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 30 – June 5, 2022.
MONDAY, MAY 30
Iceage + Tricky Youth, X Harlow @ Cactus Club
Iceage’s fifth record, 2021’s Seek Shelter, is aptly named. “Rain dripped through cracks in the ceiling of Namouche, the dilapidated wood-paneled vintage studio in Lisbon where the band set up for 12 days,” reads the Copenhagen group’s bio. “The band had to arrange their equipment around puddles. Pieces of cloth covered slowly filling buckets so that the sound of raindrops wouldn’t reach the microphones. […] When the rain had stopped, Seek Shelter revealed itself as a collection of songs radiating warmth and a profound desire for salvation in a world that’s spinning further and further out of control.”
TUESDAY, MAY 31
Haim + Sasami @ BMO Harris Pavilion
The last few years have been big ones for pop-rock sister act Haim. Twenty-twenty saw the release of the group’s excellent third album, Women In Music Pt. III, which contains instant classics like the Lou Reed-esque “Los Angeles” and the driving “The Steps.” The following year, youngest sister Alana Haim starred in the latest critically acclaimed Paul Thomas Anderson flick, Licorice Pizza. The sisters Haim are now out on the road, making up dates for their pandemic-delayed “One More Haim” tour.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1
‘RRR (Rise Roar Revolt)’ @ Oriental Theatre
Set in the 1920s, the Telugu-language film RRR imagines a fictional meeting between two Indian revolutionaries—Komaram Bheem and Alluri Sitarama Raju—and turns it into an over-the-top, crowd-pleasing action-adventure blockbuster. Made on a budget of US$72 million, it was the most expensive Indian film at the time of its release, and demands to be seen on the big screen. So, see it the way it was meant to be seen at this one-night-only screening at the Oriental Theatre!
Sigur Rós @ The Riverside Theater
Buckle up for an impossibly chill and ethereal night as Icelandic post-rock outfit Sigur Rós gently blows into Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater. The long-running group’s latest album, Odin’s Raven Magic, is an orchestral work that was initially recorded way back in 2004.
THURSDAY, JUNE 2
PrideFest Milwaukee @ Henry Maier Festival Park (through June 4)
After canceling 2020’s event on account of the pandemic, and turning last year’s celebration into a smaller-scale autumnal event called “PridetoberFest,” PrideFest is back in full force for 2022! This year’s festival takes place June 2-4 at Henry Maier Festival Park. Click HERE for the impressive list of musicians, DJs, drag performers, authors, experts, and other talents set to take the stage at PrideFest Milwaukee 2022.
Primus: A Tribute To Kings @ BMO Harris Pavilion
Primus performing Rush’s A Farewell To Kings album in its entirety, plus plenty of Primus hits and deep cuts. What more can you say?
Debbie Gibson @ Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
Debbie Gibson performing stone-cold ’80s classics like “Only In My Dreams” and “Lost In Your Eyes.” What more can you say?
John Caparulo @ The Laughing Tap
Veteran comedian John Caparulo—whose work you might recognize from his numerous credits on Netflix, Comedy Central, Showtime, CMT, and Hulu programs, or from his more than 150 appearances as a panelist on Chelsea Lately—brings his treasure trove of affable, identifiable, and uproariously funny material to The Laughing Tap for a total of five shows taking place June 2-4.
Smokey Robinson @ Miller High Life Theatre
FRIDAY, JUNE 3
Phoebe Bridgers + Charlie Hickey @ BMO Harris Pavilion
Has singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers seemingly been everywhere lately? Yes she has, popping up on Taylor Swift songs and My Favorite Murder podcasts, and getting the old folks all in a tizzy by smashing a guitar on Saturday Night Live. Oh, and don’t forget that Twitter spat with David Crosby, which was hilarious. Oh, and don’t forget Bridgers’ actual music! Her latest record, Punisher, came out in 2020.
‘Small Town Wisconsin’ @ Oriental Theatre
If you’re in the mood for bittersweet road movie with oodles of Milwaukee connections, look no further than this one-night-only screening of Small Town Wisconsin. After losing a custody battle, Wayne Stobierski steals his son for one last father-son weekend in the beautiful, cosmopolitan city of…Milwaukee. Filmed in the city with a largely local crew, this red-carpet event will feature appearances from director Niels Mueller (The Assassination Of Richard Nixon), actors David Sullivan (Primer), Kristen Johnston (3rd Rock From The Sun), and Bill Heck (The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs), as well as Executive Producer Alexander Payne (Sideways, Election, About Schmidt).
