Monday, July 16: Diana Krall @ The Riverside Theater, 6:30 p.m. ($55-$75)
Though the jazz singer is a musical icon more often associated with the swinging ’30s, there have been a steady stream of artists through the years who have not only done the genre justice, but also pushed it to new heights. One of the finest modern examples of this is Diana Krall. But what keeps people coming back (and when I say people, we’re talking 21 million+ albums sold worldwide) is that golden Canadian voice. Smokey, sultry and all soul, Krall’s pipes will no doubt be done justice by The Riverside sound system. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Also: King Tuff with Natural Child and Bored Games @ Quarters Rock ‘N Roll Palace, 9 p.m. ($8)
(900 E. Center St.)
Also: Gillian Welch @ Pabst Theater, 7 p.m. ($28.75)
(144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Tuesday, July 17: The Blind Shake with The Mallard and Wereworm @ Frank’s Power Plant, 9:30 p.m. ($6)
Minneapolis-based The Blind Shake doesn’t play nice. The band’s chaotic, surf-rock-tinged brand of garage punk psychedelia is basically how the description sounds: difficult to understand, but wildly entertaining. And after the band is finished auditorilly assaulting you 2:30 minutes at a time, my guess is you’ll be eager for more. (2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., FranksPowerPlant.Angelfire.com)
Also: The Cab with Parachute and Katelyn Tarver @ The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($15)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Wednesday, July 18: Catacombz with Calliope and Waxworks @ The Hotel Foster, 9 p.m. ($3)
Much like The Blind Shake, Milwaukee’s own Catacombz is a band that defies easy categorization. But what makes the latter a bit more easily digestible is the band’s tendency to work their inherent pop sensibilities into the sonic ether. Learn more about the band in this Q&A they did with our own Tyler Maas last year. (2028 E. North Ave., thehotelfoster.com)
Also: Tycho with Onuinu @ Turner Hall, 7 p.m. ($10)
(1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Liars with Unknown Mortal Orchestra @ Mad Planet, 9 p.m. ($15)
(533 E. Center St, Mad-Planet.net)
Thursday, July 19: Five Finger Death Punch with Killswitch Engage, Trivium, Pop Evil, Emmure, God Forbid and Battlecross @ The Rave, 5 p.m. ($36)
The aptly named (I guess) Trespass America Festival makes its way into Milwaukee this week. And while we’d prefer that most of these trespassing nu-metallers get off our property, I’ve always had a soft spot for the melodic brutality offered by Killswitch Engage and Trivium. So you guys can stay for one night, but then get off our property. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Rhett Miller with Roger Clyne @ Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($20)
(1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Friday, July 20: Maps & Atlases with A Lull and Canopies @ Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($12)
Chicago’s indie math rock outfit Maps & Atlases burst onto the scene in 2010 with the brilliant (if a bit overly wankerish) Perch Patchwork. This spring the band divided fans with the release of the tighter, more poppy Beware And Be Grateful. And though the band has found the balancing act between math rock and indie pop a bit tenuous at times, it still manages to crank out toe-tapping, catchy tunes that rival anything out there today. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Collections Of Colonies Of Bees with In One Wind and Leverage Models @ Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m.
(2501 S. Superior St., ClubGaribaldis.com)
Also: Gucci Mane @ The Riverside Theater, 8:30 p.m. ($35-$50)
(116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Electric Guest with The Delta Routine @ The Rave, 8 p.m. (FREE)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Saturday, July 21: The Offspring @ The Rave, 8 p.m. ($35-$40)
I’ve personally been a huge fan of the recent resurgence of ’90s alternative bands releasing and touring on new, more mature material. And though groups like Pearl Jam, Jane’s Addiction and Smashing Pumpkins have been aging gracefully with integrity, others have not fared as well. The Offspring (which, let’s be honest, really became irrelevant with the release of 1998’s Americana) has all but abandoned the brand of So-Cal punk that made it such an influential addition to the early ’90s mix. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Worrier with At Latl and Battlesnake @ Mad Planet, 9 p.m. ($5)
(533 E. Center St, Mad-Planet.net)
Also: Smokers Club: Juicy J @ The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($20.50 – $25.50)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Sunday, July 22: Joshua Radin with Tristan Prettyman and My Name Is You @ The Pabst Theater, 6:30 p.m. ($20)
Joshua Radin has become the poster child for what has become the juggernaut of cross-promotion between the TV drama and the sappy, sensitive singer-songwriter. First introduced to the show Scrubs by good friend Zach Braff, Radin’s heartfelt brand of melancholy has since graced shows from Grey’s Anatomy to House, and, consequently, the iPods of many a middle-aged American woman. (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
