Our friends at 91.7 WMSE really know how to throw a party. Today they announced the pre and post concerts for their Radio Summer Camp festival that takes over Milwaukee in August.

Kicking things off on Wednesday, August 19th will be Jason Isbell & 400 Unit + Strand of Oaks at Shank Hall. Obviously, anyone who follows this blog on the regular know that I’m a huge fan of both bands, making this a can’t miss evening for me.

As if four days of music throughout Milwaukee wasn’t enough, I twisted the arm of WMSE to let me throw a Hangover Show at Club Garibaldi on Monday, August 24th with Roadside Graves and Chris DeMay.

Previously: Muzzle of Bees Interview :: Strand of Oaks
Previously: 5 Questions with Jason Isbell
Previously: Roadside Graves :: My Son’s Home

Our friends at Daytrotter are embarking on a caravan style tour through the Midwest, including a stop in Madison on Monday, July 27th to play an attic (212 S. Henry St.)

This free event is sure to be unique and showcases Local Natives, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Catfish Haven, and Snowblink. As a long-time fan of the Daytrotter Sessions, I can tell you that you won’t be disappointed by attending this event.

Not in Madison, don’t worry there are more dates here —-> (more…)

Bruce Springsteen will return to Milwaukee for a tour-ending performance at the Bradley Center on Sunday, November 15th. Tickets go on sale Saturday, August 1st. The rest of the US Tour Dates can be found here.

Hat tip to Decider for the tip.

Previously: Bruce Springsteen – Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul
Previously: Review: Bruce Springsteen – Harley-Davidson 105th
Previously: Review: Bruce Springsteen – Bradley Center, Milwaukee

Make no mistake, I’m a fan of Annie Clark aka St. Vincent. Her highly anticipated new album Actor, arrived brilliant as promised and worthy of all the high praise. Great as the album is, seeing the songs come to life in concert last month elevated them to an even higher place in my list of favorites for the year.

St. Vincent will play the High Noon Saloon in Madison on Friday, October 16th. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 day of show.

Buy: St. Vincent – “Actor”
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Myspace: St. Vincent
MP3: St. Vincent – “The Strangers”

Here are the Wisconsin and Chicago shows we recommend you take in this week. Check them out below and let us know which ones you’ll be attending or ones you think should really make our list. Also, don’t miss the new side project from Jack White, The Dead Weather, which tops our list of recommended purchases below.

Upcoming Wisconsin Shows:

7/14 – Merle Haggard/Loretta Lynn – Northen Lights Theater, Milwaukee
7/15 – Merle Haggard/Loretta Lynn – Northen Lights Theater, Milwaukee
7/16 – The Duchess and The Duke – Club Garibaldi, Milwaukee
7/17 – The National – Pabst Theater, Milwaukee
7/17 – Yeasayer/Ponytail/Cymbals Eat Guitars – Terrace, Madison

Upcoming Chicago Shows:

7/13 – Micachu & The Shapes/Anni Rossi – Schubas
7/14 – Conor Oberst And The Mystic Valley Band – Metro
7/15 – Deer Tick/Dawes – Empty Bottle
7/17 – Pitchfork Music Festival
7/18 – Pitchfork Music Festival
7/19 – Pitchfork Music Festival

Just Announced:

8/8 – Sam Roberts Band/Invade Rome/The Championship- Cream City Music Fest, Milwaukee
8/18 – Metric – The Rave, Milwaukee
8/18 – These United States + Daredevil Christopher Wright – Club Garibaldi, Milwaukee
8/19 – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Shank Hall, Milwaukee
8/22 – The Rural Alberta Advantage + Roadside Graves – The Terrace, Madison
8/28 – Nine Inch Nails/Mew – Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
8/29 – Nine Inch Nails/Mew – Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
9/8 – Hayes Carll – Oneida Bingo & Casino, Green Bay
9/27 – Grizzly Bear + Beach House – Metro, Chicago
9/28 – Grizzly Bear + Beach House – Metro, Chicago
10/19 – The Dodos – Bottom Lounge, Chicago
10/21 – Drummer – High Noon Saloon, Madison
10/24 – Ingrid Michaelson – Barrymore, Madison

New Releases:

The Dead Weather – Horehound

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

As a big Ryan Adams fan, I tend to spend a lot of time revisiting his albums and the plethora of high-quality live bootlegs I’ve come into over the years. While some have been burned by Adams in concert, I’m lucky in that I’ve only been wowed by the man. Around 2001, Adams acquired the friendship and admiration of Sir Elton John. I grew up coveting my parents Elton John records, so it was cool to see the musical worlds collide. Above, Elton does one of my favorite Adams penned tunes, “Oh My Sweet Carolina.”

Below, you can (and should) download Ryan Adams delightful take on Elton John’s “Rocket Man” from The Blue Note in Columbia, MO.

MP3: Ryan Adams + Leona Naess – “Rocket Man” (Elton John) [Live, 12/3/2001]