Live music in Madison, WI

Unwind after a hectic day at a free karaoke night that puts the spotlight on you. Sip cocktails with friends or let off steam with co-workers while singing along to crowd-pleasing tracks. Whether arriving solo or with a group, settle in for a relaxed, memorable evening of music and stress relief. This event is free.

Presented by FPC Live, Gary Clark Jr. performs at The Sylvee. This is a phone-free event, and upon arrival all phones will be secured in Yondr pouches. The show welcomes all ages. Presale access is available through All Access with no code required and free membership. Tickets can be purchased at The Sylvee box office or through the venue’s website.

A welcoming weekly singalong in Madison celebrates folk and traditional music using the Rise Up Singing and Rise Again songbooks, which together cover about 2,400 songs from the past century. Singers and acoustic players of all experience levels are invited to participate as much or as little as they like. Bring instruments like guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, or accordion, or play the on-site options that include a standup bass along with guitars and ukuleles. The songbooks provide chords to follow along, though they do not include melody lines. Gatherings are based at Muso Madison in Madison, Wisconsin.

Mumford & Sons perform live in concert at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Troy Garden Nights is a monthly summer series on the land at Troy featuring guided activities for kids, farm walks, live music, and food that bring people together. It takes place once each month during the summer. Sponsors include Willy St. Co-op, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and LakeRidge Bank.

Enjoy a happy hour set with The Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Band, widely regarded as Wisconsin’s premier Latin jazz ensemble. For over two decades, the group has kept the golden age of Latin jazz alive. The band has received 14 Isthmus Madison Favorite Jazz Band awards and has opened for Poncho Sanchez, John Santos, Giovanni Hidalgo, and John Benitez. This event is free.

Beth Hart performs at The Orpheum, presented by FPC Live, with Ty Taylor also appearing. This is an all-ages event. Presale access is available through All Access with no code required and free membership. Tickets are available via the Madison Orpheum website or at The Sylvee box office during their business hours.

FPC Live presents BERTHA: Grateful Drag at Majestic Theatre, open to all ages. In collaboration with PLUS1, one dollar from each ticket benefits local organizations dedicated to the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ communities. Tickets are available through the venue website or at The Sylvee box office during their business hours.

Experience anime favorites in a new light as a Listeso string quartet performs a program of beloved soundtracks by candlelight at Monona Terrace - Lecture Hall in Madison. The concert lasts 60 minutes, doors open 45 minutes before the performance, and there is no entry after the music begins. Seating within each zone is assigned on a first come, first served basis. Guests must be at least 8 years old, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The venue is ADA compliant. The tentative set features pieces such as Gurenge from Demon Slayer, Monster from Beastars, Kaikai Kitan from Jujutsu Kaisen, the Case Closed theme from Detective Conan, One Piece selections including New Genesis and The Peak, In regards to love...Eros from Yuri!!! On Ice, Re:pray from Bleach, Lilium from Elfen Lied, Therru’s Song from Tales from Earthsea, Message of Rouge from Kiki’s Delivery Service, RAIN from Mary and the Witch’s Flower, Vapor Trail from The Wind Rises, When I Remember This Life from The Tale of Princess Kaguya, Sparkle from Your Name, and A Cruel Angel’s Thesis from Neon Genesis Evangelion.

The Bill Roberts Combo performs at Mansion Hill Inn for an evening of jazz and cocktails. The cover charge is $20.

Experience an intimate chamber concert where a skilled string quartet performs the music of Mozart and Beethoven by candlelight. The warm glow enhances every nuance, creating a close and immersive listening experience for admirers of these two giants of classical music. Presented at Monona Terrace, the program showcases well-known works and the vivid contrast between their distinctive styles.

Presented by 105.5 Triple M, Thee Sacred Souls bring The Constellation Tour to The Sylvee with LA LOM and The Womack Sisters joining the lineup. This all ages show offers a presale through All Access without a code, and membership is free. Tickets can be purchased at the venue box office.

Tani Diakite and the Afrofunkstars perform at Coda every last Friday in a series produced by Cafe CODA. Tani features the kamale n'goni, a West African forerunner of the banjo, and pairs it with plaintive vocals for a sound rooted in the blues. Performances often include spontaneous collaborations and surprise guests, so no two shows are the same. Tickets are $15. Updates and any cancellations are shared on the Cafe CODA Facebook page.

