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.
This week in Milwaukee music is chalk full of fan favorites, starting with Dinosaur Jr. gracing the stage at Turner Hall this Thursday, with support from Snail Mail and Easy Action.
The night’s headliners are one of the most fundamental bands to the soundscape of modern rock, with lead guitarist J Mascis turning his muff pedal to 11 and creating an avalanche of noise. The harsh and refined sound of Dinosaur Jr. carved a hard nook for noise rock to thrive in the ‘80s and influence the grunge movement in the ‘90s.
Beyond Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph add incredible flavor to the group’s sound. Barlow’s regimented and overdriven bass drafts a fuzz under the guitar, guiding Mascis’ slick solos into an ear-pleasing (and damaging) soundscape. Meanwhile, Murph lays down a set of pounding rhythms with quickfire fills thrown in to create a dynamic atmosphere for every song to shine. It’s music that's been inspiring generations of musicians to look at noise not as an obstacle, but as something to utilize.
For those looking to dive into a different set of nostalgia, Cyndi Lauper is coming to the American Family Amphitheater this Sunday as her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun farewell tour enters its final weeks. The name of the tour kind of says it all for this national treasure, whose pop hits like “Time After Time” and (of course) “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” cement her as an icon.
Lauper’s music is the pinnacle of emotional heartbreak and fulfillment, providing outstanding anthems to the joys of life while respecting the downsides. Her recognizable voice is so poignant and has become a staple many pop contemporaries tried to recreate. But nothing beats the original. She has a way of channeling the rawest form of human emotion into a beautiful set of songs. For one night in Milwaukee, we’ll be dancing just as much as we cry.
Finally, diving into the local scene, Bunk Bed are coming to Falcon Bowl this Thursday with openers Oh Geez Not Again, Munkn! and Bleached Out. Self-described as an art-math rock band, Bunk Bed make raucous songs that balance sweet melodies with head-banging chord progressions. Their music is dynamic, with constant tone shifts and diverse instrumentation (see their most recent album Roughhousing for many examples). It’ll make for another loud, hip-shaking show in Milwaukee.
Best Milwaukee concerts this week
- July 31: Dinosaur Jr., Snail Mail w/Easy Action @ Turner Hall, 6:45 p.m.
- July 31: Trophy Wife @ Cactus Club, 7 p.m.
- July 31: The Okmoniks, Jinksie @ X-Ray Arcade, 7:30 p.m.
- July 31: Long Mama w/Luke Callen, Jacob Miller @ Linneman’s, 8 p.m.
- July 31: Bunk Bed w/Oh Geez Not Again, Munkn!, Bleached Out @ Falcon Nest, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 1: Adeem the Artist @ Shank Hall, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 2: Rabbitology, Sparkbird @ Cactus Club, 7 p.m.
- Aug. 2: Rematch, Eternal Boy, Gold Steps @ X-Ray Arcade, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 2: The Mighty Deerlick, Hello Face, Bellends @ Falcon Hall, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 3: Cyndi Lauper @ AmFam Amphitheater, 7:30 p.m.
- Aug. 3: Em Spel, SSAANN, *aya @ Anodyne, 6 p.m.
- Aug. 3: Robot Witch (album release), Bellends, Local Legends @ Cactus Club, 6 p.m.
- Aug. 3: Deadelijk @ Falcon Hall, 3 p.m.