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 7-13, 2022.
MONDAY, MARCH 7
Caroline Polachek + Lolo Zouaï @ Turner Hall Ballroom
It’s notable that ascendant pop star Caroline Polachek didn’t release her first album under her own name until she was 34—proving there’s no age limit on solo success. Not that she came out of nowhere: Polachek did time in synth-pop outfit Chairlift, and even wrote co-wrote Beyoncé’s “No Angel” in 2013. The Connecticut-raised artist gained solo recognition in 2019 with her Pang album, which contained the irresistible “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings.” A new song, “Billions,” finds Polachek mining a chilly, Björk-esque trip-hop vibe. If you missed Polachek and opener Lolo Zouaï opening for Dua Lipa a few weeks ago at Fiserv Forum, see them here!
Tonstartssbandht + Cabin Essence @ Cactus Club
Little Feat + Ida Mae @ The Pabst Theater
TUESDAY, MARCH 8
Movie Night: ‘The Lego Movie’ @ Lakefront Brewery
Everything is decidedly not awesome these days, but at least two things are: Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery, and 2014’s The Lego Movie. Hot off its “Putin Is A Dick” crowler labels, Lakefront will screen The Lego Movie on its big projection screen, and offer $1 off taps of New Grist Gose during the film. Food and other drinks will be available, too.
Crooked Teeth + Glimmers, Unwell, Gold Steps @ X-Ray Arcade
Dirty Dozen Brass Band @ Northern Lights Theater @ Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9
Argopelter + Caley Conway @ Boone & Crockett
Argopelter is an improvised experimental trio composed of Barry Paul Clark (bass), Devin Drobka (drums), and Christopher Porterfield (guitar). The group’s recent Wednesday-night winter residency at Boone & Crockett was appointment viewing/listening, especially when coupled with accompanying solo performances from singer-songwriter Caley Conway. Now, Argopelter and Conway are back for a Wednesday-night spring residency. The dates are March 9, April 13, April 20, May 18, and and May 25. The shows are free and wonderful. Be there.
THURSDAY, MARCH 10
Sepultura + Sacred Reich, Crowbar, Art Of Shock @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
Brazilian/American metal band Sepultura has been around forever—like, “formed in 1984” forever. There have been plenty of ups, downs, and controversies over the decades, but 2020’s Quadra (Sepultura’s 15th studio album) finds the band in fine, heavy-as-ever form. Tonight’s show at The Rave was most recently scheduled for March 10, 2021; singer Derrick Green says: “We are extremely excited to reconnect with everyone in North America for this upcoming tour. We look forward to seeing all the people who have been anxious to see shows for the past two years. We will celebrate this re-connection of life and music together.”
Mattiel + John Roseboro @ Cactus Club
Curbsitter + Nequient, Emissary @ High Dive
FRIDAY, MARCH 11
Body Futures + Nonagon, Overhand @ X-Ray Arcade
Even if you ignore COVID-19 (not that that’s possible), it’s been way too long since Milwaukee power-pop outfit Body Futures graced local stages. Absent for three and a half years, the group makes its glorious return tonight with Chicago’s Nonagon and Milwaukee’s Overhand. Body Futures’ 2018 full-length Maybe It’s Just The Weather is highlighted by the sometimes sweet, sometimes shout-y vocal interplay between singer/autoharpist Dixie Jacobs and singer/drummer (and occasional Milwaukee Record contributor) DJ Hostettler. Jacobs’ voice is one of the best in town, and can only be likened to a pissed-off Neko Case. Hostettler, meanwhile, shouts along with (and sometimes against) Jacobs on tracks like the geeky “Heliopause” and the Scott Walker protest song “Right To Work.”
Gego y Nony + Trinity Grace @ Nō Studios
SPELLS + Indonesian Junk @ Circle-A Cafe
Cloud Rat + Northless, Lifes, Ballstomper @ Cactus Club
Lunar Moth + The Nile Club, El Wrongo @ High Dive
SATURDAY, MARCH 12
54th Shamrock Club Of Wisconsin St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ Downtown Milwaukee
The annual Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns to Downtown Milwaukee/Westown! Wait, did it already return last year, after taking 2020 off because of COVID? Or was it still canceled last year, you know, because of COVID? It’s so hard to say anymore… ANYWAY, here’s the schedule of events for the parade itself, as well as all the pre-game festivities on Friday, March 11. The parade begins Saturday at noon at N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and W. Wisconsin Avenue, and ends at Water Street and Highland Avenue.
Journey + Toto @ Fiserv Forum
Wait, Steve Perry doesn’t front Journey anymore? When did this happen? (Wikipedia: a long time ago.) Well, whatever, the band is still gonna play “Don’t Stop Believin,'” “Wheel In The Sky,” “Faithfully,” “Any Way You Want It,” “Open Arms,” and 17 other monster hits we’re probably forgetting. And guess what songs opener Toto will play? (Fun fact: When we saw Toto guitarist Steve Lukather play with Ringo Starr And His All-Starr Band in 2018, dude grumbled about a certain “alternative” band that had made “Africa” and “Rosanna” popular again.)
The Dollyrots + The Von Tramps, Walt Hamburger, Fun Bois @ X-Ray Arcade
Fresh off the release of Down The Rabbit Hole (a 24-song release full of B-sides, rarities, and covers), The Dollyrots will finally get to take the stage at X-Ray Arcade to make up a 2021 show that was rescheduled on account of a pandemic surge. The veteran punks will be joined by The Von Tramps, Walt Hamburger, and Milwaukee’s own Fun Bois.
Parquet Courts + Mdou Moctar @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Signalfire (EP release) + Lines Of Loyalty @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Next Paperback Hero + Ellie Jackson, Hallowtribe @ Circle-A Cafe
Glad Rags + flowers*, 9 A.M., The LOL @ Cactus Club