Milwaukee is chock-full of things to do, but only a handful of events are worthy of the lofty honor of “Record Recommended” (patent pending). Here are our recommendations for April 10-16, 2023.
MONDAY, APRIL 10
John Mellencamp @ Riverside Theater (also April 11)
For many folks under the age of 50, John Mellencamp occupies a hazy “Is he any good these days?” territory. Sure, the former Cougar has a garage-full of hits at his disposal, but what is he up to in 2023? Is he merely a nostalgia act? Plugging a new album? Do his videos still conjure up images of tractors and sleeveless T-shirts? Does he still play that “sucking on chili dog” song? More importantly, can the man still rock? All reviews of Mellencamp’s current tour point to YES on that last bit; you can find out for yourself this week as he plays not one, but two shows at Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater.
Tennis + Kate Bollinger @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Flooding + Interlay, Garden Home, Spoy @Cactus Club
TUESDAY, APRIL 11
Chelcie Lynn: 2 Fingers And A 12 Pack Tour @ The Pabst Theater
“Chelcie Lynn is a comedian, actress, and internet personality who was recently named one of Variety’s 2021 Top 10 Comics To Watch. She started building a fan base in 2014 when her sketches featuring her alter ego, Trailer Trash Tammy went viral. Her videos have since gained hundreds of millions of views across the internet and have launched her career on screen and in comedy touring. Chelcie will be shooting a prank television series this fall for a major streaming platform, which will air in 2022. She can be seen in the Duplass Brothers feature film Tangerine as ‘Madame Jillian,’ and recently starred in the digital series ‘Coach Von Pidgeon for Funny or Die & Facebook Watch.'”
Gable Price And Friends + Lunde, Tigera @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Summer Like The Season + West Nile Crows, SSAANN @ Cactus Club
John Mellencamp @ Riverside Theater
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12
Sam Jay @ Milwaukee Improv
Sam Jay is a Saturday Night Live staff writer and a Bust Down co-star, but she’s also a remarkable standup comedian with numerous late night TV credits and her own Netflix special that was released in 2020. Don’t miss Jay when she drops by Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield for a single-night engagement on April 12.
Vial + Creeping Charlie, Handmade Wolves @ X-Ray Arcade
THURSDAY, APRIL 13
Hari Kondabolu @ The Laughing Tap (through April 15)
Comedian Hari Kondabolu has amassed an impressive reel of TV appearances, has released some chart-topping albums, and has been called “one of the most exciting political comics in stand-up today” by the New York Times. In late 2017, Kondabolu became a household name and changed the way we watch television (for the better), when TruTV released his Simpsons-centered documentary, The Problem With Apu. Beyond his socially impactful documentary, he’s one hell of a comic. Following performances at The Underground Collaborative and The Back Room @ Colectivo in recent years, Kondabolu returns to town April 13-15 for five performances at his new go-to Milwaukee club, The Laughing Tap.
Bug Moment + Lunar Moth, Riotnine!, Glowing Tide @ Cactus Club
Bug Moment began as a small emo-adjacent bedroom-pop project in 2020, but has since leveled up to a full-band phenom. The group’s recently released record, The Flying Toad Circus, is a moody and atmospheric journey though post-rock-leaning anthems (“Lagoon”), hushed acoustic ballads (“Germ”), and crunchy alt-rock dirges (“Teeth”). It’s a fantastic piece of work, and one of the many reasons Bug Moment is among Milwaukee’s most exciting new bands.
State of Sound: Diet Lite @ Radio Milwaukee
Big week for Diet Lite! (See the writeup for the show on April 15.)
Sex Scenes + Baby Tyler, Delicious Monster @ Promises
Tech N9ne @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Chris Smither + Paul Cebar @ Shank Hall
FRIDAY, APRIL 14
Milwaukee Record “Gummy Release Show” with Ladybird (solo) @ Kind Oasis
Yep! Milwaukee Record now has its very own Delta 8 gummies. These…nice 69 milligram assorted sour edibles are produced and sold by Kind Oasis, a local CBD, hemp, and Delta 8 and Delta 9 retailer located on Milwaukee’s East Side. Though they’re available now, we’re also hosting a “Gummy Release Event” at Kind Oasis, which will feature a solo performance by Ladybird, a local playlist curated by Milwaukee Record, refreshments, and more. The event runs from 4-7 p.m. and is free to attend. Nice.
Resurrectionists (record release) + Credentials, Spidora @ Promises
Promises will be celebrating its first Milwaukee Day in grand fashion. The new-ish Walker’s Point bar will be the site of a release show by Resurrectionists, who will be releasing their Now That We Are All Ghosts album into the world. Look for a Resurrectionists film fest—a.k.a. a video release party for all nine of Ghosts‘ tracks–later this month at Cactus Club.
Pay The Devil (record release) + Henry From S.S. Web, Wylie Jakobs @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Speaking of local release shows happening on April 14, Linneman’s will be the location of two area album release shows this Milwaukee Day. Wylie Jakobs will perform songs off his new Seven Days record before Pay The Devil plays material from its new album, Turn To Gold.
