Milwaukee 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—brought to you by Lilliput Records—for July 17-23, 2023.
TUESDAY, JULY 18
Rainbow Summer @ Marcus Performing Arts Center (through July 22)
Drive/walk/bike/skip past the Marcus Center and you’ll see its lawn filled with giant inflatable bubbles, a.k.a. artist Atelier Sisu’s “Evanescent” installation. But that’s not all for Marcus’ annual Rainbow Summer blowout: performances from Funkadesi, Melody Angel, ESSO, and Mucca Pazza—not to mention a Dark Side Of The Moon multimedia experience—will highlight the annual festival all week and weekend long.
Chill On The Hill: Elephonic + Lost Orange Cat @ Humboldt Park
Chill On The Hill’s 18th season features 13 weeks of free, family-friendly entertainment. Like the past two years, Chill has expanded its footprint by designating the space between the band chalet and the Vine Beer Garden for show-goers. The park road is also closed between Howell Avenue and Idaho Street on Tuesdays to allow more space for food vendors and guests.The concert series continues tonight with music from Elephonic and Lost Orange Cat. Music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Skyline Music Series: The Kal Bergendahl Project @ Kadish Park
Family Dinner + Latewaves, Clementine, Housepet @ X-Ray Arcade
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19
Milwaukee Night Market @ West Wisconsin Avenue between 2nd Street and Vel R. Phillips Avenue
“The 2023 Night Markets will be held on June 14, July 19, August 16 and September 13 from 5 to 10 p.m. on West Wisconsin Avenue between 2nd Street and Vel R. Phillips Avenue. This year, the event footprint has expanded to include 2nd Street between Wells Street and Michigan Street, adding nearly 20 more vendor booths. The diverse lineup of vendors features a variety of artists, restaurateurs, farmers, crafters and makers of all sorts that will showcase their talents to the estimated 30,000 attendees each night.”
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’ summer residency kicks off tonight with a weather-permitting patio show. Hey weather! Permit!
THURSDAY, JULY 20
J.E. Sunde + Anna Vogelzang, Marielle Allschwang @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“J.E. Sunde (Jonathan Edward Sunde), a Wisconsin native, is now a Minneapolis, MN based songwriter/composer. Beginning in the years studying western classical music with an emphasis in vocal technique at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Jon spent a decade writing beautifully unusual music with indie-folk trio The Daredevil Christopher Wright. He has since released three solo records, his most recent being 9 Songs About Love (Vietnam Label) released November of 2020. With an affinity for the classic American songwriters and performers like Leonard Cohen, Nina Simone, and Paul Simon, Jon writes densely poetic songs with a bent toward the philosophical.”
Third Space Presents: The Belle Weather @ Third Space Brewing
Last year, Third Space Brewing graciously added even more entertainment to Milwaukee’s well-stocked summer concert calendar by debuting its “Third Space Presents” music series on its gorgeous new outdoor deck stage. The 2023 installment—which runs through September 14—continues this week with a free show from The Belle Weather.
Whitey Morgan @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“In a career spanning 15 years, Morgan has released five studio albums and a live recording. Additionally, he has toured relentlessly averaging over 125 shows annually. Rolling Stone has described him as a ‘Waylon Jennings acolyte.. modern day outlaw [with a] hard hitting blue-collar brand of music’ while NPR Music hailed, ‘Staying close to the sound and subject matter of classic outlaw artists like Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and David Allan Coe, Morgan is poised to lead this hand-worn brand of country to the next generation.’ His most recent LP, Sonic Ranch (2015), was released to critical acclaim and praised by Detroit Free Press as, ‘a bold well-crafted album that doesn’t forsake the gritty undercurrent running through Morgan’s stuff.'”
