Tuesday, May 26: Apollo Vermouth with Geena and Piles at Cocoon Room, 8 p.m. ($5)
February’s beautiful, three-song EP Don’t Forget the People Around You from Milwaukee-based ambient project Apollo Vermouth finds producer Alisa Rodriguez creating awareness for people that seemingly disappear out of nowhere, some half a million under the age of 18, according to the National Crime Information Center. It’s a touching and somber remembrance to those that are lost. Also on the bill is Sheboygan’s spacey, surf rock trio Geena and Milwaukee’s post-punk group Piles, who recently released the catchy Planet Skin. (820 E. Locust St.)
Wednesday, May 27: Lake Street Dive with The Congress at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($20 advance; $22 door)
The Boston-based soulful country ensemble Lake Street Dive harkens back to an earlier age on 2014’s Bad Self Portraits. In the age of the selfie, singer Racheal Price laments the loss of a lover on the titular song by painting bad self-portraits of a lonely woman. The band, who met at the New England Conservatory of Music, shares a passion for the musical past, as well. The new record burns through a swath of different genres, including Mo-Town-era R&B, 50s doo-wop, gospel, and Beach Boys-esque pop. (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Flesh Lights with The Midwestern Charm, Seven Costanza and Phylums at Quarters Rock ‘n Roll Palace, 8 p.m. – (900 E. Center St.)
And: Lex Allen with Joe Genetti and King Courteen at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9 p.m. ($5) – (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
Thursday, May 28: Bully with Whips at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($10)
Watch out for the brash Nashville post-punk group Bully, who seems ready to make a huge splash with the forthcoming release of June’s debut full-length, Feels Like. The album is brutally honest and sounds expertly recorded, perhaps thanks to singer Alicia Bognanno’s internship with Steve Albini at Electrical Audio, which is where she produced and engineered the record. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Alan Parsons Live Project at The Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($49.50-$65) – (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
And: Murder By Death with Saintseneca at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8:30 p.m. ($15) – (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Friday, May 29: Split Single with Soul Low and Heavy Hand at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m.
Even a casual indie-rock listener may recognize all three members of Split Single. The supergroup features Jon Wurster (of Superchunk, Mountain Goats, Bob Mould’s band) on drums, Britt Daniel (frontman for Spoon and Divine Fits) on bass and Jason Narducy (of Verbow, Superchunk, Telekinesis, Guided By Voices, Bob Mould’s band) on guitar and vocals. The group’s debut, 2014’s Fragmented World, is an introspective power-pop that delicately discusses the passing of Narducy’s close friend. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: The Violet Hour (album release) with Faux Fiction at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9 p.m. ($5) – (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
Saturday, May 30: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds at The Pabst Theater, 8:30 p.m. ($39.50)
After splitting the seminal Brit-pop group Oasis in 2009, the acerbic Noel Gallagher embarked on a new direction as the leader of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. The band released a lushly arranged, cinematic self-titled debut in 2011. This year Gallagher returned with Chasing Yesterday, proving that he still hasn’t let go on his grip of the past. (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: MELT: The Sounds of Time, Leo Minor, Chants and The Demix at Cactus Club, 10 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Sunday, May 31: Father John Misty with Springtime Carnivore at The Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($22)
Comical yet poignant singer-songwriters in the form of Randy Newman are making a strong comeback in 2015. Leading the pack is Father John Misty, the alter-ego of former Fleet Foxes drummer Josh Tillman. His sophomore album, the tender I Love You, Honeybear, is one of the year’s best. (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIFrG_6fySg
Also: Hot Chip with Slow Magic at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($24.50) – (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
And: Sebadoh with Stranger Cat at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($15) – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
