Featured Performers

De la Buena

Based out of Milwaukee, the powerful 10-piece band De La Buena has been electrifying audiences with their own brand of Afro-Cuban music and funky Latin jazz, ever conscious of the influences and necessary respect for traditions… yet, a band willing to inject sophisticated, psychedelic sensibilities into an aggressive, expansive framework. This band will get you out on your dancing feet and feeling good vibes as the troll fire burns!

Cycropia Aerial Dance

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Cycropia was formed in 1989 and is one of the oldest continuously-operating aerial dance troupes within the United States.

Using single-point trapeze, bungee, lyra, aerial fabric and custom steel apparatus, Cycropia combines modern dance, athleticism and the magic of defying gravity.

Panchromatic Steel

Founded in 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin, Panchromatic Steel has blazed an entirely new trail, fusing island styles with pop hits, rock and jazz into a high-energy blend that is hard to categorize but easy to love. At the heart of Panchromatic’s sound is the steeldrum, a sawed-off 55-gallon oil drum shaped with tone-producing dents that ring when struck by rubber-tipped mallets. Panchromatic Steel embraces the steelpan’s Caribbean origins while pushing forward into new musical territory. The band includes vocals, horns, flute, keyboards and multiple percussionists, and its all-gender musicians are as diverse as the instruments they play. The band tackles everything from highly technical, jazz-inspired art pieces to danceable favorites.

The HandPhibians

The Handphibians are a vibrant group of Madison-based musicians dedicated to playing and promoting Brasilian-style percussion. The Handphibians play at festivals, march in parades, and enliven stage performances with high energy rhythms. The Handphibians were part of Burning Troll in 2023, providing a backbeat and lively procession to the burning of the troll, and they brought so much fun and energy, that we had to bring them back for 2024!

The Earthlings

A Madison-based music and arts collective (with some Mount Horeb roots) The Earthlings blend electronic, sonic rock with psychedelic indie, euphoric space, danceability, and positive vibrations reminiscent of the 60s, early 70s, and 90s.

Tani diakite and the afrofunkstars

Tani is a musical force who has inspired an entire community of artists. With his Kamale n'goni, a West African ancestor to the banjo, and his plaintive singing, he never fails to drop the deepest blues around. He’ll be joined by his entire crew of Afrofunkstars, infusing our valley in the Driftless hills with soulful vibes and West African grooves.

Ladies Must Swing

Ladies Must Swing is an 18-piece big band of all ladies who will bring the swing to Burning Troll! This Madison-based group formed over 22 years ago and is still going strong, playing a range of danceable classics with and without vocals.

Old Oaks

Old Oaks encompasses the acoustic music of Mount Horeb Singer Songwriter, Frank Laufenberg. The music ranges from 12-string renditions of classic tunes like Purple Haze and Heart of Gold to melodious folk-jazz originals. Frank will be joined by saxophonist Daniel Haschke and upright bassist/vocalist Claire Kannapell, who complete the Old Oaks Trio.

The Dephlogisticators

Based out of Madison, the Dephlogisticators are an up and coming fire spinning group that perform and freestyle using a variety of fire, LED, and custom self made equipment, from poi to dragon staffs to levitation wands. Beyond performing, the Dephlogisticators emphasize education and safety as they are looking to grow the fire spinning community in Madison.