Photos by Deanna Glatczak

Dogstar made its long-awaited Madison debut on Saturday, Aug. 29, bringing its All In Now Tour to The Sylvee for an evening of earnest, melody-driven alternative rock.

The name drawing the most immediate attention was inevitably Keanu Reeves, the globally recognized actor who occupies the less glamorous position at stage left with a bass in his hands. But once the initial excitement subsided, Dogstar proved that its appeal extends well beyond the novelty of seeing John Wick in a rock band. Alongside guitarist and lead vocalist Bret Domrose and drummer Robert Mailhouse, Reeves helped deliver a performance rooted in genuine chemistry, understated musicianship and three decades of friendship.

New York rock quartet The Backfires opened the evening with a youthful burst of riff-heavy energy. Formed in London before establishing itself in New York City, the group arrived in Madison shortly after releasing its sophomore album, Stardust. Alex Gomez, Harry Ruprecht, Matt Walter and Dylan Spiro made the most of their time on The Sylvee’s stage, offering a spirited introduction that carried traces of garage rock and the guitar-driven indie scene of the early 2000s.

Dogstar’s story stretches back to the early 1990s, but its current chapter feels more like a renewal than a nostalgia exercise. Following a hiatus that lasted more than two decades, the trio reunited and released Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees in 2023. Its fourth studio album, All In Now, followed earlier this year and provided the foundation for Saturday’s performance.

The newer material gives the band a fuller and more confident sound without abandoning the unfussy qualities that have long defined it. Domrose remained the musical focal point, his vocals and guitar carrying the melodies while Mailhouse supplied an energetic rhythmic drive behind the kit. Reeves stayed locked into the low end, frequently leaning into his instrument and visibly enjoying the opportunity to simply be one-third of a working rock band.

Songs including “Siren,” “This Sphere,” “Joy,” “Wing,” “The Whisper” and “Shards of Rain” showcase the trio’s balance of grunge-tinted weight and polished alternative-rock hooks. The album’s title track works especially well as a statement of purpose for this era of Dogstar: three longtime friends committing themselves fully to a band that they never expected to revisit so many years later.

There was no attempt to turn the concert into a celebrity spectacle. Reeves remained an engaged but understated presence, allowing Domrose’s vocals and guitar work to lead while Mailhouse propelled the music from behind the drums. That lack of pretense became one of the performance’s most endearing qualities. Dogstar did not arrive in Madison to trade on its bassist’s filmography, it came to play as a band.

At The Sylvee, that distinction became increasingly clear as the night progressed. What might have brought some fans through the doors quickly gave way to something more sincere: a seasoned trio rediscovering how satisfying it can be to create, tour and share a stage together.

Check out Deanna Glatczak’s photos of Dogstar and The Backfires at The Sylvee below.