By: Elliot Novak and Ian Hoffman

Burn Bright Milwaukee is returning to the “World Famous” X-Ray Arcade in Cudahy on February 22nd and 23rd. After having a sweaty, adrenaline-filled time last year that left all of the EMMIE attendees voiceless, EMMIE is once again making the pilgrimage to see another 14 emo, screamo and shoegaze bands; here are eight of the sets they’re looking forward to.

Saturday Highlights:

Elliot’s Picks: Your Arms Are My Cocoon, Combat, Garden Home, Harrison Gordon

Ian’s Picks: Your Arms Are My Cocoon, Slow Joy, Palette Knife

Garden Home

FFO: Touché Amoré, Dreamwell

Must-listens: “Hot Water/Cold Hands,” “Uprooted,” “False Spring”

Blending post-hardcore with screamo, Milwaukee-based Garden Home is sure to have a home field advantage at Burn Bright in terms of mic grabs. Following the release of their debut self-titled LP, Garden Home’s energy has only increased, with them already anticipating a spring tour with fellow Milwaukeeans Bug Moment. As Milwaukee’s only representative on the lineup, Garden Home’s set will be kicking off Burn Bright with a bang. — EN

Your arms are my cocoon

FFO: Febuary, Civil War in France, Dead Butterflies

Must-listens: “Foster Nosferatu”, “Metamorphosis”, “let’s get married”

I mean they are the definitive bedroom skramz band, what more can you want? Seriously, I joined EMMIE magazine in part because I saw that Elliot did a photoshoot with Your Arms Are My Cocoon. With the Chicago project’s big album release not too long ago, YAAMC is in a new era of screaming their hearts out and being real sad. When they get on stage, heads will surely turn as they play some of their classic tracks with emotional screaming sure to stand out among the sets. — IH

Slow Joy

FFO: Gleemer, Narrowhead, Trauma Ray

Must-listens: “4U”, “King Cowboy”, “Peeling Teeth”

Combining rock, grunge, shoegaze, emo and more, Slow Joy melds a whole lot of musical goodness into songs that just beg to be sung along to. Now a bit of a staple in Dallas, TX, Esteban Flores brings his project all the way up north to be reunited with the Midwest emo sound that he gravitates toward. Slow Joy has been touring the country and Cudahy should be prepared for some really cool sneak peeks of the project’s debut album. — IH

Harrison Gordon

FFO: Free Throw, Marietta, Ben Quad

Must-listens: “Excedrin,” “Snot,” “The Next Great American Spirit Strikes Back!”

If there’s one thing that Harrison Gordon knows how to do, it’s getting people amped up. The two times I’ve seen this Normal Illinois-based four-piece both included more than a few people that seemed to know the entire discography by heart and I have a feeling this weekend will be no exception. After putting out one of the best midwest emo albums in 2023, Harrison Gordon (both the band and frontman of the same name) continue to rise as the headliner for day one of Burn Bright MKE. — EN

Sunday Highlights

Elliot’s Picks: Frail Body, Summerbruise, Michael Cera Palin, Excuse Me, Who Are You?

Ian’s Picks: Michael Cera Palin, Sincere Engineer, Frail Body

Sincere Engineer

FFO: Spanish Love Songs, Hot Mulligan, Teenage Halloween

Must-listens: “Anemia”, “Overbite”, “Trust Me”

A refreshing wave of nostalgia is what Sincere Engineer emanates musically. The mind behind Sincere Engineer is Deanna Belos who’s lyricism of self deprecation and passionate emotional expression is sure to have everyone singing along. They combine the pop punk tinge with emo in a way that just feels right to me. I haven’t quite been in the midwest long enough to see them but I’m certainly excited to change that. — IH

Summerbruise

FFO: Origami Angel, Riley!

Must-listens: “Dead Daddog 20/20,” “With Friends Like These, Who Needs Empathy?”

After seeing Summerbruise for the first time at Fauxchella VI in 2023, I’ve been waiting with bated breath to see the Indianapolis band once again. Mixing lyrics that are heartfelt and emotional with an energizing delivery of instrumentals that feel like someone shaking you back and forth, Summerbruise’s entire discography feels like a strange blend of crying your eyes out and yelling at the top of your lungs. Their energy onstage is infectious and with the absolute banging Better Vacation (a re-recording of their first album Bummer Vacation from 2018), this set is sure to be a rowdy addition to Sunday’s lineup. — EN

Michael Cera Palin

FFO: Sports., Mom Jeans., Free Throw

Must-listens: “Portrait of a Woman on a Couch With Cats”, “Wisteria”, “Boots N Cats”

Nobody is ready for Michael Cera Palin’s debut album. Formed in 2015 down in Atlanta, GA, these guys will show that they can be emotional like none other. With a relatively short discography, the group has managed a distinct style that holds some math rock influence and pop punk too. Burn Bright will definitely have a fun time when they end up on stage. — IH

Frail Body

FFO: Orchid, Senza

Must-listens: “Critique Programme,” “Your Death Makes Me Wish Heaven Was Real”

One of the heavier bands on the Burn Bright lineup, I was thrilled to see Frail Body’s name on the initial announcement post. The screamo band from Chicago is riding the high of the release of their album Artificial Bouquet, coming fresh off their tours of Australia and Japan. A return to the Midwest for Frail Body is almost assuredly going to result in the crowd showing up in droves to welcome them back to Milwaukee. — EN

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