08.18.2024 | Trampled By Turtles & The Avett Brothers
Alpine Valley Music Theater | East Troy, WI
After the debacle that was Noah Kahan back in July I was looking forward to an uneventful, enjoyable concert. Beautiful sunny day - check, close parking spot - check, reserved seat - check. All looked good.
The first few notes of “Victory” acted as a bolt of energy waking the smaller crowd, for Alpine Valley at least. As a veteran Trampled By Turtles fan, I appreciated the continued throwback with Duluth’s “Darkness and The Light” following. ‘Codeine’ was the perfect mid-set pick, another classic that would for sure result in some new TBT fans that night - until it wasn’t... The audio spontaneously cut out, leaving the chorus being carried by the crowd. Never skipping a beat, Avett Brothers’ crew brought two mics out to allow one of the few bands that could carry on and still sound incredible given the circumstances.
So as to keep everyone involved, they rolled right into some covers from The Band and Bob Dylan. Just as they tried to roll into fan-favorite “Whiskey” things took another turn… the background visuals failed. “Did it just get worse?” frontman Dave Simonett asked the crowd. It didn’t matter, and as cellist Eamonn McLain snuck down to the pit to lead the crowd with two High-Noons in hand in lieu of the title spirit.
After leaving the stage after just 10 songs, upsetting this fan a bit, some behind the screens scrambling righted all issues. Many thanks to the Avett Brothers for letting them come back out to finish out with some hits among them “Alone”, “Midnight on the Interstate”, and “Wait So Long”.
Despite all the technical difficulties it may be one of the more fun Trampled By Turtles shows I’ve seen. The ability to roll with all the punches and have fun throughout just makes me look forward to the next time they come back to Milwaukee, which as a Midwest band is quite often. Lucky for us!
08.17.2024 | Reyna
Vivarium| Milwaukee, WI
Hot off a packed Aurora pavilion at Summerfest, REYNA stepped into theVivarium in a dual role Saturday night. Of course headlining with their dreamy dance-pop songs of their latest EP Limonada, but also transporting the audience to 2012 and the angsty indie pop of their previous outfit Vic and Gab. It was Vic and Gab opening for Vic and Gab! In lieu of an America’s Got Talent fast wardrobe change between sets Eliza Hanson and longtime friend of the band(s) graced the stage with her soulful folk.
Despite the infamous more-than-background chatter prompting an announcement from the house, it was one of the best concerts I’ve seen at Vivarium to date (and there’s been quite a few). REYNA is truly one of Milwaukee’s most underrated bands right now. If you were lucky enough to score tickets to their Sh*tty Barn performance in October you’re certainly in for a treat.
04.27.2024 | Social Cig
Vivarium | Milwaukee, WI
Social Cig performs at Vivarium with support from
Duwayne & Micah Emrich, Motel Breakfast, and Well + Good.
04.13.2024 | Scam Likely
Vivarium | Milwaukee, WI
Scam Likely held a sold out record release party for their highly anticipated album “Yolk” at Vivarium with support from Minneapolis’ Gramma and Milwaukee’s Clementine.
04.04.2024 | The Thing
The Cooperage | Milwaukee, WI
New York Punk outfit The Thing performs at the Cooperage
with support from locals Diet Lite.
03.16.2024 | Them Coulee Boys
Vivarium | Milwaukee, WI
Them Coulee Boys perform at the Vivarium with support from locals Ladybird
03.15.2024 | Sleepy Gaucho
Vivarium | Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee’s own Sleepy Gaucho holds an album release party for “True Love Corridor” with support from Moonglow and Ellie Jackson at the Vivarium.
03.13.2024 | Sir Chloe
Vivarium | Milwaukee, WI
Sir Chloe brought her indie pop to the Vivarium Wednesday night with support from Daffo
03.08.2024 | 4 Seasons Skate Park
4 Seasons Skate Park hosted its final concert in the bowl Saturday night featuring Riot Nine, Garden Home, Awake But Still in Bed, Your Arms Are my Cocoon, Excuse Me Who are You, and Snag.
03.03.2023 | Titus Andronicus
High Noon Saloon | Madison, WI
No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future - the opener 8 years ago on a cold October day... A concert delayed by the Mets playoff game in which the crowd stood at the bar alongside frontman Patrick Stickles hoping for a win. The game didn't go their way and the line "you will always be a loser" on repeat never rang more true. A raucous 19 song set showed that punk was alive and well
Flash forward to last Friday, a similar chill in the air, and a few blocks further east on Washington Patrick Stickles took the stage and opened with “My Mom is Going to Kill Me” and “(I’m) Screwed”. Five albums after the pivotal “The Monitor” Titus Andronicus has a matured sound, but hasn’t lost the angst that got me hooked over a decade ago. I was instantly taken back to the Frequency that first time I caught them live and felt energy at a show that I hadn’t in a while. It was a privilege to have cameras by my side for this one.
