Madison Cunningham
More about this event
ARTIST PROFILE | Madison Cunningham
With its sharp storytelling and bursts of electric guitar, Who Are You Now is Madison Cunning- ham's coming-of-age record — a diverse album that's modern, melodic, and rooted in the 21 year-old's observations of her own fast-changing world.
"The past year was a largely transitional one for me. It felt like all at once I was living in a new city and a new era of my life, trying to find where I fit, what I believed, and who my people were. It doesn't matter how many great examples you have to look up to, when it’s your turn to face adulthood, you feel like you’re scrambling for the right tools. Writing this record really forced me to take an honest look at where I came from, what my dreams and fears were, and who I was becoming as a result.”
Cunningham began searching for answers during her childhood in Orange County, California. A guitarist since the age of 7, she began performing alongside her father — a worship pastor and lifelong musician — at a local church. By 15 years old, she was writing her own songs and exploring her own voice as a musician. Playing an integral role in that process was Tyler Chester, a multi-instrumentalist and studio guru who'd worked with artists like Jackson Browne, Blake Mills, and Andrew Bird. Later, after leaving home and moving to Los Angeles, Cunningham's list of champions grew to encompass the likes of Sara Watkins, Chris Thile, and the Milk Carton Kids' Joey Ryan.
"When I met 15-year-old Madi and she played one of her early songs for me, it struck me with- in the first 15 seconds that I was witnessing one of the most purely musical human beings I would ever meet," says Chester. "She was young and her skillset unrefined, but already at her core was that same unteachable magic that you hear amplified in her today."
By 2018, magazines like Rolling Stone were taking note of Cunningham's sound, calling it "a new spin on West Coast folk-rock, with classical tendencies, electric guitars, jazz-school chord changes and alt-rock strut all living beneath the same roof." She hit the road that same year as the Punch Brothers' opening act, using the opportunity to test her newest songs in front of a live audience. She stood out — not only for her unique melodies, elastic voice, and deft ap- proach to the electric guitar, but also for her honest storytelling.
Recorded at Sonic Ranch — a remote studio in El Paso, Texas, located on a pecan farm — Who Are You Now finds Cunningham contemplating her life after big changes. These 14 songs are filled with sharply-detailed observations about romance, relationships, self-reliance, and the pursuit of her muse. On the moodily cinematic "Something to Believe In," she delivers words of assurance to her husband. On "Plain Letters," she uses Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar" as the launchpad for a song about anxiety and self-empowerment. "Pin It Down" sets a lovers' quarrel to a funky sound- track of pop hooks and rotating time signatures, while "L.A. (Looking Alive)" finds Cunningham maintaining a sense of perspective and humility, even as her music career continues to ascend.
"Doesn't it feel good to laugh at yourself, turn your back on the business and leave it to sell its own worry?" she sings during the latter song, accompanied not only by her Fender Jazzmaster, but also by contributions from Tyler Chester, drummer Abe Rounds and bassist Alan Hampton. The four-piece recorded more than a dozen songs during a week's worth of tracking sessions at Sonic Ranch, with Cunningham serving as their bandleader. They emphasized the raw, real appeal of live performances, too, keeping overdubs to a minimum and tracking everything to analog tape. Cunningham's vocals and amplified guitar led the way, resulting in an album that mixes sweet, contemplative moments with the unhinged punch of songs like "Trouble Found Me."
"'Who Are You Now' was the title of a song that never reached the finish line," she explains.
"It became a reoccurring question, an unrelenting pressure touching every part of my life and work. I didn't have the words for it at the time. It was just a feeling I woke up with every morn- ing — the feeling of jumping into a lot of change in a short amount of time and not always knowing what was propping me up. The songs came from a place of feeling challenged and so they embody that same challenge in the stories they tell. A challenge to myself, as well as the characters in them, to know where they’ll land when the branch that holds them breaks.”
