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 May 6-12, 2024.
MONDAY, MAY 6
The Postal Service + Death Cab For Cutie, Slow Pulp @ Miller High Life Theatre
“To celebrate two decades of Give Up and Transatlanticism, The Postal Service & Death Cab for Cutie have joined forces for an unprecedented 20th anniversary co-headline tour. Each night, Benjamin Gibbard, the co-founder of both bands, will pull double duty performing with The Postal Service—comprised of Gibbard, Jimmy Tamborello, and Jenny Lewis—as well as with Death Cab for Cutie (alongside Nick Harmer, Dave Depper, Zac Rae, and Jason McGerr). The extraordinary live run will see both iconic groups performing their seminal 2003 albums in full.”
Shakey Graves + Odie Leigh @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Across his career, Shakey Graves — a.k.a. the performance moniker of Austin, Texas-born Alejandro Rose-Garcia — has intentionally created thrilling musical adventures tailored to each fan: burning CDs and putting them in personalized decorated bags; building intricate scavenger hunts that send fans in search of unique tapes; and Bandcamp-exclusive releases.”
Garden Home + Basketball Divorce Court, The Briefly Gorgeous, Courtesy @ Cactus Club
TUESDAY, MAY 7
Belle And Sebastian + Haley Heynderickx @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“With a legacy spanning three decades, Belle and Sebastian have truly earned their place in music history. The unique, unpredictable, and fiercely loved band have a plethora of accolades and plaudits to their name including winning the ‘Best Newcomers’ BRIT in 1999, selling out the Hollywood Bowl, and contributing to the soundtrack for an array of films (Juno, The Power Of Nightmares). Still regarded as ‘One of the most thoughtful and compelling bands out there’ (The Times), this show is sure to be a must-see.”
WMSE’s Local/Live: Jinksie @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“Join us at Anodyne in Walker’s Point on Tuesday, May 7th, (6pm) for another free, all-ages edition of Local Live, hosted by DJ Maggie and Milwaukee Record’s Matt Wild with the three-piece, post punk rock band Jinksie! If you can’t join in the fun in-person, tune into 91.7FM at 6 p. m. or stream at wmse.org.”
Todd Day Wait + Long Mama @ Cactus Club
The Pentagram String Band + Grain Elevator, Jayke Orivs @ X-Ray Arcade
Rock Paper Scissors League @ Company Brewing
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8
HOSTS + Hurd & Galante, Stephie James @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“HOSTS is an Indie-Americana band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their critically acclaimed, new full length album, Wade Low, was recorded and produced by Andrew Long (Judah & The Lion, Houndmouth) and was named to the top albums of 2023 (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Milwaukee Record). Originally formed in Nashville in 2014, HOSTS has re-emerged in Milwaukee with founding member Miles Patzer, guitarist Tyson Allison, bassist Brian Tapola, & drummer Aaron Reinke.”
Mama’s Broke + Paper Wings, Dandy L. Freling @ Cactus Club
“Mama’s Broke is a powerful duo that deliver a compelling performance with heart and raw energy. Although highly influenced by their Canadian roots, Lisa and Amy are based out of nowhere and everywhere. Their two strong voices blend to create haunting harmonies, while they artfully juggle fiddle, banjo, guitar and mandolin, and incorporate traditional dance and foot percussion into their performance. Their original -and often dark- compositions push the boundaries of tradition and the constraints of genre. Drawing from old-time, Quebecois, blues, punk, celtic, balkand and doom metal, they create a soundscape that is both familiar and new.”
Young Rising Sons + Lemondrop, The Keystones @ X-Ray Arcade
THURSDAY, MAY 9
Christopher Paul Stelling + Nathaniel Heuer (Hello Death) @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“Atlanta, Georgia based songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling has released 7 albums and played thousands of concerts across the US, UK, and EU over the last decade. Stelling has mostly toured solo but has also supported Son Little, Mavis Staples, The Devil Makes Three, Ben Harper and many others. Stelling released a trio of albums for indie favorite Anti- records and has performed multiple times at Newport Folk Festival and on CBS Saturday Morning. Stelling is known for his intricate finger-style guitar work, road tested vocal delivery, and introspective lyrics.”
