Madison Cunningham - Full performance, 2/14/2020, (Palace Theatre for The Current)

[@karliegilbert3917]

Underrated. She plays guitar like a god, she sings like a goddess and is just the whole package. What she is doing is not easy. You can tell she works her ass off.

[@javierpecora7395]

underrated? by who?

[@willywillywillywillywilly]

Javier Pécora By the lack of people who know her.

[@ColinMakesAllTheThings]

Came down here to say something similar. She's SO talented!

[@8517vini]

Not to mention the quality of the songwriting! cause, you can know how to use the tools, but then not know what to make with them. She clearly has a vision.

[@1cleandude]

I disagree she got a little ass back there!!

[@hammill444]

The future of music. Good music that is. A generational talent.

[@kevinmichaelcallihansr5053]

Closing my eyes, I'm hearing the range in voice of Joni Mitchell, the abilities on her guitar with Bonnie Raitt, and the professionals beside her making Madison Cunningham somone I want to see on every occasion possible. Thank you kindly.

[@mattmichael6792]

I was there, down in front! Drove to MSP after seeing her in DSM the night before. A greatest artist of our time, perhaps of all times. Unbelievable precision, ease, relevance, intelligence, and creativity. Seeing her perform from 10 feet away is one of the greatest musical experiences of my 58 years.

[@Nicky-T]

I can hear how much more confident she is just in the past 4 or 5 months. Her vocals are so entirely unaffected and even improvisatory at times. Her guitar work is outstanding, creative, and no, not easy to do especially while singing, not to mention even thinking up those guitar parts! Outstanding. I hope she comes back to Connecticut soon (hopefully when it's warmer).

[@Martie-il2pd]

Post Corona 😔

[@szlight]

NickyT You’re exactly right. She got so much performance mileage in last year and it clearly shows. Everything you could always tell she was capable of seems under her total command at this point.

[@reinaldogoncalves8937]

Agree! She's incredible!

[@daniellelangman4898]

Totally! She did tour extensively with Andrew Bird, who is big on the improv vocals. I'm sure he gave her some pointers! She's amazing.

[@matttorres8921]

Seems like she's been rubbing elbows with the right people who bring the best out of her. Not saying she didn't have it to begin with and that she couldn't do it on her own, but I think it helps being around those type of folks.

[@scottbookman]

Madison is incredible..writer,singer and her guitar playing is jaw dropping

[@greglamb4079]

She is amazing.

[@danielsgrunge]

Shes so incredibly great Legit one of the most impressive guitar players Ive seen these last few years

[@Squarepheus]

Can't believe these weren't in the description. 0:10 Beauty Into Clichés 4:46 Dry As Sand 9:20 Trouble Found Me 13:23 Pin It Down 18:34 Higher Ground 24:29 I Close My Eyes 29:40 L.A. 35:00 Something To Believe In 40:32 All At Once

[@Martie-il2pd]

Thank you!

[@briano.5746]

Thank you muchy!

[@stichyface]

Danke

[@tonyroma7599]

thank you

[@MCass31]

I'm going to say it: She is this generation's musical genius. Her music oozes out her influences- its like being you can hear flashes of Radiohead, Coldplay, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, and so much more. Incredible.

[@jeffroberts_tunes]

d'accord

[@braunhausmedia]

Don't forget Joni Mitchell.

[@yipper1100]

Braun Haus beat me to it -Joni Mitchell!

[@WesCraft]

Huge Jeff Buckley influence too.

[@Razekane97]

I hear touches of Jackson Browne

[@takarnabam]

Goose bumps! Good to hear such beautiful music even in 2020. Reminded me of Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, Julian Lage (that sweet, warm, woody, guitar tone!) Sending love from India.

[@8517vini]

man, it takes real focus to make a trio sound that full and complete. Beautiful rhythm section, in the pocket. Giving her the freedom to bounce around. Great ensemble.

