Monday, October 20: Pearl Jam at the Bradley Center, 7:30 p.m. ($66.50)
When the Seattle music scene exploded during the 1990s and record labels extended their hands to the nearest flannel shirt, most bands remained unprepared for the intense media scrutiny and inflated expectations that followed the soon-to-burst grunge bubble. Alongside Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam established that massive market boom in northwestern Washington with its radio-friendly, alt-rock debut Ten and no other outlasted the fading trend better than Eddie Vedder’s crew. As the Illinois-born frontman nears 50 years old, he’s gracefully reached the vaunted rock elder statesman status, routinely sharing the stage with Bruce Springsteen, but regardless of age, he still delivers enrapturing live performances that rival the New Jersey rock legend. (1001 N. Fourth St., BradleyCenter.com)
Also: Hobb’s Angel of Death with Malas, Razor Fist and Dark Avengeance at The Metal Grill, 7 p.m. ($12 advance, $15 door) – (5036 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy, themetalgrill.com)
Tuesday, October 21: Run Boy Run at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($10) – (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
Photo courtesy of Field Report.
Wednesday, October 22: Field Report at the Pabst Theater Lower Level, 8 p.m. ($12 advance, $14 door)
Based solely on what Milwaukee-native Christopher Porterfield has accomplished over the past three years, Wednesday night’s Field Report show will likely top local lists as show of the year. The praise won’t be unwarranted. Ever since ditching the Conrad Plymouth moniker for Field Report, Porterfield has attracted nationwide buzz with 2012’s self-titled debut and this month’s follow-up Marigolden, which streamed exclusively on Pitchfork a week before its release. Music critics quickly positioned him as Wisconsin’s new Bon Iver, but those lazy comparisons do disservice to Field Report’s distinct, graceful lyrical narratives that remain unmatched in current folk music. (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Spottiswoode & His Enemies with Shoot Down the Moon at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($10) – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Carnage the Executioner & Illogic with PCP, Dana Coppa & Speak Easy, The Nightkrawlers, Taiyamo Denku and Richardgriecosuave at Mad Planet, 9 p.m. ($7) – (533 E. Center St, Mad-Planet.net)
Thursday, October 23: tUnE-yArDs with James Tillman at The Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($20)
Lead singer of tUnE-yArDs, Merril Garbus, became a polarizing figure in indie-rock ostensibly after winning a major music critic consensus award. Her second no-frills Afro-beat record, Whokill, won 2011’s Village Voice Pazz and Jop top honors, which polls the nation’s music writers. The first female winner since Lucinda Williams in 1998 instantly received a harsh backlash, though, as scornful critics characterized her obscure-ness, hippie aesthetic, and naiveté as annoying. While her droning percussive rhythms combined with shrill vocals can be grating, more times than not Garbus hits all the right notes. (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Busdriver with Clipping and Milo at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($12) – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Lecrae with Andy Mineo and DJ Promote at The Riverside Theater, 7 p.m. ($29.75-$100.75) – (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
And: Yakuza with Zebras and Lotus Ash at The Metal Grill, 10 p.m. ($5) – (5036 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy, themetalgrill.com)
Friday, October 24: Rhye with Lo-Fang at The Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($22.50)
The seductive songs of Rhye appeared mysteriously on the Internet in 2012—the only photos that accompanied the music showed a woman’s body. Fans instantly wondered what androgynous voice was behind the microphone singing the sultry R&B tunes: man or woman? Turns out it was a dude, though, after listening to his record, Woman, you might be left scratching your head. (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Twins with The Midwestern Charm at Circle A Café, 8 p.m. – (932 E. Chambers St., Circle-A-Café.org)
And: Captured! By Robots at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Widespread Panic at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. (SOLD OUT) – (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Saturday, October 25: Yo-Dot with Reggie Bonds, D. Bridge and Young Nova at Mad Planet, 5 p.m. ($7)
Sherman Park word-slinger Yo-Dot experienced a productive year opening for the biggest touring acts to roll through the city. In addition to the shows with Big Sean, Waka Flocka Flame and Ludacris, Yo-Dot released some new material this year, as well: An icy EP (A Winter’s Ration) and a few singles (“N.B.S.” and “Who Knew”). But the biggest project is still to come—a full-length collaboration with South Side producer CameOne called Burleigh Bodega—and could catapult Yo-Dot to headliner status. Read more about Yo-Dot in the October issue of Milwaukee Magazine. (533 E. Center St, Mad-Planet.net)
Also: Method Man and Redman with B-Real, Berner and Mick Jenkins at The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($23.50-$74) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
And: Psych Fest 2.5 featuring La Hell Gang, Moss Folk, Drugs Dragons, Heaters and Luxvid at Cactus Club, 7 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Widespread Panic at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. (SOLD OUT) – (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Sunday, October 26: Widespread Panic at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. (SOLD OUT) –(116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Mad Doctors with Ramma Lamma, Fox Face and Iron Pizza at Bremen Café, 9:30 p.m. (FREE) – (901 E. Clarke St., BremenCafe.com)
