MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Tuesday, June 7: Iron & Wine at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($29.50)
Making his second trip to Milwaukee in a nine-month span, Sam Beam, the brilliant and bearded brainchild behind Iron & Wine, allegedly requested to play this particular show at Turner Hall instead of the previous host, Pabst Theater. The standing room, general admission site should pose a perfect pairing between Iron & Wine’s inventive and unmatched folk style and the band’s passionate fan base. Indie darlings The Head And The Heart precede Iron & Wine’s full band performance. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: The Limousines at The Rave, 7: 30 p.m. ($12) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Wednesday, June 8: Taylor Swift at The Bradley Center, 7:00 p.m. ($25-69.50)
I was going to occupy this space with a reference to Kanye West interrupting her awards show acceptance speech. I planned to chase that with something familiarly snarky and pessimistic. But then I asked myself, “Why?” Love or hate her music, you at least have to respect Taylor Swift’s work ethic and talent. At just 21 years of age, the cute and eternally positive crossover country crooner has already accomplished a lifetime’s worth of success in the often-harsh and unforgiving music industry. So I’ll bite my tongue. (1001 N. Fourth St., BradleyCenter.com)
Also: US Air Guitar Championships Milwaukee Regional at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($12) – (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
And: Bill Medley at Potawatomi Bingo Casino’s Northern Light’s Theater, 8 p.m. ($30-40) – (1721 W. Canal St., PaysBig.com)
Thursday, June 9: Southern Culture On The Skids at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($15)
North Carolina band Southern Culture On The Skids has been employing its unique amalgamation of punk-tinged rockabilly since 1983. A baker’s dozen albums and more than 27 years later, SCOTS is still delighting its ever-growing cult following with timeless tunes about such important issues as sex and friend chicken. Whiskey Daredevils opens. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Earth at Mad Planet, 8 p.m. ($15) – (533 E. Center St, Mad-Planet.net)
And: Bill Medley at Potawatomi Bingo Casino’s Northern Light’s Theater, 8 p.m. ($30-40) – (1721 W. Canal St., PaysBig.com)
Friday, June 10: The Midwest Beat at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9:30 p.m. ($5)
Milwaukee/Madison power-pop project The Midwest Beat has been a regular contributor to the local music scene. Thus, we often overlook the ever-present band in our coverage, figuring we’ll get to ‘em next time. Well, with the band set to release its new LP “Gone Not Lost”, that fateful day has arrived. After this show and a Madison release performance, The Midwest Beat will immediately embark on a 17-show European tour. Sugar Stems, Dabs, Phylums, and The Get Drunk DJs play in support. (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
Also: Brief Candles (Album Release), Gospel Gossip and Glowfriends at Cactus Club, 10 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: The Moody Blues at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($45-55) – (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Saturday, June 11: Salt-N-Pepa at PrideFest, 10 p.m. ($18 One-Day Festival Admission)
PrideFest—taking place from Friday to Sunday at the Summerfest Grounds—offers fun activities for all, regardless of one’s sexuality. A prime example of the festival’s wide scope of appeal is the coordinators going out and nabbing seminal 1990s female rappers Salt-N-Pepa. Though the past two decades haven’t exactly been all flowers and puppy dogs for the duo, they’ve emerged steadfast friends and still-influential musicians. And for those who want to re-live ‘90s rappers who utilize the “-n” in place of “and,” but have qualms with going to PrideFest, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony will be playing at The Rave at 8 p.m. Saturday. (200 N. Harbor Dr., PrideFest.com)
Also: Utech Records Festival (10 Bands!) at Cactus Club, 7 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Bottle Rockets at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($20) – (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
Sunday, June 12: Locust Street Festival, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Riverwest (FREE)
Though it’s competing with LeAnn Rimes and other events of PrideFest’s final day, Locust Street Festival has no shortage of musical entertainment. For much of the day, musicians of all genres will take to seven stages scattered throughout Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood. What better way is there to end your weekend than tie on a buzz, get your face painted and watch bands like Juniper Tar, Crappy Dracula, The Ragadors and The Delta Routine? Even Music Notes’ resident “Oh my god, there isn’t anyone else playing in Milwaukee on Tuesday!” go-to guy, Sigmund Snopek, will be on hand. (Locust-Street.com)
