- Royale Lynn w/ Mvssie
- 07/26/2026 High Noon Saloon - Madison, WI
- ©Justin Nuoffer
On a hot and steamy Sunday evening in the capital city of Madison, Wisconsin, the streets were full of activity. Protests filled the area. Restaurants were busy. The lakefront was packed with people enjoying the last moments of the weekend, but just off East Washington Avenue, the High Noon Saloon had a small line of people building outside. The courtyard next to the main doors was a flurry of activity.
Entering the venue, guests pass through a small security check before walking right into the main room. You are greeted by staff sitting next to two wooden barrels, where tickets are checked. To the left, the tour merchandise hangs on the wall while vinyl records and trinkets are displayed on a countertop. Walking farther into the room, bars line each side. Straight ahead is a worn hardwood stage about three feet off the ground. The lighting is minimal, and the decor consists of vintage western items, including horseshoes, beat-up acoustic guitars, saddles, and more. Slowly, the room filled to near capacity as the lights dimmed and the opener, Mvssie, took to the stage.
Mvssie is an alt-rock maven known for strong emotional songwriting. Coming from Nashville, she is another in a long line of strong female leads in the genre hailing from the city. Opening with “Enemy” and “Reaper,” her sound hit like a ton of bricks. Its weight and room-shaking bass provided a strong introduction to her music. Mvssie took off down the side stairs to walk through the crowd, at one point singing and dancing alongside fans. Between songs, her quick quips garnered laughter as she joked that therapy is expensive and so is gas, so everyone should meet her at the merch booth afterward.
More impressively, “Downfall” and “Went to Heaven” marked the middle of the set, where her vocal control and projection overtook the backing music. The songs are pure modern rock, but sneaking in a ballad about dating struck a softer tone.
Check out the Mvssie concert photo gallery here:
It was full-on dramatic as Mvssie sat on the front lip of the stage serenading the entire front section. However, that was it for the slower material as Mvssie and her drummer launched into “Saviour Complex” and “Unholy” from the new EP. Closing with “Wonderland,” there is no doubt the impressive performance turned heads and is only the tip of the iceberg.
The time came for the reason local radio station WJJO and all the fans came out, Royale Lynn. The Canadian native turned Nashville artist has had a colorful history, making the switch from country to hard rock. It is impressive considering the opposite tends to be the more common transition, but if anyone has the vocal strength to pull it off, it is the night’s headliner.
The stage sat empty, with drummer Doug McKenna’s kit positioned in the right corner. In the back left sat Scott Buchanan’s travel case for his multiple guitars. Along the front of the stage were his pedals and microphone. Front and center stood a small step riser and microphone stand. As the band took the stage, Christina Aguilera’s “Genie in a Bottle” played through the room. When Royale Lynn walked to center stage, she carried a barbed wire-wrapped baseball bat similar to Lucille from The Walking Dead. Launching into “WTCH” and “Death Wish,” she sang and bounced around while twirling the bat. That vocal power was on full display early, and it never really let up. The control she maintained over her pitch was pristine.
Following it up with “Dragon,” she shared vocal duties with Buchanan. The duo hit hard and complemented each other well. The energy remained constant as it continued through “Black Magic,” where Royale Lynn grabbed a guitar herself and turned the show into a full-blown metal party. That heaviness shook the High Noon Saloon.
Taking a few moments to talk about growing up in a small Canadian town, Royale Lynn shared how a single song by Flyleaf gave her the drive to sing and write. “All Around Me” is no stranger to Midwestern radio playlists. In fact, it is a staple on many stations. The singalong became a welcomed connection as the crowd went word for word with the frontwoman.
Moving deeper into the set, the guitars got heavier and tuned lower as Royale Lynn and her band erupted into a massive explosion of sound. If this was your first time seeing her live, there was no chance you expected this level of depth and diversity. Pumping out “When We Die,” “Pandora’s Box,” “E.V.I.L.,” and “Altar,” that fierce spirit, undeniable voice, and commanding stage presence felt as organic and fresh as could be. Moving into “Inside Out,” that feeling only grew stronger. The song should be a radio hit. Its unique vocal cadences and structure are infectious.
Check out the Royale Lynn concert photo gallery here:
Royale Lynn’s past as a country artist wasn’t hidden. In fact, it was embraced. Proudly speaking about her roots and how fans repeatedly request “Redneck Rockstar,” she included the anthem to plenty of fanfare. With its country twang and rock-and-roll flair, the song was a hit. The audience sang every word back as Royale Lynn danced along the front edge of the stage. The crowd ate it up and continued to scream as the band moved into the final two songs, and perhaps her biggest singles to date, “Six Feet Deep” and “Greed.”
After these two artists delivered incredible sets, it is safe to say rock is in good hands, as bigger rooms are surely in their future. Madison once again showed off the city’s vibrant music culture and its ability to simply enjoy live music. Royale Lynn and Mvssie are stars, and soon enough they’ll shine brightly enough for the rest of the rock world to catch on.
Catch Royale Lynn on the Road…
