Our fat-free, dolphin-safe Milwaukee events calendar 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 August 30-September 5, 2021.
MONDAY, AUGUST 30
Bully + Tweens @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
There’s a reason this Bully show at The Back Room @ Colectivo sold out almost immediately: Bully is fantastic. (A limited number of tickets have since been released.) The solo project of Alicia Bognanno, Bully channels ’90s pop-minded garage rock at its crunchiest and most hummable. Last year’s Sugaregg followed in the footsteps of a terrific cover of Nirvana’s “About A Girl.”
Korn + Fire From The Gods @ The Rave/Eagles Ballroom
Timmy Vulgar’s Genetic Armageddon + Future Bartenderz, Aluminum Knot Eye @ High Dive
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31
Chill On The Hill: The Sunkin Suns + Donna Woodall @ Humboldt Park
If you haven’t been to Chill On The Hill much this summer, your chilling time is running out: including this installment headlined by Bay View jazz/jam band The Sunkin Suns, only three Chills remain. Hopefully it won’t rain!
Calliope Musicals + Fellow Kinsman, Joe Crockett, DJ Sahan @ Cactus Club
King Crimson + The Zappa Band @ Miller High Life Theatre
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Green Day + Fall Out Boy + Weezer @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
It’s the “Hella Mega Tour”! With Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer! For one of Summerfest’s not-quite-Summerfest “Wednesday Kick-Off” shows at American Family Insurance Amphitheater! Be there!
Lindsay Buckingham + Sammy Brue @ The Pabst Theater
Florentine Opera Al Fresco Series: John Holiday @ Nunemaker home on the East Side
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Summerfest (Weekend #1) @ Henry Maier Festival Park (through September 4)
Hey! Summerfest 2021 is happening September 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18. (There are also some amphitheater-only “Wednesday Kick-Off” concerts.) Find the full lineup for every day and every stage HERE. And remember: you’ll need to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter!
Mr. Nice Guy Presents: Kyle Kenowski + Weird Storm, Fressure Point, Anson Obvious @ Cactus Club
The animated video for Kyle John Kenowski’s “TRUSTWORMY” is the product of more than two years and “well over 2,000 hours” of work Kenowski put into the project. Fortunately, the time and effort are absolutely worth it, as it makes a strong case for the most ambitious Milwaukee music videos in recent memory. Kenowski says the video is a play on the biblical story of Adam and Eve. Though he says he doesn’t subscribe to any traditional religion, he finds beauty in the story of creation. That beauty is on full display in this incredible visual masterpiece.
Rainbow Summer: De La Buena @ Marcus Center Grounds
Alternative Radio + Diet Lite, The Nile Club, Groundlings @ X-Ray Arcade
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Gareth Reynolds @ Milwaukee Improv (7:30 p.m. and 9:45 shows)
Brown Deer, Wisconsin native and ComedySportz alum Gareth Reynolds is best known as the co-host of The Dollop, a popular American history podcast that’s landed him a book deal and has brought him to perform in places like Iceland, Australia, throughout Europe, and all corners of the United States. On top of being a world-renowned podcast personality, as well as a writer (Arrested Development, You’re The Worst), actor (New Girl, The Goldbergs, Maron), and a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers, Reynolds is an avidly touring stand-up comedian. He’ll return to the greater Milwaukee area for a total of four performances at the newly opened Milwaukee Improv September 3-4.
Gold Steps + Walt Hamburger, Fun Bois @ X-Ray Arcade
NATL PARK SRVC + The Unitaskers, Buena Carta, RAT BATH, Rat Boi @ Quarters Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Brief Candles + Haunter, Gauss @ Club Timbuktu
Let’s take a moment to recognize the longstanding greatness of Brief Candles. The Milwaukee-by-way-of-Peoria-Illinois shoegaze/dream-pop outfit has been a fixture in town for more than 15 years, playing an untold number of shows and releasing a steady stream of singles, EPs, and LPs. The band’s last full-length record was 2017’s Retreater; 2020 saw the release of two new singles, “I Will Follow You Too” and “Rehearsal.”
Gigs 4 Good: B.J. Seidel + Joe Crockett @ Tonic Tavern
Gareth Reynolds @ Milwaukee Improv (7 p.m. and 9:30 shows)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
ANDII + We Are The Willows (solo), Ellie Jackson @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Milwaukee native ANDII has been making music for more than a decade. Her experience shows: the singer’s sensibilities are a well-honed blend of jazz, folk, and modern-day pop. For evidence, look no further than the wonderful “I Just Go Mad,” from 2019’s What I’m Good At. Tonight’s show will be ANDII’s first with a backing band since the beginning of the pandemic.