New nightclub fills entertainment void on Madison’s east side

The Crucible features dark genres of music

Maija Inveiss by Maija Inveiss

Maija Inveiss

Madison’s east side is getting a new nightclub featuring darker genres of music, burlesque, cosplay, drag shows and art on New Year’s Eve.

The Crucible is bringing life to an industrial building on the east side through a local, independent venue. Co-owners Jason Socha and Greg Kveberg wanted to open a nightclub in Madison and were inspired by the former nightclub, The Inferno, which closed in 2015 after more than 15 years in business.

“In Madison, over the last few years, a number of smaller and local, independent venues have closed,” Kveberg says. “The one that really got us going was The Inferno.”

When it comes to entertainment, Kveberg says there will be an even mix of DJ entertainment, live music and live stage performances, largely featuring burlesque. He says the music will be dark genres, including goth, industrial and EDM.

“The whole city is just going to get richer as it has more independent venues and we can’t cater to every subculture that deserves its own stage space and its own clubhouse, we can cater to some,” Kveberg says.

We now have a wonderful selection of art displayed on our walls! Big thanks to Alyssa Nicole S for an amazing job organizing, curating, and hanging the whole thing! Posted by Crucible Madison on Sunday, December 30, 2018

The Crucible is divided into two sections; a smaller, quieter taproom meant for conversation and a louder venue room with standing room and seating.

The name “crucible” comes from a container where metals can be melted at high temperatures. Kveberg says in a crucible, “You forge [metals] into something that’s more interesting and stronger than what you had when you started and so we’re trying to mix some different genres and a few different subcultures.”

The Crucible will hosts events throughout the week. Some January events include a benefit drag show, “Rocky Horror Picture Show” performance and Crucible.Beta, which gives smaller musicians and performers a chance to perform in front of a live audience.

The Crucible can host 325 people and plans to kick off with a huge New Year’s Eve bash Monday night. The show will have eight different DJs and burlesque entertainment. Advanced tickets have already sold out, but tickets will be available at the door.

Kveberg says he hopes the nightclub will be an active member of the community, fostering a supportive environment for all its patrons.

“The right nightclub, the right scene, the right cultural community is just incredible. It’s good for promoting quality of life. It’s good for bringing people together and forging real world human connections,” Kveberg says.

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