Our fat-free, dolphin-safe Milwaukee calendar is chock-full of things to do, but only a handful of events contained therein are worthy of the lofty honor of “Record Recommended” (patent pending). Here are our recommendations for the week of April 11-17, 2016.
Tuesday, April 12
Holy Holy + Jessica Morgan @ Turner Hall
The outpouring of grief following David Bowie’s death in January shouldn’t be surprising—Bowie was simply one of the best and brightest rock stars of his (and any) generation. Producer Tony Visconti was with Bowie in the beginning (1969’s David Bowie, 1970’s The Man Who Sold The World), the end (2016’s Blackstar), and now, after the end. Holy Holy features Visconti and a cast of collaborators paying tribute to the late icon. Tuesday’s show at Turner Hall will find them playing The Man Who Sold The World in its entirety, as well as other early Bowie songs.
Also: Hallowed Bells + Pleasure Thief, Apollo Vermouth @ Riverwest Public House
Wednesday, April 13
Peter Murphy + Liv Mueller @ Turner Hall
Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy may be the “Godfather of Goth,” but even goth godfathers have to go acoustic now and then. Indeed, this intimate “Stripped” performance will feature acoustic versions of songs from Murphy’s gloomy, nearly 40-year career. Liv Mueller, formerly of Milwaukee’s The Lovelies, opens the show.
Thursday, April 14
Milwaukee Day: Jaill + Def Harmonic, Lex Allen, Midnight Reruns, Space Raft, Escuela Verde’s Skai Academy @ Turner Hall
Ah, Milwaukee Day: What began years ago as nothing more than a Facebook page and a goofy coincidence (4/14 = 414) has since turned into an honest-to-goodness, city-approved celebration of all things right and just in the city. “We’re just a few men and women born and raised here who love the city, warts and all,” say Milwaukee Day co-organizers Brent Gohde and Andy Silverman. “There’s a lot of bad news every day, so we’re looking to bring people together to smile and have fun for a few hours, as there’s plenty here to celebrate, too.” Milwaukee Day’s festivities will culminate with this undeniably awesome show at Turner Hall.
Kiefer Sutherland + Austin Plaine @ Shank Hall
Fact #1: The entertainment world is littered with film and television stars who moonlight as musicians. Kevin Bacon cuts loose with The Bacon Brothers, Jeff Bridges abides with The Abiders, and Johnny Depp always seems to be up to something. Fact #2: Milwaukee has seen plenty of left-field musical performances in recent years. Public Enemy fought the power at a family reunion in Wauwatosa, Bubba Sparxxx is slated to kick it in Cudahy, and Kip Winger can’t seem to stay away from The Metal Grill. But even with those facts in mind, it’s still hard to wrap your head around the following statement: Kiefer Sutherland is playing Shank Hall. Yes, that Kiefer Sutherland; and yes, that Shank Hall. Huh.
Also: Caroline Smith + Lorde Fredd33 @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me @ Riverside Theater
Ruth B8R Ginsberg + Haybaby, Strange Relations, Gauss @ Linneman’s
Friday, April 15
Poliça + MOTHXR @ Turner Hall
Minneapolis synth-pop outfit Poliça is no stranger to Milwaukee, having played numerous shows here both intimate and large. Now too big for the cozy confines of the Cactus Club (where the band kicked off a 2015 tour), Poliça will once again set up shop at Turner Hall. United Crushers, the group’s third LP in four years, was released in March.
Also: Brian Regan @ Riverside Theater
Dave Simonett (Trampled By Turtles) @ The Back Room @ Colectivo Coffee
Welcome To Night Vale + Danny Schmidt, Carrie Elkin @ Pabst Theater
Birds Of Chicago @ Anodyne Walker’s Point
Heat Death (record release) + Piles, Dream Vacation, Pink Trilliums @ Cactus Club
Saturday, April 16
Record Store Day @ various locations
There’s no shortage of Record Store Day events going on in Milwaukee—in fact, here are 14 of them. Some highlights include in-store performances from GGOOLLDD, NO/NO, and Gauss at the Milwaukee Exclusive Company; live music from Dancing Silks, Marielle Allschwang, Red Stuff, and The Ornerys at Acme Records & Music Emporium; and, of course, record jugglers, sword swallowers, and a dunk tank at Bullseye Records.
Also: Bluegrass Bash IV: Thistledown Thunders + Chicken Wire Empire, Derek Pritzl @ Anodyne Walker’s Point
Eagle Trace (EP release) + The Missing Letters @ Cactus Club
Liv Mueller & Friends @ Linneman’s