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.
Holidays are a double-edged sword for live-music lovers. On one side, they tend to tamp down the concert activity. On the other, they usually find their way into a couple shows that give you a chance to enjoy some good music while doing a bit of good for your community.
Two such opportunities jumped out at us this Thanksgiving week, starting Wednesday night with Linneman’s annual “Nod to Bob” event — a Bob Dylan tribute concert featuring an all-star local lineup that doubles as a fundraiser for Hunger Task Force. No fewer than 16 Milwaukee artists will take the stage between 7 and 11 p.m., including 88Nine favorites like Long Mama, Max Niemann and the Chris Haise Band.
A ticket to the 27th annual event will set you back a mere $15, with proceeds going to Milwaukee’s free and local food bank. If you’d like to provide a little extra help during this time of need, you can also head straight to the Hunger Task Force website and make a monetary donation.
After you’re done digesting your turkey (or tofurkey, if that’s your jam), X-Ray Arcade has a Friday night Holiday Benefit Show featuring the stars of our recent “DIY Digest” series, Fake My Death. The Milwaukee quartet’s mix of punk, shoegaze and psych is indicative of what you’ll hear throughout the quadruple bill, which also includes Oshkosh dance-punkers Smoke Free Home and a pair of Milwaukee shoegaze outfits: Mizzy and Superglue.
There’s still a little time to pick up tickets in advance for $13 (including fees), or you can bring $15 cash to the door. Proceeds will benefit Street Angels Milwaukee, the local organization that provides street outreach services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Like Hunger Task Force, you can make a direct impact on their efforts by visiting the Street Angels website and making a donation.
Best concerts in Milwaukee this week
- Nov. 26: Nod To Bob (A Tribute to Bob Dylan) @ Linneman’s, 7 p.m.
- Nov. 26: Friendsgiving w/Chicken Wire Empire @ The Cooperage, 7 p.m.
- Nov. 28: Holiday Benefit Show w/Fake My Death, Smoke, Free Home, Mizzy, Superglue @ X-Ray Arcade, 7 p.m.
- Nov. 28: Friendsgiving w/The Taxmen, Shell Bells, Tlalok, Riley Steel Curtin, Ghostcrab @ Linneman’s, 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 28: Club Ritual @ The Cooperage, 9 p.m.
- Nov. 29: Genesis Renji, Emmitt James, Von Alexander, K’moni, Simi, Water.Lo, Cam $ky @ Cactus Club, 7 p.m.
- Nov. 29: Cassini Echoes w/Red Quean, Farewell Moonlight, Tarek Sabbar @ Linneman’s, 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 29: IshDarr w/Melotuned, Greyishere, Keeshawn Carter, Lethal Dose @ Falcon Hall, 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 29: Smoking Popes, Scott Lucas (of Local H), Menthol @ X-Ray Arcade, 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 30: Julianna Riolino, Dusk @ Cactus Club, 7 p.m.
