I first ran across Madison Cunningham at the Bootleg Theater (did not re-open after the shutdown if anyone is wondering where that venue is in Los Angeles). It was a venue that I first came across many a band or singer-songwriter. It was 2018 and this is what I wrote after the set:
"Opening up the night was Madison Cunningham. It kind of felt like a showcase for her. As soon as I walked into the Bootleg, the place was packed. It was around 8:45 p.m. so not like I was showing up late. Her set had a wonderful tone to it and one couldn't help but notice her amusing facial expressions that she gave her band mates."
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| Madison Cunningham at The Fable |
Who knows. Maybe it was a showcase. Or maybe it was just that everyone but me knew she was the next big thing. Since that time she's been nominated for five Grammy Awards and won once. (I'll be honest, I'm not sure how one distinguishes between Americana and Folk. I guess Americana borders folk and country?)
Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised when I came across the fact that she was playing Ryan Pollie's Tuesday night at The Fable. I adjusted my weekly music schedule. I dropped one night and added this one to the calendar. (My attempted pledge for 2025 is to reduce how often I go out to catch live music. So yes, a night out on Wednesday was scratched. Instead I stayed home and worked on this blog.)
Similar to that night in 2018, I showed up to the venue, walked in, and it was packed inside. Yes, I once again made the mistake of thinking I could just walk in and find my preferred spot in the venue without any issues. (Note: I did eventually find my way to my preferred spot to take photos. It just took a little bit longer than anticipated.) She was the last artist of the night and I showed up during the middle of the first artist (which was unintended, I just gauged the start time wrong) and it was already packed so I didn't make the exact same mistake as I did in 2018 when she was up first.
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| Madison Cunningham at The Fable |
I do realize that her set was mostly new material that she was testing out and so I am intrigued that she played a show at The Fable. She could easily have selected Zebulon to test out new material -- a venue where she popped up a couple years back when she was a featured guest performer for Johanna Samuels' Bystander album release party that you can read about here on Buzzbands. That is, she could have played a larger venue, but instead selected The Fable that is at fire marshal maximum occupancy at 70 - I'm guessing. I'm just going to assume she selected The Fable to play her new material, because she is friends with Ryan Pollie and I like that as loyalty is awesome.
The set opened up with "All I've Ever Known." She opened it up with some slick and nifty folk guitar playing that had those strings stretching and lyrical poetry.
She wrote about the song on Reddit:
"This tune was written about feeling alone when your world view changes. And not knowing how to explain it to your dear ones, or to yourself even. I like the idea of being party to both things. The wanting the mystery, but wanting the answers too."
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| Madison Cunningham at The Fable |
Just church bells drawing out the dogs
I'm afraid that you were made by invention, and odds are
I may never know
Is that change in world view code for questioning the existence of God without being able to come up with a satisfying answer either way -- believer or atheist?
The crowd sang along to parts of the lyrics "Will you take me as I am?" which got a smile from Cunningham.
The set ended with the singing of Happy Birthday to Dylan Rodrigue before concluding with one final new song (I believe I heard her call it "Wake") that was interrupted briefly by the bartender shaking up a drink. Laughter was heard throughout, including by Cunningham.
Comment of the set: Are guys awake and shit? The Fable, you guys are party animals.
Comment of the set 2 as she took off her jack to the screams of the crowd: My zipper was giving a polyrhythm.
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