It’s about an hour and a half drive from my house in Madison to the Pabst Theatre on Water Street in Milwaukee. My traveling companion is the new Neko Case album, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, which I am trying to immerse myself in before I take in the performance of these songs in a live setting. I like to listen to albums before shows to see what, if any, changes or additions are made to songs when they are performed in front of a live audience. The show is the second night of Neko Case’s tour with Martha Wainwright that started in Minneapolis and finishes up in Austin, Texas. After that, it’s across the Atlantic for a slew of European dates.

I must admit that coming back to Milwaukee feels like I’m coming back home. I spent some of the most formative years of my life in this city, and taking in a show here has taken on somewhat of a different feeling. I’d like to applaud publicly the individual or individuals that have taken over booking bands in Milwaukee. While I was in town there were rarely the types of concerts on par with the acts that are swinging though town these days. This is in part because the owners and talent booking for places like the Pabst and the Riverside theatres have been open and bold enough to take a risk on great independent musicians, and I think, especially after seeing the very near capacity Neko Case show, that this business plan has worked out handsomely for both the venues and the people that love seeing live music in the Milwaukee area.

I have to say that the Pabst Theatre is now, hands down the best place to see a concert in the state of Wisconsin. Not only is the sound impeccably clear and perfect, but the view is just about stellar from every seat in the theatre. Combine that with a friendly and knowledgeable staff and affordable drink prices, and I think you’ve sold me that my hour plus drive from Madison will be worth it every time I make the trip.

Getting back to the business of the show, I hesitate to say that it was my favorite performance of the year, but I’m pretty sure it’s in my top 3. The thing about Neko Case and her voice in particular is that I’m sure she could make a handsome enough living singing in the subway nearest you. Thankfully, for all of us she’s decided to take her music across the US and internationally as well. I became smitten with Neko’s voice when I first heard her voice as a member of the New Pornographers, but I feel in love with her music the first time I heard Blacklisted.

For her show in Milwaukee Neko Case and her band hit full stride on tunes off of her most recent debut. The highlight of the performance for me was her stirring rendition of the Bob Dylan tune, “Buckets of Rain.” Sometimes I go to shows, and after an hour I start to look at my watch to estimate how much longer I have to sit through a performance. That’s not usually because I’m disinterested in the band, it’s just that it’s not one of those performances that I will never forget. Neko Case’s performance at the Pabst Theatre is one that I doubt I will ever forget, and I’m sure the majority of those in attendance will certainly ascertain.

Her backing band perfectly nails the tunes, and I can’t tell you how great it is to watch Neko jam out on her Gibson SG. If you’re in the area of her recent tour, I strongly suggest making the drive to see a show. I can’t recommend it enough. If you live in the Milwaukee area please check out the Pabst Theatre website for upcoming concert performances by bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sigur Ros, and Drive By Truckers, all of which tickets can be conveniently be purchased at Milwaukee’s premier music store, Atomic Records. As a final testament to how great this show was, please check out this video I shot of Neko Case and her band doing “Buckets of Rain.”