Madison’s music scene has become a community

Music can be made anywhere, in any city, in any state, but why Madison? Considering there are hundreds if not thousands of bands that call Madison home, what makes the capital of Wisconsin also the capital of aspiring musicians?
Ten local bands packed tightly into The Neighborhood House community center on Oct. 18, passionately performing their music to all attendees that came to the show. Madison’s tight knit music community was on display that night, as all bands and attendees bonded over the same appreciation of local music.
Santiago Fitzgibbon, lead singer of local band Clear The Gap, shared his appreciation for the Madison scene, saying, ”Madison offers a sense of community, I always feel welcome here.”
But performers aren’t the only people that feel this sense of community.
Many of the people who came to the show didn’t perform in a band that night but rather supported the bands.
Attendee Jimmy Fitzgibbon, brother of Santiago Fitzgibbon, shared his admiration for Madison’s music scene from a viewer’s perspective.
”Every city has a music scene, but Madison is very tight knit. These people will always have my back and vice versa,” he said.
Despite being a music scene, it involves more than just music. It’s the community that’s built, the bonds that are created and the connections made, that makes Madison so reliable for aspiring musicians.
The musical support provided by the city is remarkable. Without places to play, local bands would struggle to show off their work. Jullian, Bassist of Local Band-Clear The Gap said, “The venues make the scene, and it seems like we always have a place to perform.” Thanks to the city’s support, the search for a stage is never a long journey. Bars, community centers and public parks are always welcome to any and all types of local music.”
So the answer as to why small artists call Madison home is simply, why not? Madison highlights and supports passion, regardless of musical talent. This city will never lack structure and will never lack community, therefore, it will never lack music.