One of the best from 2019

'Febria' is a band full of life again after a hiatus since 2015, they have came back strong with their debut album, after only a few EP's released they have decide to put out a full length full of heart and promise. Think 'Bon Iver' on a deep voyage into the woods of the Welsh Valleys, the band have elegantly drew together their collective orchestra to deliver note for note a journey of musical discovery. The songs as a collective whole cannot or should not be categorized individually or placed into a particular genre rather they should be considered one collective piece of art that should be enjoyed from start to finish.

From the get go this is not just a record from a Welsh band but a powerful message from the hearts of unique musicians and will make you long for more.

New Found Glory Hitting The Big Screen

Just like their name suggests, 'New Found Glory' are still envisioning new glorious ways to delight their fans, after 20 years in the music industry things can get stale but not for 'NFG' as they put a new spin on a nationwide tour. From the screen to the stage is the title of the tour and brings together hits from their back catalog as well as hits from movies we all know and love.

A big blockbuster line up supports the heavy hitters on this tour, 'Jettybones' opens the show with their fresh sound and worthy of feature act as they develop a back catalogue. Next up was personal favorites, 'Free Throw' delivering a rowdy set from their new album which dropped this month, Nov 2019. The passion shines through the record and their live show as they punch out songs from the heart. On this record they brought things back home, "we have struggled personally with mental health issues and have laid a lot out on the line in this revealing record", says lead vocal and guitarist, Cory. They connect with the audience on a sonic level screaming their sorrows aloud, think 'The Swellers' meets 'State Champs'.


Main support is a band who know Madison well, 'Hawthorn Heights'  having record their first album in this city they have grew a grand following from across the world. They play a solid set worthy of any sold out crowd, full of hope and sing alongs, a perfect warm up for pop-punk champions, 'New Found Glory'.




Bursting out on to the stage with movie theme music gets the party started. The 20th century Fox fan fair plays before they bust out into a hit filled set. Cover songs come in the form of, 'Let It Go' from 'Frozen' to 'Accidentally In Love' from 'Shrek' plus many more including costume changes from lead man Chad, even with a broken wrist he projected himself across the stage like a lima at a banana buffet. Another surprise came from a touring guitarist on stage, it just happened to be Ryan lead man of classic band 'Yellowcard', while the band have gone their separate ways, Ryan has not rested being a touring 'NFG' member and producer for new acts. 'NFG' delivered a blockbuster night at this sold out extravaganza, full of highs and more bigger highs. The whole sold out tour shows why this band are still going strong at over 20 years old they still feel fresh as tomorrow.

The Menzingers say goodbye to exile

Although 'The Menzingers' new album is called "Hello Exile" they couldn't be more loved right now as they release another powerful yet personal album. Luckily for us they headed to Madison, Wi to play an intimate show at 'The Majestic'.

Another to great opening acts fill the tour bill, first up is 'Culture Abuse' that strive to be wild, with their awesome cords and unique vocals, if you closed your eyes you could almost feel a 'PIL' or 'Sex pistols' vibe from the sound they delivered. Next was, 'Tigers Jaw' who took a big bite of the action tonight, also delivering their unique sound and aura they blew away the audience. Big things are planned for these guys in the future I sense it.

One band tonight that does not require intuition is, 'The Menzingers' as we all know what their capable of. After six albums they deliver a hit filled set, focusing on the new record did not bother most as they new word for word or danced to the hypnotic rhythms.

Big strides from Tiny Moving Parts

It has been a long time coming but 'Tiny Moving Parts' are making bigger leaps than ever, transitioning from a support act to a headline act on their mammoth nationwide tour.

Speaking of support acts this tour has two great supports both in terms of music and personality, making this tour and show one big community. First up was math rockers, 'Standards' who captivated the audience with their wild and infectious rhythms. Demonstrating that anyone can get lost in the music even if it is without a vocal layer. Ironic to their name, 'Standards' were beyond  your standard two piece as they excelled at their craft.

Likewise, second on the bill, 'Fredo Disco' were perfect at getting the crowd moving and singing along. Surprising considering this is their second only tour and first time in Madison, Wi. As we chatted to Fredo pre show for my podcast he still gets a little nervous heading to the stage but is excited to be able to do what he loves with people he loves. No one can fail to see and hear the appeal of this new band both on record and live as they shine.



'Tiny Moving Parts' deliver a huge chunk of craziness here in mad town as they have everyone on the floor moving and getting involved in this intimate pop punk explosion of hits and dips. Their sound was tight and set list long as they rattled through more tracks than a Foo Fighters discography. Overall, it was an exciting collaboration of people that love playing music for people who love being surround with music and the energy it creates.

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!