Excuse us if this post comes off as a bit self-serving, but holy shit! Milwaukee Record has its own fucking stage at PrideFest this year and we’re really excited about it! Given the wide breadth of local musicians, comedians, and podcasters who will be performing on the Milwaukee Record Stage (usually known as the Northwestern Mutual Children’s Theater), it’s understandable if some of the lineup is unfamiliar. Since we booked the thing, we can help but get you up to speed on what to expect from the big-time talent coming to the festival’s smallest stage this weekend.
Friday, June 10
5 to 5:45 p.m. — The Glacial Speed
Starting things off is The Glacial Speed, a rock band fronted by accomplished Milwaukee filmmaker, sex educator, occasional Milwaukee Record contributor, and trans activist Ashley Altadonna. While the band is short on recorded material at this time, The Glacial Speed boasts a solid pedigree of members from past and current local outfits IfIHadAHiFi, New Blind Nationals, and King’s Horses.
6:15 to 7 p.m. — Fox Face
Featuring former or current members of The Olives, Static Eyes, Pussy Collector, and Trash Scouts, brash punk project Fox Face joins us again, months removed from covering Twin Brother at our Local Coverage event. This time around, the band will play a set (mostly) composed of its own wonderful material, though one or two grimy covers of recognizable pop songs have been promised.
7:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Tigernite
What can we tell you about Tigernite that we haven’t already written, said, or personally raved about to anyone who will listen? Since the release of last year’s glorious self-titled debut record, Tigernite’s name has rightfully grown in Milwaukee and beyond on the weight of the band’s crowd-pleasing glam rock compositions, incomparable showmanship, and the formidable pipes of frontwoman Molly Roberts. Fortunately, you’ll have lots of chances to see Tigernite this summer, but don’t miss their headlining set on Pride’s opening night.
Saturday, June 11
6 to 7 p.m. — Yeah, Bro! Podcast LIVE
If you haven’t seen the posts on this very site, Yeah, Bro! Podcast is a weekly show in which “gay sherpa” Jacob D. Bach engages in lighthearted discussions with straight men (predominately, at least) about what he deems to be “gay things.” Now close to 60 episodes in, Bach will leave the quaint confines of his recording studio—also known as the ComedySportz vault—and bring the show to its natural habitat for Yeah, Bro!’s second annual PrideFest live show. He’ll be joined by occasional co-host/comic Jeff Wheatley-Heckman and a varied group of some of the show’s more memorable past guests, including Kyle Glenn (who is flying back from New York for the occasion), Brock Burczyk, Jake Shaw, Ryan Fox, and Milwaukee Record‘s own Tyler Maas for some reason.
7 to 7:45 p.m. — Casual Vocals
Moments after the applause subsides when Yeah, Bro! takes a bow, the pleasing sounds of Casual Vocals will kick in. The Milwaukee-by-way-of-Chicago singer-songwriter Colleen Webb has slowly been dipping her toes into her adopted city’s music scene between periodic breaks to write a full-length record and have a baby. Months after giving birth, Webb is ready to welcome her second album, You Are I Am We Are, into the world. The day before the official release show at Sugar Maple, Casual Vocals will introduce PrideFest to the record’s minimalist folk with subtle pop appeal during a full-band outing.
8 to 8:45 p.m. — Abby Jeanne Rebel Love
Abby Jeanne Rebel Love does it all. On top of her vocal contributions to Foreign Goods and the beats/backing harmonies she lends to Queen Tut, Abby’s solo material is not to be ignored. With lush and layered production and her downright moving voice, you’ll want to bear witness to this versatile one-woman powerhouse in action.
9:15 to 10 p.m. — Paper Holland
Following more than three years in relative seclusion following the release of 2013’s Happy Belated, a new, improved, expanded, and retooled Paper Holland is back on stage. Less than two months removed from the release of its Fast Food EP, the indie-pop quartet will close out our stage on Pride’s second day and conclude Milwaukee Record‘s musical offerings with what promises to a be a lively set complete with dance-y songs and even a horn section brought in for the occasion.
Sunday, June 12
6 to 7 p.m. — Sorry Not Sorry comedy showcase
Sorry Not Sorry—a monthly comedy showcase that usually takes place at Riverwest Public House—will break format with one of its only evening performances, and certainly the first one taking place outdoors at a festival. In addition to the laughs co-hosts Marisa Lange and Addie Blanchard will provide, comedians Rebekah Cosgrove, Rita Landis, and Jessie “Frankie” Kanter will keep the fun coming for an hour.
7 to 8 p.m. — Voyager: A Comedy Show
There’s going to be improv at PrideFest? Yes…and you’ll love it. Voyager isn’t your typical show that asks the audience to give it premises. Instead, two stand-up comedians will perform sets, which improvisers will then use to set the subsequent scenes. Joining creators Tim Higgins and Tyler Menz is a more-than-capable cast of humorists including Matty Field, Liza Marie, Jacob Bach, Alan Guszkowski, Emma Lenar, and Crysta Jarcyznski.
8 to 9 p.m. — ClamJam Comedy
Hosted by Milwaukee comedy ex-pats and current up-and-coming Chicago comics Allison Dunne and Liz Ziner, ClamJam is as weird as it is wonderful. Instead of trying to explain it, this description from Ziner should help fill you in on what to expect.
“The ClamJam is a comedy party that combines some of its co-hosts’ favorite things: stand-up from their favorite goofballs, kitschy prizes for everyone, and a little chaos! As if the lineup wasn’t already completely stacked with some of the funniest rascals around, if you put your name in the bucket you might get some stage time, too!”
Joining Ziner and Dunne are three more Chicago comedians: Carly Ballerini, Tyler Snodgrass, and Shannon Noll.
We’ll see you this weekend, Milwaukee!