Hayley Elizabeth, Anne Helen Wells, LIIAN and OnlyFerns
THURSDAY, AUG. 14 AT 8 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB | TICKETS
Hayley Elizabeth (AKA HayleyySparxx lead singer of Thotcrimehas) got beats to get you moving behind a recent “techno album about seasonal affective disorder.” Anne Helen Wells will bring danceable digital pop in “a desperate attempt to be known, to be loved & to get off.” Amen. LIIAN comes south from Green Bay with rhymes and glitchy beats. Milwaukee’s Only Ferns fills your ears with electronic late-night promises were unsure if they’ll keep.
Known Moons, Shontrail, Heavy Bend and Online Blunt
FRIDAY, AUG. 15 AT 6:30PM | CACTUS CLUB | TICKETS
Known Moons of Milwaukee make ear-worm grooves to dance while our society falls apart. Shontrail shares infectious, energetic hybrid dance-punk from Milwaukee’s South Side. Heavy Bend brings Milwaukee-based roots and Americana to the forefront. Chicago’s Online Blunt rocks with waves of guitar and earnest vocals.
If someone has inspired you through their service, leadership or dedication, the Unity Awards are your opportunity to recognize them!
Ultra Deluxe / Killer High Life / Courtesy / Disposable Thumbs
MONDAY, AUG. 18 AT 6 P.M. | X-RAY ARCADE | TICKETS
Float through to new horizons with New York’s Ultra Deluxe. How more Milwaukee can a band name be than Killer High Life? None more Milwaukee, but come for Liz Phair attitude and emo-tastic explosions of swirly punk. Courtesy is a Cream City with catchy punk melodies sure to stick with you long after the show. Disposable Thumbs claim to be “rock music” and I think they recall Elephant 6 Collective by way of their home town of Milwaukee.
Me Like Bees / Parrotfish / Bowvee
THURSDAY, AUG. 21 AT 7 P.M. | X-RAY ARCADE | TICKETS
Straight-ahead rockers Me Like Bees hail from the Show Me state, and they’ll show you rock hooks that will tantalize. Parrotfish plays poppy punk about the collapse of our world … dance! Bowvee brings danceable indie-pop grooves.
Fresh Coast Jazz Festival
THURSDAY, AUG. 21-SATURDAY, AUG. 23 | THE PABST THEATER | TICKETS
Improvise all weekend with some world-class jazz, featuring Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber Fusion, Chris Standring, Four80East, Kayla Waters, The Braxton Brothers, and more.
Kneafsey, Maximiano and Ellie Jackson
FRIDAY, AUG. 22 AT 6:30 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB | TICKETS
Come for a walk in the dark with Kneafsey and get dreamy folk tales, whistling and surfy reverb. Milwaukee’s own Maximiano returns from a recent Northwest tour to grace the stage with wide-open songs of experience. Enjoy Ellie Jackson’s journey into the folksphere of harmony and slide guitar goodness.
Steve Earle | Solo & Acoustic: 50 Years of Songs and Stories with special guest Lurrie Bell
MONDAY, AUG. 25 | 8 P.M. | THE PABST THEATER | TICKETS
Steve Earle’s good earth guitar work and solid-steel songwriting brings his acoustic show to Cream City. Lurrie Bell brings the blues to Milwaukee in support of Steve Earle.
Boy Jr. / Kopps / Tiny Vamp / Ellee Grim
MONDAY, AUG. 25 AT 7 P.M. | X-RAY ARCADE | TICKETS
Boogie with Boy Jr. and enjoy robotic delights for dancing and lyrical twisting. Kopps skewers pop sensibilities with satirical lyrics over irresistible dance beats. Tiny Vamp is a Milwaukee “emo grrl” group making waves in our fair city with vibrant live shows. Ellee Grim gives us catchy songwriting over head-bobbing grooves.
Natalie Sue & The Steed E.P. Release Show, Derek Pritzl, and Valley Fox
THURSDAY, AUG. 28 AT 6 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB | TICKETS
Milwaukee’s Natalie Sue & The Steed supply searing sounds steeped in gothic country grandeur, like a Twin Peaks Season 3 house band. Madison’s Derek Pritzl provides pure country to counteract the phony dentist-office “country” rotting on FM radio. Valley Fox features smile-inducing rootsy country slide guitar with lovely close harmonies, ideal for summer nights.
Strangelander With Special Guest King Corteen
SATURDAY, AUG. 30 AT 8 P.M | VIVARIUM | TICKETS
Journey through the musical cosmos with Strangelander, your guide on a transcendental experience of sound. Cream City’s King Corteen brings a high-lonesome song of starless wonder.
DEFTONES with special guests Phantogram & The Barbarians of California
SATURDAY, AUG. 30 AT 7 P.M. | FISERV FORUM | TICKETS
The DEFTONES deliver negative space alternative metal that will shatter your bones. Phantogram is a metal duo with some danceable grooves, giving cross-category vibes. The Barbarians of California keep things loud with screams and riffs from the great beyond.
