Monday, May 18: FIDLAR with The Platinum Boys at The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($15)
If you’re looking for an endless party on a Monday night, look no further than the skuzzy So-Cal skate punks FIDLAR with equally skuzzy local openers The Platinum Boys at The Rave. Both bands extol long, wasted nights drinking macro-beer, snorting cocaine and speeding down the highway. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Chicago with Zaramela at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($49.50-$65) – (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Tuesday, May 19: Jenny Lewis with Nikki Lane at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($22)
After a brief acting career paid little dividends, playing roles in films Pleasantville and Foxfire, Jenny Lewis broke out as a musician in 2001, fronting the indie-pop group Rilo Kiley. Lewis released her first solo album Rabbit Fur Coat with The Watson Twins five years later. On her latest solo effort, the detail-oriented folk album, The Voyager, Lewis wears a wry smile while confessing some heavy personal issues. (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Wednesday, May 20: Yelawolf with DJ Klever and Hillbilly Casino at The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($19.50-$119)
After releasing a series of independent mixtapes, the Alabama rapper Yelawolf made his major album debut in 2011 with Radioactive, a rap-rock opus that features major guests like Lil Jon, Eminem and Kid Rock. His follow-up, the Eminem-produced Love Story, received mixed reviews, but generally praise the rapper’s ability to craft a distinctive style, like on lead single, “Till It’s Gone,” an understated, gritty acoustic jam that sounds like a pop singer that grew a beard and tried living in a boxcar. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Thursday, May 21: Xavier Rudd & The United Nations with Daniel Bambaata Marley at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($27.50)
Australian multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd leads a group of musicians from across the world (known as The United Nations) Thursday night at Turner Hall Ballroom. Intoxicating reggae emerges from the global amalgamation on the ensemble’s debut record, Nanna. Daniel Bambaata Marley, Bob Marley’s grandson, opens the show. (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Seven Costanza with So Far So Bad and Pipblank at Frank’s Power Plant, 9 p.m. ($5) – (2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., FranksPowerPlant.com)
Friday, May 22: Jaill with Dogs in Ecstasy and Phylums at Riverwest Public House, 9 p.m. ($5)
The forthcoming album from Milwaukee’s biggest garage pop export, Jaill, technically doesn’t come out until June 30 on new label Burger Records, but get an early taste of Brain Cream at the Riverwest Public House on Friday night. (815 E. Locust St., RiverwestPublicHouse.WordPress.com)
Also: Jeff Beck at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($55.50-$65.50) – (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
And: Booker T. Jones at Potawatomi’s Northern Lights Theater, 8 p.m. ($20-$30) – (1721 W. Canal St., PaysBig.com)
And: We Are Hex with Body Futures, Soup Moat and Electric Pariah at Cocoon Room, 8 p.m. ($5) – (820 E. Locust St.)
Saturday, May 23: Big Sean with Casey Veggies at The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($30-$144)
Big Sean received the Kanye West seal of approval when Yeezus signed the Detroit rapper to his label GOOD Music. Sean’s suitably fulfilled the star-in-the-making role the shining endorsement garnered him. Both his studio albums, 2011’s Finally Famous and 2013’s Hall of Fame, landed No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Saturday night at The Rave, Sean comes with his highest selling record to date, February’s powerful Dark Sky Paradise. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Surfer Blood at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m. ($12) – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Sunday, May 24: The Basements with Wood Chickens and Scrimshaw at Frank’s Power Plant, 9 p.m. ($5) – (2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., FranksPowerPlant.com)
