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 the week of February 18-24, 2019.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Tuesday Tunes: Amanda Huff @ Kindred On K.K.
Milwaukee Record is joining forces with Kindred On K.K. to kick off “Tuesday Tunes.” The Tuesday evening performance series will feature eight weeks of music from some of the city’s favorite artists. There will be no cover for these shows, which will all run from 6 to 8 p.m. The series will begin with Amanda Huff on February 19 and wrap up with Allen Coté on April 9. Kindred’s kitchen and bar will offer their full menu, and their Tuesday night happy hour (including $2 oysters and $5 old fashioneds) will last all night.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Milwaukee Record presents Coming To America @ Avalon Theater
Coming To America tells the romantic tale of Zamunda’s Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy), who rejects the royal tradition of arranged marriage and flees to America to find his true love. Attempting to pass themselves off as working class students, Akeem and his servant Semmi (Arsenio Hall) get to know their new neighbors in Queens, New York in an effort to meet the future Queen of Zamunda. The duo of Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall offers more than enough comedic firepower to keep this movie rolling, but there is so much more. James Earl Jones gives an unforgettable performance as King Jaffe Joffer, while John Amos, Frankie Faison, Eriq La Salle, Louie Anderson, Samuel L. Jackson and so many others make hilarious and heartfelt contributions to this ’80s masterpiece.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Tyrese + Ginuwine @ Miller High Life Theatre
One is an actor, producer, author, and musician with multiple Grammy nominations to his credit. The other is responsible for “Pony.” No matter which of these R&B superstars is most appealing to you, you’re in for a treat when Tyrese Gibson and Ginuwine bring their “Love Vibes” to the High Life Theatre in the wake of Valentine’s Day
Beirut + Helado Negro @ Pabst Theater
If you find yourself longing for the days of good ol’ Elephant 6-esque indie pop, look no further than Beirut, who has been pleasantly plunking away in the genre since 2006. Frontman Zach Condon wrote the title track of Beirut’s latest album, Gallipoli, “after a day trip to the medieval-fortressed island town of Gallipoli after he followed a brass band procession fronted by priests carrying a statue of the town’s saint.” Because of course he did.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Travis Scott + Sheck Wes @ Fiserv Forum
Remember when Travis Scott played this year’s Super Bowl halftime show? Jesus, remember this year’s Super Bowl halftime show? Yeah, let’s not think about this year’s Super Bowl halftime show. Anyway, Travis Scott is playing the Fiserv Forum during the second leg of his massive Astroworld: Wish You Were Here Tour. Maroon 5 will not be there.
Lyric Advisory Board + The Fainting Room, Long Mama @ Company Brewing
Allen Coté isn’t one to mince words. Lyric Advisory Board’s first album of original material, The Great American Novelty, is a caustic takedown of society set to loose, country-fried rock and roll. “There ain’t no wrong or right / When you’ve got god on your side / Just another asshole down on his knees” is how Coté sets the tone on the opener, “American Carnage,” and the energy rarely lets up from there. Punctuated by some sizzling lead guitar work in songs such as “Drunk On Power” and “Heaven In The Suburbs,” the album is unabashedly political and ramshackle, even obnoxious at times, but not without its tender moments; the mellow interlude of “Chapter XI” and “Death In The Afternoon” provides some of the record’s most memorable melodies before kicking back into high gear with “Little Bourgeois Lice.” Radio-friendly, it ain’t.
Colter Wall + Wade Sapp @ Turner Hall
The pride of rural Saskatchewan, 23-year-old Colter Wall has both the voice and the material of a much older man. Following 2017’s eponymous breakout album and a sold-out show at The Back Room @ Colectivo, the folk phenom will bring his rock-polished voice and beyond-his-years musicianship to Turner Hall.
The Hullmen + Man Random @ Circle-A Cafe
Down-and-dirty rock and roll served with a side of gutter-punk edge isn’t very fashionable these days, what with all the kids and their electro-pop EDM projects or whatever. Still, that very lack of hipness gives the scuffed-up genre its timeless appeal and surprising longevity. As long as there are grizzled dudes (and gals) listening to bands like The Stooges and The Cramps, guzzling down cheap beer at dingy bars and clubs, and pounding away on beat-up guitars on the weekends, rock and roll will live on. Fuck yeah. In Milwaukee, few bands know this better than The Hullmen. The no-nonsense outfit has been plugging away since 2008, releasing a slew of agreeably sleazy records like 2010’s Here Come The Hullmen, and haunting a slew of agreeably sleazy local venues like Circle-A and Kochanski’s.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Shorewood Sayonara @ North Shore Legion Post #331
Last month, news broke that North Shore Legion Post #331 (a.k.a. the “Shorewood Legion Hall”) was for sale. Though the fate of the building that’s known for its fish fry and, more so, for serving as an invaluable host site for all-ages shows for much of the 2000s is currently up in the air, it’s unlikely that the property’s owners-to-be will be receptive to the idea of hosting hardcore and metal concerts. On Saturday, a total of 11 bands whose members played shows at Shorewood Legion Hall will say goodbye to the all-ages venue between the hours of 3 and 11:30 p.m. The lineup includes headliner Wings Of Scarlet, along with the first Forever Is Forgotten show in 14 years, and performances by modern Milwaukee metal-tinged mainstays like Knaaves and Ara.
Plaid Hawaii + Immortal Girlfriend, LUXI, FearJoy @ Mad Planet
Bailen + Ruth B8r Ginsburg, Siren @ Cactus Club
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Wückfinter @ Ray’s Wine & Spirits
From noon to (at least) 5 p.m., the “Ray-borhood” will be abuzz with activity. Ray’s parking lot will be tented off to accommodate upwards of 1,000 guests. There will be a total of 18 beers from 3 Floyds on tap outside, upstairs at Ray’s Growler Gallery, and at a pop-up bar at the business’ new event space. The parking lot will also host food vendors, including Aaron Patin from Iron Grate, a food truck operated by 3 Floyds chef Cole Ersel (a Milwaukee expat, formerly of Wolf Peach), and another food truck TBA. Musical entertainment will be provided by 3 Floyds brewers, who will make the trip up from Munster, Indiana to curate a playlist that will serve as Wückfinter’s soundtrack.
Immortal Girlfriend + Dante Elephante, L’Resorts @ Company Brewing
Let’s keep it simple: brothers Kevin and Will Bush are ’80s-tastic electronic duo Immortal Girlfriend, and they are awesome. Catch them any and every time they play.
Big Head Todd And The Monsters + Blue Water Highway @ Pabst Theater