Early January used to be awfully quiet on the Madison music scene. But that changed several years ago when Michael Gomoll launched the Joey’s Song benefit concert series to raise money for epilepsy research and awareness. Working with his friend, Garbage frontman and Madison music icon Butch Vig, Gomoll assembled an all-star lineup of nationally-known rock musicians for a sold-out benefit show each year.
Now, Joey’s Song has expanded to become the four-day Freezing Man Festival, running this Wednesday through Saturday at The Sylvee, Majestic Theatre, and High Noon Saloon. Here’s who’s coming to town to rock for a good cause – you can see all of them at Saturday’s big jam session finale or on their own earlier in the week.
The “world’s best cover band,” featuring Vig and Duke Erikson of Garbage, singer-songwriter Freedy Johnston, and Steely Dane’s Jay Moran, will kick things off with a show Wednesday night at the Majestic Theatre in addition to Saturday’s big finale.
The band known for a playful indie rock sound and an unorthodox approach to punctuation has been a part of Joey’s Song for several years now, and headlines a big show at The Sylvee on Thursday night.
Also on the bill for Thursday are pop-punk singer-songwriter and Oshkosh native Kenny Hoopla, Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen and his sons’ new band The Nielsen Trust, and ‘90s power-pop band Letters to Cleo. (Fun fact: Letters to Cleo played a cover of Cheap Trick’s “I Want You To Want Me” on the roof of a school during the closing credits to “10 Things I Hate About You.”)
“Hodgson & White’s WI Cheese-Capades”
It’s not just music! “Mystery Science Theater 3000” creator and original host Joel Hodgson are joining forces for a special Wisconsin-themed comedy show and live charity auction Friday night at the High Noon Saloon. Opening will be comedian Dana Gould, who performs stand-up in costume as the ape-man Dr. Zaius from “Planet of the Apes.”
For my money, one of the best live rock bands around is headlining a packed show Friday night at The Sylvee, playing songs ranging from the 2007 indie rock banger “Lazy Eye” to tunes off the new “Physical Thrills” album.
Also on the bill? How about Tanya Donelly and her alternative rock band Belly? How about Vicki and Debbi Peterson, 50%of ‘80s all-girl rock band The Bangles? And how about ‘90s rockers and social media must-follow Eve 6?
The days of festivities all build up to the big finale benefit concert Saturday night at The Sylvee. The big show will include literally everyone mentioned elsewhere in the article, plus Jon Auer of the power-pop icons The Posies, drummer John Cowsill of The Cowsills and The Beach Boys, singer John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Steve Porcaro of Toto and his daughter Heather Porcaro, and Minneapolis musician Sierra Swan. Whew!
