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 4-10, 2024.
MONDAY, MARCH 4
Aimee Mann + Jonathan Coulton @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Aimee Mann is one of the most distinguished singer-songwriters of her generation. Her successful solo career has spanned several decades with several Grammy nominations, two Grammy award and the release of nine critically acclaimed solo albums, including the profoundly popular soundtrack for the film Magnolia, which garnered an Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination for Best Song in 2000. Her 2018 album, Mental Illness, won a Grammy for Best Folk Album.”
TUESDAY, MARCH 5
WMSE’s Local/Live: Something To Do @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
If you like ska music and live anywhere in or around the Midwest, you almost certainly know and love Something To Do. The Milwaukee-Madison project has been playing out regularly and releasing music since 2003, surviving changing musical trends and a few lineup changes in the process. Though S2D is now one of the state’s longest-running bands and a certified veteran in the ska-punk genre, the band isn’t resting on its laurels. The seven-piece outfit just released a new album, Here Comes The Panic, and is playing tonight’s free, open-to-the-public live broadcast of WMSE’s Local/Live.
Rock Paper Scissors League @ Company Brewing
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
Cowboy Killers: Chastity Washington + Joshua Buckhaulter, Luise Noé, Raegan Niemela @ Cactus Club
“Chastity Washington’s career spans twenty-five plus years. It has taken her to colleges and clubs across the country. She is an NBC Diversity Finalist and an HBO Comedy Wings winner. She has been seen on BET Comic View, HBO, Def Jam at Montreal Just For Laughs festival, and the Martha’s Vineyard Comedy Fest. Recently Chastity is a regular at the Laugh Factory in Chicago and Comedians You Should Know. Chastity has been featured at the New York Comedy Clubs and The Grisley Pear Village/Manhattan. She has headlined at TeeHee’s, Sidesplitter’s Wesley Chapel, The Lincoln Lodge, and Zanies Chicago – Rosemont, and Comedy On State in Madison, Wisconsin. Lastly she has Opened for Tommy Davidson, Sommore, David Mann, Charlie Berens, and Roy Wood Jr. Her first stand up special, Live At Dandy was recently released on Amazon Prime and Tubi.”
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
Midweek Music: Dandy L. Freling @ Crafty Cow (Bay View)
Back in November, we wrapped up another autumn installment of our Midweek Music concert series at Crafty Cow’s Wauwatosa location. For winter, the concerts will take place at Crafty Cow’s location in Bay View on select Wednesday and Thursday nights. Once again, there will be NO COVER for these all-ages shows, which will run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. If a free weeknight show isn’t already great enough on its own, Crafty Cow will offer $4 pints from Third Space Brewing during all Midweek Music concerts. They’ll also have a “Cheap Date” special, which includes two entrees, a starter, and a dessert for just $37. This week: self-described “boot stompin’ finger-pickin’ folkie” Dandy L. Freling!
The Dollyrots + Gymshorts, Future Plans, Walt Hamburger @ X-Ray Arcade
During their 20-plus-year run, The Dollyrots have released more than a dozen albums and EPs, played all over the world, performed with countless punk and rock and roll mainstays, and had their music featured on television shows and in films. Just shy of a year after playing at X-Ray Arcade, the veteran pop-punkers come back to Cudahy for a stop on their “Spring Fling 2024 Tour” with special guests Gymshorts, Milwaukee’s own Future Plans, and Appleton-based Walt Hamburger.
Matisyahu + Cydeways @ The Pabst Theater
“Creativity is like a fire in a fireplace: You have to tend it or it will go out. For nearly two decades, Matisyahu has kept his creative spirit aflame by evolving his sound, melding genres, and testing the limits of the musical traditions that have inspired him. His latest release, Hold The Fire, and its leadoff single ‘Fireproof’ takes inspiration from a fire dream inspired by Matisyahu’s Old Testament religion, which has meant so much to his spiritual and creative life since his recording career began in 2004 and his breakout track ‘King Without A Crown’ blasted into the Billboard charts in 2005. In a roundabout way, those same Old Testament roots springboarded Matisyahu’s music career.”
Charlie Parr + Two Runner @ Vivarium
“In the music of Charlie Parr, there is a sincere conviction and earnest drive to create. The Minnesota-born guitarist, songwriter, and interpreter of traditional music is a folk troubadour in the truest sense: taking to the road between shows, writing and rewriting songs as he plays, fueled by a belief that music is eternal and cannot be claimed or adequately explained. The bluesman poet pulls closely from the sights and sounds around him, his lyrical craftsmanship built by his influences.”
Luke Chappelle Show @ Scout Gallery
“Scout Gallery proudly presents the Luke Chappelle Show! Whether you’re already a fan or about to become one, this event is a must-attend. Explore and collect both familiar and never-before-seen pieces, all in the artist’s signature style. Mark your calendars for the opening event on Thursday, March 7th, and seize the opportunity to own a Chappelle piece. Don’t let this chance slip away!”
