May in Milwaukee usually serves as the calm before the storm that is summer festival season. By this time next month, we’ll be inundated with block parties, weekly concerts, and a massive wave of occurrences bearing the “Fest” or “Days” suffix. It’s going to be BUSY.
If you thought this month would grant you a brief respite from staying out late and seeing top-tier entertainers, think again! This particular May boasts the now-expected helping of touring bands and comedians, but also includes local release shows, a brand new Milwaukee Record-produced festival, and much more. There’s so much to do, but here are 14 events we here at Milwaukee Record are especially excited to see this month.
Friday, May 2
Brett Newski & The Bad Inventions + The Dreaded Laramie @ Falcon Hall
Eternally busy musician, author, and road dog Brett Newski and his backing band (recently re-dubbed “The Bad Inventions”) will play a rare hometown outing at Falcon Hall in Riverwest. The Milwaukee appearance which will serve as a release show for Newski’s ameriCONa Pt. 1: Educate Freeloaders To Buy Art, an album that will not be released on streaming platforms. So if you want to hear the album, get to this show and buy the record.
Monday, May 5
Mick Foley @ Milwaukee Improv
After a lengthy, body-busting tenure in professional wrestling, Mick Foley (f.k.a. “Mankind”) made the move from the ring to the stage. Foley—who’s now an author, comedian, spoken word artist, and storyteller—will come to Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield to share tales and humorous musings from his wrestling career and beyond.
Thursday, May 8
Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic @ Club Garibaldi
Almost seven years removed from performing at Turner Hall (and eating Durty Burgers with us in the venue’s green room), Randy of Trailer Park Boys will bring his Cheeseburger Picnic comedy showcase back to Milwaukee. This time around, he’ll be taking the stage at Club Garibaldi. Fingers crossed we’ll get to eat some wings with him in the basement beforehand.
Friday, May 9
Brother Ali + DJ Abilities, Jabee @ Shank Hall
Long-tenured and low-key legendary rapper Brother Ali will treat Shank Hall to cuts from his extensive catalog that spans decades. He’ll be joined by his former Rhymesayers label mate (and Milwaukee’s own) DJ Abilities, as well as opener Jabee.
Friday, May 9
Jimmy Eat World @ The Rave / Eagles Club
It isn’t too often that Milwaukee gets a non-festival tour stop from Jimmy Eat World. However, the longstanding and beloved emo outfit is swinging by The Rave on Friday, May 9. Stay tuned to learn who the openers are in the weeks to come. Are you listening?
Saturday, May 10
MKEmo presents: Action/Adventure, Barely Civil, Buena Cara, Endswell @ Amorphic Beer
Milwaukee pop-punk proponent and emo enthusiast Chris Luecke applies his musical passion into his “MKEmo” endeavor that highlights a wide range of local artists under these stylistic umbrellas. However, his primary gig is traveling around the country to record episodes of his “Manufacturing Happy Hour” podcast. His two very different worlds will collide on Saturday, May 10 when Amorphic Beer releases his “Stay Innovative Stay Thirsty IPA” and hosts a show by Action/Adventure, Barely Civil, Buena Cara, and Endswell.
Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18
Paul Simon @ Riverside Theater
We’re talking about Paul Simon here, people! Do we need to say more? (That was rhetorical: No, we don’t need to say more.)
Wednesday, May 21
Milwaukee Record presents ‘Tommy Boy’ @ Avalon Theater
In case you somehow don’t know what Tommy Boy is about, the classic 1995 buddy comedy stars the incomparable Chris Farley as the titular Tommy Callahan, who embarks on a sales trip across the Midwest with his father’s wise-cracking assistant Richard (David Spade) in an effort to sell enough brake pads to save both his dad’s company and a working class Ohio community. Oodles of timeless quotes and countless iconic scenes ensue. Along the way, you’ll also encounter Bo Derek, Rob Lowe, Brian Dennehy, and Dan Aykroyd. Oh, and a lot of the movie is set in Wisconsin. Holy schnikes!
Saturday, May 24
Morgan Park Picnic @ Morgan Park
On Saturday, May 24, Milwaukee Record and Busby’s will join forces on a new springtime celebration that will bring big time fun to one of Milwaukee’s smallest parks. The inaugural “Morgan Park Picnic” will take place at—you guessed it!—Morgan Park in Bay View. From noon to 6 p.m., the park will play host to a family-friendly festival that will feature live music from Ladybird, El Sebas, and Scam likely, local food trucks, a wide variety of refreshments, area retailers set up in and around the triangle, and more. Kick off festival season with us at Morgan Park!
Saturday, May 24
Pissed Jeans + Necron 9, Sex Scenes @ Cactus Club
This Memorial Day weekend will be one to remember as Philly rockers Pissed Jeans come to town to play an intimate (for them, at least) show at Cactus Club. Milwaukee’s own Necron 9 and Sex Scenes will add some local flare before the headliner does its thing.
Thursday, May 29 through Saturday, May 31
Bobcat Goldthwait + Dana Gould @ The Laughing Tap
Apart, Bobcat Goldthwait and Dana Gould are both comic legends with a laundry list of impressive credits and well over 75 years of combined on-stage experience. Together, they’re unlikely friends, frequent collaborators, and co-stars of the Joy Ride documentary that chronicles their comedy, their differing styles, and their relationship that took years to forge. They’ll both be on stage in the cozy confines (for now!) of The Laughing Tap for a total of five shows that will take place May 29-31. The residency from these comic legends will double as a fundraising effort to help The Laughing Tap’s impending move to a new location this fall.
Friday, May 30
Nikki Glaser @ Miller High Life Theatre (two shows)
After devastating Tom Brady during the QB’s roast last year and crushing as the host of this year’s Golden Globe’s, veteran comedian Nikki Glaser is now a certified household name. She’s returning to her native Midwest to perform two shows at Milwaukee’s Miller High Life Theatre on May 30.
Friday, May 30
Joshua Ray Walker + Boy Golden (solo) @ Shank Hall
Since first gaining notoriety in country music circles with his 2018 debut Wish You Were Here, Dallas singer-songwriter Joshua Ray Walker has won fans all around the world. Walker’s sophomore album, Glad You Made It, has garnered even more acclaim and found the up-and-coming country talent landing on the cusp of even bigger and better things. Now that he’s beaten cancer, Walker is ready to get back on the road to make up for lost time. He’ll return to Shank Hall along with a solo set by Boy Golden on May 30.
Saturday, May 31
Chicken P @ The Rave / Eagles Club
With millions upon millions of streams and YouTube views to his credit, Milwaukee’s Chicken P has built a devoted audience that extends far beyond his hometown. The rapper, who is currently hitting stages around the country as part of his “4 Ever Lit” tour, will return home to headline a must-see concert at The Rave / Eagles Club on Saturday, May 31.