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.
Did you know August is Wisconsin Jazz Festival Month? It became official in the dying days of July, when Governor Tony Evers issued a proclamation to recognize our state’s “vibrant jazz community” and encourage Wisconsinites to “support their local jazz festivals and their role in connecting communities.”
So, now that you have your orders from Gov. Evers, it’s time to act on them. This week’s Fresh Coast Jazz Festival provides multiple opportunities to do so, with performances and programming set to go Aug. 21-23 at various locations across Milwaukee — land and sea.
It starts on terra firma with “The Pairing,” a wine tasting and concert event at 5 p.m. this Thursday at The Fitzgerald, featuring the music of Sade as interpreted by Marcya Daneille and The Isaiah Jones Jr. Trio. After that, you’ve got two Pabst Theater concerts to choose from: The Braxton Brothers, Four80East and Jeff Lorber Fusion at 6 p.m. Friday; and Kayla Waters, Chris Standring and Gerald Albright at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Sandwiched between those last two options is the always-popular Fresh Coast Cruise that boards at 12:40 p.m. Saturday at the Edelweiss Port (205 W. Highland Ave.). Only 125 seats are available on this trip along the Lake Michigan coastline that includes lunch, a cash bar and live jazz as your soundtrack.
If you’re looking to smooth out your weekend in … well, a different way, The Eagles Ballroom should be your destination Friday night. That’s where you’ll find Cypress Hill, Atmosphere, Lupe Fiasco and The Pharcyde for what they’ve lovingly dubbed “The Dank Daze of Summer Tour.”
We’ll leave you to fill in some of the gaps about what you’re likely to see and — more accurately — smell that night, but it’s hard to argue with what’s on tap music-wise. These are four highly (heh) influential hip-hop acts from the past three decades, led by one of the first Latin-flavored groups to break big. The only thing missing from Friday’s lineup is the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, but we’re still looking at an exceptional night packed with rap greats.
Best Milwaukee concerts this week
- Aug. 20: Beat Battle w/Benny the Butcher, The Conductor, Kia Rap Princess @ The Rave, 9 p.m.
- Aug. 20: Cat Crash, Cricket, Kat & The Hurricane, Hemlock Chaser @ X-Ray Arcade, 7 p.m.
- Aug. 21: ArtBlaze feat. Gemini Gilly, NilexNile, DJ Luke Warm @ McKinley Beach, 4 p.m.
- Aug. 21: Zach Bryson, Marina Madden, Old Pup, Dandy L. Freling @ Falcon Bowl
- Aug. 21: Simple Plan @ BMO Pavilion, 6 p.m.
- Aug. 21-23: Fresh Coast Jazz Festival @ Various locations
- Aug. 22: Cypress Hill, Atmosphere, Lupe Fiasco, The Pharcyde @ The Rave, 6:30 p.m.
- Aug. 22: Harmonious Wail @ Anodyne, 7:30 p.m.
- Aug. 22: Kneafsey, Maximiano, Ellie Jackson @ Cactus Club, 6 p.m.
- Aug. 22: Max & The Fellow Travelers w/Glass Beagle, Sludge Hawking @ Linneman’s, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 23: The Spine Stealers & Ross Thorn w/Bitch Creek @ Falcon Bowl, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 23: Oliver Francis, JordanxBell, NilexNile @ X-Ray Arcade, 7:30 p.m.
- Aug. 25: Steve Earle w/Lurrie Bell @ Pabst Theater, 8 p.m.
