Tuesday, October 14: Ryan Adams with Butch Walker at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($35-$45)
North Carolina native Ryan Adams struck a chord with listeners on his 2000 solo debut, Heartbreaker, an honest, emotional trip down to the bottom of failed relationship, which the singer released after the falling out of his alt-county band, Whiskeytown. Adams could never live up to the lofty expectations of becoming the next generation’s Bob Dylan and while he experienced some backlash due to his outspoken personality in the mid-2000s, he’s settled into a good spot in his music career. He was able to release two very different records concurrently this year—a full-length, self-titled album of snappy rock songs and a 10-song EP that harkens back to hardcore music from the year of its title, 1984. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Delta Spirit with Sacco at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($15) – (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
And: Yo Gabba Gabba! at the Pabst Theater, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. ($25-$45) – (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Wednesday, October 15: The Rural Alberta Advantage with July Talk at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($12 advance, $14 door)
The three piece Rural Alberta Advantage delivers aggressive, fiery indie-folk, thanks in part to Paul Banwatt’s frenzied drumming and Nils Edenloff’s searing voice. The band’s scenic debut, Hometowns, described the landscapes of their native Canada and helped them slowly grow in popularity—eventually gaining a re-release by Saddle Creek Records. Their third record, Mended With Gold, keeps up the Rural Alberta Advantage formula: bare instrumentation, uncomplicated emotions, and lots of energy. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Also Delhi 2 Dublin at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($15) – (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
Thursday, October 16: Mortgage Freeman (album release) with Animals in Human Attire, Calliope and The Quasimondo Theater Company at Mad Planet, 9:45 p.m. ($8) – (533 E. Center St, Mad-Planet.net)
Also: Timmy’s Organism with Static Eyes at Cactus Club, 9:45 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Kina Grannis with Imaginary Future at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($20) – (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Friday, October 17: King Tuff with Whips at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m. ($10 advance, $12 door)
Sloppy basement parties frequently turn disastrous, but every so often, the right mix of people, music and gas station booze leads to an utterly fun and memorable experience. King Tuff commandeers that elusive, perfectly sleazy spirit with its sun-blistered, lo-fi guitar hooks and sneering vocals. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Milwaukee Magazine’s 2014 Best of Milwaukee Awards featuring Grace Weber at Mitchell Park Domes, 6 p.m. ($50)
We’re throwing a party to celebrate the best our city has to offer. Along with complimentary food and drinks, full access to the Domes and the chance to congratulate our “Reasons to Love Milwaukee” winners, ex-pat Grace Weber will deliver a set culling soulful tunes from 2011’s Hope & Heart and brand new follow-up album The Refinery. (524 S. Layton Blvd., Subscriptions.MilwaukeeMag.com/tickets.aspx)
And: Jason Mraz with Raining Jane at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($25-$75) – (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Saturday, October 18: Alverno Presents’ Smith Uncovered: A Re-Interpretation of the songs of Patti Smith, curated by Betty Strigens of Testa Rosa, Pitman Theatre, 8 p.m. ($25)
New York City poet Patti Smith emerged as a punk rock progeny in the ‘70s after placing a band behind her musings. Featuring a wide-ranging cast of local musicians and artists (including Die Kreuzen, Dry House Ruins, Hello Death, Karl Paloucek, Mark Waldoch and Nineteen Thirteen) Testa Rosa’s Betty Blexrud-Strigens curates Alverno Presents’ latest artist re-imagining “Smith Uncovered: A Reinterpretation of the Songs of Patti Smith” at the Pitman Theatre. For more read a brief Q&A with Blexrud-Strigens from the September issue.
Also: Chromeo with Wave Racer at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($26.50-$31.50) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
And: Bastille with Grizfolk at the Milwaukee Theatre, 8 p.m. ($36.50) – (500 W. Kilbourn Ave., MilwaukeeTheatre.com)
And: The Best of Jethro Tull performed by Ian Anderson at The Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. (SOLD OUT) – (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Sunday, October 19: Iggy Azalea at The Rave, 7 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
Any discussion regarding this year’s “song of the summer” begins – and, really, ends – with Iggy Azalea’s southern rap braggadocio anthem “Fancy,” which features an infectious hook from Charli XCX and smooth production. The New Classic lead single spent weeks atop Billboard’s Hot 100, and, perhaps as a better indicator of the seasonal status, received the requisite parody treatment from Weird Al. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
