Milwaukee’s concert scene has a lot going on, so we look at the shows coming up to find the ones you’ll look back on and be glad you went. Then we add them to our weekly Milwaukee Concert Picks.
Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends kick off the long weekend by celebrating one of college rock and jangle pop’s biggest torchbearers, R.E.M., at Turner Hall Ballroom on Thursday as they play that famous band’s Fables of the Reconstruction.
The third album for the Athens, Georgia-based crew was released in 1985 and featured forever-gold hits like “Driver 8.” Lead singer Michael Stipe compared the sound of the album to "two oranges being nailed together" (whatever that means, Michael).
Narducy — who has spent time playing in the Bob Mould Band, Superchunk, Sunny Day Real Estate and Split Single — is clearly a fan, as he’s taken celebrating the 40th anniversary of the album to tour heights. He’s also more than capable of making everything sound awesome. If you go, you’ll hear the album’s songs performed in order and other R.E.M. gems as well. Just don’t expect the actual legendary band to show up (because they won’t).
If bubblegum punk is more your vibe and you have energy to burn on a Friday night, hop over to Cactus Club for Florida duo Dollyrots as they continue showcasing their latest release, 2023’s Night Owls. As an irresistible one-two punch, you’ll also get a team-up with Milwaukee’s Jinksie for an evening of brash, in-your-face rock ‘n’ roll.
If you want your show to read more like a dimestore novel (and want an excuse to not leave the safe confines of Cactus Club), stick around for Old Pup’s record-release show this Saturday. The soft-drawling, psych-country, slide-guitar-playing local artist will share his new album Spider Town with support from Joseph Huber and Dandy L. Freling.
Best concerts in Milwaukee this week
- March 12: Oliver Hazard w/Kahrin @ Vivarium, 8 p.m.
- March 13: Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, Rami & The Reliables @ Anodyne, 7:30 p.m.
- March 13: Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends play R.E.M.’s Fables of the Reconstruction and more @ Turner Hall, 7:30 p.m.
- March 13: Clare Doyle, Ladybird, Driveway Thriftdwellers @ Cactus Club, 7 p.m.
- March 13: Shiner, Fight Dice, Overhand @ X-Ray Arcade, 6:30 p.m.
- March 14: The Ike Reilly Assassination @ Shank Hall, 8 p.m.
- March 14: David Howley w/Cat & Hare @ Vivarium, 8 p.m.
- March 14: The Dollyrots, Jinksie, Doubter, Socially Suspect @ Cactus Club, 6 p.m.
- March 14: The Claudettes, The Stephen Hull Experience @ Anodyne, 7:30 p.m.
- March 15: Chris Thile with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra @ Bradley Symphony Center, 7:30 p.m.
- March 15: An Acoustic Evening with Trey Anastasio @ Riverside Theater, 7:30 p.m.
- March 15: Old Pup (album release) w/Joseph Huber, Dandy L. Freeling @ Cactus Club, 7:30 p.m.
- March 15: Kyle Hume & The Astronomers @ Vivarium, 8 p.m.
- March 16: Pretendacle, Automatic Lover, Play Machine @ Anodyne, 6 p.m.
- March 18: Madeleine Peyroux and Bettye Levette @ Turner Hall, 8 p.m.
