Events

Enjoy a contemporary take on classic cabaret-style jazz as Combo Noir interweaves pop, blues, rock balladry, and singer-songwriter intensity to make the darkest sounds delightful. And - a special "Irish Brogue" contest has been promised - with an appropriate reward for the winner!

Get your best gingham prints ready for a night of hot bluegrass pickin'! Madison's Sortin' the Mail has become a stable of the local festival scene - and are two-time winners of the Madison Area Music Awards in the "Country and Bluegrass" Category!

Fans of the Ryan McGrath Band have long-known about the Chicago-steeped blues harmonica of Tall Paul Sabel - he developed his craft moonlighting around the Windy City between his academic studies. His original material works in strong elements of storytelling and local history.

This is the deep blues, folks. Duwayne Burnside is Grammy-nominated, a Mississippi Arts Commission featured performer, and son of legendary Hill Country musician R.L. Burnside (who taught and imparted the music and culture of the Hill Country to Duwayne).  Burnside was a member of The North Mississippi Allstars from 2001 through 2004. He has also… Read More »Duwayne Burnside w/ the Usual Suspects

Special late start time (after Duwayne Burnside's show). The Jam will not be denied! NO CHARGE after the Burnside show.

Catchy and groovy, the Twin Cities - based Jesse Anderson Band brings a danceable flow of folk/rock/jam sounds from the stage. Interested? Here's a live clip of the band from a show last November! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV0GvDBj7oU

Advance tickets available! https://www.clover.com/online-ordering/red-rooster-madison With over 40 years of experience, Matthew Skoller is one of the unquestioned leaders of blues harmonica. He spent several formative years in Milwaukee, shaped by venerable artists such as Stokes and Jimi Schutte (the latter of whom joined him for a residency in Paris, France). Skoller credits Sonny Boy Williamson… Read More »Matthew Skoller & Chicago Wind

We seem to have a core of '90's and '00's music fans at the Red Rooster - and here's an opportunity not just to show your love for the music of the era and the musicians who play it - but to be part of it! Madison's Fringe Field has been performing together for over… Read More »LIVE ’90’s ROCK KARAOKE w/ Fringe Field

One of the area's top music scholars, Nate Gibson undertook a project that united passion and performance - tracking down the then-surviving artists from the Starday record label to join them on re-recorded versions of their historic catalog. Gibson's easygoing stage presence leans more towards vintage hillbilly boppers than rockabilly, but he and his band… Read More »Nate Gibson & the Stardazers w/ The Cock-A-Doodle Dudes

The Red Rooster hosts a Blues Jam nearly every Thursday! Musician sign-ups begin at 7 and continue all night. This week’s host is Madison blues legend James Earl Tate, host of blues jams across five decades! The house band starts at 8 and jammers are invited up soon afterward. Professional players are encouraged!

Madison loves horn bands - and that hot sound is back to warm the early days of spring! With a funky punch of deep rhythm and bright instrumentation. Rare Element has secured a strong reputation for its high-intensity, live shows. The band’s highly talented 7-piece roster, including a 3-piece horn section, brings massive energy to… Read More »Rare Element

With powerhouse lead and backing vocals - and an instrumental punch that more than fills a venue - local favorites Lynda & the ZEROs are at the forefront of top area dance bands. Their upbeat repertoire covers classic Motown and funky soul to contemporary R&B and rock, bringing out the dancer in everyone. If you… Read More »Lynda & the ZEROs

Once again, the Red Rooster is honored to feature Cathy Couture in performance with her debut CD - a "bucket list" endeavor of determination. This time, her musical support will be three other women of talent, creativity, and strength - and killer vocal harmonies  - Gin, Chocolate, & Bottle Rockets - featuring Beth Kille, Jen… Read More »Gin, Chocolate, & Bottle Rockets w/ Cathy Couture

The Red Rooster hosts a Blues Jam nearly every Thursday! This week’s show will be hosted by The Usual Suspects. Musician sign-ups begin at 7 and continue all night. The house band starts at 8 and jammers are invited up soon afterward. All playing levels are welcome!

Mondo Cortez and the Chicago Blues Angels stand perfectly astride the rockabilly and jump blues camps - drawing inspiration from the Paladins, Kid Ramos, and the late Nick Curran (who was a friend of Cortez's and occasionally joined him on small Chicago area shows). Last time at the Rooster, Cortez brought the '57 Guild that… Read More »Chicago Blues Angels featuring Mondo Cortez

Singer/songwriter Mark Croft projects a percussive urgency in much of his roots-rock material, akin to Willy Porter. He's a 15-time MAMAs Awards winner; other awards include Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting (for "One Mississippi") in the Great American Songwriting Contest; and a Top-10 National Finalist in the JBL EON "One Take Contest." The Madison, WI based… Read More »Mark Croft Band

Their first visit to the Red Rooster demonstrated that even though their band is new, they're all old souls when it comes to music. The five-piece group from the Fox Cities delivers a fresh take on vintage soul and rock - digging past the standards for hidden gems. Their originals flow seamlessly from this inspiration.… Read More »The Gin and Sonics

Always embracing the quirky side of bluegrass musicianship, Cork 'n Bottle's lengthy Madison heritage traces to the long-gone downtown hole-in-the-wall, Ken's Bar & Grill. The group's fluid numbers and audience engagement are part of their trademark presence.