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Over 100 years of Madison music activism history
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Immigration's Impact on Madison Music
Mass immigration from Germany and other Norwegian territories made home in Wisconsin and sparked an active cultural and intellectual life based on their newly made community. They became an important voice in state politics, the Progressive movement and other Wisconsin cultures. In the 19th century, German music and Norwegian patriotic sound were strongly embraced as today, "Madison is home to both an active Norwegian mens' chorus, the Grieg Club, and the German-American Madison Maennerchor." -
“On, Wisconsin!”
This popular song made its game-day debut at Camp Randall on November 13, 1909, in a game against the University of Minnesota. It doubles as the school fight song AND Wisconsin's official state song! Known as one of the best fight songs in history, this fight song is able to bring the entire state together, which is considered its own form of activism. Link text -
The Black Student Strike
Black students at UW-Madison called for a student strike all across campus fighting for 13 demands. It was "joined by thousands of white allies, they held rallies to educate the community about racial inequities, boycotted classes, marched to the state Capitol, took over lecture halls and blocked building entrances." They sang Brother Jack McDuff's version of "A Change is Gonna Come" throughout. This is the largest protest in UW-Madison history. https://news.wisc.edu/black-student-strike/ -
Anti-War Years
Throughout the 1970s Madison, Wisconsin was filled with activism. From anti-Vietnam War protests to Nixon's re-election, both UW students and Madison community members were constantly roaming the streets rallying, singing and chanting for not only social issues brought on by the war, but also came together to fight for other current events at the time. https://www.library.wisc.edu/archives/exhibits/campus-history-projects/protests-social-action-at-uw-madison-during-the-20th-century/1970-1979/ -
The Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights
The 1990s in Madison focused on LGBTQ+ rights. On the UW campus in particular, protests, rallies and other forms of activism occurred often. Throughout the decade, students demanded more inclusion of LGBTQ+ curriculum as well as faculty. Much came from this movement including the Human Rights League that pushed for political interest of LGBTQ+ rights. https://www.library.wisc.edu/archives/exhibits/campus-history-projects/protests-social-action-at-uw-madison-during-the-20th-century/1990-1999/ -
The Wisconsin Uprising
In 2011, hundreds of union workers and allies protested around the Capitol to fight for what is now known as "The Wisconsin Uprising." Many brought instruments during these labor protests to sing and motivate other members. They sang popular labor protest songs that eventually sparked the Solidarity Sing Along which went on for many weeks after these protests. https://folkways.si.edu/magazine-summer-fall-2014-wisconsins-solidarity-sing-along-making-old-labor-songs-new/article/smithsonian -
"Putting politics back into punk"
Sixteen alternative punk bands came together in protest of a decision made by Gov. Scott Walker. Their goal with this sound was to combine "that resistance message with high-energy punk chords." The genre of punk used to be a strong sound for political messages yet that has recently gone away. The goal of these bands was to hopefully return back to the "socially conscious category" they once belonged in. https://isthmus.com/arts/music/wisconsin-musicians-against-scott-walker/ -
#Metoo Madison
Although the #Metoo movement began in 2006, Madison community members continued to follow and support the movement throughout the next decade. In 2016 and the year following, as marches strolled through the town, Madison venues began to get involved as well. Madison's Majestic Theatre hosted a speak-out event supported by music, private counseling and a self-defense demonstration for those to come and share their stories. https://majesticmadison.com/metoo/ -
Black Lives Matter and George Floyd
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic came a rise in activism brought about by the death of George Floyd. The movement swept the nation and music was a major contributor. In Madison specifically, State Street was filled with art, and sound was consistently heard throughout the town. Many musicians aimed their music toward this movement and their songs also blasted during these rallies. https://gargoyle.law.wisc.edu/2020/09/17/no-justice-no-peace/ -
Ukraine Support Rally
After Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 4, 2022, much support for Ukraine was brought on by the United States. On Feb. 26, more than 200 people came together on the steps of Madison's capitol to rally in support of Ukraine. Along with signs and flags, they showed support by joining with one another to sing the Ukrainian national anthem. https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2022/02/26/wisconsin-capitol-ukraine-rally#