20 New Shows Announced for Milwaukee

The Princess Bride

We could be wrong, but we’re betting there are too many, just-announced top touring concerts coming to town for you to buy tickets to every one. But if you do, will you also buy tickets to see actor Cary Elwes present the movie The Princess Bride and then take questions from that audience? And could Elwes actually sell out the huge Riverside Theater? Barely conceivable.

Jon Pardi

Saturday, September 5th – The Rave – 8 p.m. – $16

Jon Pardi writes rowdy, straight-up, all-American country music. The California native got his start singing with his country loving grandmother’s karaoke machine. After guitar and music lessons, Pardi began writing his own music at the age of 14. He channels the likes of George Strait, Hank Williams Jr., and Alabama in his own good-time musical messages. Expect a high-energy, active performance for fans.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 10 a.m.

The Subdudes

Wednesday, September 11th – Turner Hall Ballroom – 8 p.m. – $29.50

A one-time performance turned into a continuing musical career for four New Orleans musicians. These jazz artists performed what was supposed to be a one night gig – an acoustic set that emphasized harmonies and lyrics and soft instrumentation. The set was met with accolades and from that night in March 1987, the Subdudes were officially a “thing.” They have been active as a band on and off throughout the last nearly three decades, but are officially back since last spring. All four original members will make their way to Milwaukee this fall.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

Jessica Pratt

Monday, September 21st – The Pabst Theater – 8 p.m. – $24.75

Beach House is on tour to promote their latest album, and Jessica Pratt has just been added to the show. Pratt’s sound leans on finger-picked acoustic guitar, raw vocals and 60’s folk. She released her first, self-titled album in 2011 after Tim Presley (of the band Darker My Love) heard her songs on Facebook. After early exposure to a diverse variety of music, Pratt taught herself to play guitar at 15 and began writing her own work at 16. The Los Angeles artist will tour with Beach House throughout the midwest and southeast this September and October.

Tickets on sale now

Korn

Friday, October 2nd – The Rave – 7:30 – $35

The veteran metal band from California is known for its dark sound and aggressive lyrics. The two time Grammy Award-winning band just announced a 2015 tour of their self-titled debut album. This 20th anniversary performance features music from that iconic metal album. The tour began last year and was met with huge success so Korn decided to continue the celebration in intimate settings for their core fanbase for one more month this year. After the show, fans will have a chance to select the songs that make up the encore performance. Unrelated to the show, but interesting nonetheless, Korn recently remixed Rihanna’s “BBHMM.” Listen to it here.

Tickets on sale now

Blitzen Trapper

Tuesday, October 6th – Turner Hall Ballroom – 8 p.m. – $20

Blitzen Trapper (named after a combination of the popular binder Trapper Keeper plus a favorite reindeer) is a country/folk band from Portland. They formed in 2000, but didn’t go on tour until 2007 with release of their album Wild Mountain Nation and explosively popular 2008 album, Furr. Since, they have toured extensively and their music has been met with critical acclaim. Their eighth album, All Across This Land, is due out October 2nd.

Tickets on sale now

Seether

Friday, October 9th – The Rave – 8 p.m. – $31

Saron Gas was an alternative metal/grunge band formed in 1999 that became Seether after a name-change in 2002. Originally from Petoria, South Africa, they have become a prominent name on U.S. billboards. Seether’s 2004 single, “Broken,” with Evanescence‘s Amy Lee, peaked at number 20 on Billboard Hot 100. Their latest album, Isolate and Medicate, was released in July of last year and they are expected to complete the music for a new album early next year.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 10 a.m.

Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx

Friday, October 16th – The Pabst Theater – 8 p.m. – $45

A founding member of the pop rock band Styx, Dennis DeYoung is a Chicago-born artist with a musical career that spans four decades. DeYoung was writer and lead singer for seven of the band’s eight major hits, including “Come Sail Away,” “Lady,” and “Mr. Roboto.” He split from the band in 1999 due to personality conflicts and differences over musical style with other members. The concert is DeYoung plus a six piece band that showcases all of Styx’s greatest hits from the 1970’s through 90’s.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

Youth Lagoon

Tuesday, October 20th – Turner Hall Ballroom – 8 p.m. – $18

Youth Lagoon is the name Trevor Powers gives to his musical project. Powers is a psychedelic/electric pop artist from Boise, Idaho. His lyrics are filled with his ideas about the human psyche and how we balance the spiritual and physical world. Youth Lagoon’s latest album, Savage Hills Ballroom, is due for release September 25.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

Melanie Martinez

Wednesday, October 21st – Turner Hall Ballroom – 8 p.m. – $15

Melanie Martinez is a 20-year-old, dark-wave pop artist from Long Island, NY. She was featured in season 3 of The Voice on Adam Levine‘s team. Arguably one of the most visually unique contestants on The Voice, (her hair is two-toned: think Disney’s Cruella) Martinez made it all the way to the Top 6 performers of the season. Despite not winning the competition, the show launched her musical career. She released an EP in May of last year, and her album, Crybaby, is expected on August 14th.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

Widespread Panic

Friday, October 23rd – The Riverside Theater – 8 p.m. – $46.50/$139.50 3-night pass

Saturday, October 24th

Sunday, October 25th

The Southern rock/blues/jazz band from Athens, GA is coming to The Riverside Theater for an annual fall appearance. They will be performing three different shows on the weekend of October 23rd, and there will be an afterparty each night at Mo’s Irish Pub downtown. Widespread Panic has been making music for 30 years – members first met and collaborated as students at the University of Georgia. Their twelfth album, Street Dogs, will be released on September 25th. The band’s resume includes an impressive 43 live albums, 3 million sold copies, and a reputation as one of the most successful touring acts.

Widespread Panic hosts food drives at select shows, and their Riverside appearance is one of them. They are teaming up with the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee to reach out to concert-goers for food and cash donations to benefit the homeless and the hungry, and to support Milwaukee’s Riverwest Food Pantry.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

Sherman Ewing Afterparty

Friday, October 23rd– Mo’s Irish Pub – 11 p.m. – $10/$25 3-night pass

Saturday, October 24th

Sunday, October 25th

Google Maps says the walk from the Riverside Theater to Mo’s Irish Pub is a mere 197 feet. Following each of the Widespread Panic performances, fans are encouraged to cross Wisconsin Avenue and attend the afterparty featuring the music of Sherman Ewing. The Minnesota native blends pop, rock, and country into a musical style all his own. He has played with Widespread Panic band member John “JoJo” Hermann, and his supporting band mates have worked with artists such as Bob Dylan, Spin Doctors, Phish, and Hank Williams Jr.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

MisterWives

Wednesday, October 28th – Turner Hall Ballroom – 8 p.m. – $20

Misterwives is a five-piece indie/pop/ska band from New York City. Four of the five members are men, so the gender-flipped play on the Mormon term “SisterWives” seemed to fit them. Their 2015 album, Our Own House, was inspired by a trip to Riverdale, NY, where lead vocalist Mandy Lee quarantined herself in a tree fort and wrote many of the album’s songs. Fellow bandmates even served meals to the recluse underneath the door. The fort served as a personal “Narnia” for Lee and became a large part of the album and is even featured in the cover art. They are headlining a sold out U.S. tour.

