The French-born ensemble Gypsy Kings has been strumming classical guitars and banging bongos for more than 25 years. Over the course of 13 studio albums, the outfit has plied its trade in traditional flamenco music, earning a handful of Grammy nominations for Best World Music Album, the latest being its Grammy winning 2013 record Savor Flamenco, which beat out the two highly respected musicians Femi Kuti and Ravi Shankar. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Kenny Reichert Trio at Von Trier, 8 p.m. (FREE) – (2235 N. Farwell Ave., VonTriers.com/)
Tuesday, June 3: The Naked & Famous with White Sea at The Pabst Theater, 7 p.m. ($20)
“Young Blood,” a single from The Naked & The Famous’ infectious 2010 synth-pop debut Passive Me, Aggressive You, received extensive radio airtime right after Passion Pit hit mainstream attention. The track features a falsetto that instantly recalls Passion Pit singer’s Michael Angelakos voice and easy synthesizer-based pop melodies that bring to mind that band’s 2008 debut Manners. The Naked & The Famous’ 2013 follow-up In Rolling Waves managed to distance themselves from their counterparts with a slower burning nu gaze record. (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Chill on the Hill featuring Dick Satan Trio/Crazy Rocket Fuel with Bay View Middle & High School Drum Line at Humboldt Park, 6 p.m. (FREE) – (3000 S. Howell Ave., http://www.bayviewneighborhood.org/chill_on_the_hill)
Wednesday, June 4: Vampire Weekend with Cults at BMO Harris Pavilion, 6:30 p.m. ($35.50-$40)
Vampire Weekend gracefully matured from the preppy afro-pop snobs clad in Ralph Lauren polo shirts to much more thoughtful populists on last year’s Modern Vampires of the City. For all the highly-marketed buzz bands from the late-2000s, Vampire Weekend was one of the few to consistently build a fan base without losing its critical acclaim. After quickly selling out the Riverside Theater, the gig was moved to the much bigger BMO Harris Pavilion to accompany demand. After a few under-attended shows last summer, Vampire Weekend seems like a band with a following that fits perfectly inside the Pavilion. (200 N. Harbor Dr., PabstTheater.org)
Thursday, June 5: Jazz in the Park featuring Nabori at Cathedral Square Park, 5 p.m. (FREE) (825 N. Jefferson St., http://www.easttown.com/events/jazz-in-the-park)
Also: Indigo Girls with Hannah Thomas at The Pabst Theater, 6:30 p.m. ($35) – (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
And: Lindsey Stirling with Dia Frampton at The Riverside Theater, 6:30 p.m. ($25) – (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
And: Dinny Bulca with Dirty Dancing, Bastard Cat and Dead Daisies at Bremen Cafe, 9 p.m. – (901 E. Clarke St., BremenCafe.com)
Friday, June 6: Calliope (album release) with Shoot Down the Moon and DJ Mr. Onederful at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9 p.m. ($7)
For being such spaced-out psych rockers, Calliope is quite prompt at delivering new records. After releasing last year’s Doors and Animals influenced self-titled full-length, the meaty, esoteric four-piece return with the shorter, six-song Orbis. You can pick up a vinyl copy of the album during the band’s gig at Linneman’s. (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
Also: Tapebenders (album release) with The November Criminals and Jaems Murphy at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Bay View Jazz Fest at Tonic Tavern, Highbury Pub, Studio Lounge and Club Garibaldi, 5 p.m. (FREE) Full line-up and set times here.
And: Cher with Cyndi Lauper at the Bradley Center, 8 p.m. ($25.50-$105.50) – (1001 N. 4th St., BradleyCenter.com)
And: Tony Bennett with Antonia Bennett at The Riverside Theater, 7 p.m. ($56.25-$101.25) – (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Saturday, June 7: PrideFest featuring Macy Gray, Big Freedia, Mary Lambert and Steve Grand at the Henry Maier Festival Grounds, 6 p.m. ($13 advance; $16 at gate)
The first outdoor festival of the year officially commences summer in Milwaukee—the city of, um, festivals. Both Chill on the Hill and Jazz in the Park embark on their weekly schedule this week, plus the Summerfest grounds opens up for its first weekend festival, PrideFest. The LBGT event features well-known comedians, film screenings, dancers, and of course, musicians. Saturday is the best day to catch live music, culminating with a headlining performance from R&B singer Macy Gray. (200 N. Harbor Dr., PrideFest.com)
Also: Holy Wave with Moss Folk at Cactus Club, 10 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Devil Met Contention with Myles Coyne at Riverwest Public House, 9 p.m. ($5) – (815 E. Locust St., RiverwestPublicHouse.WordPress.com)
And: Knuckleduster with Size 5’s, Dudestorm and the DUI’s at Franks Power Plant, 10 p.m. ($6) – (2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., FranksPowerPlant.com)
Sunday, June 8: Locust Street Festival of Music and Art featuring , 11 a.m. (FREE)
No other summer block party operates quite like the Locust Street Festival. It kicks off with a sloppy 1.8-mile beer run and then showcases a microcosm of Riverwest musicians on six stages, both indoor and outdoor. The line-up includes The Traveling Suitcases, Squeezettes, Kane Place Record Club, Whips, Frogwater, Fresh Cut Collective, Scrimshaw, The Fatty Acids, Rio Turbo, Castle Thunder, Animals in Human Attire, Static Eyes, Holy Shit! and many more (see full list here). (East Locust Street, LocustStreetFestival.org)