[@ParaBellum2024]

I play in guitar/bass/drum trios and feel that it's too exposed unless there's a wall of sound, and then I hear this! She's just excellent. Redd Volkaert also plays in trios where the empty spaces outweigh the sound, to great effect. It takes confidence and self-belief to do that, and Madison has that in spades.

[@erikmeyer2323]

Due respect to the artist and her side men, but ... not a trio. I count four ... Guitar, Bass, Drums and Keyboards ... SO ... quartet. That said, the ensemble sound is still sparse ... and that is really hard to do. No place to hide. It allows each musician to be heard within their own context, not mushed down in the mix somewhere in the 28th overdubbed track. It is also what Leo Fender must have had in mind when he designed the Jazzmaster. That guitar is THE sound for this spare sounding music. It has the full resonant woody sound of an acoustic ArchTop without the feedback yet it still growls and distorts when asked. And she's great. She reminds me all at once of Joni Mitchell, Beth Gibbons and Shawn Colvin ... Joni for her sing-and-play skills, Beth for her quirky lyrics and Shawn for the melodic sweetness of her voice. Yet her uniqueness shines through all of these paltry comparisons. Few musicians actually sound like themselves. Most sound like the people they copied while hoping to catch a little co-opted greatness. In this, Madison is more like Pheobe Lou. Right down from the origin into the world.

[@VaBroe]

Love it! That voice, that playing, the outstanding ability to create such an intimacy in a live context... this woman is absolutely outstanding!!

[@bluesyace9564]

its Madison's world, and we're all just living in it

[@briano.5746]

I'm totally cool with that!

[@days728]

A year ago? Where have I been... and why have the algorithms failed to find Madison and send her music to me until now... Forever mesmerized to her sound and talent.

[@jazzjeffjazzjeff]

Ok, I know I’m late to the party, but wow, this music is so fresh and beautiful! I christen her “hope for modern music!”

[@CoreyBreedlove]

I could watch this on repeat forever. Bravo!

[@ronaldvonk]

That new song 'Higher Ground' is marvellous, outstanding, fabulous :-o.

[@kagisomphuthi4734]

Hey Madison From South Africa. Higher Ground was an inspirational work of Art. Absolutely amazing

[@arguspaul]

I wish I could "like" this more than once. She expresses her soul with her music. Came here after listening to her play with Andrew Bird & so glad I did!

[@starcarpenter2111]

It's nice to see a jazz infused pop group. These musicians chills in a world of notes many dare not enter and honestly, couldn't concieve of. There is such a cool, otherworldly vibe here. Heavenly! "I think weve been here once before, I can feel it, I can feel it now, I can feel it, I think weve been here once before."

[@longpauses]

Here’s to hoping she releases “Higher Ground” as soon as possible. I’ve listened to this performance of it a dozen times since Friday.

[@ingsoc9066]

I can hear a banjos, tijuana brass, some morricone vocals stabs and double tempo as it builds into a Doors-sque 'break on through finale'...it's a big riff. Radiohead meets Echo and the Bunnymen meets The Mavericks/Calexico

[@longpauses]

Two years later I'm still watching this performance of "Higher Ground," which, sadly, isn't on the track list of her new album.

[@hawksite]

4 years later…

[@rachelbearinger1719]

Queen of the Palace!

[@jacicrimmccrary]

We were so very impressed with her when we discovered her on the Cayamo Singer/Songwriter Cruise last February. She's only 21 or 22, and she reminds me of Joni Mitchell in her jazz stage. All her songs are original! We'll see her again on October 11th at Tulips in Fort Worth, TX. Don't miss seeing her LIVE, if you get the chance!

[@itaintmebabe714]

I used to see her at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa CA. Her voice was amazing then as well.

[@bobmoshe]

It's a sign that Madison has become a confident, mature musician when she plays so much with (i.e., artistically varies) the verbatim recitation of the singing and playing on her records. It's all over this concert, but a great example is in "LA (Looking Alive)." Gotta love her artistry!

