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 July 18-24.
Monday, July 18
John Carpenter: Live Retrospective @ Pabst Theater
Over the course of five decades, master filmmaker John Carpenter has left an indelible and idiosyncratic mark on horror and sci-fi with films like Halloween, Escape From New York, The Thing, Big Trouble In Little China, Prince Of Darkness, They Live, and In The Mouth Of Madness. Equally indelible and idiosyncratic are the scores for Carpenter’s films, many of them self-composed, self-performed, and delightfully minimalist and synthesized. “John Carpenter: Live Retrospective” will also feature original, non-soundtrack compositions from the director/musician’s Lost Themes II album. Carpenter will be joined by his son Cody Carpenter and his godson Daniel Davies (both of whom co-recorded the Lost Themes albums), as well as a live band and an accompanying stage production.
Tuesday, July 19
Chill On The Hill: Tigernite + Faux Fiction @ Humboldt Park
The concept for Chill On The Hill is so simple: laying out on a blanket and imbibing food and beverages brought from home (or purchased from a series of vendors on site) whilst enjoying a diverse bevy of homegrown talent. This year’s Chill lineup is especially stacked, and includes this week’s “Ladies Rock Night.” The mighty Tigernite headlines a female-centric bill that also includes Faux Fiction and participants in the 2016 Ladies Rock Milwaukee camp.
Also: WMSE Local/Live: Shonn Hinton & Shotgun @ Club Garibaldi
Parachute + Brynn Elliott, Jerad Finck @ Turner Hall
Friday, July 22
Festa Italiana @ Henry Maier Festival Park (through Sunday, July 24)
Picture what you love most about German Fest and Polish Fest, then add better food and more Dean Martin tribute acts. Toss in some of the best fireworks of the summer and BOOM! Festa Italiana! Oh, and don’t forget an Eagles tribute act, a combination Boston/STYX tribute act (BOSTYX), and the always-popular Bronx Wanderers.
Also: Surgeons In Heat + Soft Candy, Lemon Sky, Antilia Raid @ Landmark Lanes
Billy Joe Shaver + Liar’s Trial (solo) @ Shank Hall
The Coathangers + L.A. Witch, Tenement, Amphetajeans @ Cactus Club
Saturday, July 23
Synth Fest MKE @ Acme Records, Cactus Club (through Sunday, July 24)
The inaugural celebration of all things good and synthesized in Milwaukee music will feature ridiculously stacked shows at Acme Records and Cactus Club. Electro favorites like adoptahighway and BTS.WRKNG are scheduled to perform, along with newer acts like Liquid City Motors and Stumblesome. Hell, even the always-awesome Jon Mueller is on the bill. The Acme shows are free, though donations are suggested. Tickets for the Cactus Club shows are $7 individually, and $12 for both nights.
Also: Milwaukee Firkin Craft Beer Festival @ Cathedral Square Park
Lyle Lovett And His Large Band @ Pabst Theater
Concert Cruise: Midwest Death Rattle @ Milwaukee Boat Line
Xposed 4Heads + The Squeezettes @ Linneman’s
Sunday, July 24
David Liebe Hart + Iron Pizza, Scrimshaw, 3GI, Father Freedom @ Riverwest Public House
A year removed from last summer’s weird-as-fuck performance alongside Crappy Dracula 2, Soup Moat, and Iron Pizza at Borg Ward, “comedian” and resident of Tim & Eric’s absurd universe of characters David Liebe Hart will move the show to Riverwest Public House this time around. Expect puppets and heaps upon heaps of subversive anti-comedy. Iron Pizza is back on the bill, with Scrimshaw and Father Freedom providing musical accompaniment.
Also: Smokey Benefit Show: Tweed Funk & Friends @ Anodyne Walker’s Point
Christopher The Conquered + Heavy Leaves + Ruth B8R Ginsburg @ Company Brewing