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.
Given his somewhat-reserved presence, Nelson Devereaux might shy away from the statement I’m about to make, but I hope he bears with me.
I would be hard-pressed to think of another artist I’ve encountered in my time at Radio Milwaukee that so accurately encapsulates this organization’s efforts when it comes to music. Here’s why:
- Music discovery — He’s the kind of musician you think you’re hearing for the first time when, in fact, you’ve likely heard him quite a bit (on projects with Bon Iver, This Is the Kit, The Hold Steady, Craig Finn and more).
- Local music — He’s a Milwaukee native who in addition to working with those aforementioned artists has also released music solo and with his brother Max.
- Jazz connections — Going back to WYMS’ early days as a jazz station, Devereaux’s multi-instrumentalist capabilities are just as suited for that genre as the indie acts he’s played with.
On that last point, Devereaux is exactly the kind of artist you hope to find when you walk through the door of the Jazz Gallery on a random Friday. Or a not-so-random Friday just like this Friday, when he’ll play a solo set with a pair of NYC-based artists: J Hoard and Old Feels.
As affable as he is unassuming, Devereaux is hard not to root for. It gets even harder after you hear him play, because the guy can put together soundscapes all by his lonesome that would make you swear he was standing on stage with half a dozen musicians. He’s one of those people who deserves the title “composer” over “songwriter” — and also deserves your ears and eyes when he plays Jazz Gallery this Friday night.
Best Milwaukee concerts this week
- May 14: Alley Eyes, Vinny Franco & The Love Channel, Modern Joey @ Cactus Club, 7 p.m.
- May 14: Resurrectionists, Forest Ray, Cassini Echoes, Max Niemann @ Falcon Hall, 8 p.m.
- May 15: Kishi Bashi w/Oshima Brothers @ Vivarium, 8 p.m.
- May 15: Cat Ridgeway & The Tourists, Friend of a Friend, 5PM to Nowhere @ X-Ray Arcade, 7:30 p.m.
- May 15: Cinema Stereo, The Keystones, Killer High Life @ Falcon Hall, 8 p.m.
- May 16: Nelson Devereaux, J Hoard, Old Feels @ Jazz Gallery, 7 p.m.
- May 16: Javier Santiago @ The Estate, 7 and 9:30 p.m.
- May 17: Sushi Cowboy w/Grain Elevator, Well + Good @ Linneman’s, 8 p.m.
- May 17: Catbite, Rodeo Boys, Something to Do @ X-Ray Arcade, 8 p.m.
- May 17-18: Paul Simon @ Riverside Theater, 8 p.m.
- May 18: Samuel Huston, *aya, FTBK, Willonwater, Keyba @ Cactus Club, 7 p.m.
- May 20: Jack the Underdog, Davvn, haydentheposer, Gold Steps @ Cactus Club, 6:30 p.m.
