September 2020

With a look and sound that captures The Who at the height of their 70s peak, Substitute plays the songs that have become part of rock legend. From the hits (Pinball Wizard, Who Are You and Won't Get Fooled Again) to lesser-known classics (The Seeker, Bargain and The Real Me), Substitute is becoming a regular at some of the Midwest's most prestigious venues and festivals!

The Milwaukee-based band was formed by Wisconsin by-way-of Seattle bassist Tom Branigan in 2005, when he found three people who shared his love of Who music and could faithfully replicate the playing styles of its four original members. Featuring veteran musicians Andy Potocic on guitar, Andy Pagel on drums, vocalist Dave Stevens and Branigan, the result is a no-frills sonic attack that brings back the very best of the 60s and 70s.

BRAND X come storming back into town with a new production featuring some seven songs not played on their previous runs of shows. Unrivaled in their creativity, originality and approach; BRAND X helped create an entire musical genre that has influenced bands like Dream Theater and Phish to name a few. Expect to hear the best songs from albums: "Unorthodox Behaviour", "Moroccan Roll", "Livestock", "Masques", "Product", "Do They Hurt?" and more.

An evening with Brand X will have a 20 minute Intermission break in the middle of the show. Total running time is roughly 2:20. Fasten your seat beats -- it's going to be a wild ride!

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DISTRICT 97 is undoubtedly the most musically-adventurous rock band in the world to feature an American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist. Since 2008, this quintet from Chicago has melded an adventurous, uncompromising instrumental prowess with the look, sound, and stage presence of vocalist Leslie Hunt. Through world tours and a stream of studio and live releases, the band has garnered a worldwide fanbase; collaborating with iconic singer/bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia, UK) and drawing praise from Bill Bruford (drummer of Yes/King Crimson/Genesis), Mike Portnoy (drummer of Dream Theater/Transatlantic) and other rock luminaries along the way. District 97 rehearses doggedly to refine their compositions, ensemble-playing, and stage presentation; their standards for excellence have only grown more rigorous with the passage of time. Their new album Screens and its accompanying live show are their most ambitious efforts to date.

Yak Attack is a live electronica power trio from Portland, Oregon. Founded in 2013, the band has experienced steady growth over the past few years and has been building buzz on the strength of its live shows and the instant connection its music makes with new listeners. The group's music is best described as "organic electronica", using skillful playing, live loops, and tightly constructed songs combined with raw improvisation to build high-energy and uplifting music from scratch, where every note is played and recorded live. The band draws on influences from a wide spectrum of electronica, such as house, drum and bass, and breakbeat, along with elements of jam, funk, and jazz. The result is a live show that is musically sophisticated but widely accessible, with a diverse and engaged fanbase that travels to out of town shows and festivals to witness the band's continually evolving sound.

Yak Attack has been selling out local and regional shows and has developed a reputation as "the region's go to late night act" in the summer festival and afterparty circuit. Fresh off a round of touring supporting jamtronica heavyweights STS9 and Sunsquabi, the band has also shared the stage with established or up-and-coming acts such as Fruition, Turkuaz, TAUK, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and The Magic Beans. After releasing "Safety Third" on Ropeadope records in 2018, the band is currently recording their fourth full-length album, and about to embark on a packed festival schedule including national events such as Camp Bisco and Jazzfest. Watch for Yak Attack to bring its unique dance party to a venue near you.