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 28 – April 3, 2022.
MONDAY, MARCH 28
Perfume Genius @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Back in 2020, Michael Hadreas—a.k.a. indie-pop musician Perfume Genius—released the best album of his decade-long career, the wonderfully titled Set My Heart On Fire Immediately. Gorgeous, expansive, and deeply felt, it was also one of the best albums of its respective year. (A remix album followed in 2021.) Now, in 2022, Hadreas is preparing for the June release of another record, Ugly Season. If singles “Pop Song” and “Eye In The Wall” are any indication, it will be an equally lovely and personal affair.
The Darkness + The Dead Deads @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
TUESDAY, MARCH 29
Trixi And Katya Live! @ The Riverside Theater
The live show of dynamic drag duo Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova isn’t just any live show—it’s a self-described “parody homage to the classic girls’ road trip buddy comedies from the ’90s and 2000s to today.” Think Thelma & Louise all the way up to Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar. Tonight’s show was previously sold out; however, it looks like some tickets have been released. Act fast while they’re still available!
The Avett Brothers @ Miller High Life Theatre
What’s better than an Avett Brothers show? How about an Avett Brothers show with the full “An Evening With” treatment! The folk-rock outfit hasn’t released a new full-length album since 2018’s Closer Than Together (the third part of the Gleam EP series was released in 2020), but a “musical inspired by and featuring the music of The Avett Brothers,” Swept Away, opened earlier this year.
Movie Night: ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008) @ Lakefront Brewery
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30
Milwaukee Record Presents: ‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’ (2016) @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
If you’re unfamiliar with this box office flop-turned-beloved cult comedy, allow us to get you up to speed. Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping is basically The Lonely Island’s take on This Is Spinal Tap. The film stars Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone as members of “The Style Boyz,” and traces the rise, fall, and exploits of the world-famous fictional pop group. The movie also features Tim Meadows, Sarah Silverman, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, and Joan Cusack. Oh, and there’s a cavalcade of cameos from musicians like Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Usher, Ringo Starr, Miley Cyrus, Seal, and more. As always, the screening is being sponsored by our friends at Lakefront Brewery (who will have its Bierzeit Kolsch-style beer on tap at the screening), Educators Credit Union, and Awkward Nerd Events. Tickets to the 6:30 p.m. screening are ON SALE NOW.
Eagles @ Fiserv Forum
The Eagles, man. They’re gonna play their Hotel California album in its entirety, and then play some other hits. Also: Vince Gill is in the Eagles now? When did this happen? (Wikipedia: 2017.)
THURSDAY, MARCH 31
La Armada + Dislocation, Die @ X-Ray Arcade
Over the course of more than 20 years, La Armada has toured throughout North America and Europe, shared the stage with legendary groups like Propagandhi and Sick Of It All, built a passionate fan base of listeners from around the world, released powerful and altogether awesome material, and helped shine a light on some of the social injustices many people face. Even more impressive is what the veteran band gave up in order to make its two-decade run possible: Before La Armada earned a reputation as one of Chicago’s (and the Midwest’s) premier hardcore outfits, its members were living in the Dominican Republic, setting up punk shows and preparing to move to the U.S. in order to take their artistic ambitions to the next level. They return to X-Ray Arcade to play in support of their latest album, Anti-Colonial Vol. 2.
Bug Moment + Jacob Slade, Social Cig @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
FRIDAY, APRIL 1
Margaret Cho @ Milwaukee Improv (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. shows)
Influential comedian, actor, and anti-racism activist Margaret Cho has amassed an astounding career that’s spanned 30 years. Along the way, her unique perspective and inimitable voice have made the leap from comedy club stages to the realms of film, television, and animation. This week, Cho makes her way to nearby Brookfield, where she’ll take the stage at Milwaukee Improv for a total of four stand-up shows April 1-2.
Nineteen Thirteen @ The Jazz Estate
Nineteen Thirteen is a group that’s more normal than its two-person lineup may suggest—and one that’s much, much weirder. On one hand, founding Violent Femmes drummer Victor DeLorenzo and cellist Janet Schiff produce surprisingly accessible music, especially considering the musicians play the drums and a 100-year-old cello, respectively. On the other hand, Schiff’s cello is often processed through a dizzying array of effects pedals, DeLorenzo’s occasional cool-cat vocals seem beamed in from another dimension, and the overall effect is akin to listening to a band crash the Roadhouse from Twin Peaks. It’s familiar, but it’s also slightly off-center.
Sleepersound + Panda Riot, Blue Unit @ X-Ray Arcade
Over at X-Ray Arcade, a pair of great local bands—Sleepersound and Blue Unit—will be joined by Chicago-based Panda Riot for a stacked shoegaze showcase you’d be foolish to miss.
Lisa Curry @ The Laughing Tap
Internationally touring comedian, television writer (The Jim Jefferies Show), and host of Sirius XM’s “Long Story Long,” Lisa Curry comes to The Laughing Tap for a trio of performances that will take place at the Walker’s Point club April 1-2.
Alternative Radio + Running Tides, Whiskey & The Devil @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
SATURDAY, APRIL 2
Elton John @ Fiserv Forum
If it feels like Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour has been going on forever, it’s because it has. And if it feels like Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour has been coming to Milwaukee forever, it’s because it has. (It was originally scheduled for February 2019, moved to April 2020, then moved again to April 2022.) But this is Elton John we’re talking about, so we’re happy to have him around for as long as possible.
Ministry + Melvins, Corrosion Of Conformity @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
Oh wow, Ministry. And the Melvins? And Corrosion Of Conformity? Hell yeah. [cues up “Stigmata” for the first time in forever]
Margaret Cho @ Milwaukee Improv (6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. shows)
Lisa Curry @ The Laughing Tap (7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. shows)
SUNDAY, APRIL 3
EVOLFO + In The Pines, Fun Bois @ Cactus Club
Make it a full day at Cactus Club! The first event, a free show and art fair benefitting Milwaukee’s Butterfly Collective (a “social outreach network for the black & brown trans community”) begins at 2 p.m.; the second, a show headlined by Brooklyn psych-rock outfit EVOLFO and opened by Milwaukee’s own Fun Bois, begins at 7:30 p.m.
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