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.
Still looking for something to do New Year’s Eve? Just like every other week of the year, Milwaukee’s live music lineup has you covered. Here are a couple options in the waning days of 2022 that’ll help you start 2023 in a good place — sonically at least.
Trapper Schoepp @ Anodyne, Dec. 30
This “not quite New Year’s” show closes out the year for Schoepp, whose recent album May Day stretched his Americana sound in all kinds of ways, including “drum machines, modular synths and droning guitars.” It was also Schoepp’s first time handling piano duties in an album setting. B.J. Fisher — a Milwaukee Music Premiere alum — will open the night in support of his debut LP, Night Reminder.
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades @ Turner Hall, Dec. 31
It’s been four years since the Americana quintet last hosted a New Year’s Eve show at one of the Pabst Theater Group’s venues, although not for lack of trying. This Saturday’s concert is actually a do-over after calling off last year’s attempt due to a sick band member. The group has rebounded nicely, though, releasing For Old Time’s Sake this past October and playing a string of dates that wraps up at Turner Hall.
The Flood Brothers, Soulfoot Mombits @ Linneman’s, Dec. 31
To welcome 2023, the Riverwest Inn has a night of “further than folk” and “folksy tunes” on tap (plus $5 pints from Lakefront Brewery). Both bands know their way around Milwaukee stages — and Milwaukee audiences, apparently, because they created a commemorative shot glass for this particular show.
So many DJs @ So Many Places, Dec. 31
Your preferred genre is bound to be blaring from speakers somewhere around Milwaukee this Saturday. Cactus Club has a “queer dance party for a good cause.” X-Ray Arcade has new wave / EBM / industrial / synth / goth / darkwave. Boone & Crockett has “90s jams all night long.” And the Rave has the two-day Stellar Spark New Year’s Eve.
One thing the Rave does not have — at least this weekend — is DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal), who had to bump his Dec. 30 appearance back to Jan. 20. But the venue wants you to know they’ll honor tickets from the original show on the rescheduled date, plus you’ll still be able to get in the door for the reworked lineup this Friday.
