by Kevin Kosterman, photo by CJ Foeckler
Rock music has long been a staple in the land of Summerfest, Les Paul and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Still, Milwaukee is sometimes seen by touring artists as an optional stop between Chicago and Minneapolis. But with the entry of some new music presenters, and the rebirth of some old gems, the city now boasts a slew of clubs that are making this city more of a music hub. The behemoths like Marcus Amphitheater and the Bradley Center are well-known and offer few surprises. Beyond the arenas, here’s our rundown and rating (on a five-point scale) of the top rock venues in town.
Riverside Theater
116 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Capacity: 2,460
Show types: All ages
Owner: Joseph J. Zilber (deceased)
Recent Acts: Animal Collective, Tori Amos, The Doobie Brothers, Bon Iver
Insider’s Take: “Most
cities are lucky to have one venue of this caliber, and we have two, the Pabst and Riverside. Think of the shows we would miss out on if not for them.” – Scott Mullins, music director for 88Nine RadioMilwaukee
The big sibling of the Pabst boasts the same turn-of-the-century aesthetic, stellar sound, Downtown location and $3 PBRs. With good sight lines throughout, a cocktail waitstaff roaming the aisles and a stately, ornate setting fit for an opera, the Riverside offers an exceptional concert experience. But what sets it apart is that, despite its grandiose historic beauty, the venue has an understated sense of vintage decay that makes it a surprisingly good fit for rock ’n’ roll. Acts vary from stand-up comedians to Bugs Bunny on Broadway,but the cavernous room is at its grungy best when bands such as The Flaming Lips or Vampire Weekend take it over.
Atmosphere ****
Acoustics ****
Pricing ****
Rock Vibe ***
Overall Experience ****
Pabst Theater
144 E. Wells St.
Capacity: 1,345
Show types: All ages
Owner: Pabst Theater Foundation
Recent Acts: Wilco, Indigo Girls, Rodrigo y Gabriela
Insider’s Take: “I think local radio, ’zines and the Pabst bunch saved music in Milwaukee.” – Scott Starr, guitar/synthesizer/vocals for Fever Marlene
Perhaps no players have had a more pivotal role in boosting Milwaukee’s concert legitimacy than Gary Witt and the Pabst Theater Foundation, which also books the Riverside and Turner Hall Ballroom. Although Witt’s style and the power he’s amassed have angered some competitors, his organization has a reputation for consistently bringing top-notch, diverse talent to town.
His showpiece is the Pabst, a turn-of-the-century treasure, from the gilded, detailed lobby to the majestic chandeliers. Although nothing here screams rock ’n’ roll, it boasts classic acoustics and a good sound system, creating one of the most remarkable listening experiences in town. Balconies wrap elegantly around the stage, making for an intimate concert experience from every refurbished seat in the house. Tickets can get pricey, but the Pabst does offer $10 nights for lesser-known artists. And you can always count on the $3 PBR tall boys to stretch the budget – and remind you that you’re attending a rock show.
Atmosphere *****
Acoustics *****
Pricing ****
Rock Vibe ***
Overall Experience ****
Turner Hall Ballroom
1032 N. Fourth St.
Capacity: 1,200
Show types: All ages
Owner: Milwaukee Turners
Recent Acts: G. Love And Special Sauce, Propagandhi, Ben Kweller, Sonic Youth
Insider’s Take: “Hauntingly gorgeous. A ramshackle beauty of a building.” – Erin Wolf, music director for 91.7 WMSE-FM
One of the newest additions to the Milwaukee rock scene is actually one of the oldest. Built in 1882 and destroyed by fire in 1941, the upstairs level of Turner Hall was brought back to life in 2000 with a $3.2 million renovation. Although it is all one room, a recessed bar area and balcony along the north wall add depth and allow less-brave souls to step out of the speakers’ direct line of fire, which can be ear-splitting – in a good way.
The gritty, run-down décor left intact through the renovation is perfect for the eclectic lineup of modern bands booked here (from indie icons Sonic Youth and Minus the Bear to more mainstream acts like M.I.A. and Milwaukee’s own Danny Gokey). Such variety means the crowd can vary greatly from night to night, but with this fast becoming the quintessential stop for indie bands you aren’t cool enough to know about, the primary audience is young hipsters.