The musicians allowed themselves room to experiment and explore during the recording process, too. Some songs were tracked outdoors, with the rural sounds of the El Paso land- scape ringing in the background. Others were partially recorded inside a local water tower, to mimic the effect of a reverb chamber. Throughout the process, Cunningham pulled triple duty as the album's songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist, driving each song forward with a unique pick- ing style that focuses on hooks rather than virtuosic solos. Even so, it's her songwriting that shows the true depth of Cunningham's musical approach.
"Madi ascended to another level at Sonic Ranch," Chester adds. "She arrived at the ranch an uber-talented, young singer-songwriter-guitarist, but she left that week a young master, in total control of her musical identity and skillset. Even as someone who’s watched her progress for the last six years, it was breathtaking to witness."
With Who Are You Now, Madison Cunningham traces her own path from SoCal teenager to in- dependent adult, setting that paradigm-shifting transition to a soundtrack of honest, heartfelt music. It's a revised spin on the singer-songwriter format, as well as a jolt of electric energy in a genre often ruled by acoustic instruments. Thanks to Cunningham's autobiographical writing, Who Are You Now also answers the question.
READ MORE >>Supporting Acts
SHOW BY SIMILAR ARTISTS
About HI-FI | Indianapolis, IN
HI-FI is located inside the historic Murphy Arts Center in the heart of Fountain Square. HI-FI shows virtually every night of the week and is known for finding new artists on the rise. The venue is acoustically one of the best sounding venues in the Midwest. The entrance is located at the front of the building on Virginia Ave and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
Getting Around the Venue
Frequently Asked Questions About HI-FI | Indianapolis, IN
What are the age restrictions at this venue?
Most of our gigs are open to those 18 years and older, though there are a few exceptions. We’re also rolling out more all-ages shows to accommodate younger fans, but double-check our website for specific age requirements before getting your tickets. We’ve made it super easy to spot the age restrictions on each event listing.
If you are going to indulge in a seating upgrade in our VIP area, all guests must be 21 years of age or older.
HI-FI requires a valid ID for admission. For guests who will be consuming alcoholic beverages, a valid state or government issues ID is required. Everyone will be carded during check-in. Expired and temporary ID’s are not accepted.
Can I upgrade my to VIP seating?
HI-FI proudly offers our VIP Deck, situated at the rear of the venue. This elevated section features table seating and provides convenient access to the bar. Please be advised that all guests in this area must be 21 years of age or older. For seating upgrade inquiries, please contact the box office at boxoffice@hifiindy.com
What items are permitted or prohibited at this venue?
At our venues, we strive to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests. While specific rules may vary slightly depending on the event location, the following list generally applies across all venues.
Any illegal items found will be confiscated immediately. Guests discovered with prohibited items inside the venue may face ejection, and those attempting to enter with such items may be denied entry.
We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment during our events.
Permitted Items Include:
- All bags and possessions are subject to search and may be subject to metal detection. No backpacks are permitted at any of our venues.
- Clear tote or bag made from plastic, vinyl or PVC that does not exceed 14” x 14” in size.
- Personal purse, fanny pack or handbag so long as it does not exceed 14” x 14” in size
- A warm heart and smiles
Prohibited items include:
- Weapons of any kind: Firearms (with or without permit), knives (any size), multi-tools
- Pepper Spray or Mace
- Flares or Fireworks
- Oversized bags (Bag larger than 12” x 12”, including all backpacks, briefcases, luggage, or duffle bags)
- Illegal Substances
- Outside Beverages
- Laser Pointers
- Removable lens cameras or flash photography, tripods, monopods, selfie-sticks (unless pre-approved by Event Manager)
- Audio or Video recording devices (unless pre-approved by Event Manager)
- Signs larger than 11” x 17” or any sign attached to a stick or pole
- Skateboards, hoverboards, rollerblades, scooters, or bicycles
- Hula hoops, spray paint, silly string
- Noise Making devices (i.e. Air Horns, drums, whistles)
- Coolers or Ice Chests
- Animals/Pets (Except Service Animals)
HI-FI reserves the right to prohibit any item, including items not listed above, from entering the premises if deemed hazardous or disruptive to the event.
Can I bring a bag into the show?
