On a frigid Sunday night at The Majestic Theatre in Madison fans lined up outside the venue for a sold-out show. The line extended down the road and around the corner with shivering fans full of anticipation for the exceptional lineup of Vincent Lima and Jonah Kagen. Kagen is celebrating his acclaimed debut album Sunflowers & Leather and stopped in Madison, Wisconsin on January 25, 2026. He will be at The Fox Theater in Boulder on March 21, 2026.
Known for his intricate finger-style guitar and the emotional honesty of his lyrics, Kagen’s stage presence was simultaneously humble and magnetic. His sincerity in sharing how experiences on the road shaped the album made the concert feel more like an intimate conversation rather than a performance.
The set was a balanced journey through his recent album and beloved earlier tracks. The night offered the perfect balance of moments of quiet reflection and enthusiastic sing-alongs.
Standouts from the night included emotionally charged tracks like “Matches” and “God Needs the Devil.” Kagen shared a funny story about the initial lackluster response to his song “The Roads” in 2023. Today the song has risen to his second most popular song on Spotify and its pulling in a new demographic of fans – moms.
The crowd had a palpable reaction to these lyrics from “The Roads”
There’s blisters on my feet
I ran right through my shoes
These roads are changing me
But they all lead back to you.
Blending indie, folk, pop and plenty of country influences makes his songwriting uniquely layered, multi-dimensional and timeless. In belonging to no genre or style, his sound has a universal appeal.
Jonah Kagen’s Sunflowers & Leather show in Madison was a beautifully balanced showcase of lyrical depth, guitar virtuosity, and storytelling.
Born and raised in Savannah, GA, Jonah Kagen is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. At just 25, Jonah has earned over 386 million global streams, 2.5 million monthly Spotify listeners, and released two EPs—The Roads and Black Dress—featuring his breakout single “God Needs The Devil,” which reached #1 at Alternative Radio and was named one of Spotify’s Best Pop Songs of 2024.
Kagen writes, plays, and produces his music—often from an Airstream he’s converted into a mobile studio. The Airstream is a studio and reflection of his authentic connection to the natural world.
“To Love A Thing That Fades” artist Vincent Lima is opening on several dates of the Sunflowers and Leather tour. Alt-folk artist Anna Graves joins the tour in February of 2026.
CONNECT with JONAH KAGEN:
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Photos and article by Deb Schaefer
