Sometimes, it's tricky to figure out what you're going to do with your week, so I came up with a few ideas to get you started.
Bad Bad Hats / Cabin Essence
Thursday at 7 p.m. @ The Back Room at Colectivo
If you’re familiar with the “Madeline” children’s books then you’ve probably guessed where Bad Bad Hats got their name. Less trouble-makers, Bad Bad Hats is defined by a balance of sweet and sour. Their music honors classic pop songwriting with nods to nineties rock simplicity and pop-punk frivolity. They bring Milwaukee’s Cabin Essence to open with their sun-kissed, Beach Boys vibes.
Blunts & Blondes
Friday at 7 p.m. @ Turner Hall Ballroom
If you’ve been wondering “what’s up with dubstep these days?” then you’re in luck because the answer is in town this Friday. Blunts & Blondes (real name Michael Guard) is hot these days for stepping outside of the dubstep formulae, re-incorporating the elements of hip-hop and real dub with the heavy bass that made dubstep a thing in the first place. If you’re looking for a contact high, this is your show.
The Music of David Bowie with the MSO at the Riverside Theater
Friday at 8 p.m. @ The Riverside Theater
David Bowie was beloved as he lived and a legendary, iconic musical touchstone influencing multiple generations of groundbreaking music. This weekend, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra featuring guest conductor Brent Havens, vocalist Tony Vincent and a full rock band aim to take you on a symphonic odyssey that pays tribute to the legendary musician and epic storyteller David Bowie.
American Cup Weekend 2020 : USA Gymnastics
Friday (7 p.m.) + Saturday (11 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.) @ Fiserv Forum
If you’re a fan of the Olympic games and feeling nervous that coronavirus will cause its cancellation, then this might be your best opportunity to experience world-class gymnastics. The American Cup is the USA’s most prestigious international event and part of the International Gymnastics Federation’s all-around World Cup series.
The Chieftains
Saturday at 7 p.m. @ Riverside Theater
Six-time Grammy Award winning, Irish cultural ambassadors, The Chieftains have been highly recognized for reinventing traditional Irish music on a contemporary and International scale. Their ability to transcend musical boundaries to blend tradition with modern music has notably hailed them as one of the most renowned and revered musical groups to this day. Apparently, this is the last tour for these journeymen, so you might want to not skip this last go round as they pull into town this Saturday night before they give us all the old Irish goodbye.
King Solomon
Saturday at 9:30 p.m. @ Club Garibaldi’s
Not really sure I realized that they were on sabbatical, but Milwaukee reggae outfit King Solomon took a few months off to rest and get healthy. Good for them. When healthy and rested, King Solomon is a very good Milwaukee reggae band whose music is a nice mix of classic covers and super solid originals. If you need a reminder of what summer sounds like, this is a pick.
CarnalRuin
Saturday at 9 p.m. @ Sabbatic
The weekend gets metal this Saturday in Walker’s Point as Florida metal band Carnal Ruin brings classic sounding death metal into town. Newish MKE death metal bands Cryptual and Black Canvas open.
Lucky Chops + Extra Crispy Brass Band
Sunday at 7 p.m. @ The Back Room at Colectivo
The weekend stays metal this Sunday. What kind of metal? Brass. NYC’s Lucky Chops has been unleashing high-energy brassy funk on the world since 2006. If you’ve seen them on YouTube, you already know the intensity of the band’s energy. That power has resonated with audiences around the globe, giving the band hundreds of millions of views on their online videos and leading to live performances in more than 25 countries. On Sunday they team with Milwaukee’s own premier brass outfit, Extra Crispy Brass Band. That’s a lot of horns to handle for a Sunday night.
Mighty Stokes Tribute: Wild Onion Blues
Sunday 7-10 p.m. @ Anodyne Walker’s Point
Mighty Stokes Tribute: Wild Onion Blues is set to be a night of music and conversation in honor of Stokes; known to many as “The King of Milwaukee Blues.” Having recently passed, it’s fitting to his legend to be honored for being a mentor and a master, a standard bearer for what the best blues in Milwaukee should sound like. Stokes was master of multiple styles of Blues and Blues based music, his golden voice and his eclectic, soulful guitar playing as well as the legacy he left.
WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili
Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. @ Kern Center
Along with groundhog sightings, WMSE’s annual chili cook-off has become a bonafide sign of spring. This year’s iteration is its 18th season as The Rockabilly Chili will once again take over the MSOE Kern Center on Sunday, featuring over 50 local restaurants, cafes and caterers. Back are the Chili Races, a mini competition between the MKE’s firemen and Milwaukee PD and live music. Plus Artists Working in Education will be there to entertain the kids too.
