Bon Iver’s sold-out show at the regal Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee was an all-out feting that included standing ovations and the reading of a proclamation that it was “Bon Iver Day” within the city limits. Continue reading
Bob Dylan underscored his trouble-making philosophy countless times during two back-to-back sets at Overture Hall in downtown Madison on Monday night. Throughout both concerts, he demonstrated many times how his unpredictability can reveal the breadth of his genius. Occasionally, however, it also showed his mischievousness. Continue reading
Only hours after sharing the stage with President Barack Obama at a campaign rally in Madison, Wis., unassuming indie-rock group the National finally seemed poised to shed their bashful ways and play to the kind of larger audiences that rock stars — even presidential ones — are accustomed to. Continue reading
When the definitive star-making moment came for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in 2001, the group’s big chance slipped away. No matter. During Wednesday night’s concert in Madison, Wis., the band emphasized that they’re going to continue to persevere and do the hazy, distorted music even if they never make it big. Continue reading
California freak-folk ambassadors Vetiver might be one of underground rock’s best kept secrets, but the quintet’s concert on Tuesday night proved this shouldn’t be the case for much longer. Continue reading
With the release of their terrific last record in 2008, it was uncertain if Philadelphia retro-rockers Dr. Dog were really a stupefying, sometimes exhilarating mishmash of ’60s tribute bands who had unexpectedly struck gold or if they were something more. The band is now road testing a batch of new material in a short preview tour of North America and the new tunes only deepen the mystery. Continue reading
Ten years after he reconvened his E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen now seems ready to indulge in a little nostalgia as he salutes the high points and long-overlooked gems of his discography during a concert Sunday night in Milwaukee. Continue reading
Eclipsed by Nirvana’s ascendency to superstardom, alternative-rock pioneers Dinosaur Jr. saw little return despite their years of wowing the underground. On Tuesday night’s concert in Madison, Wis., the newly reunited band used high volume and their cache of bludgeoning riffs to conquer the audience. Continue reading
Indie-rock visionary Sufjan Stevens’ eccentric songs and his garage-band approach to orchestration might suggest he’s an advocate for creative spontaneity. His concert in Madison, Wis., on Monday night gave a different impression, offering a sneak peek at his creative process as he tried out a batch of new baroque-pop songs. Continue reading
Long stuck in the shadow of the metal titans Queens of the Stone Age, the Eagles of Death Metal have so primed their swaggering, rock ‘n’ roll engine that no one will mistake them for a hot-rod side project again. Their recent concert in Madison, Wis., demonstrates their groove-oriented tunes can shake hips as well as preconceptions. Continue reading
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