Tickets on sale now

The Charlatans

Monday, November 9th – Turner Hall Ballroom – 8 p.m. – $25

The Charlatans are an English, indie-pop group from Northwich, England. Formed in 1989, the band members’ relationships have stood the test of time and they’ve never disbanded. The Charlatans late drummer, Jon Brookes, passed away in August 2013 from a brain tumor. Band members were heartbroken by the loss, but have since become patrons of The Brain Tumour Charity in his honor. Their twelfth, and most recent album, Modern Nature, was released in January of this year and exudes an effortless British twist on American classic soul.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

Guster

Saturday, November 14th – The Pabst Theater – 8 p.m. – $22.50

The members of Guster met at an orientation at Tufts University in 1991 and since their first set at a coffee house on campus, they have been producing alternative rock music. They were made popular by other similar 90’s bands such as Dave Matthews Band, Phish, and Widespread Panic. They are well known to be goofballs on stage and to be very receptive to their fans (they sign autographs after shows), but also for their critically acclaimed music. Their latest album, Evermotion, was just released this January.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

Old Dominion

Saturday, November 21st – The Rave – 8 p.m. – $16

These five Nashville band members are no strangers to the country music scene, but their union as the band Old Dominion is still only about a year old. Old Dominion released their first EP last October which included their popular single “Break Up With Him.” Individual members, however have writing credits attached to country hits such as Craig Morgan‘s “Wake Up Lovin You,” Dierks Bentley‘s “Say You Do,” and The Band Perry‘s “Better Dig Two.” They are on tour this year to support their album release and are the opening act for select dates on Kenny Chesney‘s Big Revival Tour.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 10 a.m.

The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes

Sunday, November 22nd – The Riverside Theater – 8 p.m. – $29.50

The show will start with a viewing of the timeless fairytale classic, The Princess Bride. The movie, initially not a hit, has gained a huge and cult-like following since its release. The Princess Bride features the love story between a farm boy named Westley and a princess named Buttercup, and the forces that keep them apart including the evil Prince Humperdinck, giant rodents, and a Sicilian boss. Following the film, Cary Elwes, who plays the heroic Westley, will reveal secrets and stories behind filming of some of the most famous scenes and engage in a Q&A segment about life beyond the big screen. Elwes is also author of a New York Times best seller, As You Wish, which contains exclusive photographs and interviews with costars from the movie.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

Heart

Monday, December 7th – The Riverside Theater – 8 p.m. – $50

Sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson have been idealized as sex symbols, feminist figures, and iconic rock artists. Their sound ranges from folk to hard rock as heard in their major hits “Crazy on You,” “These Dreams,” and “Barracuda.” Heart flourished from the 70’s through the 90’s, and after focusing on other priorities in the 2000’s, they returned to the Billboard Top 10 in 2010. The Seattle band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Nearing 60 years old, the sisters aren’t slowing down; they continue to make emotional, rebellious music.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

Saturday, December 26th – The Riverside Theater – 7 p.m. – $39.25

Sunday, December 27th  – 2 p.m. 

Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a holiday extravaganza teeming with music, acrobatics, and illusions. The variety show, featuring 30 artists, 20 acts, and over 300 costumes, has performed on cruises, casinos, theme parks, and Broadway for 22 years. The Christmas weekend performance will have no shortage of balancing penguins, dancing snowmen, angels, reindeer, gingerbread men, and of course, Santa. The unexpected should be expected in this acrobatic, musical spectacular.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

Equinox Light & Dark

Sunday, March 20th – Turner Hall Ballroom – 7 p.m. – $15

As winter fades and spring inches its way out of hibernation, Present Music presents Equinox Light & Dark. The performance is a collection of music comprised to resemble the contrast between the heaviness of winter, death, and all things dark, and the brightness of spring and new life. The program consists of Antonio Vivaldi‘s L’astro Armonico, Robert Honstein‘s Night Scenes from the Ospedale, as well as music from Ince, Norman, and Greenstein.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.

Season Finale & Party

Friday, June 3rd – Turner Hall Ballroom – 7:30 p.m. – $15

Present Music loves to perform new music from living composers, and this Season Finale performance will do just that. The lineup includes music from Jaeger, Trapani, Mazzoli, and Gordon. Milwaukee-based artists, Painted Caves, is a Middle-Eastern and California surfer-influenced rock band who has played at Summerfest, Chill on the Hill, and even internationally at the Amarrass Music Festival in New Delhi, India. They will be performing for the afterparty following Present Music’s evening performance.

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31st @ 12 p.m.