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 June 19-25, 2023.
MONDAY, JUNE 19
Quiet Confidence + Lake Drive, Domestic Terminal @ Cactus Club
“Quiet Confidence is a Louisville local setting out to make waves in the alt-pop scene. The project was born during the uncertain time of the COVID-19 quarantine of 2020. What was just demos created by Ryan Lane, to stay sane as a frontline worker during the pandemic, sparked a need to keep on moving forward. A drive to create a thought- provoking act above and beyond the mundane. Some would describe his sound as ‘if Ed Sheeran hung out with The Chainsmokers.’ Ryan previously fronted the Milwaukee-based pop-punk outfit, North Breese where they saw local success with a Top 10 Milwaukee album, radio airplay, and opened for such acts as The Chainsmokers, Chance the Rapper, and Nelly.”
Meet Me @ The Altar + Kid Sistr, Chloe Lilac @ X-Ray Arcade
Juneteenth Jubilee Parade @ 14th & Atkinson
TUESDAY, JUNE 20
Charley Crockett + Wyatt Flores @ The Rave/Eagles Club
“Tapped by Garden & Gun as an artist ‘shaping up to be one of country music’s most prolific torchbearers,’ a ‘must-see live performer’ by Rolling Stone, and a ‘force to be reckoned with’ by CMT, Charley Crockett crafts his singular ‘Gulf & Western’ sound—described as ‘very 21st century and very vintage’ by NPR Music—by synthesizing country, blues, soul, Cajun, R&B and other pieces of American Roots music. And when his voice comes out of your speakers, there is no confusing him for any other artist. As the Wall Street Journal writes, ‘Mr. Crockett’s unique vocal style is one third Ernest Tubb honky-tonk with clipped-word diction, one third Bill Withers low-key, soulful crooning, and one third jazzy French Quarter second-line swagger.'”
Chill On The Hill: American Legion Band @ Humboldt Park
Riverwalk Commons Concert Series: The Panoptics @ Milwaukee Public Market
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21
Milwaukee Record Presents: Starship Troopers @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
Has any modern-ish movie been more misunderstood than Starship Troopers? Decried by critics as a dirt-dumb glorification of fascism and jingoism upon its 1997 release, the film has since been celebrated as a satire of fascism and jingoism. Wanna see a 4K restoration of this big-bug satire on the big screen? You can tonight! Young people from all over the globe are joining up to fight for the future. Do your part, and get your tickets NOW.
My Morning Jacket + Wilderado @ The Riverside Theater
“In 2021, My Morning Jacket released their self-titled album that reaffirmed the rarefied magic that’s made the band so beloved, embedding every groove with moments of discovery, revelation, and ecstatic catharsis. Esquire said, ‘Its killer ninth album, My Morning Jacket, is an 11-song set that channels an energy as loose and loud as their bombastic live act,’ while Rolling Stone hailed, ‘What keeps MMJ interesting is that their music never becomes too comfortable. It’s a spectacular vision where nothing ever seems quite settled.'”
Counting Crows + Dashboard Confessional @ Miller High Life Theatre
It’s been a long spring, but there’s reason to believe maybe this season will be better than the last. Counting Crows will kick off summer in style by playing songs from their hit-laden catalog that spans more than 30 years. Need another reason to come out? Okay! Dashboard Confessional is opening!
THURSDAY, JUNE 22
Summerfest Weekend 1 (through June 24)
Well, here it is! The first of three consecutive “weekend” editions of Summerfest 2023! In addition to picnic table dancing and enough Saz’s sampler platters to reach the moon and back, folks attending this initial three-day chunk of The Big Gig can expect the likes of Eric Church, Zac Brown Band, James Taylor and Sheryl Crow, Three 6 Mafia, Avett Brothers, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Sofi Tukker, Bleachers, Tegan & Sara, Fitz And The Tantrums, Lyle Lovett, and many more. Find the full schedule HERE.
Duster + Sour Widows @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Gather your loved ones, Together is here. Duster’s fourth album is a 13-song exploration of comfortable, interplanetary goth. A sonic vaseline of submerged guitars, solder-burned synths, and over-driven rhythm tracks. ‘I know people say, “Oh Duster music so sad,” we’ve even said it ourselves before,’ Clay Parton said. ‘But it’s a lot more like absurdism than nihilism.'”
