News & Media Mentions

For the second year, a unique free summer concert experience will return to Madison – this time, as a triple concert series. The Memorial Union Terrace series, Lakefront Live, features live band performances from the UW Credit Union Terrace Stage played facing Lake Mendota to be enjoyed by audience members on paddle and watercraft. 

Hosted by the Wisconsin Union’s Outdoor UW and the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Music Committee, Lakefront Live will take place on the Terrace June 8 at 6 p.m., featuring Birddog Blues Band; July 6 at 6 p.m., featuring country and blues band The Grouvin Brothers; and Aug. 10 at 6 p.m., featuring bluegrass group Cork n’ Bottle String Band.

“Lakefront Live is back again this year, and it’s better than ever with not one, but three outstanding free performances throughout the summer,” said Sean Michael Dargan, Wisconsin Union Directorate advisor. “We are excited to give Madison even more opportunities to come join us and celebrate our community’s incredible music scene and outdoor views!”

Concertgoers can rent single or double kayaks, stand-up paddleboards – including an eight-person stand-up paddleboard called the SUPSquatch – or canoes from Outdoor UW to savor the music from the water. Each person must make a reservation – for $16 – to secure one spot on an Outdoor UW paddlecraft for the entirety of the event (6-9 p.m.). 

The Outdoor UW team encourages patrons interested in a specific rental paddlecraft to arrive early, as patrons with reservations will receive a spot on a craft on a first come, first served basis. Renters may arrive starting at 3 p.m., and all members of a party must be present to select their shared craft. Guests can make online reservations and read reservation details at members.hoofers.org/event/91578 (June 8), members.hoofers.org/event/91579 (July 6) and members.hoofers.org/event/91580 (Aug. 10).

The presence or consumption of alcohol/drugs is not permitted on Outdoor UW watercraft. Individuals who are believed to be under the influence of alcohol/drugs will not be allowed to board a craft.

Those with their own watercraft may paddle over to enjoy the concert as well. The concert can also be enjoyed from the Memorial Union Terrace, where audience members can savor dishes from Memorial Union’s many dining options and take in the show.

If there are inclement lake conditions on the day of an event, Outdoor UW will refund rentals, and water outings will be canceled, with Lakefront Live transitioning to a Terrace-facing event. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor rentals will be refunded, and the concert will occur inside Memorial Union at der Rathskeller. Details of this series are subject to change. The Wisconsin Union team aims to announce any unanticipated changes to the series by 4 p.m. on the day of each concert. 

With four nights of live music each week on the Terrace, Lakefront Live is one of the many live music events held at the outdoor dining and entertainment destination this summer. Other performances include:

• Every Wednesday, starting on May 17 - Open Mic at 7 p.m.
• May 18 - Johnny Chimes & Natch’l Blues Band at 7 p.m.
• May 19 - The Emmylous at 4 p.m., Bascom Hill at 7 p.m., The Mascot Theory at 8 p.m.
• May 20 - The Hails at 7 p.m., The Moss at 8 p.m.
• May 25 - Gin Mill Hollow at 7 p.m.
• May 26 - Christo’s Novelty Combo at 4 p.m., The Courts at 7 p.m., Oruã at 8 p.m., Soft and Dumb at 9 p.m.
• May 27 - Eric Ryan-Johnson at 7 p.m., After August at 8 p.m.
• June 1 - Mad City Jug Band at 7 p.m.
• June 2 - Stephanie Rearick at 4 p.m., Carrellee at 7 p.m., Stranger Gallery at 8 p.m., The Quilz at 9 p.m.
• June 3 - Pat McCurdy at 7 p.m.
• June 9 - Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets at 4 p.m., The Whiskey Farm at 7 p.m.
• June 10 - Rare Element at 7 p.m.
• June 15 - John Elliott at 7 p.m., The Also-Rans at 8 p.m.
• June 16 - Arielle Silver Duo at 4 p.m., DJay Mando at 7 p.m.
• June 17 - Madison Jazz Festival at 7 p.m.
• June 18 - Madison Jazz Festival: Juneteenth Celebration at 7 p.m.
• June 22 - Frank Martin Busch and the Names at 7 p.m.
• June 23 - Marc Stone at 4 p.m., Josh Harty Duo at 7 p.m., Thompson Springs at 8 p.m.
• June 24 - Buffalo Nichols at 8 p.m.
• June 29 - No Name String Band at 7 p.m.
• June 30 - Mike Cammilleri Organ Trio at 4 p.m., The Sandblasters at 7 p.m., Jason Vargas and the Apollos at 8 p.m., Zeroed Hero at 9 p.m.
• July 1 - Middle Names at 7 p.m., Brett Newski at 8 p.m.
• July 7 - Bill Roberts Combo at 4 p.m., East of Vilas at 7 p.m., Wurk at 8 p.m.
• July 8 - D’funk and the Grease Monkeys at 7 p.m., Adem Tesfaye Band at 8 p.m.
• July 13 - Interlay at 7 p.m., Deerhoof at 8 p.m.
• July 14 - They Talk Too Much at 4 p.m., Sparetime Bluegrass Band at 5 p.m., Lynda & The ZEROs at 7 p.m.
• July 15 - Panchromatic Steel at 7 p.m.
• July 20 - Nate Gibson and the Stardazers at 7 p.m.
• July 21 - Brick Imerman at 4 p.m., Ida Jo and the Show at 7 p.m., Hannah Wicklund at 8 p.m.
• July 22 - Lake Qualm at 7 p.m., The Periodicals at 8 p.m.
• July 27 - The Material Boys at 7 p.m.
• July 28 - Searchlights at 4 p.m., Mark Croft Band at 7 p.m.
• July 29 - maplebrook at 7 p.m., Alairen at 8 p.m., she’s green at 9 p.m.
• Aug. 3 - Big Richard at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 4 - Staci Griesbach at 4 p.m., Grupo Candela at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 5 - Natty Nation at 8 p.m.
• Aug. 11 - Luke Leavitt and the Levitations at 4 p.m., N’achos at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 12 - Son del Atlantico at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 17 - 2nd Isthmian Highlanders at 7 p.m., Skerryvore at 8 p.m.
• Aug. 18 - Old Oaks Trio at 4 p.m., The Present Age at 7 p.m., … Or Does It Explode? at 9 p.m.
• Aug. 19 - 90 Proof at 7 p.m., Shakey at 8 p.m.
• Aug. 24 - Northern Comfort Bluegrass Band at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 25 - Back2Back Acoustic Trio at 4 p.m.
• Aug. 26 - Grupo Balança at 7 p.m., Handphibians at 8 p.m.

For a full lineup of this summer’s concerts and other Terrace season events, visit terracesummer.com.