2024 Schedule
All music is at the Rotary Park gazebo just outside the Opera House and is free throughout the festival.
Looking for a text-only schedule? Click here!
Thursday, July 4th
PLAYTIME HAPPY HOUR
Featuring members of the Wild Violets
NOON - Thursday
Join some of our favorite musicians while we play fun games with the kiddos…there will even be face painting! Come kick back and enjoy a real good time.
THE SPINE STEALERS
1:15 - Thursday
The Spine Stealers are a Wisconsin-based folk band influenced by the northwood pines, 24/7 truck stop diners, heartbreak and dark lakes. The duo formed around late night bonfires in their shared hometown during the height of the pandemic where they learned guitar together and wrote songs inspired by their experiences of heartache and nostalgia.
KENDRA SWANSON
2:30 pm - Thursday
Kendra Swanson is an independent folk music performer and songwriter. With strong, expressive vocals and energetic instrumentation on banjo, guitar, and fiddle, she applies a timeless sound to original compositions written from (and about) the American heartland. It has been described as "soulful," "homey," "sincere," and "heartfelt," delivered with a passionate voice that cuts through the loudest of bars (and the hardest of hearts). Her reputation as a leader of singalongs, enthusiastic storyteller, and humorist have made her performances a sought-after experience for a wide variety of audiences. As a soloist, she has shared bills with the likes of Charlie Parr, Chicago Farmer, The Waydown Wanderers, The Howlin' Brothers, Danny Barnes, the Quebe Sisters, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and the incomparable Jerry Douglas.
Kendra currently resides near Madison, WI with her husband Eric, her son, Arlo (born 2019), and their beagle Ralph. While her primary passion is spending time at home singing and playing for Arlo, Kendra continues to perform regionally, as a soloist as well as a part of several musical collaborations. She continues to write, and consult as an environmental educator and professional naturalist.
THE IOWANS
3:45 pm - Thursday
Perhaps it could be attributed to the unspoken, yet understood bond first cousins share, or possibly just good old-fashioned magic, but long before Christina and Katie formed The Iowans band, their innate desire to create music together and experience the joy of sharing it with others continues to be beyond question. Originally from Iowa, now residing in the heart of the Driftless Region’s musical vortex (Viroqua, Wis) Christina’s inspired lyrics and melodies, unfiltered honey vocals and daring guitar work are met in musical conversation with Katie’s ethereal harmonies, the heartbeat of her clawhammer banjo, keys and an impressive array of percussive instruments.
A perfect synergy emerged when the duo discovered virtuoso concertmaster violinist, John Madura that is equal parts Brahms, Pink Floyd, Beatles, and Eminem.
Mat Grewe adds depth and musical gravity to the soundscape, by the pulsing groove of his home-crafted electric bass licks (inspired by the likes of Claypool, Rachmaninov, Zappa, and Bill Frisell).
Now, with an impressive library of original music, The Iowans have earned their band a place as a staple in the Driftless Americana/Folk Fusion music scene. Their new album, Time Won’t Wait, will be dropped on vinyl, CD, and digital platforms in Summer of 2024.
NATE GIBSON & THE STARDAZERS
5:30 pm - Thursday
Nate Gibson wrote the book on Starday Records, country music's largest independent record label in the 1950s and ‘60s (The Starday Story: The House That Country Music Built), and has since been keeping that golden era of country music alive as co-host of WORT's Back to the Country program and in his live performances.
The Stardazers feature the electrifying guitar of Andrew Harrison (Joe Pug, Brown Derby, Whitney Mann, Pupy Costello and the New Hiram Kings), “Spider” Mike Hobson (Gin Palace Jesters, Bailey Dee, Deals Gone Bad) on upright bass, and Eric Salisbury (The Ramble, Loving Cup) on percussion.
DAVINA & THE VAGABONDS
7:30 pm - Thursday
Davina Sowers and the Vagabonds have created a stir on the national music scene with their high-energy live shows, level A musicianship, sharp-dressed professionalism, and Sowers’ commanding stage presence. With influences ranging from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits, the band is converting audiences one show at a time, from Vancouver to Miami and across Europe.
Friday, July 5th
BOO MULLARKY
NOON - Friday
Boo Mullarky is the amazing one-human jug band medicine show performing ragtime blues, old time, good time and Cajun tunes with foot percussion and guitars!