The Nunnery + Midheaven, Ellie Jackson @ Zao MKE Church
Youth Lagoon + Nina Keith @ Cactus Club
Tyler Kieth & The Revelations + Spidora, Drip Edges @ Circle-A Cafe
Tedeschi Trucks Band + Vincent Neil Emerson @ BMO Pavilion
Superglue + Chapped Lips, Lake Drive, Tiqmmy @ X-Ray Arcade
FRIDAY, JULY 21
Milwaukee Record and The Recombobulation Area Present: Game 6 Rewatch Party @ The Cooperage
Join Milwaukee Record and The Recombobulation Area at The Cooperage to celebrate the two-year anniversary—plus one day!—of the most amazing game in Milwaukee sports history. The FREE Game 6 Rewatch Party begins at 6:30 p.m., as The Recombobulation Area founder Dan Shafer emcees the affair and Milwaukee Record co-founder Tyler Maas plays records to suit the citywide sports celebration. System Seltzers will be on-site to pour samples of some of its fine products (which will be available at the bar for $1 off all night long). We’ll start streaming the game on The Cooperage’s massive projector screen starting at 7:30 p.m. Bucks In Six.
Pod Meets World: The Kids Wanna Jump! Tour @ The Pabst Theater
“Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong & Will Friedle host ‘Pod Meets World,’ an iHeart Media podcast where they rewatch, and earnestly react, to the ’90s sitcom they starred in, Boy Meets World, now 30 years later. Join the real-life Topanga Lawrence, Shawn Hunter & Eric Matthews as they share even more stories from set, create interactive moments and answer your questions. Also, they might just have an unbelievable prize in every city for the best Boy Meets World costume in the audience, so come dressed up! It’ll be a fun night, so don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime pop culture celebration.”
Whiskey Myers + Brent Cobb, Matt Koziol @ BMO Pavilion
Piles + Mossmen, Zang! @ Company Brewing
Alley Eyes + The Keystones, Capital Soiree, Superkick @ X-Ray Arcade
Militarie Gun + Okay Omen, Sex Scenes @ Cactus Club
Rory Scovel @ Turner Hall Ballroom
WMSE’s Friday Night Freak Show: Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome @ Times Cinema
Summer Gallery Night MKE @ various locations (through July 22)
SATURDAY, JULY 22
Milwaukee Air & Water Show @ Milwaukee Lakefront (through July 23)
Thought all the Harleys were loud this past weekend? Well buckle up for the annual Milwaukee Air & Water Show, the sound of which will dominate the city’s skies on Saturday and Sunday. Actually, never mind: we love the air show! It’s the best! And no, we’re absolutely not saying that because dozens of patriotic Americans threatened us last year when we suggested the air show was a little loud! God bless America!
Bug Moment + Honey Creek, Excuse Me Who Are You?, Garden Home, Chapped Lips @ 4 Seasons Skate Park
Popular Milwaukee band Bug Moment made headlines last month by announcing a July 22 show in the parking lot of the Bayshore Culver’s. But the ButterBurger-infused dream didn’t last long: three days later, the show was canceled. Now, the full five-band show is set to take place at Milwaukee’s 4 Seasons Skate Park. Oh, and not only will it take place at the venerable indoor park, but it will take place in the park’s bowl. It’s apparently the first bowl show in 4 Seasons history!
Weird Fest Block Party @ MobCraft
It’s a Saturday block party! Find more info on the Weird Fest Block Party HERE!
Bremen Block Party @ Bremen Cafe
It’s another Saturday block party! Find more info on the Bremen Block Party HERE!
Rock Party Block Party @ Puddler’s Hall
It’s, um, another Saturday block party? Find more info on the Rock Party Block Party HERE!
Enlightened Summer Block Party @ Enlightened Brewing Company
Good lord it’s another Saturday block party! You gotta love Milwaukee in the summer. Find more info on the Enlightened Block Party HERE!
Food Truck Fest @ Henry Maier Festival Park
It’s a Saturday food truck fest! Find more info on OnMilwaukee’s Food Truck Fest HERE!
Riverwest Food Truck Rally @ Gathering Place Brewing Company
Hahaha two separate food truck fests on a day that already has four separate block parties lol find more info on the Riverwest Food Truck Rally HERE!
Kansas @ The Riverside Theater
SUNDAY, JULY 23
Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage + The Nile Club, Max Niemann (of Diet Lite) @ Cactus Club
“Native New Yorker Jeffrey Lewis is a comic book writer/artist and a musician. Jeffrey Lewis and his band tour the world, mixing folk with noise and sharing stages with the likes of Stephen Malkmus, The Mountain Goats, and more. Jeffrey has albums out on Rough Trade, Moshi Moshi and Don GIovanni Records, and has been featured by NPR, The History Channel, The NY Times and more.”
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