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 May 2-8, 2022.
MONDAY, MAY 2
2022 Milwaukee Film Festival @ various locations (through May 5)
Hey! You still have four days to enjoy the 2022 Milwaukee Film Festival! There are plenty of late-festival highlights, including the second installment of the ever-popular “Milwaukee Show,” a documentary on late artist XXXTentacion, oodles of shorts programs, and Closing Night selection Petite Maman.
The Carousel Tour: Anthony Green + Laura Jane Grace, Tim Kasher, Mikey Erg @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
Four noted names in punk and emo are combining forces in an unorthodox format of expression and collaboration known as “The Carousel Tour.” The Rave will serve as the site of the Milwaukee stop, with Anthony Green (Circa Survive), Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!), Tim Kasher (Cursive), and Mikey Erg (The Ergs!) playing some solo songs and sporadically sitting in on each other’s sets over the course of what’s sure to be an unconventional and unforgettable evening.
New Candys + You Win !!! @ Cactus Club
TUESDAY, MAY 3
Julia Blair + Graham Hunt, Crawlspace, DJ Amos Pitsch @ Cactus Club
You probably know Julia Blair as the voice of Dusk, but in addition to playing in that Wisconsin powerhouse, she also recently released one heck of a solo record. Blair will play songs off that album, Better Out Than In, and more when she headlines a Tuesday-night bill that also features Graham Hunt and Crawlspace. Blair’s Dusk bandmate Amos Pitsch will DJ between performances.
The Lemon Twigs + Tchotchke @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
WMSE Local/Live: Eric Blowtorch And The Bodyguards @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4
Midweek Music: B~Free + Quinten Farr Duo @ Crafty Cow Tosa
Midweek Music is back! Join us at Crafty Cow Tosa every Wednesday in April and May for a total of eight Midweek Music performances. There’s no cover for these all-ages shows, which run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. If a free weeknight show isn’t already great enough on its own, Crafty Cow Tosa will offer $4 Indeed Brewing Company pints. They’ll also have a “Cheap Date” special, which includes two entrees, an appetizer, and two drinks for just $39. This week: incomparable wife-and-husband R&B duo B~Free and Quinten Farr!
Aimee Mann + Jonathan Coulton @ The Pabst Theater POSTPONED
You know her. You love her. She’s music legend Aimee Mann and she’s playing the city that inspired her and Ted Leo to start The Both. Mann’s Pabst Theater show comes roughly six months after the release of her latest record, Queens Of The Summer Hotel. And hey, the always delightful Jonathan Coulton is along for the ride!
PEARS + Bacchae, The DUIs @ X-Ray Arcade
Noted Fat Wreck Chords punk rockers and fruit authorities PEARS hail from New Orleans, but they’re no strangers to the Milwaukee area. Almost exactly two years after releasing their self-titled third album, PEARS return to X-Ray Arcade as part of their “World Tour Redo 2022.”
Star Wars Day @ Lakefront Brewery
There are millions of Star Wars-related events crying out for your attention this May the 4th, but Lakefront Brewery is keeping things nice and simple. Beginning at 11 a.m., Lakefront will screen the entire original trilogy on its giant projector screen. Then, after Return Of The Jedi wraps around 6 p.m., Lakefront will host a Star Wars-centric trivia night. Drinks will be available throughout the day, though the kitchen won’t open until 4 p.m. BYO snacks for the films!
Circuit des Yeux + Marielle Allschwang & The Visitations @ Cactus Club
THURSDAY, MAY 5
Pert Near Sandstone + Armchair Boogie @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Over the course of nearly 20 years, Pert Near Sandstone has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe, shared stages with countless music legends, and has become one of the Midwest’s most celebrated bluegrass bands. The group’s latest album, Discovery Of Honey, was released in 2016. For this intimate Back Room show, PNS will be joined by Madison bluegrass band Armchair Boogie.
Nox Novacula + Convert, Paralyze @ Cactus Club
Sam Rodewald + Myles Coyne, Andii Heath, Dandy L. Freling @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
FRIDAY, MAY 6
Hog Fest 2022: Godsmack + Three Days Grace, Asking Alexandria, Wage War, Lilith Czar @ Fiserv Forum
“Milwaukee LOVES a huge rock show and loves Godsmack,” says 102.9 The Hog program director Borna Velic. “So, we called them, along with a few of our other friends, and all are excited to perform at Hog Fest 2022. We can’t wait to ROCK with thousands of our closest friends at the incredible Fiserv Forum this spring.” And ROCK this show shall.
Chicago Boys: Working Class Readings About Chicago As Place And Character @ Lion’s Tooth
Authors and lifelong friends Martin Billheimer (Mother Chicago) and Theodore Van Alst (Sacred Smokes and Sacred City) write very different books, but the Windy City looms large in each of their works. They will both be on-site at Lion’s Tooth to read selections from their books and to “discuss how cities become characters in fiction and non-fiction.” This free event will be moderated by Feral House publisher Christina Ward. Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the Lion’s Tooth bar. There will also be complimentary hors d’ouerves and snacks.
Son Lux + Emily Wells @ Cactus Club
Chris Haise Band + Tae & The Neighborly @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Action Bronson + Earl Sweatshirt, The Alchemist, Boldy James @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
Sleepy Gaucho + Motel Breakfast, Moonglow @ The Cooperage
SATURDAY, MAY 7
Joe Mande @ The Laughing Tap
Comedian Joe Mande might not be a household name, but you’re certainly aware of his work. He’s written for Parks & Recreation, Kroll Show, The Good Place, Delocated, and Master Of None. He’s had on-camera roles on those first two shows, as well as minor parts on Modern Family and Hacks. More than five years removed from his last Milwaukee headlining appearance (at the now-closed Underground Collaborative), Mande swings by The Laughing Tap in Walker’s Point for a one-night-only performance.
Body Futures + Stomatopod, Vacancy Chain @ Cactus Club
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.”
Suzanne Vega @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Tech N9ne + Joey Cool, X-Raided, ¡MAYDAY! @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
SUNDAY, MAY 8
Fake Fruit + Diet Lite @ Cactus Club
There’s plenty of nervy, Wire-esque post-punk flowing through Fake Fruit’s veins; happily, frontwoman Hannah D’Amato takes that well-worn sound and gives it a decidedly modern and sardonic twist. The Oakland, California group released its self-titled debut in 2021.
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