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 March 13-19, 2023.
MONDAY, MARCH 13
Os Mutantes + Esmé Patterson @ Cactus Club
Seminal psych-rockers Os Mutantes are among the most well-known and accomplished rock bands in Brazil. And they’re playing the Cactus Club! “When Os Mutantes was formed, it combined influences from psychedelic acts from the English-speaking world like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Sly & the Family Stone with bossa nova, tropicália, samba and the cultural legacy of the Brazilian art vanguards from the modernist movement.” Don’t miss this!
Weyes Blood + Vagabon @ The Pabst Theater
“Transcendent and sometimes wistful, the folk-pop of Weyes Blood (a.k.a. LA-based Natalie Mering) explores everything that drives us, divides us, and destroys us. Though burdened by doubt, she is also buoyed by hope—her music unfurling with stunning nuance and ease. After five albums and years of touring, Mering has a lot on her mind. Her music tells stories of both ancient and modern myths. Why you ask? Because, she says, ‘Shared myths are part of our psychology and survival.'”
TUESDAY, MARCH 14
Heathen + Arrival Of Autumn, Primal Enemy @ X-Ray Arcade
“Heathen is an American thrash metal band originating from the San Francisco Bay Area, active from 1984 to 1993 and again from 2001 onwards. Despite never achieving commercial success, the band is often credited—alongside Exodus, Testament, Forbidden, Death Angel and Vio-Lence—as one of the leaders of the Bay Area thrash metal scene of the mid-to-late 1980s. The band is currently signed with Nuclear Blast Records.”
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15
Ex Fabula StorySlam: Parenting @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Is it possible that Milwaukee’s homegrown storytelling org, Ex Fabula, has been around for 14 years? It’s true! The nonprofit first arrived on the scene back in 2009, and has been staging inclusive and justice-minded themed “StorySlams” and other events ever since. “At each Slam, any attendee can throw their name in the hat for the chance to share a true, personal story on the night’s theme,” explains the group. “Stories should be shared in five minutes or less and without any props or notes.”
Bug Moment’s “Lagoon Of Carousel” Music Video Release Party @ Cactus Club
THURSDAY, MARCH 16
Soulside + J. Robbins (band), IfIHadAHiFi @ X-Ray Arcade
“Soulside formed in DC, in 1985, split up in 1989, then reformed in 2014 and has continued playing and writing since then. In 2020, they put out a new 7″, This Ship, their first release in 30 years. In late 2022, Dischord released a 12-song album, A Brief Moment in the Sun, which was written during the heart of the coronavirus pandemic and recorded in person by J. Robbins in November 2021.”
David Koechner @ Milwaukee Improv (through March 18)
Saturday Night Live alumnus, Anchorman co-star, and veteran character actor David Koechner is also an outstanding storyteller and comedian. You can catch Koechner on stage for four standup shows over a three-night span. He’ll also be involved in “The Office Trivia” as his infamous Todd Packer character on March 17. Whammy!
Willie And The Cigs + Diet Lite, Ladybird @ Cactus Club
Royal Mill + Zach Pietrini, The Lone Canary @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Winter Warmer Concert Series: John Sieger + Matt “MF” Tyner, Chris Haise @ The Tonic Tavern
It’s Always Sunny Pop-Up @ Lost Whale (through March 19)
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
Reba + Terri Clark, The Isaacs @ Fiserv Forum
Over the course of her incomparable career, Reba McEntire has done it all: starred on a popular sitcom, become an accomplished film and voiceover actor, and even played Colonel Sanders. Still, Reba will always be a musician first and foremost. The “Queen Of Country” will drop by Fiserv Forum to treat Milwaukee to her countless hits from her 30-plus albums that have sold more than 75 million copies (and counting!)
Young Nudy + DJ BJ, G5ive, DJ KC @ The Rave/Eagles Ballroom
WMSE’s Friday Night Freak Show: Zappa @ Times Cinema
Vacant Church + As Oak @ Company Brewing
Flatfoot 56 + Something To Do, Mertles Acres, The DUI’s @ X-Ray Arcade
Larkin Poe + Michigan Rattlers @ Turner Hall Ballroom
SATURDAY, MARCH 18
Bug Moment (record release) + Shooby, Spoy @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Formed in late 2020, Bug Moment has quickly become one of the city’s most exciting and (pun intended) buzzed-about bands. On one of the last nights of winter, the emo-leaning Milwaukee alternative act will add to its reputation with the release of its new album, The Flying Toad Circus. Circus-themed costumes, makeup, and clothing are encouraged.
WWE Road To WrestleMania @ Fiserv Forum
It’s only been three months since WWE was last in Milwaukee, but things feel much different this time around. Why? It’s WrestleMania season, of course, as WWE brings the Road To WrestleMania tour to Milwaukee on March 18. Sure, many of the faces will be the same: Seth Rollins was in the main event and Seth Rollins will be in the main event again. Johnny Gargano was around and Johnny Gargano will be around again. Damage CTRL was taking over and Damage CTRL is taking over again. You know the drill, but this show feels different than that one just a few months ago. It feels different because Cody Rhodes will be here.
Hanna Simone + The Steph Lippert Project, V.I.P. Live @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Scott Hanson (solo) + Lisa Ridgely @ Bremen Cafe
Circles Around The Sun + Jenny O. @ Turner Hall Ballroom
SUNDAY, MARCH 19
Shawn Mullins + Larry & Teresa @ Shank Hall
“Rockabye”! Er, “Lullaby”!
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