What're you doing on 414 Day weekend?
Here are some ideas for this weekend in Milwaukee...
#1
MJ-UNCOVERED: A reinterpretation of the music of Michael Jackson curated by B~Free
The UNCOVERED series has been such a fascinating project; featuring Milwaukee artists re-interpreting the music of legendary artists like JDilla and Stevie Wonder with a local lens. Fittingly, UNCOVERED is closing out its 2018 season with a doozie; reinterpretations of the music of Michael Jackson and it's curated by Milwaukee singer-producer-musician B~Free.
Each UNCOVERED performance brings together a diverse lineup of Milwaukee artists who pay their respects to some of the most important musicians of our time. In partnership with Alverno College and produced by David Ravel, UNCOVERED is good bet to be the best thing happening for music in town this weekend.
Friday at 8pm @ Turner Hall Ballroom ($22.50)
#2
Fruit Bats & Vetiver
Although 414 Day is the heart of the weekend events, there's an excellent show at The Back Room at Colectivo on Thursday night as Fruit Bats and Vetiver swing into town for an intimate show. Not only that, Fruit Bats and Vetiver will perform together on one stage -- an indie-folk match made in heaven. Their entanglement is even deeper however as each artist will be performing one another's songs for a unique collaboration.
Thursday at 8pm @ The Back Room
#3
Lex Allen (album release)
One trend I really like is Milwaukee's use of the 414 area code to celebrate itself every April 14th. 88Nine went big not that long ago with the launch of our all-Milwaukee music HD2 station and fittingly an artist who's always gotten our love, Milwaukee's Lex Allen is taking 414 Day personal, and using the momentum to launch his new album, "Sinners and Saints," the at the Cactus Club along with special guests, DJ's DRiPSweat, Max Holiday, and Lotusmark. I've heard some of the album already and it's big, we'll definitely be playing it and I expect the show will have some crazy high energy. Definitely on the short list of the weekend...
Saturday at 9pm @ Cactus Club ($10)
#4
Tigernite + Midwest Death Rattle + Zed Kenzo
Also this Saturday, Milwaukee Record is hosting a good looking show at Company Brewing in Riverwest and has a nice tag team of local talent as Tigernite, Midwest Death Rattle and Zed Kenzo lead a very Radio Milwaukee-looking show for 414 Day. I love that 414 Day has become a day to celebrate local music. This looks like a good show to be at...
Saturday at 9pm @ Company Brewing ($8)
#5
Margo Price
Margo Price is one of East Nashville’s best-kept-secrets. She burst onto the international scene with the 2016 release of her first solo album, "Midwest Farmer’s Daughter." Vividly crafted, the album was hailed as a potential classic and for me is a really good country album. I gotta admit, I'm not known for my taste in country despite my love of other countries' music, but this is the type of country I like. Her new album, "All American Made," is gritty and borne of experiences that must be owned and not merely sung. Her pedegree is proper and she's shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson and Emmylou Harris and is the first and only country artist on Jack White's celebrated label Third Man Records. A show worth checking out...
Sunday at 8pm @ Turner Hall