Jan. 24: Lewis Black at Orpheum, 8 p.m., $39.50-$65
Lewis Black has dabbled in almost every medium conducive to his comedic brand that balances between irritable cynic and angry social commentator. As a stand-up comedian, author and actor, Black uses his podium to discuss topics ranging from politics to cultural phenomena in the form of a rant. His stand-up has been known to employ sarcasm, hyperbole, profanity and shouting. Black performs his rants nationally and internationally to sold out shows 200 days of the year. He has also made several TV appearances on “The Daily Show with John Stewart” and hosted his own Comedy Central show, “Lewis Black’s Root of All Evil.”
Jan. 26: Neil Degrasse Tyson at Overture Center, 7:30 p.m., sold out.
Jan. 27: Cold War Kids at Majestic, 8:30 p.m., $25
While natives of Long Beach, California, this soulful band has a sound more reminiscent of a Southern cabin nestled in a forest during a thunderstorm. Beginning recording as a group in 2004, they rose to national acclaim with their 2006 LP Robbers & Cowards and hit “Hang Me Up to Dry,” featuring a pounding baseline contagious enough to change your heartbeat rhythm. Cold War Kids has been a staple of alternative airwaves ever since. With this tour they are promoting their latest release Hold My Home, featuring the blues-inspired songs “First” and “All This Could Be Yours.”
Jan. 31: Yonder Mountain String Band at Barrymore, 8 p.m., $27.50 advance, $30 day of show
Jan. 31: Prof at High Noon Saloon, 9:30 p.m., $15
Feb. 3: Aesop Rock & Rob Sonic at Barrymore, 8:30 p.m., $20
Feb. 6: Demetri Martin at Barrymore, 7 p.m., $37.50
A prophet of Millennial struggles, with convenient diagrams handy for comedic precision, Martin is sure to bring hilarity to the frigid Madison streets. It is no surprise such smart humor comes from an intellect accepted into Harvard University and provided a full scholarship by New York University Law School. While widely known for his stand-up, he was a collaborator for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and wrote for “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Martin also has recent acting credits in the popular indie flick (currently available on Netflix streaming) “In A World…,” the brainchild of star, writer and director Lake Bell. He is sure to impress with witty one-liners and maybe some musical performance.
Feb. 13: Local H at High Noon Saloon, 9:30 p.m., $12
Feb. 27: Lotus at Orpheum, 7:30 p.m., $22 advance, $25 day of show
Feb. 28: Tig Notaro at Overture Center, 8 p.m., $27.50-$47.50
March 4: Paper Diamond at Majestic, 9 p.m., $20
March 5: Aaron Carter at Majestic, 8:30 p.m., $15 advance, $18 day of show
March 10 – 15: Book of Mormon at Overture Center, times vary. TBD
Matt Stone and Trey Parker of South Park meld their crude and controversial style with Robert Lopez’s (Avenue Q) fun and light musical tone for a raunchy, highly acclaimed romp. The musical follows the plight of an overly optimistic and naive Mormon missionary as he tries to communicate the messages of The Book of Mormon to the people of a remote village in Uganda. The village people are more concerned with basic human needs than the overly zealous missionaries attempts at evangelizing. The show satirically presents the tenets of Mormonism in a light manner. The show opened in March 2011 after nearly seven years of production and won nine Tony Awards including Best Musical.
March 18: Mat Kearney at Orpheum, 7:30 p.m., $27.50
March 29: Walk The Moon at Orpheum, 8 p.m., $25 advance, $27 day of show
March 31: Bleachers at Majestic, 8 p.m., $26
FUN FACT: $1 of ticket purchase goes to the charity The Ally Coalition, raising awareness and funds for LGBTQ equality.
April 4: Belle and Sebastian at Overture Center, 8 p.m., $38.50
Named after a French children’s book about a boy and his dog, Belle and Sebastian have come to embody the wistfulness of such a tale while remaining a progressive and versatile band. Forming in 1996 in Glasgow, Scotland, they quickly became pioneers of the chamber (or baroque) pop movement, a genre that mixes classical music with pop rock. Belle and Sebastian have since crafted a consistently excellent discography, their most prominent track (and staple of any indie movie soundtrack) coming on their 2003 release Dear Catastrophe Waitress, “Piazza, New York Catcher.” They are currently on tour for their 2015 LP Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance, featuring “The Party Line.”
April 8: Guster at Orpheum, 8 p.m., $20-$28 advance, $30 day of show
April 11: Chris Hardwick at Barrymore, 8 p.m., $35
April 19: They Might Be Giants at Barrymore, 7 p.m., $25
Fun Fact: They Might Be Giants has been continually prolific since their formation in 1982. In addition to 16 studio albums, the alternative rock band has contributed tracks to Disney movie “Sky High,” “Blues Clues” and 14 original songs for Dunkin Donuts’ “America Runs on Dunkin” campaign.
April 25: Delta Rae at Majestic, 8 p.m., $20
May 26: St. Vincent at Orpheum, 8 p.m., $27.50
FUN FACT: The performance will feature special guest Sarah Neufeld, a violinist who has collaborated, performed and toured with Arcade Fire. St. Vincent’s latest self-titled LP was voted the best album of 2014 by Herald staff.
June 12: Lily Tomlin at Overture Center, 8 p.m., $45-$65
Tomlin is a living legend: Kennedy Center honoree, five-time Emmy winner, Tony-winning Broadway performer, groundbreaking comedienne (she was one of the first to use male drag in her act), accomplished writer and, perhaps most incredibly, the voice of Ms. Frizzle on “The Magic School Bus.” Her notable film performances include “9 to 5” and “I Heart Huckabees” while she blessed television with roles in “West Wing” and “Murphy Brown.” Beginning a comic career in the 1960s, her humor is observant, aware and often delivered with the seamless improvisation of a seasoned pro.
