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, sponsored by Urban Ecology Center.
This week is pretty silly with live-music options, thanks in part to the contributions of two geographic-based events — one street and one state.
The latter is, of course, the Wisconsin State Fair and its cross-section of entertainment that runs over the final few days. There’s John Mulaney on Wednesday for the comedy crowd, the All-American Rejects on Thursday for pop-punk types and Lindsey Stirling on Friday for those who prefer their violinists with a bit more physical movement.
Selfishly (and briefly), I’ll point you toward Saturday’s headliner and a favorite of pretty much my whole family, AJR. The intergenerational appeal of the sibling trio is a big selling point; you’ll frequently see kids to teens to parents all belting out songs at their shows. But I’ve always appreciated their unflinching approach to mental health and emotions and all of the things that, thankfully, are talked about a little more honestly these days. You can catch them at the Bank Five Nine Main Stage at 7:30 p.m., with Em Beihold opening.
Closer to the lake is the street-level option for this week: Center Street Daze Festival, which takes place Saturday across a dozen or so blocks in Riverwest. We have a whole separate post for the annual event, but it’s worth quickly pointing out the likes of Group of the Altos, Troy Tyler and the wall-to-wall rock scheduled for Quarters Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace. The festival’s official hours run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but the music will keep going along Center Street, including an immediate 7 p.m. gig for Big Style Brass Band at Bar Centro.
We’ve got a couple more options to challenge your decision-making Saturday, but we’d be remiss to jump right over Friday and Radio Milwaukee favorite Buffalo Nichols at Cactus Club. The innovative and inventive guitarist, singer and songwriter did some wildly cool stuff on his last album, The Fatalist (“You’re Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond” is a prime example), and seeing him ply his trade on stage is something every Milwaukee music lover should do at least once.
Getting back to your logjammed Saturday, the Pabst Theater Group hooked us up with a couple excellent options just a few blocks apart. The Riverside Theater has a double shot of brilliance all to itself with Bartees Strange leading off the night (after generously treating us to a Studio Milwaukee Session that afternoon) and the iconic Tori Amos headlining, while Turner Hall has emo kings American Football with openers Afternoon Bike Ride.
You know what? One more for the decibel lovers. If you’re looking for a lot of loud for your Saturday, the Argo will more than cover you with headliners Pinkshift at the top of a bill that includes Arcadia Grey and The Stinkeyes. Go. Thrash. Be merry.
Best concerts in Milwaukee this week
- Aug. 12: Holy Wave w/Astral Hand @ The Argo, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 13: All-American Rejects @ Wisconsin State Fair, 7:30 p.m.
- Aug. 13: Will Pfrang @ The Argo, 6:30 p.m.
- Aug. 13: The Jesse Garwood Club, VLNTYN, Gypsum Sunflower, Ten Year Setback @ X-Ray Arcade, 7 p.m.
- Aug. 13: Alley Eyes, Hot Mess, Callback, Fakeout @ The Cooperage, 7 p.m.
- Aug. 13: Mea Jima @ Jackalope Lounj, 7 p.m.
- Aug. 14: Modest Mouse w/Califone @ Riverside Theater, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 14: Buffalo Nichols, Hunlo @ Cactus Club, 6:30 p.m.
- Aug. 14: The Verve Pipe w/Edie Current @ The Argo, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 14: Sunfo, Blue Stoplights, I'll Remember April, Mural Hall, Milby @ Sugar Maple, 6:30 p.m.
- Aug. 15: AJR w/Em Beihold @ Wisconsin State Fair, 7:30 p.m.
- Aug. 15: Tori Amos w/Bartees Strange @ Riverside Theater, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 15: Center Street Daze @ Riverwest, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Aug. 15: Becca Murray & The Wildflowers, Oh Geeez Not Again, Ben Mulwana @ Anodyne, 7:30 p.m.
- Aug. 15: Pinkshift w/Arcadia Grey, The Stinkeyes @ The Argo, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 15: American Football w/Afternoon Bike Ride @ Turner Hall, 8 p.m.
- Aug. 18: Empire of the Sun @ BMO Pavilion, 7 p.m.