‘The Milwaukeean’ @ Boswell Book Company
Kellen “Klassik” Abston isn’t just one of the finest Milwaukee musicians working today, he’s the Milwaukeean. That’s the title of a new book on Abston’s life, written by Milwaukee author Joey Grihalva. (Full title: The Milwaukeean: A Tale Of Tragedy And Triumph.) The two will discuss the book and its themes—”gun violence, addiction, anxiety, racism, therapy, spirituality, and creativity”—at this free Boswell discussion. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
The Dollop @ Turner Hall Ballroom
In case you’re not among the show’s millions of listeners: The Dollop is a popular podcast wherein comedian Dave Anthony reads a story from American history to his friend, Gareth Reynolds, who doesn’t know what the topic is about. Only time will tell what locally focused topic they discuss during their Turner Hall return, but it’s sure to be informative, entertaining, and likely to draw parallels between how bad things were throughout history and how terrible the world continues to be today. The show is also a homecoming of sorts for Reynolds, a devout Packer Backer who originally hails from Brown Deer and got his start at ComedySportz.
Orville Peck + The Nude Party @ The Pabst Theater
Masked country music up-and-comer Orville Peck comes to The Pabst Theater, where he’ll treat Milwaukee to live versions of songs off Bronco, his just-released sophomore album. The Nude Party opens, and we’re not discounting the very real possibility of a Trixie Mattel cameo at some point as well.
Bay View Gallery Night @ various locations
Since 2011, Bay View Gallery Night has organized “Milwaukee’s largest annual celebration of art, local business, music, and community.” The massive neighborhood-wide event brings together talented area artists and musicians, along with an eclectic mix of Milwaukee bars, restaurants and retailers for a large-scale event that has quickly become a part of the Bay View tradition. Now, BVGN returns for an 11th installment at 53 participating sites in and around the neighborhood. Find a guide to help you plan your Bay View Gallery Night HERE.
Bay View Jazz Fest @ various locations
Entering its seventh year (and its first iteration since 2019), the folks at Milwaukee Jazz Vision, in association with Bay View Gallery Night, are putting on another edition of Bay View Jazz Fest. On Friday, June 3 from 5-11 p.m., nine neighborhood bars, distilleries, galleries, and cider purveyors will host a total of 12 acts, including Jamie Breiwick Trio, Steph Lippert Quartet, Heirloom, and many more.
John Caparulo @ The Laughing Tap (7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. shows)
SATURDAY, JUNE 4
Electric Love 2022 @ Indeed Brewing Company
Indeed Brewing Company’s “Electric Love 2022” will offer more than 12 hours of live music, outstanding Indeed beers, food trucks, and outdoor activities. Riley’s Good Dogs, Twisted Plants, Meat On The Street, Pilcrow Coffee, and Pete’s Pops will be on-site serving up food and coffee. Adventure Rock will have a climbing wall on the grounds, Indeed will have lawn games on the block, and the Bayside Plant Center Mobile Greenhouse Truck will be there as well. Music will be provided by WMSE’s Boogie Bang, Tigera, Buffalo Galaxy, NUR-D, and headliners Gego y Nony. An afterparty inside the Indeed Brewery taproom is set for 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Gigs 4 Good: Kris and Dani Crow @ The Tonic Tavern
Last summer, The Tonic Tavern celebrated its 12th anniversary with a new charitable music series. “Gigs 4 Good” featured a wide range of Milwaukee musicians performing at Tonic on select Saturdays. It went so well, Tonic is bringing it back for 2022! Like last time around, proceeds from the concerts (brought in through audience donations and from the bar donating a portion of that night’s sales) will benefit Milwaukee Center For Children And Youth, Bay View Community Center, and The Women’s Center.
Boone & Crockett 10 Year Anniversary: Another One + Earthmother, Fuzzbucket @ The Cooperage
Milwaukee Highland Games @ Croatian Park, Franklin
John Caparulo @ The Laughing Tap (7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. shows)
SUNDAY, JUNE 5
We Are Scientists + Diet Lite @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
In a volatile and ever-worsening world, it’s comforting to know that bands like We Are Scientists are still putting out catchy, expertly crafted, no-fuss-no-muss indie rock. Singer-guitarist Keith Murray and bassist Chris Cain have been the group’s two constants for the past two decades, and the duo shows no signs of stopping. We Are Scientists’ latest album, 2021’s Huffy, contains instantly enjoyable songs like opener “You’ve Lost Your Shit” and the Franz Ferdinand-esque “I Cut My Own Hair.”
UPAF Ride for the Arts @ Urban Park
Exclusive articles, podcasts, and more. Support Milwaukee Record on Patreon.