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 February 14-20, 2022.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Lucy Dacus + Indigo De Souza @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Following an accomplished 2021 that found the indie-folk artist and Boygenius member breaking out unlike ever before, Lucy Dacus comes to Milwaukee to treat Turner Hall to a Valentine’s Night show in belated support of last year’s outstanding Home Video.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Milwaukee Mayoral Primary Election @ various locations
Today, Milwaukee will take one step closer to electing a new mayor—its first new elected mayor in nearly two decades! Seven candidates are vying to fill the remaining two years of Tom Barrett’s mayoral term. (Barrett resigned early to become the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, as one does.) The mayoral race is nonpartisan, so the top two vote-getters will square off in the general election on Tuesday, April 5. You can find our handy mayoral voting guide HERE. Vote!
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Argopelter + Caley Conway @ Boone & Crockett
Argopelter—an improvised trio composed of members of Field Report—returns to the comfortable confines of Boone & Crockett for the final installment of its Wednesday-night “winter residency.” Joining Argopelter once again will be Caley Conway, who will treat those in attendance to new iterations of her music. There’s no cover for the show. Masks are required to be worn properly when not actively consuming food or drinks while indoors.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Movies On Tap: Family Of Cops (1995) @ The Laughing Tap
“Movies On Tap” is a new live comedic riffing series coming to The Laughing Tap, and sponsored by Lakefront Brewery and Milwaukee Record (that’s us). The first film? Ninety-ninety-five’s Family Of Cops, a made-for-TV movie starring Charles Bronson, and shot and set in Milwaukee. Ryan Mason, Greg Bach, and Amy Westrop will handle the riffing. Oh, and Lakefront Brewery’s own Jim “The Godfather of Riverwest Stein” Klisch appears in the film, and he’ll be on hand during intermission for a spirited chat and some good-natured ribbing.
Peter Mulvey + SistaStrings @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
In 2020, Peter Mulvey and now-Nashville-based SistaStrings joined forces to release Live At Cafe Carpe, a remarkable live album. Now, nearly six months after reuniting for a show at Summerfest, they’re coming together again to share the stage at The Back Room. Don’t miss this one. It’s going to be something special.
An Evening With Low @ Cactus Club
Holy crap…Low is playing Cactus Club! You won’t want to miss your chance to see this long-running and legendary band perform in an intimate Bay View venue.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Rat Bath (record release) + Moonglow, Guerrilla Ghost, Chelsea Tadeyeski, Santísimo Ramón @ Cactus Club
Milwaukee “spooky country core” band Rat Bath has come a long way from its origins as a My Chemical Romance-themed country band. The group’s debut album, Rat From Hell, is described thusly: “Rat From Hell is Rat Bath’s freshman LP that tells the story of a witch whose powers are rendered useless when a demon appears in their home having been paid to capture them. Throughout the album the main character fights, is captured by, nearly falls in love with, escapes from, and ultimately defeats the demon by resolving past trauma caused by a previous abuser who had paid the demon. The demon, described to have X’s for eyes and a scribbled-on smile, is the personification of trauma and all the different ways it can manifest in one’s life.” Also: the album is great.
The Backseat Lovers @ Turner Hall Ballroom
The Prince Experience + Lunch Money Bullies @ The Pabst Theater
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Christopher Novak Birthday Extravaganza: Fuzzysurf + Cabin Essence, Gold Steps, Club Ritual @ The Cooperage
Milwaukee music superfan and all-around swell guy Christopher Novak will once again celebrate his birthday by giving local listeners a gift in the form of one heck of a concert. This year’s loaded lineup includes Fuzzysurf, Cabin Essence, Gold Steps, and Club Ritual.
Greensky Bluegrass + The Infamous Stringdusters @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Roughly six months after headlining a stage at Summerfest, veteran Kalamazoo-based Americana outfit Greensky Bluegrass returns to Riverside Theater (where it helped ring in 2020 with a New Year’s Eve show). The group will play songs from the just-released Stress Dreams, and probably lots of cuts from its other seven studio albums as well.
MKExpanded Presents: Emmitt James + FreakishNerd, B~Free, NilexNile @ Company Brewing
MKExpanded is bringing Los Angles (by way of Milwaukee) hip-hop artist Emmitt James back to his hometown of Milwaukee for a stop on his Midwest-focused “Too Cold 2 Tour” jaunt. This Company Brewing bill will also feature FreakishNerd, B~Free, and NilexNile.
Steve Aoki @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
Dream Theater + Arch Echo @ Miller High Life Theatre
Material Reissue + Elephonic @ Shank Hall
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Rucksack Revolution (record release) @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Rucksack Revolution—a dynamic duo that features Sarah Vos of Dead Horses and Adam Greuel of Horseshoes & Hand Grenades—take the stage at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn for a performance mere days after the release of the project’s self-titled debut album.
Langhorne Slim + Nineteen Thirteen @ The Back Room @ Colectivo