[@syalutsa]

On beyond Joni and moving on. . .mantras to conscience, words with deep resonance. But moving always moving on, to higher ground, a new perspective on where we are and where we are going. Very very impressive and even more, moving, always moving on.

[@911elijah]

I have been praying for fresh new music. I love this!

[@911elijah]

Amazing

[@jelanisurpriscomposer]

One of the best artists of our time! Super original and has an amazing first set of albums and EP's out! Go Madi✌🏾

[@GoJolli]

You are amazing. Thank YOU.❤❤🎉🎁💐

[@Sad_Bastard_Noodles]

She's wonderful.

[@SoundCastle00]

It's gotta be an incredible feeling to carve out your own unique musical path and have people align with it. I clicked on this and stayed with it until the performance was finished just like an old record that you spend quality time with. Thanks😊

[@thomaskosinar4923]

Now that's really amazing, such great playing and singing, what a great show!

[@hughoneall]

Another one of Madison's videos that I keep coming back to. That song "Higher Ground" is just incredible. Such a complex melody and chord structure. Vocals and guitar work are phenomenal. A lot a people compare her to Joni Mitchell, which is cool, but she reminds me more of a young Bonnie Raitt. Just a whole other level of talent from what you usually see these days.

[@koho]

Phenomenal, instant fan. Great songwriting, solid lyrics, and incredibly great guitar arrangements - groove, sophistication, and hooks for days - I am impossibly envious. Googling I see Radiohead, Beatles, Fiona Apple, Joni Mitchell all influences, and you can hear them all. Yet Madison is *new*. One thing - she could use a bigger tone and mix on her guitar to show it off and match her voice.

[@Winnenoise]

She is gold!

[@doug_I_do_not_consent]

Was there to see Lake Street Dive but left with Madison's songs in my head.

[@frankboyd.]

Performance was great. Beautiful lighting, sound, and camera work lifts this to a higher level.

[@HughKermode]

OK - what have I been doing for the last year...? This is brilliant...super tight band, Fenders sounding as cool as cool can be, lovely swing to the drums...sensitive songs, beautifully sung...er...the whole package and it works for me! Come to the UK when you can MC....

[@christopherleavitt2705]

Good music never dies- we listen to the words and take a journey

[@timbir]

So happy I came across this! I heard her covers of "In My Life" and "No Surprises" in the past, but never her original music. Truly a breath of fresh air!

[@AdamPalatine]

This was a great show. Madison, you were the best part; everyone with me at the concert agreed!

[@DSARRAZIT]

Une grande musicienne hors normes, envoutante

[@1cleandude]

How can one person look like that write like that play lake that and sing like that to boot!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻 She’s wonderful!

[@brucewilson2763]

I hope she gets increasing recognition for her artistry. Great singer, guitarist, writer......

[@pameladuracksrtc4285]

Music absolutely shimmers in your vocals and guitar work Madison

[@dickiedonnelly4223]

This lady is just fantastic in every way what a talent

[@sharonfieldstone]

Gorgeous.

[@g3ng4rb0i3]

Amazing performance

[@ildiko1vt]

the next Joni!!!! So happy to have stumbled upon her!!! Wonderful musicality!!!

[@mbp2059]

Yes! That's the first think I thought when I heard her.

[@mattmichael6792]

Joni, Jimi, and Janis plus the Beatles!!!

[@mikebrison1838]

I understand the comparison but I don’t think there will ever be another Joni. Just as I doubt there could be anyone to compare to Madison

[@dumena]

Very happy I found Madison Cunningham.

[@daddancingmywaythroughit]

You are a very talented artist - thanks for sharing your talent with us

[@russellneil2062]

Realizing that Madison must have listened to Jeff Buckley quite a bit. Tremendous talent.

[@sacflies]

Was thinking the same. Kind of a Buckley/Joni Mitchell vibe.

[@j-brain]

I hear jeff Buckley too and Andrew Bird

[@janbam1778]

In an interview Madison said that she's been _haunted_ by Jeff.