CED BA'ETCH'
1:15 pm - Friday
Three Hours is a drums and guitar duo featuring the finger-style guitar of Ced Ba’etch’ and the swinging, lived-in rhythms of Rob Murphy.
Ced Ba'etch' is a Madison based french expatriate guitar player/singer. His guitar picking is an alternating bass melodic fingerstyle and his vast repertoire encompasses Hawaiian slack key, americana "big thumb" guitar, 1920's country blues, movie soundtracks, french pop music of the past and Parisian waltz as well as original material.
CARISA
2:30 pm - Friday
Carisa is one of our favorite up and coming singer songwriters! Carisa’s music is best categorized as bedroom cafe. It hints at some of her influences, primarily bossa nova, folk, and jazz.
THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS
3:45 pm - Friday
“Hey baby, do you wanna take a trip with me? / I’ve got a feeling there might be a silver lining all around.” So begins One Day, the captivating new album from critically acclaimed Minneapolis duo The Cactus Blossoms. Written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the record explores the tension between optimism and despair that’s defined much of the past few years of American life, examining the power (or naïveté, depending on your perspective) of positive thinking in the face of chaos and uncertainty. The songs here are tender and timeless, with straightforward arrangements centered around brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum’s airtight harmonies, and the performances are warm and intimate to match, delivered with a soulful, ’70s-inspired palette of playful Wurlitzer, breezy guitars, and muscular percussion.
CHARLIE PARR
5:30 pm - Friday
Charlie Parr is an incorruptible outsider who writes novelistic, multi-layered stories that shine a kaleidoscopic light on defiant, unseen characters thriving in the shadows all around us. Parr has a new record with only his name on it, and it isn’t shiny and perfect and commercial and catchy. It’s him. It’s pure Charlie Parr and that’s enough. He hasn’t moved to LA or Nashville; he’s stayed in the cold grey north of Minnesota, because that’s his home.
SHAKEY
7:30 pm - Friday
Shakey is a Neil Young tribute band that captures the essence of Neil Young's music and style. With their authentic sound and passionate performances, Shakey pays tribute to one of the greatest musicians of our time. Whether you're a die-hard Neil Young fan or just love great music, Shakey is a must-see live experience.
Saturday, July 6th
DAVID LANDAU: THE KING OF KIDS’ MUSIC
12:00 pm - Sunday
Voted 2019 Children's Performer of the Year by the Madison Area Music Association
Storytelling and performing children's music are two of my passions and talents. I travel to elementary schools, preschools, and libraries to perform musical programs that are educational, entertaining, and motivating. While music is my passion, my love is teaching. For 11 years I taught first grade in Verona, Wisconsin. My programs are an extension of my favorite part of teaching, which is helping children understand themselves and the world around them.
VARIETY with ROBIN LEE
1:15 - Saturday
Robin Lee offers a variety of entertaining music, poetry, storytelling, jokes, and interactive delights. As a member of multiple bands (Birds! Birds! Birds!/Better Yeti/Warm Wet Rag, etc.) a rare solo performance will showcase his range of talents, ensuring a good time is had for all!
KNEE HIGH JULY
2:30 pm - Saturday
Hamm's chuggin' folk rock/alt country from La Crosse, WI. Their all original songs are sure to please.
MOONHOUSE
3:45 pm - Saturday
Folkadelic Americana - check it out for a real good time!
THE JIMMYS
5:30 pm - Saturday
The Jimmys is an award-winning festival favorite bringing people together from coast to coast, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean since 2010! The Jimmys feature band leader Jimmy Voegeli phenomenal Hammond B-3 keyboardist, singer and songwriter; an experienced killer rhythm section steeped in blues with Perry Weber on guitar, Chris Sandoval on drums and John Wartenwieler on bass and the icing on the cake is the best horn section in the Midwest—Pete Ross on saxophone, Chad Wittinghill on trumpet and Joe Goltz on trombone. It doesn’t get any better than this – The Jimmys will deliver!.
JED & COMPANY
7:30 pm - Saturday
Madison’s new hard-rippin’ Grateful Dead tribute band, including original members of Lackin’ Some Direction, Fringe Character, Del Mar and New Speedway Players. WIth high-level high-energy jamming, experimental setlists, soulful vocals and fresh takes on the catalog, Jed & Company will impress any discerning Wisconsin Deadhead.
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