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 March 18-24, 2024.
MONDAY, MARCH 18
Killer High Life + The Living Johnsons, DaCapo @ Cactus Club
“Killer High Life is an indie/emo rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Formed during the member’s first year of university, their sound switches frequently between dreamo/shoegaze, midwest emo, indie rock, and punk.”
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
Rock Paper Scissors League @ Company Brewing
Guess what? Milwaukee has its own competitive Rock Paper Scissors league! Looking to throw down and match wits with your fellow Milwaukeeans? Looking to get goofy and compete for prizes and leaderboard bragging rights? Looking to try your hand at an “Avalanche” (throwing three Rocks in a row), a “Toolbox” (three Scissors), or a “Crescendo” (Paper, Scissors, Rock)? Then get yourself to Company Brewing!
Striped Cow + Mizzy, I H8 It Here, Aergo, Big Fat Tony @ X-Ray Arcade
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
Zach Bryan + The Middle East, Levi Turner @ Fiserv Forum
“Zach Bryan has built a hard-won reputation as an in-concert force of nature, second to none, as evidenced by anyone who attended shows from his Burn, Burn, Burn Tour which wraps in Kansas City at the end of the month. All shows sold out instantly several months in advance, and he set new attendance records at several venues along the way. The new 16-track body of work explores the Grammy-nominated singer’s southern states roots that combine a litany of varied musical and literary influences that might be best described as ‘Zach Bryan music.’ Written and produced entirely by Bryan himself, the self-titled album features raw and unfiltered stories that speak from the heart directly to his ever-growing global fanbase. Zach Bryan boasts collaborations with Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, Sierra Ferrell, and The War and Treaty.”
THURSDAY, MARCH 21
Eric Rahill + Jack Bensinger @ Cactus Club
“Eric Rahill is a writer and performer based in New York City. Eric can be seen in season 2 of The Bear for FX and on season 3 of I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson for Netflix. He recently wrapped filming the independent feature Exit Statement opposite Stavros Halkias and Wes Haney. Eric has done voiceover for the animated series Dicktown (Hulu/FXX) and has appeared on Chris Gethard Presents. He is co-host of the weekly podcast Joy Tactics with Jack Bensinger and Nate Varrone and he co-hosts the stand-up comedy show IDGAFOLOGY, which takes place monthly at Union Hall. Eric has garnered a cult following across his Twitter, TikTok and Instagram accounts for his videos as an aspiring influencer and positivity guru. He started comedy in Chicago, where he studied and performed at The Annoyance, iO and Second City.”
Colin Hay @ The Pabst Theater
“Colin Hay is widely known for being the influential and celebrated front man of Men At Work with multi-platinum hits that include ‘Down Under,’ ‘Who Can It Be Now’ and ‘Overkill’ among many others. This show will feature Colin Hay and his fantastic band of LA based musicians playing songs from both the Grammy winning Men at Work catalog and Hay’s solo catalog, including hits like ‘Waiting For My Real Life To Begin,’ ‘Beautiful World’ and many more.”
JJ Grey & Mofro + Judith Hill @ The Riverside Theater
“From his early days playing cover music behind chicken wire at a west side Jacksonville juke joint while still working at a lumberyard, to playing sold-out shows at some of the largest venues and music festivals in the world, JJ Grey has always delivered his soul-honest truths. Since his first album, Blackwater, back in 2001, Grey has been releasing deeply moving, masterfully written, funkified rock and front porch Southern soul music.”
The Von Tramps + Cindy Lawson, Courtesy Of Tim, Local Legends @ X-Ray Arcade
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
Dusk + Blue County Pistol, David Miner, Tommy Goodroad @ Promises
“Dusk is a group that walks the shadowed path. It’s well known in the rural pastures of Wisconsin, where all of the members of this group were raised, that the traditional music of the common people is Polka, but the most respected form of musical expression is Country and Western. Dusk walks cleanly between these two worlds; pulling influence from both but most strongly associating with Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues. They bring with them a strong, informed, melodic statement that draws a line between themselves and the trend of bubble gum pop and country-influenced mall schlock.”
Amanda Huff & Steve Peplin Duo @ The Estate (also March 23)
“The Estate is proud to welcome Amanda Huff and Steve Peplin for two nights only. Performing works by Stangelander, Huff, Peplin, Bjork, Duke Ellington, Nirvana, Ella Fitzgerald, and more! Longtime collaborators and close bandmates since 2017, Amanda Huff and Steve Peplin will be stripping down their usual lineups to bring The Estate an intimate look into their personal work and influences as a duo. Known as the frontmen of experimental jazz septet Strangelander, both Huff and Peplin are uniquely distinct in their own capacities. Peplin with a prolific background in jazz guitar and symphonic orchestration, and Huff a mainstay in the local pop and electronic scene. Together they plan to take the audience on a journey through unreleased material, fan favorites, jazz classics, and covers of some of the work that inspired the musicians they are today.”
