Live music in Madison, WI

Explore Monroe Street while boutiques and retailers extend their hours, making it easy to linger and discover this unique slice of Madison. Pair your visit with dinner or drinks at locally owned restaurants, with choices that range from ice cream to fine dining. On select First Fridays, Music by the Water brings lakeside fun by Lake Wingra, supported by the Dudgeon Monroe Neighborhood Association and Wingra Boats. Visit Wingra Park for kids music and activities from the Monroe Street Art Center, enjoy a live band, and browse a variety of vendors.

Part of the Kids in the Rotunda Summer Sessions, this family-focused concert at Memorial Union Terrace brings tropical energy with steelpan melodies. A duo and a trio combine vocals with steelpans, flute, and marimba for an upbeat set that resonates with both children and adults. Admission is free and open to all ages, with a special focus on children ages 0 to 9 and their families.

At Wingra Park, this no-cost community gathering features live music from Saideira Pagode, along with kids music and art-making led by Monroe Street Arts Center and a variety of food carts. Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, HWY1, Soho, Epazote Food Cart, and Sabor Regio are scheduled to be on site.

Head out for a floating cookout on Monona Bay as Brittingham Boats grills up burgers aboard the Burger Barge. Order on the water and take in live music from local performers playing from a stage set afloat, all against a backdrop of wide open lake views. Access is by water only, so plan to reach the barge by kayak, paddleboard, or canoe. You can rent a vessel or register one you already own. Choose a full meal or just the sandwich, pick a veggie or traditional patty, customize your toppings, and opt for gluten free buns if desired. Rent your boat early and enjoy a one of a kind dining experience on the bay.

Presented by Garver Events, Food Truck Fridays brings free live music to the Garver Patio at Garver Feed Mill each Friday throughout the summer. This edition features local group The Reverberists. In addition to food and drink from Garver tenants, the patio hosts a selection of food trucks, with vendors such as Cafe Costa Rica, Mega Eggrolls, Kind Thailand, SOHO, and Jolly Frog. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis, and outside food and beverages are not permitted. A full bar is available on site, and the Garver Lounge now offers a fish fry. If the weather turns, the music moves indoors to the Garver Lounge.

Catch Armchair Boogie live for an evening of americana, bluegrass, and newgrass music at The Edgewater Hotel in Madison. The show starts at 6:00 PM.

Enjoy an evening of fusion partner dancing that centers on expression, musicality, and connection. Rather than following a single style, fusion invites playful creativity with your partner and the music, drawing inspiration from blues, west coast swing, zouk, hip hop, and other forms of movement. The night begins with a lesson to get everyone comfortable, followed by open social dancing. The cover is $5, payable in cash or Venmo. Please bring clean shoes or socks for the floor, and use the back entrance to enter the building.

This annual competition showcases Handel’s wide-ranging vocal repertoire through a final round held in Madison, Wisconsin. Seven finalists present arias with accompaniment from the Madison Bach Musicians performing on period instruments. The event welcomes the public for in-person attendance and will also be viewable by livestream.

John Doe and Exene Cervenka, cofounders of the punk band X, appear at Atwood Music Hall for an intimate acoustic performance. The set features pared back versions of X songs that spotlight their words and distinctive harmonies, along with selections from The Knitters catalog and classic country tunes. Stories and lighthearted banter between songs reflect decades of collaboration. Their partnership began in 1976 at Beyond Baroque’s poetry workshop and helped ignite the Hollywood punk scene while blending in elements of country and rockabilly. Key albums from their early run include Los Angeles, Wild Gift, Under the Big Black Sun, and More Fun in the New World. Beyond the band, Cervenka has issued six solo albums and several books, including work with poet Wanda Coleman and a collaboration with photojournalist Kenneth Jarecke, and her visual art has appeared in museums and galleries. Doe has released a long line of solo records such as Forever Hasn't Happened Yet and Fables in a Foreign Land, authored two books on L.A. punk, and acted in more than sixty film and television projects. X reunited in 1999 and continues to record, including Alphabetland and Smoke and Fiction. This is a seated show. Front row seating is $60 in advance or $65 on the day of the show. General admission seating is $40 in advance or $45 on the day of the show.

Enjoy the Great Taste of the Midwest craft beer festival, now in its 40th year. From 1:00 to 6:00 PM, you can sample from 1,400+ beers poured by around 200 breweries and brewpubs across the Midwest, all with lakeside views and live music. The festival has a relaxed, capped-attendance vibe, and it’s a great chance to meet the brewers. Tickets cost $70 and must be purchased in advance.