Atmosphere ****
Acoustics **
Pricing ****
Rock Vibe *****
Overall Experience ***
Rave Hall
2401 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Capacity: 1,500
Show types: Primarily all ages, some 21-plus
Owner: Joe Balistreri and Leslie West
Recent Acts: Cannibal Corpse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Justin Bieber, Powerman 5000
Insider’s Take: “It takes a small miracle for any band to sound even somewhat decent in this armpit of a club.” –Kristopher Endicott, guitar/vocals for Disguised As Birds
The Rave complex is actually five venues, ranging from the intimate Rave Vibe Room to the massive Eagles Ballroom, but most big-name acts perform in Rave Hall or the Eagles. The Rave has a rep as the city’s main spot for “up-and-coming” and “recently arrived” rock bands. Dilapidated, pricey and seemingly indifferent to patrons and local acts alike, it might be the least-enjoyable concert venue in town. But because it’s long been one of the major all-ages clubs, with a knack for booking hot acts, nearly every Milwaukeean under 30 has joined the sweating masses pressed against the stage.
Be prepared to be fleeced ($2 for a plastic cup of water?). Although the dance floor is usually packed with smelly, often shirtless mobs, there’s limited seating and great views from the balcony (for an extra charge). If you don’t mind exorbitant beer prices, lackluster sound and a dirty rock-club vibe, the Rave is still the place to see bands “the kids are into” before they become household names.
Atmosphere **
Acoustics **
Pricing **
Rock Vibe ****
Overall Experience **
Eagles Ballroom
2401 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Capacity: 4,000
Show Types: Primarily all ages, some 21-plus
Owner: Joe Balistreri and Leslie West
Recent Acts: The Killers, Weezer, Korn, Jason Mraz
Insider’s Take: “Wear a helmet. And bring your iPod so you can hear the music.” – Scott Starr, guitar/synthesizer/vocals for Fever Marlene
The Rave’s shortcomings do not magically disappear as you fight through the crowd up the stairs to the Eagles Ballroom. The sound here is generally hollow and saturated with reverb; the dimensions of the room don’t make for easy mixing. Although stained by years of cigarette smoke buildup and general neglect, the historic hall has an understated elegance that can become beautiful as a panoramic sea of humanity flows across the ballroom floor and surges out of every balcony opening encircling
the rotunda.
If you’re interested in checking out some of the current big names in rock, hip-hop and metal – or just looking to release some pent up aggression by indiscriminately slamming into your fellow concert-goers for a few hours – this is unquestionably your scene. But wear comfortable shoes: The Eagles is standing room only.
Atmosphere **
Acoustics *
Pricing **
Rock Vibe **
Overall Experience **
Cactus Club
2496 S. Wentworth Ave.
Capacity: 80
Show Types: 21-plus
Owner: Eric Uecke
Recent Acts: The Life and Times, Decibully, Sharon Van Etten, Red Knife Lottery
Insider’s Take: “The walls tell the story of who’s played there and it blows my mind. The White Stripes, Interpol and Bright Eyes. This is hallowed ground.” – Ryan Matteson, founder of music blog Muzzle of Bees
At the nexus of the cultural resurgence in Bay View is this tiny corner bar with a small amount of seating, a large amount of cigarette smoke and an even larger amount of history. This alternative music mecca has hosted many of the most influential indie and underground touring bands of the last two decades and continues to serve as home base for much of Milwaukee’s hottest local talent.
Recently renovated, the club is separated into two rooms – the bar and the live area – and is now much cleaner and more inviting. The bartenders (primarily moonlighting local musicians) are generally attentive and diligent, the stage is diminutive, and though the sound is loud and sometimes muddled, the place has an authenticity that makes it easy to lose yourself in the sonic ether. The ideal hipster haven.
Atmosphere ****
Acoustics ***
Pricing ****
Rock Vibe *****
Overall Experience ****
Mad Planet
533 E. Center St.
Capacity: about 175
Show Types: 21-plus
Owner: Rosemary Silagy
Recent Acts: The Cave Singers, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Shearwater, Sea Wolf
Insider’s Take: “Should be a dance club for high school kids.” – Dan Didier, drummer for Maritime
On an unassuming street corner in the Riverwest neighborhood is a Milwaukee music icon with a little something for everyone. Mad Planet, a hybrid of dive bar, dance club and live music venue, has long been a late-night beacon for wayward barhoppers, making for an eclectic and jovial clientele. It has also been a nurturing incubator for many a successful local band of almost any genre.
You won’t find any VIP sections, no-smoking signs or extensive seating options (and you’re best advised to steer clear of the few sofas). What you will find are cheap drinks, loud music and some of the best people-watching in town. What more could you want?
