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5 things to do this weekend | May 5th-8th

The week is busy, who has time to think of what to do? Me, that's who.

1. Psych Fest!

You could probably make a weekend out of going to Milwaukee Psych Fest this week as the Cactus Club in Bay View has practically given the joint to the 4th installment of the annual freak out. Though it technically started last night the event rocks right along through the weekend with a bevy of local, semi-local and acts from farther afield. The line-up is almost irrelevant with such a critical mass of bands so trust me, there'll be plenty to see on any day you can make it. The ramp up is impressive, but perhaps the best day might be Saturday as the event goes full-fest from 1pm onward.

Tonight: Sat Nite Duets / Midwives / Mike Krol (headliner) @ 9pm

Friday: Vocokesh / Moss Folk / Plastic Crime Wave Syndicate @6pm

Saturday Early: The 45's at 1pm / Chives at 1:45 / Black Thumb at 2:30 / Young Revelators at 3:25 / Slow Walker at 4pm / Lake of Fire at 4:45pm

Saturday Late: Calliope at 6pm / Painted Caves at 7pm / Levitation Room 8pm / Sugar Candy Mountain at 9pm / Murals at 10pm / Klauss Johann Grobe at 11pm / Ryley Walker at midnight

Sunday: IDPyramid at 3pm / Blue Unit at 4pm / Tapebenders at 5pm / Piles at 6pm / Cult of Lip at 7pm / F/i at 8pm / Flavor Crystals at 9pm

Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave. Bay View

2. Foals + Silversun Pickups + Joywave

The Foals show this Friday at the Rave is the 88Nine show that should be. Though its probly been nicked by some other sponsor, it is nonetheless a bunch of bands that for a long time might only get regular play from us. Oxford-based rockers Foals are on tour with their 4th release, What Went Down; an album that brings the last two releases to a sort of rightful completion, replete with the rock-funk the band's fans have come to love. That they are on tour with Silversun Pickups and Joywave makes this show better than the sum of its parts for me as each band alone wouldn't quite be a draw for me, but all three? Call me intrigued.

Friday @ The Rave, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee

3. Needle2TheGroove

Bout time I sent a shout out to the homies JDL, DMT and Bizzon! After all, they are all regulars on my Sunday Sound Travels party, or have been, for years and years. But what is Needle2TheGroove besides a few DJ's you may have never heard of?

Needle2TheGroove is a classic take on old school turntablism as the trio rocks their sets on four turntables and cycle through old school everything; hip hop, funk, R&B, pop and whatever gets to the groove. Personally, these are some of Milwaukee's BEST DJ's, JDL and DMT repping the old school like they were there (bc they were!) and Bizzon, though new(ish) to the scene, has quickly become one of the best DJ's in town (in terms of skill, selection and creativity). Bizzon also hosts Those Hip Hop Guys on 91.7 WMSE.

Though it began in Bayview, the night has shifted locations and is re-booting the successful night at The Hotel Foster this Friday night in a weekly jam that is worth return visits. If you love old school jams, do not sleep on this night.

Fridays @ The Hotel Foster 10pm, 2028 E North Ave, East Side

4. Space Raft CD release party

Milwaukee's Space Raft has a sound built from a ground of big guitars and bad-ass hooks and rocks a power pop sound as good as any of their 90's idols. Matter of fact, they've gotten their sound to a point where there's a palpable buzz around their new release Rubicon, and the band plans on releasing it both locally and nationally. This week is a busy one for the band as they'll be on with Sumka today for 414 Music, and hosting the proper release party this Saturday night at Mad Planet in Riverwest.

Not content to shine the lights on their big day, they've teamed with a bunch of really good bands like Midnight Reruns, Phylums and Platinum Boys (plus DJ Chris Schulist!) for a line-up built for good times. If you're in RW this weekend you might wanna peep this one.

Saturday @ Mad Planet, 533 E Center St. Riverwest

5. Derby Day at Maxie's!

I had never gone to a Derby Party until a few years ago. Until then, I had never really cared about The Kentucky Derby or any other horse races for that matter. Then I went to one. I discovered that the race is like the excuse to have the party; oh sure, you could get all serious into the strange voodoo that is picking horses, with their colorful names, storied jockeys and whatever details the commentators can conjure but really, the party is what's up.

This Saturday, Maxie's in Wauwatosa is celebrating the 142nd Kentucky Derby with a big 'ol bash and fundraiser for Hunger Task Force. They've got the Jackson Park Jazz Orchestra playing big band music, a photo booth for all the behatted and bespoke beauties, all the mint juleps you cold want, and an actual horse! Oh yeah, they also have that great Southern food they're known for for the rest of the year's non-Derby related days.

Saturday @ Maxie's 6732 W Fairview Ave, Milwaukee