Lake Street Dive brought their new album Good Together to life in full force at Breese Stevens Field in Madison, WI, on a Tuesday night that felt anything but ordinary. The weeknight didn’t deter anyone from showing up, eager to experience the band’s latest offerings live. They kicked things off with the album's title track, a natural opener that immediately pulled the crowd into the groove. Throughout the night, they treated the audience to every song from the fresh release, sprinkling in some gems from their earlier albums that thrilled the crowd (and me!) alike. One of the standout moments came a few songs in, when they delivered "Better Than," one of my personal favorites, with a special assist from the incredible Katie Pruitt, whose vocals perfectly complemented the band's soulful sound.
About halfway through the set, Lake Street Dive shifted gears and huddled together for a more intimate, acoustic session. The result was pure magic, kicking off with the monumental “Bad Self Portraits,” which had the crowd hanging on every note. They kept the surprises coming with a lively rendition of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back," followed by a soulful Shania Twain cover, delivered with grace by Akie Bermiss. Then, the spotlight turned to Rachael Price, who cleared the stage for a deeply personal solo performance of her song "Twenty-Five." Her heartfelt introduction about the song’s significance brought an emotional weight to the moment, creating a beautiful and moving experience for everyone in attendance.
As the set drew to a close, Rachael Price invited the entire crowd to rise to their feet and follow the command of "Dance With a Stranger." No one hesitated, and the field erupted with energy as people moved to the music, some even forging new friendships in the process. They capped off the main set with another crowd favorite—and one of my personal highlights—"You Go Down Smooth." Hearing that song live was the perfect way to tie a bow on an already stellar night. There’s something magical about those timeless classics that made you fall in love with the band in the first place, and this performance only deepened that connection.
The band eagerly returned for an encore, treating the crowd to three extraordinary songs back-to-back. First up was a stunning duet between Rachael and Akie, their voices intertwining beautifully in a performance that was nothing short of masterful. They followed with "Set Sail," the final track from Good Together, which was a perfect choice to launch the encore. But the real show-stealer was their beloved cover of Hall & Oates' classic "Rich Girl"—and judging by the way the entire crowd sang along, I’d wager there wasn’t a single person who didn’t know every word. To wrap up the night, they delivered one last crowd-pleaser, "Good Kisser." As one of the first songs I ever heard by Lake Street Dive, it was a special moment to experience it live, a fitting end to an unforgettable show.
Downtown Madison was truly gifted the night Lake Street Dive took the stage. For me, covering this show was a dream come true. If you’ve never experienced Rachael Price’s voice live, it’s something you absolutely must hear in person—it’s pure magic. Their latest album, Good Together, sounded even more fantastic live than on record, and it's well worth experiencing. So, the next time you hear they’re coming to your city, don’t hesitate—grab those tickets. Trust me, you won’t regret it for a second.
