Priceless perfection from COIN

It does not happen often that bands play the same place twice over a weekend but here in Madison we were lucky enough to have that happen with rising stars 'COIN'. Even though the band have been playing since 2012 they are just starting to get the recognition and ever growing fan base they deserve.

Welcome to Madison, Wi, 'COIN' although they are not strangers to the city this weekend was bound to be special. Saturday (19th Oct) seen the band play a session for radio station (Resistance 106.7) at a local brewery (Delta Lab). Although the band were not down for sampling the local concoctions they did marvel in the location of this new setting for a session. The band did a small interview and a four song set to a sold out audience and killed it in this intimate location, stopping to talk with fans.

The next day the band were hitting up the Majestic Theatre in Madison to an almost sold out crowd. The opening act 'WLDLFE' brought their own unique style to the stage, imagine a pop heavy 'Bon Iver' mixed with 'Sir Sly'. They were certainly an exciting band to see and hear live delivering an energetic performance, they even included a sing along moment from current fans from the audience.

Then it was 'COIN's time to shine and shine they did. The production was one of the biggest I have seen at the Majestic theatre, a huge lighting rig and sound system bathed the classic theatre into 'Coin's musical playground. The whole crowd was rolling in the golden atmosphere and energy from the band as they delivered a staple hit after hit. As the band flew through three albums worth of material they were greeted with not only applause but sheer admiration from a local and travelled audience, as more than a handful of people travelled from Chicago for this event tonight. The set was pure mintage especially when they fired out their 7 Million viewed video, 'Talk Too Much'. With the release of their new album they certain to reach the next step of their musical career and possibly into households world wide. Checkout the new chart hitting album out in January 2020.

Around the world and back

The Slyvee in Madison continues to put on huge shows this week from the vocal range of 'Lizzo' to the technical wizard of 'Zedd', we were lucky enough to be invited to the sold out show for 'Zedd' and what an experience it was.

To warm up the crowd for the international DJ was a young Swedish duo, 'NOTD'. For a young duo they have grown from strength to strength, supporting world rounded acts to remixing some of the biggest songs in the world. Their latest track, 'Keep you Mine' was a hit from the first note, charging up the audience for 'Zedd'. It will be exciting to see them wrangle a crowd of this size on their own one day.

With the crowd pumped and stage set it was time to go 365 into 'Zedd's' immersive world. From impressive visuals and effects to the basic rhythm you could feel the electric atmosphere on the back of your neck tingle. This was one of the shows to remember from a global act growing in super star status.

Bowling For Soup & Less Than Jake strike it out!

Two staple punk bands go bowling for victory on this intimate headline tour. Tonight’s show at the smaller Majestic Theater in Madison comes with not one but two headlining bands, ‘Bowling For Soup’ & ‘Less Than Jake’, both equally enough to sell this venue out on their own. Luckily for the fans on this tour they get to embrace two pop/punk legends face to face in this intimate venue.

Before the two legends hit the stage there was a newly re branded act which aimed to warm up the audience and that they did plus some. ‘Authority Zero’ hit the ground running full of energy and break downs to lift the crowd up. Although the vocals were hard to hear at times, the music was delivered with high octane energy.

Next up was, ‘Less Than Jake’ the pop punk veterans that have influenced a generation of new punk/scar bands. Since 1994 they have entertained audiences around the world and this show was no different, involving the crowd at every given stage from sing-along’s to on stage dance offs.  The show was beyond a standard Sunday night show, it felt like a real home town show with the band having a real passion for wanting to live every night. Then we were treated to a band who didn’t want to play, ‘Bowling For Soup’. 

‘BFS’ opted to play one song at a time before breaking for a joke or interesting conversation about the new member’s poor bladder functions. However, as you might be able to tell it was a great time by all, playing their hits and even other bands #staciesmom. From ‘Punk Rock 101’ to ‘1985’ and ‘High School Never Ends’ there was so much awesomeness it was hard to contain ourselves. 

It was a shame to not see the original line up for ‘BFS’ again but it still rocked! We wish the old member Erik all the best on his future endeavors. This was about my 4^th time seeing the band ‘Bowling For Soup’ and as ever they hit a strike. Always got time for the pop punk legends!

Success for Sigrid

On this cooler autumn night at Madison Majestic Theatre things are about to heat up with the introduction of international star, “Sigrid”.

For any act it is key to make a name for yourself in your country before perusing further afield.  However, Norwegian native, “Sigrid” is one of them few rare acts that has exploded up around the world after her debut album, “Sucker Punch” went viral on the market receiving a warm reception from fans and critics across the board as a well produced feel good record. Although it might feel rushed it was only natural to tour the record to as many countries as possible, for example tonight’s show in the Midwest of America was sold out a week in advance.