The Madison Mallards and Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge present the second annual True North Food + Music Festival at the Warner Park Duck Pond, following a successful debut in 2025. This family friendly celebration brings together standout restaurants and emerging musical talent from Madison and beyond, set on the ballfield to blend food, live music, and community. Highlights include tasty offerings, energetic performances, and the festival’s signature ferris wheel.

Presented in partnership with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra at Overture Center for the Arts, this concert features Patrice Rushen, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading jazz pianists. An award-winning, four-time Grammy nominee, Rushen is a classically trained musician who rose to prominence in the 1970s and 80s with a distinctive mix of jazz, pop, and R&B. Her work includes the hit Forget Me Nots, which she wrote and recorded and which has been frequently covered and sampled. This one-night performance takes place in the historic Capitol Theater. A VIP Experience option includes a meet and greet, and more details will be sent closer to the event.

At The North Street Cabaret, bassist Nick Moran and percussionist Yorvanis Duran lead an Afro-Cuban jazz program with pianist Vince Fuh and saxophonist Pawan Benjamin, joined by special guest artists. The ensemble revisits and reshapes works by Eddie Palmieri, Chucho Valdés, and Michel Camilo, offering energetic grooves, lively improvisation, and a salute to the trailblazers of the genre. Seating is limited, and tickets are available at the door.

Atwood Music Hall hosts Granny Shot, a Madison-based cover band delivering a high-energy mix of alternative rock, hard rock, and pop punk from the 90s and 00s alongside classics from the 70s and 80s. The set spans hits from artists like Alanis Morissette, Alice in Chains, Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters, Paramore, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, Smash Mouth, Third Eye Blind, and Tool, plus timeless tracks by Queen, Boston, Kansas, Metallica, Rush, Fleetwood Mac, and Heart. General admission is $14 in advance and $18 the day of show.

Two nights on The Bigger Show Tour mark the only area appearances in 2026 for They Might Be Giants. Each evening is an ages 16 and up, no-opener performance that starts early and gets loud. The band performs as an eight-piece with a three-piece horn section and plays two sets. The first set changes nightly to spotlight a specific album, while the second set reaches across their entire catalog, from the earliest Dial-A-Song era and the platinum album Flood to brand-new 2026 releases. Favorites, deep cuts, and live improvisation make each show distinct. Recent releases include the stand-alone EP Eyeball and the album The World Is to Dig.

Jumpstart Jam brings musicians together with Dan Kennedy at Cargo Coffee on East Wash for a welcoming, low-volume session that supports beginners, returning players, and anyone fresh from a rock camp who wants to keep the momentum going. The gathering is open to every age, skill level, and instrument, offering a friendly space to grow skills while making music in a group. Participants form a circle and play as an ensemble. Suggest a song, sing or play along from the pocket, or step forward for a brief solo when the time is right. Vocalists and all instruments are invited. Electric players can bring a small amp or use the on-site PA system, and a microphone is available for singers. The mix spans many styles, from blues and country to soul, jazz, and pop. Original music fits right in as well... bring a chart or be ready to guide everyone through your tune. The spirit is simple, try ideas, learn by doing, and enjoy collaborative music-making in a supportive setting.

Presented by FPC Live, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers bring the Indigo Park Tour to The Orpheum. This all ages concert features Bruce Hornsby performing with The Noisemakers. Tickets can be purchased through the Orpheum’s website or at The Sylvee box office during posted business hours.

Two distinct nights on The Bigger Show Tour present They Might Be Giants in an expanded eight-piece lineup featuring a three-piece horn section. These are full-length evenings with the band, presented without an opening act, with an early start and a loud, high-energy atmosphere. Each night is built around two sets. The first highlights a different album from the catalog, while the second ranges across their history, from the Dial-A-Song beginnings and the platinum-era Flood to their newest material. Expect a mix of favorites, deep cuts, and lively improvisation that makes each performance unique. Ages 16 and up. Recent releases include the stand-alone EP Eyeball and the album The World Is to Dig.