylvee’s website or at the venue box office during regular business hours.

Enjoy a fall band concert at East High School. This event offers live band music in a school setting.

FPC Live presents Tank and The Bangas bringing The Last Balloon Tour to Majestic Theatre. The event is open to all ages. Tickets are available through the venue website or at The Sylvee box office during business hours.