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 25-31, 2019.
TUESDAY, MARCH 26
Tuesday Tunes: Kyle Feerick @ Kindred On K.K.
Milwaukee Record has joined forces with Kindred On K.K. to bring you “Tuesday Tunes.” The Tuesday evening performance series features eight weeks of music from some of the city’s favorite artists. There’s no cover for these shows, which all run from 7 to 9 p.m. This week’s show features Milwaukee mainstay Kyle Feerick, whose new album, Light All Around, is available now. As always, Kindred’s kitchen and bar will offer their full menu, and their Tuesday night happy hour (including $2 oysters and $5 old fashioneds) will last all night.
Diorama-Rama @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Inspired in part by Milwaukee’s claim to fame as being the home of the very first museum diorama, Danelle “D” Kirschling founded National Diorama Month, an only-slightly tongue-in-cheek celebration of the crafty and adorable art form. On Tuesday, March 26 at the Walker’s Point Anodyne, the annual celebration comes to a head with the glorious return of “Diorama-Rama.” This year’s theme? “It’s About Time—History’s Greatest Hits.” The mind reels.
FRIDAY, MARCH 29
Zach Pietrini + Fellow Kinsman @ The Ivy House
Though Zach Pietrini’s Denver Sessions started as a way to give life to B-sides, the 2018 EP is far from a demo. The high-caliber recordings perfectly capture Pietrini’s songwriting chops and the musical prowess of his backing band as they work through songs with themes that range from scraping by, dealing with depression, working through love and tough times, and holding onto hope. Pietrini considers this material to be “little snapshots of different parts of [his] life.” Somehow, Denver Sessions manages to maintain the personal and inviting aspects of what started off a bunch of homespun songs that were unlikely to see the light of day, while also taking Pietrini’s catalog to exciting new territory.
Klassik + OQ, Moon Ruin @ Company Brewing
Chicken Wire Empire + The MilBillies @ The Cooperage
King Eye & The Squirts + The HullMen, Reynaldo Jenkins & The Teardrops @ X-Ray Arcade
And That’s Why We Drink Podcast Live @ Pabst Theater
Lennon Stella + Valley @ The Rave/Eagles Club
SATURDAY, MARCH 30
The Verve Pipe + Daniel Rey @ The Rack Room @ Colectivo
For the life of us, we cannot remember what made us think that a song about abortion and suicide was a good time. Oh, the ’90s.
The Cut Outs + Beach Static, Genau, Hobbyist @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Body Work + Black Thumb, Apollo Vermouth, Max Holiday @ Cactus Club
SUNDAY, MARCH 31
Mumford & Sons + Cat Power @ Fiserv Forum
What’s more thrilling than a Mumford & Sons show? How about a Mumford & Sons show featuring a “groundbreaking new in-the-round stage design”? Oh, and Cat Power, who is great.
Platinum Boys + Toward Space, Fox Face @ High Dive
We Don’t Dance (Anymore), Platinum Boys’ follow-up to 2017’s BUZZ, is a potent three-pack of songs from the rowdy Milwaukee rock outfit. Title track and EP opener “We Don’t Dance (Anymore)” starts the seven-inch off strong with chugging guitars and a revelrous melody that seems to work in direct opposition of the song’s anti-dancing sentiment. “Keep On/Keepin On” keeps the party going with the band sharing vocal duties on optimistic lyrics about letting the “good times roll every single day.” Wailing guitars and frantic drum fills punctuate closer “Oblivious Obvious” to cement this 10-minute effort’s “all killer, no filler” standing.