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 18-24, 2016.
Monday, April 18
Andrew Bird + Dawn Of Midi @ Riverside Theater
Multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird has come a long way since his days spent palling around the Squirrel Nut Zippers, releasing a slew of critically adored albums and writing songs for everyone from The Muppets to Louis C.K. and Zach Galifianakis. Bird has come a long way since his last full-length album of original material (2012’s Hands of Glory), too. Now married and a first-time father, Bird has given his latest album, Are You Serious, a serious dose of maturity and introspection (and a nifty duet with Fiona Apple).
Tuesday, April 19
WMSE Local/Live: Space Raft @ Club Garibaldi
To say Space Raft started strong would be a massive understatement. In late 2014, the band—which features current and former members of Whips, Call Me Lightning, Temper Temper, and Green Bay-based The Mystery Girls—garnered heaps of well-deserved praise and regional radio play following the release of Space Raft, its debut full-length (which we dubbed Milwaukee’s best album of that year). Now, fresh off a pair of shows opening for none other than Bernie Sanders, Space Raft is in the midst of celebrating the release of its excellent sophomore album, Rubicon. The album is out now, though a release party isn’t scheduled until May 7; in the meantime, catch the band at a free broadcast of WMSE’s Local/Live radio show.
Also: Ladders + Wilder Maker, Ehson Rad (Devil Met Contention) @ Company Brewing
Wednesday, April 20
Absu + Protestant, Subjugation, Apocalyptic Session @ Frank’s Power Plant
There’s metal, there’s thrash metal, there’s death metal, and then there’s Absu. For nearly 30 years, the Dallas-based, occult-loving band has been pummeling the shit out of listeners’ eardrums with not-fucking-around albums like The Sun Of Tiphareth and The Third Storm Of Cythraul. A new trilogy-capping album, Apsu, is expected later this year.
Also: Captain Ivory + Great Lakes Drifters, Atomic Spins, Myles Coyne @ Cactus Club
Thursday, April 21
Arte Para Todos @ Walker’s Point
Last year’s inaugural Arte Para Todos—or “art for everyone”—benefit was an absolute success. Over the course of three nights, 70 acts from all corners of Milwaukee’s musical spectrum combined to play shows at 15 venues spread through three different neighborhoods, as 15 visual artists provided live art to enrich the experience. Not only was the first Arte a ton of fun that brought tons of Milwaukee creatives together, it managed to raise an astounding $21,165, which was split evenly between three local schools. This time around, more than 100 bands, solo acts, rappers, DJs, poets, and visual artists will take over 25 venues in five neighborhoods during a four-day span. Walker’s Point kicks things off tonight with shows featuring Mark Waldoch, Fox Face, Soul Low, Marielle Allschwang, Lex Allen, and more. See our calendar for full details.
Also: MKE LIVE Vol. 2: Von Alexander + Cool Tay, Blizz Mcfly, Mozaic, Jakhaan, KJ Prodigy @ Cactus Club
Friday, April 22
Arte Para Todos @ Bay View
The Arte Para Todos insanity moves to Bay View with shows from Devil Met Contention, Rusty Ps, Mike Regal, Sat. Nite Duets, New Age Narcissism, Tigernite, and more. Once again, see our calendar for full details. (Oh, and by the way, this year’s partner schools are George Washington Carver Academy, Escuela Vieau School, Milwaukee Parkside School of the Arts, and Frederick J. Gaenslen School).
Also: Soup Moat + Iron Pizza (split record release) @ Circle-A
MAM After Dark: J’Adore @ Milwaukee Art Museum
The Lowest Pair (record release) + Buffalo Gospel @ Anodyne Walker’s Point
Full Moon Karaoke And Variety Show @ Company Brewing
Saturday, April 23
Arte Para Todos @ Riverwest
You know the drill by now. Be on the lookout for Riverwest-based shows from Christopher Porterfield, The Fatty Acids, NO/NO, Jaill, The Pukes, Lorde Fredd33, Klassik, No No Yeah Okay, and more. Phew.
Pete Rose: National Bobblehead Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony @ Pabst Theater
Pete Rose had an unforgettable baseball career. During his 24 seasons on the field, “Charlie Hustle” tallied 4,256 hits (a mark that has yet to be overtaken), played in 17 All-Star Games, won three World Series titles, nabbed a trio of batting championships, took home two Gold Gloves, and earned MVP honors once. Now, almost 30 years since his final game, Rose can add Hall of Famer to his unmatched big league biography. That’s right, the legend—who was famously barred from enshrinement in Cooperstown as a result of betting on baseball games when he was a manager—will finally get the acknowledgement he so deserves, when he’s inducted into the Hall of Fame…the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame, that is. If you’ve been waiting decades to see Rose get some Hall of Fame attention, this could be your only chance.
Also: David Sedaris @ Riverside Theater
Charles Walker Band (record release) + Shonn Hinton @ Shank Hall
The Paul Collins Beat + Tigernite, Dany Laj & The Looks, The Grovelers @ Club Garibaldi
Sunday, April 24
Arte Para Todos @ East Side
De La Buena, Siren, Foreign Goods, Antler House, and more take to the East Side to wrap up this year’s Arte Para Todos. As always, see our calendar for full details. Double phew.