Yes! You’re welcome to bring personal purse, fanny pack or handbag so long as it does not exceed 14” x 14” in size. No backpacks are permitted at any time.
What’s the parking situation like?
Depending on the day and time, finding a spot can be tricky. On busy show days we advise arriving early to ensure you get a good spot.
Parking is free on all of the surrounding streets in Fountain Square and most parking lots.
The LAZ pay lot directly across from the Murphy Arts Building (on Prospect St) offers paid parking by the hour and is the closest public parking to the venue.
We advise against traveling down St. Patrick St on show days, as it can become congested one-way with traffic coming from both directions.
Bike parking is available at any of the bike racks on Virginia Ave in front of HI-FI.
What is the camera/photo policy for this venue?
Our photo policy varies for each event and is at the discretion of the artist performing that night. This policy can change from night to night.
As a general guideline, we typically do not permit professional photography unless it has been pre-approved by either HI-FI or the Artist Management.
For approved photographers, you’re welcome to snap photos during the first three songs of the performance. However, please refrain from using flash.
Media personnel and professional photographers interested in covering our events can reach out to us at marketing@hifiindy.com to request media credentials.
Is there food and drink at this venue?
Absolutely! We’ve got you covered for some tasty bites to fuel your night.
Our very own Easy Rider Diner is your go-to spot on most show nights, serving up mouthwatering dishes right next door to HI-FI. With a convenient connection door open for most shows, you can easily hop back and forth without missing a beat. We highly recommend making a reservation in advance, as show nights tend to get busy. Please note that Easy Rider is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but fear not – you can still grab some chips, candy, or snacks at HI-FI’s bar.
View seating maps for this venue
Check your show listing for information on the show’s seating configuration. The majority of HI-FI shows are general admission, standing-room-only. Depending on the show, there are a handful of tables available to those who arrive early. There is a limited amount of seating upgrades available on the VIP deck. Contact the box office to secure a seating upgrade for your show at boxoffice@hifiindy.com. Shows that are reserved or partially reserved seating configurations will have information or purchase options directly on the event listing.
Can I leave and re-enter the venue?
Re-entry is allowed for HI-FI shows once you’ve been stamped or wristbanded by a member of our staff.
Do you offer ADA, handicap or special needs options?
There are 2 handicapped parking spots in the lot located across Prospect St. closest to El Arado Mexican Grill. The box office handles any special needs or ADA seating requests at boxoffice@hifiindy.com.
Where is the box office located?
Getting tickets to our shows is super easy! You have a few options, depending on how you like to roll:
Online: Grab your tickets in advance from our official websites, hifiindy.com and mokbpresents.com, or through our trusted ticketing partners tixr.com and seetickets.us.
In Person: Swing by one of our convenient box office locations around the Murphy Arts Center building and grab tickets with no service fees:
Main Box Office at Virginia Ave Mercantile: Located at 1043 Virginia Ave Suite 2 (between Easy Rider and La Margarita). Open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm.
HI-FI Box Office: Found at 1043 Virginia Ave Suite 4 (at the main entrance to HI-FI). Open only on show nights, starting 1 hour before published show times until 10 pm.
I lost something at the show. Who do I contact?
Have you misplaced something during one of our events? Don’t worry, we’re here to help reunite you with your belongings! While we can’t take responsibility for lost or stolen items, we’re committed to assisting you in any way we can.
Found items are securely stored at our Virginia Ave Mercantile & Box Office until they’re claimed. Please note that items lost during late-night events might take until the next morning to reach our lost and found. We know you might be eager to retrieve your belongings (like that phone you’re pinging outside our door at 6 am), but our team typically wraps up late-night events and may not be available until later in the morning.
For lost items, please follow the outlined process rather than popping into Easy Rider in the early hours. They’re open early, but our restaurant team is busy during weekends and can’t assist with lost items during busy service hours.
To inquire about lost items, shoot us an email at boxoffice@hifiindy.com. Mercantile hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm.
Let’s work together to get your goods back to you as quickly as possible!
What is your refund policy?
What’s Your Refund Policy for Postponed Shows?