An Evening With: John McCauley (Deer Tick) @ Cactus Club
“Emotional Contracts, the latest full-length album from Deer Tick, catalogs all the existential casualties that accompany the passing of time, instilling each song with the irresistibly reckless spirit that’s defined the band for nearly two decades. Before heading into the studio with producer Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Spoon, Sleater-Kinney), the Providence-bred four-piece spent months working on demos in a perpetually flooded warehouse space in their hometown, enduring the busted heating system and massive holes in the roof as they carved out the album’s 10 raggedly eloquent tracks. Emotional Contracts fully echoes the unruly energy of its creation, ultimately making for a heavy-hearted yet wildly life-affirming portrait of growing older without losing heart.”
WWE SmackDown @ Fiserv Forum
“Milwaukee, WWE SmackDown is returning on Friday, March 22! Don’t miss seeing your favorite WWE Superstars in action LIVE! DON’T MISS IN ACTION LIVE: RANDY ORTON, KEVIN OWENS, LA KNIGHT, BIANCA BELAIR, BOBBY LASHLEY, THE STREET PROFIT, JIMMY USO, SOLO SIKOA, AND MANY MORE! *Card is subject to change*”
Dwight Yoakam @ The Riverside Theater
“Honky Tonk, here we come! Country legend Dwight Yoakam helped return country music to its roots but never played by Nashville’s rules. The renowned singer/songwriter brings his signature Bakersfield sound to the Riverside Theater for an unforgettable evening this March!”
Father Sky + Verzhun @ The Cooperage
Nothing Of Consequence + The Hypnic Jerks, El Wrongo, Toadskin @ Bremen Cafe
Retro Video Party: DJ ZeroCool @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
Sam Grow And Friends @ The Cooperage
“After the breakout success of his first studio album, 2019’s Love And Whiskey, a lot has changed for Average Joes Entertainment star Sam Grow. That milestone project followed years of grinding work, writing his own tunes, booking his own shows and recording his own EPs … but it was all rewarded. Love And Whiskey hit Number One on iTunes’ Country Albums chart—doing so with zero radio airplay—and since then he’s only poured more gas on the fire. Grow’s 2020 single ‘Song About You’ burned red hot, pulling in more than 50 million streams and getting named one of Spotify’s ‘Best Country Songs’ in the process. Grow’s been featured on Billboard’s coveted ‘7 Country Acts To Watch’ list, and touted by Music Row as a sure-bet for future superstardom, among other accolades, as the temperature continues to spike.”
Wonderful Bluffer + Rainbow Cobra, Simple Syrup @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“Since 2018, Wonderful Bluffer has sought nothing more than to disarm and enchant audiences with the undying spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. In just a few short years, the Milwaukee-based rock band has managed to craft a style of music all their own, with influences spanning across many genres. October of 2021 saw the release of Wonderful Bluffer’s first album: Passion & Reason—a 6-song introduction to the musicianship and songwriting talents of the band, proving their commitment to a diverse style that spans various genres of rock and roll, blues, heavy metal and progressive rock. Known for their high-energy live performances, the band seeks nothing more than to share their music with anyone willing to come and listen to what they have to offer. Coming hot off the release of their second album Torn by Reflection, the band has now turned their attention to the national scene. They are currently focused on touring throughout the Midwest and beyond to spread their influence and music to new fans around the country.”
Amanda Huff & Steve Peplin Duo @ The Estate
Chapped Lips + Shoobie, Pat & The Pissers, The Nile Club @ Cactus Club
Seth Brown Duo + Blacktop, Jacob Slade @ Company Brewing
Nine Inch Nails vs. Ministry vs. Nitzer Ebb @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, MARCH 24
Mol Sullivan + Hello Sapien, Maximiano, So Zuppy @ Cactus Club
“Cincinnati-based Mol Sullivan’s songwriting speaks earnestly and with grit. Her lyrics coo and lilt via delicate pop melodies and suspend the listener between the ethereal and concrete. Her lyrics and live performances indulge in humor, humility, and emotional revelation. Sullivan has spent the last few years sober and has used this time as a poignant backdrop for reflecting over a chequered past and having been the forlorn villain of her own story.”
Cloudbelly + Wandering Nerve, Shell Bells @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
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