414 Day: Spider Creek + Social Caterpillar, DarylAnne, Pulpa De Guayaba, Secret Opening Set @ Cactus Club
Keeping with the stacked multi-genre local show theme, Cactus Club will bring the Spider Creek music collective to its stage, along with Social Caterpillar, Darylanne, Pulpa de Guayaba, and a secret opener.
Milwaukee Day: Tigera + Twan Mack, B.J. Seidel, RealityTV @ The Cooperage
The fine folks at Breaking & Entering and The Cooperage will celebrate Milwaukee Day by showcasing the city’s abundance and variety of homegrown musical talent. Their Milwaukee Day 2023 event features performances by the likes of Tigera, Twan Mack, B.J. Seidel, and RealityTV. There will also be music curated by DJ Dripsweat and live art by Non-Pop.
414 Day (Latin Night): Los Mitoteros + Tlalok & Friends @ Company Brewing
This year’s Milwaukee Day doubles as Latin Night at Company Brewing. From 10 p.m. to close, the Riverwest Brewery will be alive with music from Los Mitoteros and Tlalok & Friends.
414 Milwaukee Day Flight Night @ Indeed Brewing Company
Indeed Brewing Company might’ve started in Minneapolis, but it has quickly made itself at home in Milwaukee with its Walker’s Point taproom. Indeed will celebrate April 14 with a “414 Milwaukee Day Flight Night,” which will find the brewery offering four unique small batch infusions of its Hello, Milwaukee beer, as well as some brand new Hello, Milwaukee swag.
Milwaukee Record Presents: MacGruber @ Times Cinema
Okay, so MacGruber actually has nothing to do with Milwaukee, but it’s awesome and we’re showing it at Times Cinema as part of our ongoing “April Powers” film series. Go see it between April 14 and April 20. Don’t make us beg you.
Spoof Fest (Day 1): Green Day + Everly Brothers, Slade, No Doubt, Warrant @ Club Garibaldi
Daisychain + Dialogues, Stone Theory @ High Dive
Adi Oasis + Phillip-Michael Scales @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
Diet Lite (record release) + Social Cig, Kangaroo Court @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Everyone always says they’re busy, but Milwaukee garage-rock outfit Diet Lite has been really busy. Since releasing the delightful Seems To Be The Way It Tends To Go in 2021, the group has played more than 100 shows, gotten its gear stolen, made a video/short film about getting its gear stolen (“This God Damn City”), and released two EPs. Those EPs—plus 10 more songs!—make up Diet Lite’s latest record, Into To Pudding. The band celebrates the release of that record at tonight’s stacked Back Room show.
IfIHadAHiFi + Subtropolis, Daughters Of Saint Crispin @ Promises
Undercover Organism (EP release) + Funk Summit Bass Team @ Company Brewing
Full Nude + Lavish Waste, Bimbo Rococo @ Last Rites
Big Dopes + The Nile Club, Maybe Hazel @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Hot Box II @ Boone & Crockett/The Cooperage
SUNDAY, APRIL 16
WMSE’s 21st Rockabilly Chili Fundraiser @ MSOE Kern Center
The 21st installment of WMSE’s wildly popular and delicious Rockabilly Chili Fundraiser event kicks off today at 11 a.m. More than 50 different chilis from various Milwaukee restaurants, cafes, and caterers will duke it out for awards in three categories: Meat, Veggie, Heat, and Unique. Will there be an award for Best Display? Yes. Will Chicken Shack DJ Johnny Z and Saturday Morning Cartunes DJ Dietrich spin tunes throughout the afternoon? Yes. Will there be a “new, special edition, very hot” hot sauce from A&M Provisions called Hellraiser? Oh, we have such sights to show you…
Convert + Deep Cross, Iron Years @ X-Ray Arcade
Convert is a band on the rise. Last year, the Milwaukee post-punk/goth rock hybrid—with former and current members of Burning Sons, Get Rad, Assault & Battery, and Cry Coyote in its ranks—released its debut album, Saves. That record garnered ample acclaim, including a spot on our Best Albums list in 2022. In fact, the album was so well-received that its first pressing sold out much faster than anyone in the band could’ve ever imagined. Suddenly faced with all-too-familiar hurdles in the form of vinyl delays and other “supply chain” issues, Convert decided to take an unconventional approach to holding listeners over while they waited for a second pressing: a remix release. That album, featuring remix work from fellow artists like Nicholas Elert and Guerrilla Ghost, was released in February.
The Hangover Show @ The Laughing Tap
“The Hangover Show at The Laughing Tap is the ideal way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Grab a delicious Bloody Mary or Mimosa from the bar and laugh it up with a showcase of hilarious comedians! You’ll see top local talents and national headliners! Don’t miss out! Full bar, with $9 Bloody Marys and Mimosas. Doors open at 1pm / show at 2pm.”
Wiz Khalifa + Joey Bada$$, BERNER, Smoke DZA, Chevy Woods @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Morgan James + Kirk Hurmond @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Donut & Coffee Fest @ Turner Hall Ballroom
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