There’s a lot going on in Milwaukee’s concert scene, so we look at upcoming shows to find the ones you’ll remember and be glad you attended. Then we add them to our weekly Concert tips from Milwaukee.

Kelsey Kaufmann has evolved the Cactus Club in seemingly countless ways since taking over, thanks largely to her ability to tackle problems head-on, no matter how big they are. The venue’s accessibility is such a big issue that the Cactus team is tackling it in phases, with the final phase taking place on the actual stage.

This Thursday, the Cactus Club is hosting the second of their benefit concerts for the Cactus+ Accessibility Initiative. Bully played a sold-out show in July and this week the club welcomes underground legends ESG, who will play their first(!!!) show at Brew City.

Don’t know ESG? Maybe you just know and don’t know. Formed in 1978, the “most sampled group of all time” has found its way onto the tracks of everyone from the Beastie Boys to The Notorious BIG. Founded by the Scroggins sisters, the group quickly rose to fame on Factory Records with their first two singles for the label (“Moody” and “You’re No Good”) capturing the punk spirit of dance music.

Renee Scroggins said of their sound, “If I really had to put a label on it, it would be music that makes you dance.” The sisters also admitted that they were heavily influenced by the music they listened to at home and in their neighborhood (mainly James Brown and Latin music).

ESG’s influences still resonate decades later, and as a live band they sound as fresh as they did when they first burst on the scene. Seeing a concert is a bucket list item for many, but helping to strengthen Milwaukee’s concert community? That’s the musical jackpot.

Making shows like this more accessible and enjoyable for everyone is an opportunity that doesn’t come along every day. Be sure to take advantage of this Thursdaywhen ESG plays at the Cactus Club with the support acts Clickbait, Diamond Life and DJ Christreater.

The best concerts in Milwaukee this week

• 28 August: Jacob Slade (Vivarium in the Park) @ South Shore Terrace, 6pm
• 28 August: Roselit Bone, Hosts, Ladybird @ Cactus Club, 7pm
• 30 August: ESG with clickbait, Diamond Life, DJ Christreater (Benefit concert of the Initiative for Accessibility) @ Cactus Club, 8 p.m.
• 30 August: Post Saga, Hanna Simone, Torcado @ Anodyne on Bruce, 7:30pm
• 31 August: The Gaslight Anthem with Joyce Manor, Pinkshift @ The Rave, 7pm
• 1 September: Harlow, Max & The Fellow Travelers, Hang Ten, Logan Scott & The Fly By Nights @ Cactus Club, 7pm
• 1 September: Lost Orange Cat with JR & The Strangers, Chris Haise Band @ Linneman’s, 8pm