Atmosphere ***
Acoustics ***
Pricing ****
Rock Vibe ****
Overall Experience ***
Shank Hall
1434 N. Farwell Ave.
Capacity : 300
Show Types: 21-plus
Owner: Peter Jest
Recent Acts: Poi Dog Pondering, Cracker, Pat McCurdy, Howie Day
Insider’s Take: “I’ve always admired the intimate quality of shows there. David Bazan [Pedro the Lion] and Will Johnson [Centro-Matic] performed solo sets and blew me away. They couldn’t have done the same at a bigger venue.” – Erin Wolf, music director for WMSE-FM 91.7
Though the closings of the Globe East and Atomic Records struck a crippling blow to the once-vibrant East Side music scene, Shank Hall has done its part to keep the area relevant and musically vital. With the aggressive Peter Jest at the helm, some people would love to hate the place, but that’s hard to do. Cheap drinks, great sight lines – whether seated or standing – and generally affordable ticket prices keep bringing people back to this storied venue, named after the fictional Milwaukee club rocked by Spinal Tap. And though Shank Hall specializes more in the singer-songwriter department than the sex-fueled arena rock of its namesake movie, the sound system – undoubtedly one of the best in town– does go up to 11. Somewhere Nigel Tufnel is smiling.
Atmosphere ****
Acoustics ****
Pricing ****
Rock Vibe ***
Overall Experience ***
Miramar Theatre
2844 N. Oakland Ave.
Capacity: 325
Show Types: Mostly all ages
Owner: Bill Stace
Recent Acts: My Dear Disco, Willy Porter, The Felix Culpa, Kid Sister
Insider’s Take: “It’s not like the old days when you had Atomic [Records] and the neighborhood was constantly buzzing, but the Miramar is still holding its own.” – Eric Krueger, vocals/guitar for Sunday Flood
With a low-to-the-ground stage, open-minded booking policy and focus on performance art, the Miramar Theatre has a unique experimental theater vibe that puts the audience right in the action – though the quality of the action can vary greatly from night to night. Nice sound, friendly management and a true dedication to all things creative has made the Miramar an East Side landmark.
Since first opening its doors in 1913, the one-time movie theater has hosted everything from vaudeville to interpretive dance to Swedish death metal. (In 2005, the venue hosted four straight nights of the performance group Puppetry of the Penis, which is exactly what the name implies.) In recent years, management has shifted primarily to booking concerts, but the variety of styles taking the Miramar stage on a weekly basis still amazes – and sometimes frightens. Check your local listings before heading down.
Atmosphere ****
Acoustics ***
Pricing ****
Rock Vibe ***
Overall Experience ***
Club Garibaldi
2501 S. Superior St.
Capacity: 200
Show Types: 21-plus
Owner: Tag Grotelueschen and Joe Dean
Recent Acts: Meat Puppets, These United States, Radio Radio, Kings Go Forth
Insider’s Take: “Feels like Cheers, and they have video golf.” – Davey von Bohlen, vocals/guitar for Maritime
Though the Cactus Club still reigns supreme among the alternative crowd in Bay View, the neighborhood has evolved into a bona fide scene replete with several other interesting clubs. And since reopening its back room to host live music, Club Garibaldi has been at the leading edge.
The 1909 vintage tavern is chock full of period charm and modern utility. The back room is spacious and versatile, equally suited for an intimate evening with an up-and-coming national singer-songwriter or a raucous night with one of the town’s top noise-rock bands. And with a growing reputation as a great-sounding, artist-friendly venue, Garibaldi is fast becoming one of the city’s best places to see top-tier regional touring acts.
Atmosphere ****
Acoustics ****
Pricing ****
Rock Vibe ****
Overall Experience ****
Concert Hits & Misses
With Milwaukee’s reputation growing among touring artists, the city’s clubs have been bringing in talent that would have been difficult to imagine even a few years ago. But the city still has missed some big shows in the past two years.
Hits
Too Fast For Love Tour with 3OH!3 and Cobra Starship (Eagles Ballroom 4/28/10)
Meat Puppets (Club Garibaldi – 4/4/10)
Rodrigo y Gabriela (Pabst Theater – 10/14/09)
Alternative Press Tour with The Academy Is… and Mayday Parade (Eagles Ballroom – 9/30/09)
Alice in Chains(Eagles Ballroom – 9/20/09)
Crosby, Stills & Nash (Riverside Theater – 8/1/09)
Grizzly Bear (Pabst Theater – 6/8/09)
Animal Collective (Riverside Theater – 5/19/09)
Mogwai (Turner Hall – 5/9/09)
Big Snow Show 3 with Death Cab for Cutie, Jack’s Mannequin and The Ting Tings (The Rave – 12/2/08)
Bob Dylan(Riverside Theater – 11/6/08)
David Byrne (Pabst Theater – 10/15/08)
Misses
Atoms for Peace, featuring Thom Yorke of Radiohead (4/10)
Muse – The Resistance Tour(3/10)
U2 – 360˚ Tour (9/09)
Pearl Jam (8/09)
Dirty Projectors(6/09)
Elton John/Billy Joel – Face 2 Face Tour(5/09)
The Shins(5/09)
The Eagles – Long Road Out of Eden World Tour (3/09)
Smashing Pumpkins(11/08)
The Kooks(10/08)
Sigur Rós (9/08)