The support for the tour and tonight’s show is a New York based musician called, “Raffaella”. An impressive and enjoyable but short set from the new comer seen her win over the entire crowd, from the first track “Bruce Willis” to last track, “Sororicide”.  It will be really exciting to see her develop as an artist beyond her current debut EP.

As the venue was full and backing band in place it was time for the hits to fly as “Sigrid” came out fighting into song one, “Sucker Punch”. From that moment the crowd were hooked and even singing along to most songs, some were even word for word. The power that this artist has had on the local crowd at this show alone is impressive and resonates a lot to the future career. The show included most of her debut album performed perfectly with a cheeky smile never leaving her face. This was a show to remember from a legend that has begun. Next stop in Madison will be The Slyvee, guaranteed.

Weathering Well

The electronic atmospheric music wizard ‘Tycho’, aka Scott Hanson has launched himself into unknown territory with his fifth album, “Weather”. The new album is a dramatic step forward as it features vocals from ‘Saint Sinner’; this is uncharted waters for Scott as he has only previously released instrumental bodies of work. However, it seems that the change of direction has proven a big step forward for the artist; both fans and critics have fully supported the artist as the sound has grown along with the venue sizes.  I believe this could be the tipping point for Scott to become the next global phenomenon DJ if he would so choose to continue this trajectory. 

Naturally, the show must travel just like the “Weather”. Luckily for me one of the shows of the world tour landed in my city, Madison, Wi. The support act ‘Poolside’ excited the crowd enough before ‘Tycho’ and his live band step forward from the shadows. Starting off with a classic song of “Awake” energized the crowd into ‘Tycho’s’ mantra. Although there was little communication from the artist to fans they were rolling through the ‘Tycho’ discography with ease. It truly was an visual and audio pleasures to witness the music come alive in this perfect atmosphere.

 

Felicidades Los Dells

 Congratulations Los Dells for another fantastic and ever expanding festival.

Now into its third year this ever expanding festival features music from across the Latin music spectrum and beyond. This year’s headline acts, playing across Saturday and Sunday were global touring musicians, ‘Logic’ and ‘Ozuna’.  Both acts delivered on their headlining position, closing out the festival with a bang.

Elsewhere across the festival the fiesta continued across four stages with giveaways, art displays and food all promoting Latino and South American culture. Hidden away in an idyllic little town of Mauston did not stop guests travelling from across the Midwest and beyond to taken in ‘Los Dells’. Many of the other artists played to their hearts delight receiving with all artists receiving a warm welcome on stage. Highlights for me came from ‘Fuego’ who rapped his way through a great set and ‘Ximena Sarinana’ who lead the party with her hits. It was also a pleasure to be invited to two bonus sets on Friday night pre festival to see a neat warm up show.

Overall, the festival is very much still in its infancy with a light attendance record and few art/food places to actually check out it left some people feeling empty, especially when the charge for a two day ticket is roughly $159. With that being said it is a relaxed and holistic festival that showcases the best Latino acts worldwide, festivals are very costly to set up these days so the cost reflects that. Personally I would absolutely recommend this festival as one to experience; hopefully as it grows it will be the staple to end the summer time fun in the Wisconsin Dells. 

Now enjoy a short picture gallery of the weekend...

 

Enter through the Lotus Gate

Welcome to the growing world of 'Kainalu' as we step through the 'Lotus Gate' into his lost world. After following the artist 'Kainalu' aka Trent for a couple of years now, I have seen his impact and music grow organically in the local scene. It has been a joy to soak in his soft hypnotic rhythms at every live show and to finally see him release his first body of work, the album 'Lotus Gate'. This eight track album/EP showcases his best work to date and has already been getting national attention, being compared to 'Tame Impala' & 'Tycho' to name a few. It was amazing to see him pull in a great crowd to watch him release this audio baby into the world at the High Noon Saloon on the 20th of June. 

Starting the night off was a funky foursome from Minnesota that went down a storm on the unsuspecting crowd. They fired through songs of their debut album and new EP, 'Glow' including the very catchy 'SMS' making sure everyone was involved with their grove. As the crowd grew so did their energy as they made a great impression for this first ever successful Madison show.

With that said most people were here to watch the rise of 'Kainalu' putting out all the stops to make this not just a show but an experience everyone can feel from start to finish. From older songs 'Folds Like  Origami' to newer ones, 'Lotus Gate' you are drawn through the 'Louts Gate' into the open yet peaceful world of 'Kainalu'. Trent and his amazing live band delivered a mesmerizing set full of highs, my personal favorite from the night was, 'How Do I Let Go Of You' receiving rapturous applause from everyone present. To me the set and his album are not just a bunch of songs they are full pieces of art flowing with passion and charged energy. It will be exciting to see where his path goes next, now I invite you to step through the Louts Gate and get lost in this secret world.