If a show gets postponed, don’t sweat it! We’ll shoot you an email to let you know about the change, and if you’re cool with the new date, no further action is needed on your part.We’ll be working diligently to find a new date for the show, and we’ll keep you updated every step of the way. But if you can’t make it to the rescheduled gig, we’ve got your back. You’ll have a generous 30-day window following the announcement of the new date to request a refund.
For those who paid with cash at our box office, just drop us a line at boxoffice@hifiindy.com for further instructions on processing your refund.
Please bear with us as we explore rescheduling options with the tour. Your patience is much appreciated as we work to present the best possible show experience for you.
What’s the Refund Policy for Canceled Shows?
In the unfortunate event of a canceled show, don’t fret! If you purchased your tickets online, your refund will be processed automatically. Just sit tight and allow 3-5 business days for the refund to appear in your bank account.
No need to lift a finger! However, there are a few scenarios where you might need to reach out to our box office:
- If you paid cash at our box office.
- If you’ve received a new or different card since your original purchase.
- If you haven’t seen the refund in your account after 5 business days.
What Happens if a Show Gets Rescheduled?
No worries! If a show you’ve already grabbed tickets for gets rescheduled, your tickets will still be valid for the new date. We’ll shoot you an email to let you know about the change, and if you’re good to go for the new date, no further action is needed on your part.
However, if you can’t make it to the rescheduled gig, we’ve got you covered. You’ll have a generous 30 days from the announcement of the new date to request a refund. Just reach out directly to our box office to kickstart the process.
Beware of counterfeit tickets. How do I tell if my ticket is valid?
It’s crucial for all buyers to exercise caution when purchasing tickets from unauthorized sites and ticket resellers. Tixr and SeeTickets are the only two ticket vendors supported at our venues. Unfortunately, this is a widespread issue affecting venues nationwide, and true fans often find themselves at a loss. Regrettably, there’s little we can do in such situations. Since the original transaction didn’t occur through our authorized ticketing partners, we lack the necessary information to assist. It’s disheartening to witness fans being taken advantage of, especially on platforms like Craigslist, Facebook, StubHub, VividSeats, SeatGeek, and others. We are only obligated to honor valid tickets purchased through our approved channels.
Can I purchase tickets in person without fees?
Yes. HI-FI box office is located at the main entrance off of Virginia Avenue. The box office is open 1 hour prior to the published door time. Additionally, our new and primary box office is located two doors down from HI-FI in Suite 2. This box office is open Monday through Friday 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm for fee-free ticket purchases. HI-FI accepts cash as well as all major credit cards for ticket purchases.
Do you have free WI-FI?
Yes. HI-FI offers free WI-FI during all shows. Simply select the HI-FI Free WI-FI network and you are all set!
Madison Cunningham
Start Time: 8:00 pm
Buy Tickets
ARTIST PROFILE | Madison Cunningham
With its sharp storytelling and bursts of electric guitar, Who Are You Now is Madison Cunning- ham's coming-of-age record — a diverse album that's modern, melodic, and rooted in the 21 year-old's observations of her own fast-changing world.
"The past year was a largely transitional one for me. It felt like all at once I was living in a new city and a new era of my life, trying to find where I fit, what I believed, and who my people were. It doesn't matter how many great examples you have to look up to, when it’s your turn to face adulthood, you feel like you’re scrambling for the right tools. Writing this record really forced me to take an honest look at where I came from, what my dreams and fears were, and who I was becoming as a result.”
Cunningham began searching for answers during her childhood in Orange County, California. A guitarist since the age of 7, she began performing alongside her father — a worship pastor and lifelong musician — at a local church. By 15 years old, she was writing her own songs and exploring her own voice as a musician. Playing an integral role in that process was Tyler Chester, a multi-instrumentalist and studio guru who'd worked with artists like Jackson Browne, Blake Mills, and Andrew Bird. Later, after leaving home and moving to Los Angeles, Cunningham's list of champions grew to encompass the likes of Sara Watkins, Chris Thile, and the Milk Carton Kids' Joey Ryan.