Enjoy a lively barbershop showcase at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison, uniting the Capitol Chordsmen, Yahara River Chorus, and the Come Back Chorus in rich four part a cappella harmony. The program spans beloved barbershop standards and newer selections, all sung in close harmony. Featured quartets include Thrift Store Four and All This Mess. A suggested donation of $20 is welcomed.

Train brings its Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere concert to Breese Stevens Field. The performance will proceed regardless of weather. For every ticket sold, $1 supports Family House San Francisco, helping provide free lodging and essential resources for families of seriously ill children. All on site purchases are cashless. Bring only compact clutches, purses, or fanny packs, or clear bags made of plastic, vinyl, or PVC no larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches. Advance tickets are available online or through The Sylvee box office, and if any remain, day of purchases may be offered at the venue. A Thompson Investment Management Lounge ticket adds a private lounge, access to the Gold Circle, food, three complimentary cocktails, and unlimited beer, wine, soda, and water. Event policies include no blankets, umbrellas, or chairs, no outside food, and no re entry. Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside, with a designated smoking area located outside Gate 3.

Madison sets the stage for a memorable night as Train brings warm vocals and vivid storytelling to Breese Stevens Field. In the open air, the performance unfolds as a communal celebration of music, connection, and the joy of life, with voices rising beneath a starry sky and a wave of summer energy all around.

The Transplants perform at Bernell's Bar and Grill, described as Madison's newest hot spot. Bassist and vocalist Joe Iaquinto leads the band with Joey Cedron on guitar and vocals and Mike Turk on drums, plus special guest Todd Phipps on organ and vocals. The set features classic rock, R&B, blues, and a little of everything else, promising a night to remember.

Tumbledown Shack makes an appearance at Harmony Bar.

Dan Kennedy hosts a welcoming, quieter-volume jam at Cargo Coffee on East Wash for anyone interested in easing into live, collaborative music making. New players, folks returning after a break, and recent rock camp participants are all encouraged to take part. The session runs in a circle so everyone plays together. You can suggest songs, sing, or simply play along, and there are regular chances for emerging soloists to take a brief lead. This gathering is open to every age, skill level, and instrument. Singers and instrumentalists can use the venue’s PA, and those with electric gear may bring a small amp. A microphone will be available for vocals. Any style fits the mix, from blues and country to soul, jazz, pop, and more. Original music is welcome as well; bring a chart or be ready to guide the group through your tune. The focus is a safe, supportive space to build skills while making music together.

Join Tenth Avenue North for a live show featuring Christian pop, gospel, and worship music. The performance takes place at Atwood Music Hall in Madison.

The Madison Song Circle hosts a weekly singalong in Madison, Wisconsin, bringing people together to share folk and traditional tunes. Singing is guided by the Rise Up Singing and Rise Again songbooks, which together offer a collection of about 2,400 songs from the last century. Acoustic players at any level are encouraged to take part as much or as little as they wish. Participants can bring instruments like guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, or accordion, and there are also instruments available to use on site, including a stand up bass along with some guitars and ukuleles. The songbooks include chords rather than melody lines, creating a welcoming space to harmonize and play by ear. Gatherings take place at Muso Madison.

Brain Monkeys Media brings a karaoke night to Crucible Madison powered by the Songbooks Online app using Show ID SPIKE. Singers can browse the catalog ahead of time, save favorites, send multiple song choices to the DJ, and tip directly through the app. Tracks are provided in .CDG format. Please handle all equipment with care, including microphones, monitors, tablets, and cables. Avoid juggling or slapping the mics, do not scream into them, and do not force them into or out of the holders. Microphones are sanitized after each song, and the ramp should be used to get on and off the stage. When signing up, use the exact same name every time so the system can place you back into the rotation without losing your spot while you search for more songs. Enthusiastic applause is encouraged for every performance so everyone gets a rock star moment. If a specific track is needed that is not already available, requests can be made in advance, and a $2 contribution helps cover the cost of new downloads.

The Bike Night Series presented by Bowl-A-Vard brings Mighty Electric to the stage for this installment.

Fink is performing live at High Noon Saloon in Madison. The show is scheduled for 8:00 PM, with tickets available through Ticketmaster.