Milwaukee is chock full of things to do, but only a handful of Milwaukee events are worthy of the lofty honor of “Record Recommended” (patent pending). Here are our recommendations—brought to you by Lilliput Records—for April 8-14, 2024.
MONDAY, APRIL 8
Solar Eclipse Viewing Parties @ various locations
For the first time since 2017, a solar eclipse will be visible from our backyards. The big celestial event will reach 90% totality in Milwaukee, meaning about 90% of the sun will be blocked during the time of the eclipse. Peak visibility will happen around 2 p.m. And while Milwaukee viewers won’t experience the whole eclipse, there are still plenty of viewing parties to be found in the area. Find a roundup of those viewing parties (and tips on how to view the eclipse safely) HERE.
Real Estate: Infinite Jangle Tour + Marina Allen @ Vivarium
TUESDAY, APRIL 9
I Don’t Know How But They Found Me + Benches @ The Rave / Eagles Club
“The sophomore album from I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, Gloom Division, is a glimpse into the gloriously strange wonderland of Dallon Weekes’ mind. Over the course of 12 shapeshifting songs, the Salt Lake City-based singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist follows his wildest impulses toward a combustible sound encompassing everything from R&B to post-punk to art-pop, approaching each with equal parts unfettered imagination and exquisite attention to detail. As he shed all creative inhibitions, Weekes widened the scope of his songwriting and expounded on such matters as love and sex, satanic panic, and his lived experience with neurodivergence (to name just a few). The most autobiographical work to date from Weekes, a former member of Panic! at the Disco, Gloom Division ultimately leaves listeners with the very same sense of euphoric fascination that sparked the album’s creation.”
Early Moods + Morbikon, Lost Tribes Of The Moon, Force @ X-Ray Arcade
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
Milwaukee Record Presents: The Blues Brothers @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
How haven’t we screened The Blues Brothers yet? We’re not sure, but that omission won’t be an issue much longer. Tonight, we’re finally putting the band back together, so to speak, and showing the seminal 1980 action comedy at Avalon Theater. Tickets to this extra special screening are on sale NOW. Shake a tail feather and get on over to the Avalon!
The Mountain Goats + Katie Kirby @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“The Mountain Goats are, for all practical purposes, the endlessly clever and prolific John Darnielle and whomever he chooses to work with at the moment. Darnielle writes finely observed, impressionistic vignettes that blent a clear, realistic sense of detail with mildly surreal imaginings.”
Alyssa Edwards @ Milwaukee Improv
In addition to being a RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favorite, Alyssa Edwards is downright hilarious. Don’t miss the comically gifted queen’s performance tonight at Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield.
Finom + V.V. Lightbody, Ellie Jackson @ Cactus Club
Kublai Khan TX + Sunami, Judiciary, Momentum @ The Rave / Eagles Club
THURSDAY, APRIL 11
2024 Milwaukee Film Festival @ various locations (through April 25)
The 2024 Milwaukee Film Festival is here! Over the course of two full weeks, a whopping 131 feature films and 169 shorts will screen at the Oriental Theatre, Downer Theatre, Avalon Theater, and Times Cinema. This year’s lineup is loaded with highlights: a heartwarming Opening Night documentary (Shari & Lamb Chop), the return of the Milwaukee Music Video Show, the return of the silent-film-live-scoring group Anvil Orchestra, the return of the Stop Making Sense dance party, oodles of music docs (Joan Baez! Cyndi Lauper!) and much, much more. As always, Milwaukee Record is the proud sponsor of the Cinema Hooligante program—a.k.a. the midnight/horror/bizarro program filled with films both strange and terrifying. It’s a particularly strong lineup this year, topped with one of the most talked-about horror films of the year, Late Night With The Devil.
The Mavericks + McKinley James @ The Pabst Theater
“The Mavericks, the eclectic rock and country group known for crisscrossing musical boundaries with abandon, has gone through three distinct phases since it was founded in Miami in 1989. An initial period of heady success marked by big hits and critical acclaim in the ’90s. A long hiatus starting 2003 when the musicians each went their own way. And finally, a triumphant reunion in 2012 which held long enough for them to recently celebrate the band’s 30th anniversary.”