"When I met 15-year-old Madi and she played one of her early songs for me, it struck me with- in the first 15 seconds that I was witnessing one of the most purely musical human beings I would ever meet," says Chester. "She was young and her skillset unrefined, but already at her core was that same unteachable magic that you hear amplified in her today."
By 2018, magazines like Rolling Stone were taking note of Cunningham's sound, calling it "a new spin on West Coast folk-rock, with classical tendencies, electric guitars, jazz-school chord changes and alt-rock strut all living beneath the same roof." She hit the road that same year as the Punch Brothers' opening act, using the opportunity to test her newest songs in front of a live audience. She stood out — not only for her unique melodies, elastic voice, and deft ap- proach to the electric guitar, but also for her honest storytelling.
Recorded at Sonic Ranch — a remote studio in El Paso, Texas, located on a pecan farm — Who Are You Now finds Cunningham contemplating her life after big changes. These 14 songs are filled with sharply-detailed observations about romance, relationships, self-reliance, and the pursuit of her muse. On the moodily cinematic "Something to Believe In," she delivers words of assurance to her husband. On "Plain Letters," she uses Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar" as the launchpad for a song about anxiety and self-empowerment. "Pin It Down" sets a lovers' quarrel to a funky sound- track of pop hooks and rotating time signatures, while "L.A. (Looking Alive)" finds Cunningham maintaining a sense of perspective and humility, even as her music career continues to ascend.
"Doesn't it feel good to laugh at yourself, turn your back on the business and leave it to sell its own worry?" she sings during the latter song, accompanied not only by her Fender Jazzmaster, but also by contributions from Tyler Chester, drummer Abe Rounds and bassist Alan Hampton. The four-piece recorded more than a dozen songs during a week's worth of tracking sessions at Sonic Ranch, with Cunningham serving as their bandleader. They emphasized the raw, real appeal of live performances, too, keeping overdubs to a minimum and tracking everything to analog tape. Cunningham's vocals and amplified guitar led the way, resulting in an album that mixes sweet, contemplative moments with the unhinged punch of songs like "Trouble Found Me."
"'Who Are You Now' was the title of a song that never reached the finish line," she explains.
"It became a reoccurring question, an unrelenting pressure touching every part of my life and work. I didn't have the words for it at the time. It was just a feeling I woke up with every morn- ing — the feeling of jumping into a lot of change in a short amount of time and not always knowing what was propping me up. The songs came from a place of feeling challenged and so they embody that same challenge in the stories they tell. A challenge to myself, as well as the characters in them, to know where they’ll land when the branch that holds them breaks.”
The musicians allowed themselves room to experiment and explore during the recording process, too. Some songs were tracked outdoors, with the rural sounds of the El Paso land- scape ringing in the background. Others were partially recorded inside a local water tower, to mimic the effect of a reverb chamber. Throughout the process, Cunningham pulled triple duty as the album's songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist, driving each song forward with a unique pick- ing style that focuses on hooks rather than virtuosic solos. Even so, it's her songwriting that shows the true depth of Cunningham's musical approach.
"Madi ascended to another level at Sonic Ranch," Chester adds. "She arrived at the ranch an uber-talented, young singer-songwriter-guitarist, but she left that week a young master, in total control of her musical identity and skillset. Even as someone who’s watched her progress for the last six years, it was breathtaking to witness."
With Who Are You Now, Madison Cunningham traces her own path from SoCal teenager to in- dependent adult, setting that paradigm-shifting transition to a soundtrack of honest, heartfelt music. It's a revised spin on the singer-songwriter format, as well as a jolt of electric energy in a genre often ruled by acoustic instruments. Thanks to Cunningham's autobiographical writing, Who Are You Now also answers the question.
READ MORE >>Supporting Acts
About the Venue
Upgrades: A limited amount of VIP seating upgrades (21+) are available for select shows. Contact the box office to purchase or check availability: boxoffice@hifiindy.com.
Ticket Support: Box Office opens 1 hour before published door time. For ticket related questions please email boxoffice@hifiindy.com.
Parking: Street Parking, Bike Parking
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