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.
We never take for granted the Milwaukee musicians fueling our area’s live stages. So, before we get to the international flavors headlining our concert picks, let’s give a quick nod or two to the standout local shows happening over the next week.
Relative newbie venue the Argo has made a steady commitment to spotlighting artists from our own backyard “Live in the Lounge” every Thursday for the low, low price of FREE. This week, it’s top-notch guitarsmith Gabriel Harris with Tori Yocum entertaining the room from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
If you’re looking for less laid-back vibes, point yourself toward the Cooperage for a Saturday night show they’re billing as a “Spring Break Pop Punk Party.” Revival will deliver one helping of the genre with covers from the ‘90s and 2000s, with the other coming from the reliably wonderful Gold Steps.
One more local(ish) selection will take you back to the Argo on Saturday for a “band name gives you a solid idea of what to expect” show from Madison-based Armchair Boogie. They’ve been at it since their student days at UW-Stevens Point and put in the work to reach headliner status at Turner Hall a couple years back. That performance proved memorable, and they’ll make a few more Saturday night at the Argo.
OK, on to the promised global flavor, the first taste of which comes Thursday night at the Rave, where Irish shoegaze/dreampop outfit NewDad headlines a show that starts with an 88Nine favorite from Manchester (U.K.), Freak Slug. We’ve been a fan of the project from Xenya Genovese for a little while now and were pumped when she joined us for a Studio Milwaukee Session last March. Give that performance a listen now and then catch her in person Thursday.
The trip to Milwaukee wasn’t nearly as long for the second internationally seasoned show, which brings Toronto-based Ducks Ltd. to Cactus Club on Saturday. The band’s core duo of Evan Lewis and Tom McGreevy come from even further afield (Australia and the U.K., respectively), and have released one solid record after another since joining forces. If your weekend could use some jangle pop, get thee to Cactus Club for a show with a pair of Milwaukee openers: Telethon and Breakup Tour.
Best concerts in Milwaukee this week
- May 7: Gabriel Harris & Tori Yocum @ The Argo, 6:30 p.m.
- May 7: Sluice w/Hiding Places @ Falcon Hall, 8 p.m.
- May 7: Scarlet Demore, Rat Bath, Yada Yada @ X-Ray Arcade, 7:30 p.m.
- May 7: Drive-A-Tron w/Creature Weather, Vanity Plates @ Linneman’s, 7:30 p.m.
- May 8: NewDad w/Freak Slug @ The Rave, 8 p.m.
- May 8: Lunar Vacation w/Runner & Bobby @ The Argo, 8 p.m.
- May 8: The Afghan Whigs w/Mercury Rev @ Turner Hall, 8 p.m.
- May 9: Revival, Gold Steps @ The Cooperage, 7 p.m.
- May 9: Tigernite, Blue Jets, Red Quean @ Anodyne, 7:30 p.m.
- May 9: Ducks Ltd., Telethon, Breakup Tour @ Cactus Club, 6:30 p.m.
- May 9: Armchair Boogie @ The Argo, 8 p.m.
- May 10: The Joy Formidable @ Vivarium, 8 p.m.
- May 10: Lowertown w/Micah Preite, Social Cig @ The Argo, 8 p.m.
- May 12: Ambar Lucid & maye w/Judith @ The Rave, 8 p.m.