Max Niemann & The Fellow Travelers + Jacob Slade, Holy Pinto @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament @ Lakefront Brewery
FRIDAY, MARCH 8
Milwaukee Record Re-Porter Beer Release: Gold Steps + Shell Bells, Poster Girl @ Company Brewing
We have our own beer! It’s delicious and it’s coming back for another year! Come to Company Brewing to stock up on Milwaukee Record Re-Porter and enjoy live music from a female-focused lineup (Gold Steps, Shell Bells, Poster Girl) that Company Brewing put together to celebrate International Women’s Day. Oh yeah, a portion of all Re-Porter sales will be donated to Milwaukee Women’s Center.
Mary Timony + Youbet @ X-Ray Arcade
“For more than 30 years, singer-songwriter and guitar hero Mary Timony has cut a distinctive path through the world of independent music, most recently as vocalist and guitarist of acclaimed garage-pop power trio Ex Hex but also as a member of seminal post-punk band Autoclave, celebrated leader of the deeply influential Helium, multifaceted solo artist, and a co-founder of supergroup Wild Flag.”
Lamont Landers + Steph Lippert Project @ Cactus Club
“Born and raised in Alabama, Lamont Landers grew up absorbing the soulful sounds of the South that surrounded him. At the age of 14, he taught himself how to play guitar, and, at the age of 19, began singing. He spent years quietly honing his talents behind his bedroom doors, listening to records by Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Sly & The Family Stone, and Ray Charles on repeat. At the age of 22, a candid video recorded by his sister of Lamont performing the Ray Charles’ classic ‘Hit The Road Jack’ went viral on YouTube and garnered over 400,000 views overnight. In the summer of 2023, history repeated itself with similar enthusiastic fan response propelling five Lamont Landers TikTok videos to over 1,000,000 views each. A feature on the Bobby Bones nationally syndicated radio show and shoutouts from music tastemakers ranging from Snoop Dogg to Questlove soon followed.”
Anime Milwaukee @ Hilton Milwaukee City Center Hotel (through March 10)
What started as a college anime club meeting has blossomed into a massive three-day convention that annually brings hundreds of folks to the Hilton in downtown Milwaukee to celebrate “anime, manga, Asian culture, music and gaming.” Buckle up for a whole lotta cosplay!
Will Pfrang & The Good Land Gang + Blacktop, Jacob Slade @ The Cooperage
5 Card Studs @ Nashville North
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJs Jairock + Killa Kutz @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, MARCH 9
56th Shamrock Club Of Wisconsin St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ Downtown Milwaukee
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner (March 17), and with it, the return of the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The 56th installment of the parade will fill downtown Milwaukee with oodles of floats, oodles of dance groups, and thousands of attendees. The parade will begin at noon, will step off at N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. and W, Wisconsin Ave., and will end at Water Street and Highland Avenue. Oh, and there’ll be more festivities to accompany the parade, including events on Friday, March 8. Here’s the complete schedule of those festivities.
An Evening With Rickie Lee Jones @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Rickie Lee Jones is an American musician, storyteller and two-time Grammy winner who has been inspiring pop culture for decades, beginning with her star-making self-titled debut, followed by the seminal Pirates. Named the ‘premiere song-stylist and songwriter of her generation’ by The New Yorker, and ‘The Duchess of Coolsville’ by Time magazine, Jones released her Grammy-nominated album Pieces Of Treasure in 2023, a reunion with Russ Titelman, who produced her first two records. Jones’ celebrated memoir Last Chance Texaco was named Book of the Year by MOJO and a Best Book of the Year at Pitchfork and NPR. The Independent writes, ‘There has always been something defiant about Rickie Lee Jones…a voice from a dream, elusive yet familiar, transcendent, a messenger from another place.'”
The Prince Experience @ The Pabst Theater
“Since 2002, Gabriel Sanchez has been portraying Prince in his critically acclaimed concert event, The Prince Experience. What started out as a small theatre production of Purple Rain, has expanded into a night of unbelievable entertainment and all the hits of one of music’s greatest icons. Hear songs like ‘Little Red Corvette,’ ‘Let’s Go Crazy,’ ‘When Doves Cry,’ ‘Kiss,’ ‘1999’ and of course ‘Purple Rain.'”
NilexNile + FTBK, CRASHprez, Adri & Ash, Duwayne, LaSalle Grandeur, Hagen Brothers @ Cactus Club
Zach Pietrini Band + Listening Party @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
The Swivels + Roxie Beane @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Punk Rock Rummage Sale @ X-Ray Arcade
Beyonce vs. Rihanna @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, MARCH 10
Samuel Huston + Nalani, Eli $tones, Skymall, Zolton, Police Create Hippies @ Cactus Club
“Samuel Huston has found a way to seamlessly blend elements of Hip/hop, R&b, & Pop; speaking on the traumas of growing up in Milwaukee, dealing with deaths of close ones, heartbreak, and etc. Samuel Huston brings visceral feelings of heartbreak and betrayal over a thumping rhythm and meandering electronica.”
Want more Milwaukee Record? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and/or support us on Patreon.