- Joey’s Song Freezing Man Festival
- 1/9/26 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
- ©Justin Nuoffer / NuofferMedia.com
On January 9, The Sylvee became ground zero for something bigger than a concert. Curated by Garbage’s Butch Vig and hosted by MTV legend Matt Pinfield, Joey’s Song Freezing Man Festival brought together members of Silversun Pickups, Goo Goo Dolls, The Go-Go’s, The Bangles, Tears for Fears, Eve 6, Fountains of Wayne, and many more – raising an incredible $345,000 for epilepsy research.
Acoustic moments. Legendary hits. Raw emotion. One unforgettable night for a cause that matters.
On an unseasonably warm January night in Madison, The Sylvee hosted one of the Midwest’s most powerful benefit concerts: Joey’s Song Freezing Man Festival. Fans lined up early, buzzing before doors even opened. This wasn’t just another stacked lineup – it was music with a mission.
Joey’s Song raises money for epilepsy research, founded by Mike Gomoll after losing his son Joey to complications from epilepsy. The event has grown exponentially, thanks in large part to Madison’s own Butch Vig – producer, co-founder of Smart Studios, and drummer of Garbage – who curates the musical lineup. Every artist donates their time, meaning 100% of ticket and auction proceeds go directly to the foundation. Signed guitars, sports memorabilia, photos – all auctioned off on-site and online.
This year split the weekend in two: Friday stripped down and acoustic, Saturday plugged in and loud. Friday’s host was MTV’s 120 Minutes legend Matt Pinfield.
The night opened with Sam Gomoll, Joey’s brother, immediately grounding the room in heart and purpose. Artists like Diva Smith, Corey Chisel, Freedy Johnston, and Tracy Bonham – best known for her 1996 hit “Mother, Mother” – kept the vibe warm and intimate.
The middle stretch blended music and conversation, anchored by Jon Auer (The Posies), Terra Lightfoot, and Judy Stephens (Suburban Lawns). Pinfield then hosted a drummer panel featuring Stacey Jones (Letters to Cleo), Christopher Gunalao, Patty Anne Miller, and Jordy Radnoti. The discussion covered everything from musicianship to why they show up for this cause. Billy Harris jumped in to auction off backstage passes and memorabilia, mixing sharp humor with serious fundraising.
Then came an emotional high point.
Miguel Cervantes – the longest-running actor to play Hamilton in Hamilton – took the stage. With the production currently running just across from the capitol, the connection felt fitting. He performed “My Shot,” “Dear Theodosia,” and “Wait For It” acoustically before delivering his original song “Till The Calm Comes,” written for his daughter who passed away from epilepsy. The room went still. It was devastating and beautiful all at once.
The hits kept coming.
Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne performed “Radiation Vibe.” Max Collins of Eve 6 joked about “the heart in a blender song” before launching into “Inside Out,” backed by Kay Hanley of Letters to Cleo – a longtime Freezing Man staple who also shared her daughter’s epilepsy journey. Hanley later performed “Here and Now” with Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s adding harmonies.
Vicki Peterson of The Bangles returned once again, performing “He’s Got A Secret” and “Return Post,” the latter not played live in years. Jane Wiedlin then stood alone under purple lights for a stripped-down “This Town.”
Pinfield continued with interviews featuring Hugo Burnham of Gang of Four, Gina Schock of The Go-Go’s, Matt Sorum of The Cult, Guns N’ Roses, and Velvet Revolver, and finally Butch Vig of Garbage, who reflected on Smart Studios and helping build the festival. Founder Mike Gomoll thanked the crowd and reminded everyone that the artists aren’t paid — they’re here because they care.
Then the modern alt-rock heavyweights stepped in.
Nikki Monninger and Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups tore into an acoustic “Panic Switch,” proving distortion isn’t required to shake a room. John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls followed with a stripped-down “Name” that had the entire venue singing. Later, Diva Smith joined her father Curt Smith of Tears for Fears for a stunning acoustic duet of “Mad World.”
Rzeznik returned for “Better Days,” backed by a rotating cast of the night’s players, leading into the finale. Sierra Swan led the full ensemble through The Beatles’ “Something,” before everyone packed the stage for a massive, cathartic “Hey Jude.” Arms up. Voices loud. No one ready to leave.
Check out the Joey’s Song – Freezing Man Festival 2026 concert photo gallery below:
Nearly three million adults and children live with epilepsy. Events like Joey’s Song fund critical research and treatment advancements.
This year’s total? $345,000 raised.
For more information, visit joeyssong.com.
To donate, visit: https://givebutter.com/joeyssong
A room full of legends. A cause that matters. And a future worth fighting for.