Lunar Moth + The Living Johnsons, Superglue, Socially Suspect @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
The Fall Of Troy + Lobby Boxer, Graysea @ X-Ray Arcade
Soft Kill + Gumm, Lost Legion, Convert @ Cactus Club
Earthless + Minami Deutsch @ Club Garibaldi
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
Luke Combs + Cody Jinks, Charles Wesley Godwin, The Wilder Blue @ American Family Field
What’s better than one Luke Combs show at American Family Field? How about two! Yep, the country superstar will bring his “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old” tour to the Milwaukee ballpark for two consecutive nights. Expect a different roster of openers each night, and the “Luke Combs Bootleggers Tailgate Party”—with even more supporting artists—on Saturday.
Spoof Fest XXX Day 1: The Concert For Bangladesh + Warren Zevon, Quiet Riot, Van Hagar @ Club Garibaldi
What’s better than one installment of Spoof Fest? How about two! Yep, the beloved and oft-hilarious Milwaukee tribute-band institution will bring its 30th annual installment (!) to Club Garibaldi for two consecutive nights. Expect local musicians goofing/paying tribute to a variety of artists each night, including Warren Zevon, the Bee Gees, and the Sammy Hagar era of Van Halen.
Holy Shit! + Snacks, HUMID, Iron Pizza @ Cactus Club
Bunny Blues (record release) + Phasing, Half Catholic @ Company Brewing
5PM To Nowhere + Blacktop, Oliver Dodge @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Don Black @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
Nicki Minaj + Monica @ Fiserv Forum
Buckle up, because worldwide sensation Nicki Minaj is bringing her “Pink Friday 2 World Tour” to Fiserv Forum. As if that’s not already great enough on its own, The Barbz should also show up early to catch an opening set by Monica of “The Boy Is Mine” and “For You I Will” fame.
Scam Likely (record release) + Gramma, Clementine @ Vivarium
When we last checked in with Scam Likely, the upstart alt/indie-rock band was busy releasing one of the best Milwaukee albums of 2023, Getting Worse. From the woozy goth-romantic vibe of “Domestic Bliss” to the cathartic release of “Jesus Christ, Stop Yelling I’m Right Here,” the album was a fantastic introduction to one of the city’s best new groups. So what’s next for Scam Likely? Good news! A new album, Yolk, is here! Described as the sound of “the band reckoning with the realities and anxieties of contemporary youth, letting it fall past them, and pulling joy from a world of abscess and excess,” the record will be released on April 12 and celebrated at tonight’s show.
People Brothers Band + Driveway Thriftdwellers @ The Cooperage
“The People Brothers Band’s unique brand of rhythm and soul features some of the most talented vocalists and musicians in the region. The vibrant group of longtime friends, collaborators, and multi-dimensional artists formed in 2008 as an open mic songwriting outfit and hasn’t looked back since. The band has cultivated a captivating musical alchemy through collective dedication to their craft, the Midwest music community, and each other. United by their shared vision of uplifting friends and fans through music, the band is set to tour their most recent album Sisters & Brothers coming in April 2023.”
Fellow Kinsman + Shoobie, Triptych @ Mad Planet
Well + Good + North Warren, Secondhand Souls @ Shank Hall
The Veronicas + Jesse Jo Stark @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Spoof Fest XXX Day 2: Gogo’s + Pat Benatar, The Knack, Bee Gees @ Club Garibaldi
Luke Combs + Jordan Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, Drew Parker, Colby Acuff @ American Family Field
Caleb Westphal Spins Timeless Vinyl 45s @ Boone & Crockett
Punk Rock Rummage Sale @ X-Ray Arcade
SUNDAY, APRIL 14
Milwaukee Day @ various locations
Happy Milwaukee Day, Milwaukee! Or 414 Day. Or 414 Milwaukee Day. Or 414MKEDay. Or Milwaukee Cyber Monday. It’s all the same; it’s all about Milwaukee! What started as an area-code-based joke between friends more than a decade ago has exploded into a citywide phenomenon. So get out there and see some shows (find some below), support some local businesses, and maybe even do a good deed or two. We love ya, Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Day Show: Sandwich + Lagoon, YUSI ft. miur And AG @ Cactus Club
Blessing Of The Bock @ Falcon Bowl
Graveyard Gallery III: Lasagna Cat: A Garfield-Themed Pop-Up @ X-Ray Arcade
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