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 July 18-24, 2022.
MONDAY, JULY 18
Evanescence + Sick Puppies @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
Goth-y metal band Evanescence may seem forever rooted in a particular time—a.k.a. 2003, when the band’s massive debut album, Fallen, dominated airwaves—but hey, they did put out a new album in 2021. And a good one: The Bitter Truth finds vocalist Amy Lee and company turning in surprisingly strong and well-charting material, including singles “Wasted On You” and “Use My Voice.”
Resurrectionists + The Bismarck, Straphanger @ Cactus Club
TUESDAY, JULY 19
Chill On The Hill: Secondhand Souls + Local Legends @ Humboldt Park
Chill On The Hill’s 17th season—which kicked off June 7—features a total of 13 weeks worth of free, family-friendly entertainment. Like last year, Chill has expanded its footprint by designating the space between the band chalet and the Vine Beer Garden for show-goers. The ever-popular concert series continues its 2022 season with a performance by alt-rock band Secondhand Souls and ska outfit Local Legends. Go find your lawn chairs, break out your comfiest blanket, and put some beverages in the cooler.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20
Game 6 Re-Watch Party @ The Cooperage
Join Milwaukee Record and The Recombobulation Area as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the most amazing game in Milwaukee sports history with a 2021 NBA Finals Game 6 re-watch party. The (FREE) fun will begin at 7 p.m., as Recombobulation Area founder Dan Shafer emcees and Milwaukee Record co-founder Tyler Maas plays a mix of local music to suit the citywide sports celebration. We’ll stream the game on The Cooperage’s massive projector screen starting at 8 p.m. Again, this is a free event.
Motion City Soundtrack + All Get Out, Neil Rubenstein @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
Third time is the charm (hopefully?) for Motion City Soundtrack, who have already twice postponed its “Commit This To Memory” anniversary tour on account of the pandemic. Sure, what started as a 15th anniversary tour to commemorate the Minneapolis band’s breakout album has now become a 17th anniversary jaunt, but this show will be worth the wait.
Frank Caliendo @ Milwaukee Improv
Not unlike an American Idol favorite or a late night talk show host, Frank Caliendo’s career is dependent on the work of other, usually more famous, people. As far as this specific comic crevice is concerned, Caliendo is the Kelly Clarkson of celebrity impersonations and the Johnny Carson of pop-culture mimicry. His ability to meld spot-on vocal replications and exaggerated character traits of politicians, actors, and sports figures has yielded the comic such impressive opportunities as a place in the MADtv cast, the role of resident funny man for two football pregame shows, a short-lived TBS show called Frank TV, and the ability to tour the country. The Waukesha native returns to southeast Wisconsin tonight to perform at the Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield.
Tosa Tonight: Jonny Lyons & The Pride + Alyssia Dominguez @ Hart Park
Since 2000, the Tosa Tonight summer concert series has brought free and family-friendly live music to Rotary Performance Pavilion in Wauwatosa’s Hart Park. Following a pandemic-prompted hiatus in 2020, the series returned with eight concerts in the summer of 2021. Thankfully, Tosa Tonight is back again in full force this summer. The series continues tonight with Jonny Lyons & The Pride and guest Alyssia Dominguez.
THURSDAY, JULY 21
Third Space Presents: Wire And Nail @ Third Space Brewing
Every Thursday through September 15, “Third Space Presents” brings a different musical act to the Menomonee Valley brewery’s new and improved outdoor patio. In addition to the concert (which runs from 6-8 p.m., including an intermission) and plenty of award-winning local beer on site, Triciclo Peru is always on hand to serve empanadas and other Peruvian goodies out of its food truck. Tonight’s installment features music from country group Wire And Nail.
Sean Patton @ The Laughing Tap
Comedian Sean Patton has performed on network television talk shows like Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and Conan, has been a frequent fixture on Comedy Central stand-up showcases (including his own half-hour), has released two outstanding comedy albums, and has likely been a memorable guest on some of your favorite podcasts. Patton has also become something of a frequent Milwaukee visitor, thanks to the fine folks at Milwaukee Comedy booking him in recent years. This week, he comes to the Milwaukee Comedy-owned and -operated Laughing Tap in Walker’s Point for a total of three shows spread over the course of as many nights.
