MONROE — Summer nights are returning with old favorites, new tunes, new locations, and tasty brews as part of Main Street Monroe’s longtime running Concert on the Square series.
Recently announced was the lineup for 2024, with additional shows as planned during the city’s Fourth of July celebrations and Cheese Days’ Community night. All downtown shows will be on the east side of the square from 6:30-9 p.m.
Frank Martin Busch & The Names, Saturday, June 8
One night after Cars on the Square takes over downtown, Frank Martin Busch & The Names will kick off the concert season. The music is Americana, which is a polite way of saying it is country music without bedazzled jeans. Drawing its roots from Red Dirt Country rather than Nashville, it features solid rhythms, jangly guitars, honky tonk piano, harmonicas and even some steel guitars.
Frank Martin Busch has won Isthmus Madison’s Fave Singer/Songwriter for 2018 and 2019.
Generation Jones, Friday, June 28
Local band Generation Jones, which includes Mauro Magellan of the Georgia Satellites, takes the stage bringing together an amazing group with storied music careers. They’re a demographic that sits defiantly between baby boomers and Generation X. Generation Jones doesn’t just play the music, they bring the mastery, skill and experience of being on some of the world’s biggest stages. They were rained out in 2023.
Foo Foo Dolls, Wednesday, July 4
New this year is a 4th of July show in partnership with Monroe’s Park & Rec Department. Taking place at Twinning Park in the Bandshell from 2-4 p.m., Madison’s very own Foo Foo Dolls will be bringing all the hits with a strong 90’s alternative sound.
The Jimmys, Friday, July 12
The Jimmys are an award-winning, high energy, 7-piece funky blues band that combines the seasoned keyboard and Hammond B-3 organ talents of Jimmy Voegeli, legendary blues guitarist Perry Weber on six-strings and vocals, drummer Chris Sandoval — veteran of the Tommy Castro band, the expertise of southern Wisconsin’s finest bass guitarist John Wartenweiler, and a horn section featuring Pete Ross on tenor sax, Chad Whittinghill on trumpet, and Joe Goltz on trombone.
The Mascot Theory, Friday, July 26
The award winning, Wisconsin weekend warrior style band will bring the hits; Casually weaving in & out of rock & roll lanes; Eagles harmonies, Rolling Stones guitar swagger, ZZ Top Texas stomp, Pink Floyd mood, Petty melodies
Boy Band Night, Saturday, Aug. 17
Back by popular demand, the show is an all live, boy band tribute from Chicago artists. All the hits, all the moves from Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, New Kids on the Block, One Direction, Jonas Brothers and more.
Rhythm Kings, Thursday, September 19
Concerts on the Square’s season will end with a Community Night in partnership with Green County Cheese Days. Rhythm Kings, Milwaukee’s premier dance band, will keep the crowd dancing all night long. The sound will help kickoff Cheese Days weekend.
All shows in the Main Street Monroe series are proudly underwritten by Colony Brands. Intermission entertainment and special features which includes the UW Marching Band and Bucky on June 28, Mariachi del sol Madison on July 12, a fire show on July 26, and Jason the Bubble Guy and children’s entertainment on Aug. 17. Intermission and special features are thanks to the generosity of John and Katie Baumann.
Main Street Monroe, Inc., is a nationally accredited, volunteer-driven, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as an advocate for the downtown neighborhood.
Buying beer at either of the two stations set up during the downtown shows supports the summer theme, downtown benches and flowerpots owned by Main Street, seasonal decorations, pop up shops, entrepreneurs, and so much more in downtown Monroe.
Those that enjoy downtown events should consider making a donation or getting involved as a volunteer. They can also help out by picking up their own area and disposing of trash in one of the many downtown garbage cans or recycling containers.
Learn more at www.mainstreetmonroe.org, or contact the Main Street Monroe office at 608-328-4023.