[@thenewtowncryer]

FIRE!

[@tuffitout2568]

Complex, intriguing and unique...Yes, I very much like 👍

[@pulsefg]

Pin It Down and L.A. are all-time classics. No doubt about that.

[@jada90]

she's so good omg

[@shaughtup7554]

Higher Ground is a goddamned masterpiece, why is it not on an album 2 years later?

[@pearupindre4740]

Great songwriting!!!!! Great singing, playing!!! amazing!

[@jellofarce]

Madison Cunningham is an incredibly gifted singer/songwriter/musician of the highest order. Far too progressive and cerebral for mass popularity...that's a high compliment, imho.

[@JeanMachadoBR]

thank you for sharing!!!

[@meganmcgrath8378]

Christ, The Needle. I can't find a recording of it anywhere and it's sooo good.

[@leftystrat62]

So fabulous

[@johnmurray3346]

That cover photo is so beautiful, she is Angelic ❤

[@brucereid6465]

What a great talent!

[@candidoj]

I love her voice.

[@philipharris2273]

You can only play and sing like this if you have rehearsed to death and developed your chops like breathing. Class act! Beautiful music!

[@MikeUIibarri]

Sounds great! Good material.

[@mryumish1287]

Saw her with Andrew Bird a while back -- everyone I was with agreed she stood out as a talent. Good to see her getting recognition.

[@strobliss]

"I have never met a man that is truly free".. That hit.

[@TheForhjulet]

Brilliant!

[@kathyhollenbach7413]

I love this! I'm impressed!

[@tsopuaifa]

Amazing artist.

[@slowestjabroni]

She's a dream

[@pierluigicozza5727]

Probably the best out now

[@seanmcmorris]

Great stuff! She's got it all.

[@JuneMilo]

She's the best

[@christianboddum8783]

Splendid!!

[@jipes]

Wonderful artist she reminds me much of Rufus Wainwright and Blake Mills, very nice performance

[@noonsound4894]

Awesome

[@angelchavez5296]

This music is perfect for working.

[@saltydog9914]

refreshing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@neilage66]

Google / KZbin really harshes the mellow with their incessant ads. My experience (and yours) is diminished due to craven corporatism. Monetization, my keester! Thanks Madison!

[@svengordonwilliams5152]

awesome... just bought all her records...

[@jde1022]

Im in love.

[@dclements54]

I am a fan! Awesome performance!

[@DanielBobke]

She is a modern day Joni Mitchell...she has that funky, quirky vibe that Joni has always had.

[@johnmurray3346]

He work on guitar is mind boggling.

[@bromporke]

Her playing is on another level

[@kwaailight]

Love the new one 'Higher Ground' 🙏

[@wystemd]

intimate show, loved it!

[@ryanmaloney5619]

Sounding Great Y'all!

[@ManfredElsingBielefeld]

well,well-.,very nice°

[@vanderlaysookie8328]

She is really gifted! The Needle is so Radio Head influenced

[@f.d.t.f.d.t.7310]

I am speechless.... Sooooooo much talent! The ghost of jeff hovers nearby but that's a good thing.... I am under the spell... possibly forever

[@guitarrazos]

this lady is beyond wonderful. she is like the Joni Mitchel of this times. talent at a genius level.

[@owengrubbs4050]

I'm under her spell.

[@SempreGumby]

Hey Beth Goodfellow isn't playing drums? I liked her in the Paste Studio recording.

[@jeffdaniels1260]

Right? Beth Goodfellow was awesome in that video. She is super cool, and an awesome musician. Madison obviously has great taste in quality bandmates....:)

[@allenhindsguitar]

like Jeff Buckley meets Blake mills ..throw in a pinch of Joni....but she is her own thing..so great to see and hear, great songs, great arrangements, great performance, great interplay with the band ...gives me hope for the future

[@davereichert]

2020 was supposed to be the year of Madison Cunningham, but unfortunately I guess we'll have to wait a bit longer.