The International Pop Overthrow starts tomorrow at Linneman’s
The definition of pop music has changed considerably since the term’s invention. (Circa 1926, if Wikipedia is to be believed.) Once upon a time, “pop” referenced music that was widely popular with the kids; but nowadays, it’s a blanket term that covers pretty much anything remotely pleasant-sounding and relatively upbeat. International Pop Overthrow narrows the field considerably—after all, it takes “power” to overthrow something, right? Power-pop is the focus of this traveling mini-fest, where jangling guitars, bright vocal harmonies, and catchy melodies unite the featured artists.
The great thing about IPO—which makes its fourth annual Milwaukee appearance this week at Linneman’s—is that it culls more than half of its lineup from the local talent pool, meaning the spirit of the fest is the only aspect that really travels. Thursday’s headliner, Ontario luminary Dave “Rave” DesRoches (of The Shakers and Teenage Head), is the only artist making the rounds at each of this year’s U.S. IPO dates. Otherwise, all of the non-Wisconsin artists on the Milwaukee bill are from Chicago, making for a one-of-a-kind regional festival.
The main draw at Linneman’s will be the plethora of Brew City talent. Elusive Parallelograms, with their new Modern Splendor album hot off the presses, will begin to close out the festival Saturday night, followed by no-nonsense power-popsters The Friendly Lens. Local legend Trolley was on a three-year-plus hiatus until last December, and the band’s apparent comeback year includes a headlining slot this Friday. Earlier Friday evening, Certain Stars will showcase the garage-y side of the spectrum, The Form will provide some Southern rock flavor, and Green Bay’s Fun With Atoms will combine ’80s R.E.M. guitars with a touch of alt-country flair.
Here’s the full Milwaukee schedule:
Thursday, May 5
8:00 p.m. Peter D’Amore’s Acoustic Loop Show
8:45 p.m. Thrift Store Heroes
9:30 p.m. Pascal’s Balloon
10:15 p.m. Great Lake Drifters
11:00 p.m. The Sensationalists
11:45 p.m. Dave Rave
Friday, May 6
8:00 p.m. The Valley Downs
8:45 p.m. The Form
9:30 p.m. Fun With Atoms
10:15 p.m. Certain Stars
11:00 p.m. They All Have Legs
11:45 p.m. Trolley
Saturday, May 7
8:00 p.m. Litmus Vinyl
8:45 p.m. The PondHawks
9:30 p.m. Julia Klee
10:15 p.m. Paper Thick Walls
11:00 p.m. Elusive Parallelograms
11:45 p.m. The Friendly Lens