Screening: The People’s Joker @ Cactus Club (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.)
*Aya + Steph Lippert Project, ADORNER @ Company Brewing
Satsang + Zach Pietrini @ Vivarium
Galactic Empire + Bit Brigade, Super Guitar Bros @ X-Ray Arcade
FRIDAY, MAY 10
Milwaukee Psych Fest @ The Cooperage (also May 11)
Milwaukee Psych Fest IX will feature a total of 19 acts from all over the world performing at The Cooperage over a two-day span. Beyond the live music on stage May 10-11, there will also be “live rhythm painted visuals” provided by Mad Alchemy and Luminacidy. Gear up for the festival’s return and check out the full list of Milwaukee Psych Fest IX performers HERE.
Michael Ian Black @ The Laughing Tap (also May 11)
Beyond his lengthy career as an actor (The State, Stella, Ed, Wet Hot American Summer, and 200 other things!), an author, and a podcaster, Michael Ian Black is also an exceptional stand-up comic. In fact, you can see him do just that May 10-11, when the heralded humorist and gifted storyteller takes the stage at The Laughing Tap for a total of four performances in the cozy Walker’s Point club.
Laura Jane Grace And The Mississippi Medical + Sam Russo, Pigeon Pit @ Vivarium
In addition to being the singer and founding member of Against Me!, Laura Jane Grace is also an author and an accomplished solo artist. Speaking of the whole “solo artist” thing, she’ll play material off her latest album, Hole In My Head, tonight at the intimate Vivarium.
Eddie Griffin @ The Pabst Theater
While he’s an accomplished actor and a cultural touchstone who’s been a known figure in entertainment since the early ’90s, Eddie Griffin is first and foremost a comedian. Thankfully, Griffin—whom Comedy Central accurately declares to be one of the 100 funniest comedians of all time—is still taking the stage to do what he does best. Whether you want to mark him off your stand-up bucket list or you’re anxious to hear his new material in action, you’ll have a chance to catch Griffin tonight at Pabst Theater.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony @ The Rave/Eagles Club
“Graced with a quick and sometimes sung delivery, along with a unique sense of melody, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony burst out of Cleveland, Ohio in the mid-’90s with a pair of massive hits (‘Thuggish Ruggish Bone’ and ‘Tha Crossroads’) along with a great first album, as well as a successful follow-up, and then quickly unraveled. Mainstream interest dropped off toward the tail end of the ’90s, but the group, which underwent a series of lineup changes, continued to release new material via mixtapes and albums throughout the 2000s.”
The Messthetics + James Brandon Lewis, Strangelander ft. Amanda Huff @ Cactus Club
The Spine Stealers + Ross Thorn, Valley Fox @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Back to ’80s & ’90s Retro Video Party @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, MAY 11
MKE Music Night LXXV: Charlee Grider + Cosmic Lovechild, Cullah, Hanna Simone @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“Milwaukee singer/songwriter Charlee Grider Milwaukee singer/songwriter Charlee Grider draws inspiration from artists like Billie Eilish, Amy Winehouse, and Third Eye Blind. She sweetly reflects on loneliness in her song ‘Thursday Afternoon.’ Charlee’s debut album, October Disarray, was released in 2021 and you can find her active posts on Instagram @charleegridermusic. Additionally, Charlee is a Film student at UW-Milwaukee and the Singer/Rhythm Guitarist for the Milwaukee Garage Rock band Scam Likely. Charlee’s energy and creativity continue to thrive in the city she considers her roots—Milwaukee.”
Boys Of Fall + Greywind, Good Terms, Gold Steps, Lilac & Lotus @ X-Ray Arcade
House Your Body: Jonn Hawley + Optimist, Don Black, Lurky @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, MAY 12
R.A.P. Ferreira + Cavalier @ Cactus Club
A few months removed from releasing his excellent The First To Make Contact When We Dap, Nashville (by way of Kenosha/Milwaukee) experimental hip-hop artist R.A.P. Ferreira—who previously released music as Milo and Scallops Hotel—returns to the city he once called home for a Cactus Club stop on his “Dignity & Pride Tour.”
Gouge Away + BUIO OMEGA, Big Laugh @ X-Ray Arcade
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