Don’t have set plans for New Year’s Eve on Saturday? Music Notes counts down the 10 best musical NYE parties that Milwaukee has to offer:
10. DJ Goose, DJ King James, DJ Whyte Nite and DJ Khek at Potawatomi’s Northern Lights Theater
Test your luck at this massive dance party featuring four local DJs, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, free coat check and free parking. Buy tickets by Friday, December 30 to get half off the price.
9. Kane Brown with Bobby McClendon and Saddlebrook at The Rave
The rising country musician Kane Brown made a name for himself through cover songs on YouTube in 2014. His self-titled debut record (out on a major label this month) transitioned him into a star in the making. Kane Brown may be a name you keep hearing about in 2017.
8. Stellar Spark New Year’s Eve with Borgore, Kayzo and Prince Fox at The Rave
If you’re in the mood to lose your mind on the dance floor to some EDM, look no further than night two of Stellar Spark New Year’s Eve. The event features Israeli dubstep producer Borgore, the Los Angeles-based DJ Kayzo and the future pop producer Prince Fox.
7. Mike Benign Compulsion, Testa Rosa and Liv Mueller at Shank Hall
Technically a pre-New Year’s Eve Party (the music is scheduled to wrap up by 11 p.m.), what better to send off another year with Milwaukee veterans Mike Benign Compulsion, Testa Rosa and Liv Mueller.
6. Static Eyes, Aluminum Knot Eye and Ravi/Lola at Circle A Cafe
For many, the end of 2016 couldn’t come fast enough. Release a last gasp of anger and frustration with rambunctious garage-punk group Static Eyes and the strange Aluminum Knot Eye (which bills itself from the equally mysterious Haunchyville).
5. New Year’s Eve Retro Dance Party at Mad Planet
While The Get Down moves to the more expansive Turner Hall Ballroom for New Year’s Eve, the Riverwest club Mad Planet still manages to hold a worthy alternative. For just $15, you get complimentary food, a midnight champagne toast and an entire night of nostalgic dance floor hits.
4. Asher Gray, Max Holiday, Liquid City Motors, MS 115 and Bread Mothers at Cactus Club
Local electronic music label Close Up of the Serene teams up with the rotating dance music series Club Ritual to present this New Year’s Eve showcase of local producersAsher Gray, Max Holiday, Liquid City Motors and MS 115 with visual displays byBread Mothers. The Cactus Club show also promises a special guest DJ performance at 2 a.m.
3. The Get Down at Turner Hall Ballroom
An annual stand-by, The Get Down is a solid choice for an evening full of dancing and fun. You won’t find a more hip selection of Northern Soul in the city. While one of the pricier options, you pay everything up front—the choices between the two all-inclusive tickets ($60 and $85) include a champagne toast, party favors, the ice bar/luge and an open bar of tap beer, retro tall boys and rail drinks. The more expensive option offers an exclusive appetizer buffet, balcony access, complimentary coat check and the opportunity to skip the line.
2. Direct Hit!, Bad Grades, Juiceboxxx and Assault & Battery at Club Garibaldi
Perhaps no Milwaukee band experienced a more successful year than pop-punk group Direct Hit! In 2016, the band signed to the well-respected punk label Fat Wreck Chords, where they released third studio album Wasted Mind. See them close out a productive, if turbulent, year with the recently formed Bad Grades, rapper Juiceboxxx and hardcore band Assault & Battery.
1. New Year’s Eve Ball with Milo, Thine Queen Tut, Bo Triplex And His Beautiful Band, The Quilz and Yung Zucchini at Company Brewing
Poet/rapper milo is perhaps the most refined lyricist in Milwaukee. His Bandcamp discography is definitely worth a deep dive. Don’t miss this opportunity to see such a gifted performer ply his trade in a live setting. Rounding out the Company Brewing bill are Milwaukee expat Thine Queen Tut and locals like the funky Bo Triplex And His Beautiful Band, dream pop duo The Quilz and DJ Yung Zucchini.
Stream of the Week
Sick of the same holiday tunes? Take a listen to the soothing six-track Christmas EP YULE from Tenement singer Amos Pitsch. Even though the festivities have already passed, it may have you reaching one more time for the egg nog.
This Week in Live Music
Tuesday, December 27: Bruce in the USA at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($20) –(1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Thursday, December 29: Hayward Williams with J. Hardin at Walker’s Point Anodyne Coffee, 8 p.m. ($10) – (224 W. Bruce St., AnodyneCoffee.com)
Also: The Motet with Pho at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($15 advance; $18 door) –(1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Friday, December 30: Local H with Devils Teeth at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($20) – (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
Also: Stellar Spark New Year’s Eve (Night One) with Datsik, Snails, Matroda, Casey Lee and Nate Derus at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($38-$180) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave.,TheRave.com)
And: Benefit for Standing Rock featuring The Young Revelators, The Guanus, Jesse Guten & Friends and Members of Reckless Darlene at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 7 p.m. ($10) – (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
Saturday, December 31: The Get Down at Turner Hall Ballroom, 9 p.m. ($65-$85) –(1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Direct Hit! with Bad Grades, Juiceboxxx and Assault & Battery at Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m. ($10) – (2501 S. Superior St., ClubGaribaldis.com)
And: Mike Benign Compulsion with Testa Rosa and Liv Mueller at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($10) – (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
And: Static Eyes with Aluminum Knot Eye at Circle A Cafe, 8 p.m. – (932 E. Chambers St., Circle-A-Café.org)
And: Stellar Spark New Year’s Eve (Night Two) with Borgore, Kayzo and Prince Fox at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($53-$312) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
And: Kane Brown with Bobby McClendon and Saddlebrook at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($27.50-$30.50) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
And: DJ Goose with DJ King James, DJ Whyte Nite and DJ Khek at Potawatomi’s Northern Lights Theater, 8 p.m. ($59-$600) – (1721 W. Canal St., PaysBig.com)
