Mike Clark and the Sugar Sounds
Friday, Aug. 25 | Lamplight Sessions, Mosinee
Mike Clark and the Sugar Sounds have an interesting history. Clark, who will be playing as part of the duo for this show, worked as a surveyor for much of his adult life and only when one of his songs got picked up on Spotify did his popularity take off enough that he could pursue music full time. That was 2017, and since then Mike Clark has been on a tear, touring the country with his throwback rock/soul sound. 7 pm, doors open at 6 pm. lamplightsessions.com
89Q Hope in the Park
Sunday, Aug. 27 | Marathon Park, Wausau
Hey, it’s not every day you get to have a free concert to attend to (well, every week during the summer with the Concerts on the Square series, but you get the point). Christian music singer Steven Curtis Chapman will be providing a free concert on Sunday afternoon. Chapman has been a contemporary Christian singer since 1987 and is a multi-Grammy winner in the contemporary Christian scene as well as winning numerous other awards. No tickets or reservations are needed, but you can get reserved seat tickets. Check out 89q.com for reserved ticket information. 1 pm, includes other performers and activities. Chapman is scheduled to start at 4 pm.
Johnny and the MoTones
Thursday, Aug. 24 | Tiki Beach Bar and Grill, Lake DuBay
You assuredly recognize the name Johnny and the MoTones – they’re a regular on the Concerts on the Square stage in Wausau’s 400 Block, and they’re one of the most entertaining acts still in the regular rotation. The band includes local legends John Altenburgh, a jazz piano legend with some pretty impressive credits to his name, and Mitch Viegut, the guitarist of the Wausau 80s hair band Airkraft – which has a new album coming out soon! This Thursday they take to the Tiki Beach stage, known for its waterside party atmosphere. 6 pm. tikibeachllc.com
Tony Williams
Friday, Aug. 25 | Malarkey’s Pub, Wausau
Malarkey’s Pub has been doing outdoor concerts since the COVID days, and they’ve been a fun way to liven up the 400 Block area after dark. This Friday Malarkey’s Pub brings to town Tony Williams. The Minneapolis-based performer is, much like Bradley Sperger highlighted last week, a one-man band using live-looping to create a full band sound with just one person. He’s got a powerful voice, and looks powerful too, like he could probably bench press you. A performance online of Alice in Chains’s Nutshell is particularly impressive as he nails Layne Staley’s gritty low tones and high-pitched falsetto. 7 pm. malarkeyspub.com
Concerts on the Square: Unity
Wednesday, Aug. 30 | The 400 Block, Wausau
Unity is consistently one of the most popular acts that graces the 400 block stage. But this year, they get to close out the series! Led by Pita Kotobalavu, otherwise known as Kai, this band has won multiple Wisconsin Area Music Industry awards and brings the reggae-infused heat! Unity is a band that can really get the crowd rolling and dancing, and you just can’t miss the moments Kai helps create when he brings the children to the stage for a sing-along. Unity is your one can’t-miss Concerts on the Square showing.
The Office “Dunder Mifflin” Takeover
Friday, Aug. 25 | Timekeeper Distillery, Wausau
I still smile every time I hear, or even think about the theme song to The Office. Why? It’s one of those rare shows that is insanely popular and for good reason, because it’s actually a very good show. So yeah, a Dunder Mifflin takeover of Timekeeper Distillery will definitely get me to consider leaving the house. Anyway, here is your chance to submerge yourself in the world of The Office, try food based on The Office theme, meet special guests, plus there are prizes for the best-dressed character from The Office, a trivia contest and more. Bears, beats, and better get yourself down to Timekeeper this Friday. 7 pm.
Everclear
Saturday, Aug. 26 | Ho Chunk Gaming, Wittenberg
A lot of the bands from my teen years in the 1990s have since disappeared. Many to drug addiction or other maladies. But some of them are still around, and one of those is Everclear. You all probably remember their most popular song, Santa Monica, the fourth song on their 1995 sophomore album, Sparkle and Fade. You might not hear about them too much anymore, but Everclear never stopped making albums, with their latest Black is the new Black in 2015. Come see Art Alexikis and company at the Ho Chunk Gaming and Casino in Wittenberg ahead of the band’s upcoming album Live at the Whiskey A Go Go in September. 6:30 pm. $35, $60 VIP. ho-chunkgaming.com/wittenberg