Third Space Presents: Tae & The Neighborly @ Third Space Brewing
State Of Sound: Kia Rap Princess @ Radio Milwaukee
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Pop Up & Art Show @ Sugar Maple (through June 25)
Concerts On The Green @ Enderis Park
Concerts In The Gardens @ Boerner Botanical Gardens
Música del Lago @ Colectivo Lakefront
FRIDAY, JUNE 23
QWERTYFEST MKE @ various locations (through June 25)
“QWERTYFEST MKE, June 23-25, 2023, is a weekend-long celebration of the 150-year anniversary of the invention/patenting of the typewriter—the same ‘QWERTY’ keyboard we use today!—in Milwaukee. It is not just for writers and typewriter collectors—although we love those people. It’s for all who love Milwaukee and art and want to move forward with us to really make it known to the world that the typewriter is just as ‘Milwaukee’ as beer, motorcycles and cheese (also things we love.) QWERTYFEST is a weekend of parties, live music, a tour, presentations, workshops, shopping, brunch, open mics and more. You can attend one event, you can come to all. Some events are free, some are ticketed. Consider being a part of this. We have Big Plans for the future of QWERTYFEST, and this is the first year.”
Greek Fest @ Wisconsin State Fair Park (through June 25)
“It’s time for Greek Fest, June 23 through the 25 at State Fair Park! There will be amazing authentic food, Greek dancers and lots of smiling faces. FREE Admission. We hope you join us!”
Bill Bellamy @ Milwaukee Improv (through June 25)
Actor, longtime MTV VJ, alleged creator of the term “booty call,” and veteran comedian Bill Bellamy drops by the Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield to treat the suburban club to a total of five performances spread across three nights. Be there or, well, probably be at the first weekend of Summerfest.
Brief Candles + Tambourina, Future Living @ Circle-A Cafe
Skating Polly + Bugsy, Breakup Tour @ X-Ray Arcade
Secret Menu (EP release) + Clementine, Horace Greene @ The Miramar Theatre
Spoy + Overhand, 12th House Sun, Psylo @ High Dive
SATURDAY, JUNE 24
Tour Of America’s Dairyland: Cafe Hollander Otto Wenz Downer Classic @ East Belleview Place & North Downer Avenue
“Historic Downer Avenue is home to one of the most famous urban criterium courses in the country. Global in reach and extremely local in flavor, The Cafe Hollander Otto Wenz Downer Classic presented by ISCorp hosted in partnership with the Tour of America’s Dairyland, promises to be one of the highlights of cycling in Wisconsin this summer. The full day of racing, Saturday, June 24, 2023, features a popular kids’ race, Dairyland Mile race as well as a full slate of racing all afternoon and evening. Food, beer, and family fun complement the twilight pro race that promises to bring pro teams and riders from around the world.”
Milorganaut (record release) + Sea Of Shit, Lifes, Blemish, Chemosh @ Cactus Club
SUNDAY, JUNE 25
You Win !!! + Angry Blackmen, Internet Dating, Pay Dirt @ Cactus Club
“Bloodsport,” the latest single from Milwaukee dark pop duo You Win !!!, finds Amanda Huff and William Gardiner delving into new territory and sounding better than ever before in the process. Huff’s smooth vocals and compelling lyrics echo the project’s overarching themes of pain and processing. Gardiner meets her moody and downcast vibe with dour and mysterious production, before vaulting the criminally catchy single to the realm of “radio-ready” with a veritable wall of guitars that build on the sturdy foundation You Win !!! puts into place. Combine that winning mixture with additional percussion by Mark Stewart and top-notch mastering from Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering, and “Bloodsport” is You Win !!!’s best song yet, and an encouraging sign for what’s to come.
Hit Girls (Feral House) Book Event + Free Swim Artist Market @ Cactus Club
“Join us for Hit Girls, a Feral House book event. Event features panel discussion, book sales by Lion’s Tooth, femme DJs, and a maker’s market. Lets celebrate women’s punk history!”
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