The Matriarch // Anni XO // Bear In The Forest

Name: The Matriarch // Anni XO // Bear In The Forest
Start: 2026-04-30T20:00:00-05:00
Location: Gamma Ray Bar

Schedule

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026 at 08:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Gamma Ray Bar | Madison, WI

Doors 7pm
Show 8pm
21+
$10adv // $15dos
plus $3 ticket fee
The Matriarch is a queer, indie rock/folk pop duo based in Chicago, IL, made up of Mal Babcock and Mal Benoit- two best friends who share a name, a home, and a creative codependency that works too well.
What started as a pandemic-era accident (shoutout to an unexpected knee injury) turned into a full-blown band fueled by cosmic timing and emotional honesty. Their determination to grow together musically and to create a safe, inclusive space for the LGBTQIA+ community made them darlings of the local music scene. Four years later, the band has played over 100 shows across the Midwest, opening for contemporaries including Kid Sistr, Okey Dokey, Busman’s Holiday and Glad Rags. Their songs are a celebration of shared human experience and a testament to the transformative nature of art. Whether they’re writing about personal regret and climate dread (‘The End’), or the constraints of capitalism and a longing for change (‘K!’), themes of community, love, and growth remain at the heart of everything they do.
anni xo (they/them) is a young queer musician hailing from Minnesota who found solace in music as a means to explore their identity and embrace the complexities of life. anni hopes to create a sense of community and connection. anni xo's music is a powerful tool for healing and empowerment, offering hope and validation to young queer people navigating a world that can often feel unwelcoming.
The songs of Bear in the Forest, led by singer-songwriter, Alberto Kanost.