Arts and Entertainment

Concerts Have Returned: What to Know and Where to Go

Marin Durkee|November 22, 2021

After a year and a half of staying socially distant and virtual, people are ready to go out again. Many artists have already performed outdoor shows this past summer and are starting to get back to indoor venues. Obviously, COVID-19 protocols will be enforced by the venues and local counties, but those have not greatly affected the concert experience.

Many artists and venues started up concerts again this summer, mainly being held outdoors. Breese Stevens Field on the East side of Madison became a very popular concert location. For the duration of the pandemic, they held outdoor concerts and events. They have hosted larger performances by artists like the Avvet Brothers and Phoebe Bridgers, as well as holding sport and community events.

Another outdoor venue is Driftless Music Gardens, located outside of Viroqua, is filled with beautiful rolling green hills. Driftless tends to hold more folk/rock shows and holds the Driftless Music Festival every summer. Due to the weather getting colder, most outdoor venues will not be holding concerts again until the spring.

As for indoor venues, local ones include: The Sylvee, Majestic, Barrymore, and High Noon Saloon. All located in Madison, these places have been holding more concerts in recent months. Madison tends to not get as many international mainstream bands, but The Sylvee is always a popular spot for somewhat larger and less local artists.

If someone is looking to see a bigger, more well-known artist, Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum has brought back their basketball games and concerts. Fiserv Forum holds larger, more popular artists like Harry Styles, Lumineers, and many others. Thankfully, most venues are implementing safety protocols for their concerts.

Concerts can be unsafe places when it comes to COVID-19, being in very close contact with others and around lots of screaming. To control and limit the spread of COVID-19, a majority of venues require either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within three days prior to the event.

In addition, due to the Dane County mask mandate (which is ending soon), it is required to wear masks to indoor concerts. It will soon be up to the individual venues to decide whether or not they enforce masks, but there is nothing that can ruin the joy and excitement that being back to concerts brings people.

Upcoming concerts in the area (2021-2022)