Picture this: your favorite artist planned a whole nationwide tour. You look up to see where they’ll be playing, and you realize they don’t get close to your city. You’d have to drive an hour or more to see them! This has happened to me countless times over the years, and it can be incredibly frustrating. However, after moving to Madison for college, I’ve been lucky enough to see some great shows within walking distance. Madison has a wide variety of live performance venues, each with their own unique flair and charm to them. From small bars and theaters to large coliseums and stadiums, Madison has it all.
Here’s the Top 5 music venues in Madison, Wisconsin:
5. The Sylvee
One of the newer venues on the isthmus, the Sylvee has drawn nationwide attention since 2018. Bringing in countless artists spanning every genre, you will not be disappointed with the acts they bring in. See Wilco, Greta Van Fleet, Sabrina Carpenter, Lana Del Rey, Ween, Vampire Weekend, Lil Wayne and so many more nationally acclaimed stars with a crowd of 2,500 fans. Located one block from Breese Stevens Field, the Sylvee can be a trek to walk from campus. Short people beware! Make sure to arrive early to get in line so you can find a great spot to watch your show. Because of the primarily flat concrete layout, it can be almost guaranteed that you will get stuck behind taller people and you won’t be able to see. Just make sure to arrive early and secure your spot, especially for general admission shows.
4. Breese Stevens Field
The only outside venue on this list, Breese Stevens Field is a literal breath of fresh air for live venues. Its multi-use functionality makes it a great place to attend a sports game, a festival or a concert. See world-renowned artists like Hozier, Cage the Elephant, Robert Plant, Willie Nelson, Modest Mouse, Pixies, Primus and many more, rain or shine. Breese Stevens Field has multiple seating options, like general admission standing closer to the stage and sections of seats to the side of the stage. Capacity may vary, but for a general admission concert, expect an audience size upwards of 5,000. Enjoy your favorite music under the stars at this incredible venue.
3. Overture Hall at The Overture Center for the Arts
Are you searching for a more refined, artful concert experience? Look no further than The Overture Center for the Arts. Located in the heart of Madison two blocks away from the state capitol, Overture Hall has a seating capacity of just over 2,200. This venue offers a more tight-knit community experience for fans to enjoy the art of live music. Overture Hall, along with concerts, offers other live performances as well, like plays and musicals. With a stellar location close to the UW-Madison campus, Overture Hall makes for a unique and classy way to see a concert.
2. Majestic Theatre
If you’re looking for a small, intimate venue to see a show, the Majestic Theatre has you covered. With a capacity of just 600, you can get up close and personal with some of your favorite artists. Being so close to the stage anywhere in the venue, you can’t get a bad spot to stand or sit in the balcony overhang. The Majestic holds acts that represent many genres, like IDKhow, Noah Kahan, Blackbear, Prong and local Madison band Slow Pulp. Feel the music wash over you and the sound waves move through you with an unforgettable show at the Majestic Theatre.
1. Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Alliant Energy Center
Formerly known as the Dane County Coliseum, the Veterans Memorial Coliseum on the Alliant Energy Center campus opened its doors in 1967. Because of its age and decade-spanning lifetime, the Alliant Energy Center has hosted hundreds of shows. Timeless classic rock acts like Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Queen, the Grateful Dead, Iron Maiden and Def Leppard have performed right here in Madison in their prime. The Alliant Energy Center campus has four separate venues each with their own uses. The Veterans Memorial Coliseum holds performances and concerts, and you can see a show with an audience of nearly 13,000! Despite its age, the Coliseum remains one of the best places to see a large concert in Madison.
