Our fat-free, dolphin-safe Milwaukee calendar is chock-full of things to do, but only a handful of events contained therein are worthy of the lofty honor of “Record Recommended” (patent pending). Here are our recommendations for the week of June 27-July 3, 2016.
Tuesday, June 28
Chill On The Hill: AUTOMatic + Evan Christian & The Stinkies, Jay Matthes @ Humboldt Park
Longtime AUTOMatic emcee APRIME surprised Milwaukee hip-hop fans this year with the unveiling of his solo side project, 3099. Favoring a more R&B vibe than the golden-era hip-hop sound of AUTOMatic, both the 3099 moniker and the 3099 album find APRIME optimistic and rejuvenated (“Destination: Dreams”) and in his element alongside guest Lex Allen (“Ostinato,” “Nothing But Love”). Tonight’s Chill On The Hill performance will feature Milwaukee’s Midnight Reruns backing AUTOMatic on APRIME’s 3099 songs.
Wednesday, June 29
“Weird Al” Yankovic @ Uline Warehouse (Summerfest)
“Weird Al” Yankovic is a national treasure. The wild-and-wacky song parodist has been lightly skewering popular music (and culture) for more than 30 years, turning radio hits of yesteryear into songs about food, and YouTube sensations of today into songs about the Internet. The fact that Al only seems to get better and more popular as time goes by (2014’s Mandatory Fun was his first album to top the Billboard 200 chart) speaks not only to his ability to stay current with the modern zeitgeist, but to his skill as a musician and his family-friendly-yet-quietly-subversive sense of humor.
Also: Willie Nelson + Kris Kristofferson @ BMO Harris Pavilion (Summerfest)
Fitz And The Tantrums @ Harley-Davidson Roadhouse (Summerfest)
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard (Summerfest)
Thursday, June 30
The Record Company @ Johnson Controls World Sound Stage (Summerfest)
Former Freshwater Collins and Invade Rome singer Chris Vos has been on a roll since leaving Milwaukee for Los Angeles. His new band, The Record Company, has seen its bluesy rock ‘n’ roll (think The Stooges and early Stones) score a number of television shows and film trailers, and at least one commercial for Miller Lite. Tonight’s Summerfest show follows Vos’ unofficial homecoming gig at Turner Hall back in March.
Also: Passion Pit @ Miller Lite Oasis (Summerfest)
Klassik + Mic Kellogg, Rahn Harper, Von Alexander @ The Hotel Foster
Friday, July 1
Ray LaMontagne+ Trapper Schoepp @ Harley-Davidson Roadhouse (Summerfest)
Since ditching “And The Shades” from his official band name, tireless Milwaukee-based troubadour Trapper Schoepp has undergone a slight but important transformation. 2012’s Run, Engine, Run was steeped in heart-on-its-sleeve Americana and breezy country-rock, but the new Rangers & Valentines (produced by Brendan Benson) showcases a more brash and polished sound, as well as a newfound vocal and songwriting confidence from the singer-songwriter. Schoepp plays immediately before Ray LaMontagne, whose “Hey, No Pressure” is all over indie radio these days.
Also: BLAX @ Concert Cruise
Old Earth + Golden Coins @ Acme Records
Saturday, July 2
Burnhearts/Pabst Street Party @ Burnhearts
Each summer of Burnhearts’ existence, the Bay View beer bastion has simultaneously celebrated summer and one of the most iconic (formerly) Milwaukee-made beers with the annual Burnhearts/Pabst Street Party. This year’s stacked lineup features Direct Hit!, WebsterX, Space Raft, Tigernite, and New Boyz Club. The Bay View block party will also include introductions from WMSE and between-set DJing by Why B, and food from Goodkind, Classic Slice, and Honeypie. Cortney Heimerl has rounded up 16 Milwaukee makers who will sell crafts on-site. Beyond the full bar selection Burnhearts will offer patrons inside, patrons can purchase Korbel Brandy Slush, Old Tankard Ale, and of course, Pabst Blue Ribbon outside.
Also: Chris Stapleton + Alabama Shakes @ Marcus Amphitheater (Summerfest)
Billy Idol @ BMO Harris Pavilion (Summerfest)
Blue Oyster Cult @ BMO Harris Pavilion (Summerfest)
Nelly @ Harley-Davidson Roadhouse (Summerfest)
Soul Low @ Concert Cruise
Sunday, July 3
The Roots + New Age Narcissism @ Miller Lite Oasis (Summerfest)
There’s no bigger name—or would that be names?—in Milwaukee hip-hop these days than New Age Narcissism. WebsterX, Lex Allen, Lorde Fredd33, Siren, Bo Triplex, and Jay Anderson are just some of the artists that make up the tireless collective. With a recent Lorde Fredd33 album and a WebsterX tour under the group’s belt, expect tonight’s show (opening for the mightiest hip-hop collective of them all, The Roots) to be huge.
Boone & Crockett Turns Four: Dead Soldiers + Whips, Hooten Hallers, High Waisted, DJ Why B @ Boone & Crockett
On the cusp of its fourth birthday, Boone & Crockett is not only still alive, it’s thriving. Recent weeks found the Bay View cocktail bar finally getting its Gypsy Taco truck up and running, paving its rear patio, and building a glorious outdoor bar. To help Boone celebrate four years in business, the patio will expand into the lot behind the bar to host music from Dead Soldiers (Memphis), The Hooten Hallers (Colombia, MO), High Waisted (New York), and one of the only summer shows Whips will play all summer. Happy birthday, Boone! Here’s to many, many more.
Also: Indigo Girls @ BMO Harris Pavilion (Summerfest)