FRIDAY, JULY 22
Milwaukee Boat Line Concert Cruise: Boney Fingers @ Milwaukee Boat Line
Despite the dozens of festivals, block parties, and weekly outdoor music series taking place on Milwaukee soil every summer, Milwaukee Boat Line sees fit to extend the city’s celebratory spirit to the water with its annual Concert Cruise series. Every Friday night between early June and the end of August, a variety of Wisconsin bands board the Vista King to perform on the lake vessel’s poop deck while the beer and pre-mixed margaritas flow liberally from 9-11 p.m. The series continues this week with a (sold-out!) performance from local jam-band staple Boney Fingers.
WMSE’s Friday Night Freak Show: ‘Brazil: The Director’s Cut’ (1985) @ Times Cinema
It’s great having WMSE’s Friday Night Freak Show back at the Times Cinema, isn’t it? That’s especially true this month, when the series lands on Terry Gilliam’s dystopian masterpiece Brazil. And yes, this is the director’s cut, so Gilliam-heads can breathe easy.
Alley Eyes (EP release) + Silk Stranger, Jacob Slade @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Nile Club + The Love-In, Spoy @ Company Brewing
Sean Patton @ The Laughing Tap
SATURDAY, JULY 23
Alanis Morissette + Garbage @ American Family Insurance
Alanis Morissette is bringing her 25-year Jagged Little Pill tour to Milwaukee’s American Family Insurance Amphitheater! Oh, and Garbage is opening! You, you, you, you oughta go.
New Found Glory + Four Year Strong, Be Well @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
Has it really been 20 years since New Found Glory released Sticks And Stones? Let’s see…2002 plus 20 equals 2022. Yep, the math checks out! The tireless pop-punk outfit is currently celebrating the two-decade anniversary of its most commercially successful album to date (which also brought about regular play on TRL and earned the band Platinum-selling certification) with a tour that includes a stop at The Rave / Eagles Ballroom.
MC Chris + Crunk Witch, Guerrilla Ghost @ X-Ray Arcade
Veteran musician, animator, Adult Swim mainstay, nerd culture legend, and guy we once took record shopping MC Chris comes to Cudahy to head up an X-Ray Arcade show. Crunk Witch and Milwaukee’s own Guerrilla Ghost will perform in support.
Gigs 4 Good: Don Juan & Matt “MF” Tyner @ The Tonic Tavern
Last summer, The Tonic Tavern celebrated its 12th anniversary with a new charitable music series. “Gigs 4 Good” featured a wide range of Milwaukee musicians performing at Tonic on select Saturdays. It went so well, Tonic brought it back for 2022! Like last time around, proceeds from the concerts (brought in through audience donations and from the bar donating a portion of that night’s sales) benefit Milwaukee Center For Children And Youth, Bay View Community Center, and The Women’s Center. The series continues tonight with a performance fromDon Juan and Matt “MF” Tyner.
Milwaukee Air & Water Show @ Milwaukee lakefront (through July 24)
Board your pets and make some plans out of town (Mauthe Lake is nice this time of year), because the Milwaukee Air & Water Show is back. Again. Countless screeching death machines buzzing your apartment for days on end? Check. Severely frayed nerves? You bet. Thank you, U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Thank you.
Free Dirt + Daydream Retrievers, Connor LaMue @ Boone & Crockett patio
The Spits + Holy Shit!, Fun Bois @ Cactus Club
Bug Moment + glowingtide, Scam Likely @ Bremen Cafe
MKE Food Truck Fest @ Henry Maier Festival Park
Sean Patton @ The Laughing Tap
SUNDAY, JULY 24
Rat Bath + Ratbatspider @ Cactus Club
Rat Bath has been scampering around the Milwaukee music scene since 2019, specializing in what the band calls “spooky country core.” That sound is certainly on display throughout the group’s debut LP, Rat From Hell. The 11-track record careens between noisy, full-barrel cow punk and chaotic, witchy hardcore, with everything in between. Opener “The Tale Of Dead Ol’ Fred” establishes the record’s epic narrative (a battle between a witch and a demon, natch), while “Bone Eater” slices the air with Pixies-esque guitars. Rat From Hell‘s quieter moments are among its best, especially the dreamy and sad “At Least You’re Lonely Too” and the plaintive and sweet (but not too sweet) “Sweet Puppet”—the latter featuring guest vocals from Johanna Rose.
Izaak Opatz + Chris Porterfield @ Cactus Club
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