MADISON, Wis. — One of Madison’s favorite music venues is reopening, after about a year and a half on hiatus. 

It’s weird to be inside the Sylvee while it’s dark and silent. Of course, the staff are used to this, especially after a year and a half. 

The venue first opened its doors in the fall of 2018, and it closed at the start of the pandemic. The Sylvee has been closed for almost the same amount of time it’s ever been open. 

That’s been rough for the team, including for FPC Live marketing director Lauren Toler. 

“I hate pandemics,” she said, with no irony in her voice. She sounded exhausted by working from home in her basement. “I hated that.” 

Co-president of FPC Live Matt Gerding felt it too. 

“That moment that happens at night, whenever live music happens, we haven’t had that,” he said. “We’ve been lacking purpose a little bit for the last year and a half.” 

It’s taken grit to stay afloat. 

“A lot of saving money, and cutting corners, and making some tough decisions here and there,” Gerding said. “It's been tough to kind of, keep staff morale high.” 

Things are changing over at the Sylvee though. Staff worked to change the decor hanging over the floor. It was mesmerizing to see the disco ball near the ground, as if it was bad luck to have it that far from the ceiling. But that’s an everyday thing for the people who work behind the scenes. 

The Sylvee’s doors open again Friday, July 16. They’re hosting the first show on the main stage in over a year. They’re calling the event “The Revival”. Tickets cost $10 in advance, and $15 at the door.

“Rod Tuffcurls, they've been a kind of a fan favorite of Madison,” Toler said. "It's just going to be a really fun way to get back into it.” 

After the grand reopening of sorts, the season is already filling up. There are at least 30 shows until the end of the year, and more may show up. 

“It went from zero to 100 very quickly,” Toler said. “We went from obviously having no shows on our calendar, to trying to book up as much as we can.” 

It’s not just about the performances themselves, though. It’s about Madison getting to experience them together. 

“I think that a lot of people are starting to learn how important live music and socialization is to their mental health, and to their ability to function and just be humans,” Toler said. 

As staff prepare for the big night, they seemed almost giddy to be at work. 

“There's a energy and an excitement that comes with that moment, whenever the stage lights go down and the band comes out on stage,” Gerding said. “When we see that moment happen, I think it’ll all be worth it.”