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 6-12 2023.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Almost Monday + DOUBLECAMP @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Hey! Sunny California indie-pop band Almost Monday is playing cold and sometimes-sunny Milwaukee…on a Monday! Fancy that! Equally sunny pop duo DOUBLECAMP will play in support.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
WMSE Local/Live: Buffalo Nichols @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Since mid-2021, Buffalo Nichols—the solo project of Milwaukee native and current Austin resident Carl Nichols—has been busy. Nichols released his debut album on Fat Possum Records, toured avidly, played a number of massive music festivals, shared the stage with some massive acts, and even appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Through it all, he’s made sure to return to Milwaukee to perform on a semi-regular basis. Tonight, days after a pair of Cactus Club shows, Nichols will play a free-to-attend (but RSVP-required) live broadcast of WMSE’s Local/Live.
Youth Crusher + Splatter Pattern, Dry Cough, Boiling Point, Loose Lid @ Cactus Club
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Argopelter + Caley Conway @ Boone & Crockett
Argopelter is an improvised experimental trio composed of Barry Paul Clark (bass), Devin Drobka (drums), and Christopher Porterfield (guitar). The group’s frequent residencies at Boone & Crockett are always appointment viewing/listening, especially when coupled with incomparable singer-songwriter Caley Conway. The musicians’ winter residency concludes tonight. Be there, and think spring!
Songwriters In The Round: TAE + Genevieve Heyward, Liv Mueller @ Cactus Club
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9
The Florentine Presents: Covers With Immortal Girlfriend @ The Cooperage
The Florentine Opera is joining forces with sibling synthwave duo Immortal Girlfriend for two nights of re-imagined classics as part of Florentine’s “Covers” series. “Marrying today’s sounds with centuries of classic melody, this exploration of opera through fresh eyes will undoubtedly take you on a ‘once in a lifetime’ journey.” In addition to the genre-melding collaboration taking place on stage, The Cooperage will also have specialty “cocktails and bites” available for purchase.
Midweek Music: Allen Coté @ Crafty Cow MKE
Instead of making you wait until spring before our Midweek Music series continues, Crafty Cow is warming up your winter by bringing the free concert series back for seven more shows spread throughout the months of January, February, and March.
This time around, the concerts will take place at Crafty Cow’s location in Bay View. Another major change is the shows will now happen on Thursday nights instead of Wednesdays. Thursday also happens to be Crafty Cow’s Burger Night, with discounts offered on build-your-own cheeseburgers. As usual, pints of Indeed Brewing Company beer will be available for only $4 during all Midweek Music shows. The series continues tonight with prolific Milwaukee musician/producer/artist Allen Coté.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Lake Drive (record release) + OUTDrejas @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Up-and-coming Milwaukee four-piece Lake Drive has a little something for everyone: alt-rock, emo, indie, a name that references a local street. (We salute your memories, Kane Place Record Club and Menlo.) Tonight’s show celebrates the release of Lake Drive’s debut EP, Wordplay.
BabyTron + ShittyBoyz, DaBoii @ The Rave/Eagles Ballroom
Hoping to experience the magic of Michigan rapper BabyTron (and the ShittyBoyz) in the cacophonous confines of The Rave? Sorry! This show is sold out!
The Appalachians (single release) + Tigera, Lunar Moth, Smoke Free Home @ Shank Hall
North Warren + Doubter, Versio Curs @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Zach Pietrini Band + Painted Canyon @ Ope Brewing Co.
The Florentine Presents: Covers With Immortal Girlfriend @ The Cooperage
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Okay Omen (record release) + Overhand, HUMID, Social Caterpillar @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Okay Omen is a self-described “post-loud rock and roll” outfit boasting current and former members of lauded local projects like Sugar Stems, Garden Home, Ladybird, and Live Tetherball Tonight. The group celebrates the release of its debut album, So It Goes…, at tonight’s show; lead single “Reverie” features somber instrumentation and the melancholic vocals of singer Chase Hoffman. As the song progresses, both Hoffman and his bandmates—Mike Holloway (guitar), Josh Rardin (bass), and Bob Schaab (drums)—increase their intensity, emotion, and tempo.
Chris Novak Birthday Extravaganza @ The Cooperage
Milwaukee music super-fan and all-around great guy Christopher Novak has long celebrated his birthday by giving local listeners a gift in the form of one heck of a concert. This year’s loaded lineup includes Daisychain, Wristwatch, Credentials, and Stephanie Joanna taking the stage at The Cooperage.
Milwaukee Comic Con @ Wisconsin State Fair Park
If you’re still basking in the afterglow of last weekend’s Anime Milwaukee convention—and if you’re itching for next month’s Midwest Gaming Classic—you’d be wise to check out this year’s Milwaukee Comic Con at Wisconsin State Fair Park. Expect more than 300 tables of comics, vendors, artists, creators, and more. As always, admission for kids is free, and everyone gets a free comic book at the door.
Lady Cannon + Beams, Cedarwell @ Cactus Club
Noah Kahan + Jack Van Cleaf @ Miller High Life Theatre
Get Dead + Decent Criminal, The DUI’s, Dead Rest, Mulva @ X-Ray Arcade
Handmade Wolves + West Nile Crows, Spoy @ High Dive
Bella White + Jack Schneider @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12
The Third Man @ Oriental Theatre
Ancient hot take: The best film to feature a performance by Orson Welles isn’t Citizen Kane, but Carol Reed’s The Third Man. The 1949 noir masterpiece is an endlessly twisty tale of American pulp author Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton) traveling to Vienna to meet up with childhood chum Harry Lime (Welles). But when Martins learns that Lime is dead—and that his old pal may have been up to some shady black-market business—things take a turn for the diabolical. Featuring incredible black-and-white photography, terrific supporting performances from Alida Valli and Trevor Howard, and two justly celebrated scenes involving Welles (spoiler: Lime isn’t dead), The Third Man is a wonderfully entertaining, effortlessly perfect film. Seeing it on the big screen is a must.
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