What’s this? A list of shows? A list of summer shows? Yep! After what seemed to be an endless winter that gave way to a busy spring, summer is finally upon us. The season officially starts today, and it offers no shortage of worthwhile concerts, comedy shows, and other forms of live entertainment. Not even counting the massive list of local festivals happening in and around the city, here are a few of the standout summer shows we’re looking forward to in the next few months.
Friday, June 21
Direct Hit! + So Zuppy, Bad Crime, Death Killer Overdrive @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Doesn’t it feel like it’s been forever since Direct Hit! played a hometown show? Well, that’s because it has been a while since the Fat Wreck Chords-approved Milwaukee pop-punk phenoms played in the area, so don’t miss this opportunity to catch Direct Hit! (and So Zuppy, Bad Crime, and Death Killer Overdrive) at Anodyne’s Walker’s Point Roastery on June 21.
Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22
They Might Be Giants @ Pabst Theater
How does the old saying go? “No one in the world ever gets what they want, and that is beautiful”? Yeah, that’s it. Who said that again? Oh yeah, it was They Might Be Giants! And why are we bringing up the ever-delightful, fantastic-as-always alt/geek-rock duo of John Flansburgh and John Linnell? Because they’re coming to Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater for a two-night engagement, Friday, June 21; and Saturday, June 22! Turns out you can get what you want, and that, too, is beautiful! Well, as long as you bought tickets in time. These shows—which we’re thrilled to say are presented by Milwaukee Record—are both sold out.
Wednesday, June 26
Milwaukee Record presents ‘Happy Gilmore’ @ Avalon Theater
Are you too good to watch the 1996 sports comedy Happy Gilmore with us at Avalon Theater on Wednesday, June 26? ANSWER ME!
Wednesday, July 10
Bully (Accessibility Initiative Fundraising Concert) @ Cactus Club
In order to raise further funds for Cactus Club’s Accessibility Initiative (the club was awarded a Ruth Foundation for the Arts grant in April), the Bay View venue will host two big fundraiser shows this summer. The first will find Alicia Bognanno’s acclaimed Sub Pop band Bully returning to the club on Wednesday, July 10 for an intimate and exclusive performance. Tickets are $100 and 50 percent of the funds will go to the Cactus+ Accessibility Initiative.
Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20
Jon Dore @ The Laughing Tap
Comedian and actor Jon Dore is no stranger to Milwaukee, having shared the stage as an opener for such noted comics as Nikki Glaser/The Sklar Brothers in 2015 and then headlining The Laughing Tap in late 2021. Dore will make his Milwaukee return by headlining three shows at the Walker’s Point club July 19-20, where he’ll treat the intimate club’s crowds to road-tested musings, his dry wit, and his Canadian charm.
Tuesday, July 23
Misery Signals + For The Fallen Dreams, Foreign Hands, Trench @ Turner Hall
After more than 20 years, five albums, and thousands of shows in front of adoring fans all over the world, Misery Signals—a project that actually started in Wisconsin—is returning to its home state for one more show. As part of the band’s “Blood Is Forever Love Is Forever Farewell Tour,” Misery Signals will come to Turner Hall on Tuesday, July 23 for a performance that will feature material from much of their catalog and will feature both of the band’s vocalists. Barring an unexpected reunion down the road, this will be your last chance to ever see Misery Signals in Wisconsin.
Thursday, July 25
Sparta @ X-Ray Arcade
If you missed Sparta’s surprise early afternoon Summerfest set a couple years back, you’re in luck! The long-tenured band that spawned from the ashes of At The Drive-In will swing by X-Ray Arcade for a mid-summer show in the Cudahy club. Openers haven’t been announced, but we’re talking about Sparta here! Get those tickets while you can.
Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28
David Cross @ Vivarium
Actor, comedian, two-time Emmy winner, and Mr. Show co-creator David Cross will grace the still-quite-new stage at Vivarium twice in July, with performances scheduled for Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. It’s sure to be positively pumpkinninnky!
Sunday, July 28
Alanis Morissette + Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Morgan Wade @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Almost exactly two years after bringing her “Jagged Little Pill Tour” to Milwaukee’s American Family Insurance Amphitheater, Alanis Morissette will return to the venue on Sunday, July 28. Shows on Morissette’s “Triple Moon Tour” will feature support from Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and Morgan Wade.
Monday, July 29
Snõõper + EvinSpragg, DJ Gosha @ Cactus Club
After taking part in last year’s Beet Street festivities outside Cactus Club, up-and-coming Nashville post-punk project Snõõper has been invited to perform inside the Bay View venue this summer. They’ll headline a Monday, July 29 show that also features EvinSpragg and between-set DJing by Cactus Club’s own Gosha.
Saturday, August 3
Mike Hanford @ Cactus Club (two shows!)
On Saturday, August 3, Mike Hanford—who you surely know from The Birthday Boys, his Comedy Bang! Bang! appearances, and as a member of party rock band The Sloppy Boys—will come to Milwaukee to treat comedy fans at Cactus Club to two standup performances. And your pals at Milwaukee Record are co-presenting! Both shows are 18+ and, since they will be seated events, tickets are very limited.
Wednesday, August 7
blink-182 + Pierce The Veil, Astronoid @ Fiserv Forum
With Tom DeLonge back in the mix and a new album (last year’s ONE MORE TIME) out in the world, culturally transcendent pop-punk mainstays blink-182 are hitting the road (at least) one more time. The aptly-named “One More Time Tour” thankfully includes a Wednesday, August 7 stop at Fiserv Forum, where they’ll treat Milwaukee to songs from the latest album and, if we’re lucky, a steady diet of material from prior releases, too.
Wednesday, August 14
Childish Gambino + Willow @ Fiserv Forum
On Wednesday, August 14, Childish Gambino—the musical alter ego of writer/actor/director Donald Glover—will come to Fiserv Forum as part of “The New World Tour.” The tour comes after the recent release of Atavista, which is a re-imagined version of Gambino’s fourth album, 3.15.20. Willow opens.
Thursday, August 15
Chris Gethard + Eddie Pepitone, Keegan Tindall @ X-Ray Arcade
Chris Gethard is a lot of things. He’s a cult comedy legend, the namesake and former figurehead of The Chris Gethard Show, an actor (who you might know from films like Don’t Think Twice and TV shows like Broad City and The Office), and the host of the Beautiful/Anonymous podcast. He’s also joining forces with another alt-comedy favorite, Eddie “The Bitter Buddha” Pepitone, to co-headline what’s sure to be a hilarious night of standup at X-Ray Arcade.
Thursday, August 22
A-F-R-O + A.M. Early Morning, BLAX, John Jigg$ @ The Cooperage
On Thursday, August 22, The Cooperage will host a stacked hip-hop bill that’s headed up by rapper/actor/wunderkind A-F-R-O, with support from A.M. Early Morning, BLAX, and John Jigg$.
Saturday, August 24
Green Day + The Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, The Linda Lindas @ American Family Field
To honor the 30th anniversary of Dookie, the 20th anniversary of American Idiot, and to support the band’s months-old Saviors, Green Day will step up to the plate, er, stage at American Family Field on Saturday, August 24. They’ll be joined by The Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, and The Linda Lindas.
Guided By Voices + Buffalo Nichols, NEWSKI, Jinksie, The Exotics @ Humboldt Park
Legendary high-kicking Dayton, Ohio indie-rock band Guided By Voices will headline WMSE’s 14th annual Backyard BBQ concert in Humboldt Park. The free—we repeat, free—show will run from noon to 8 p.m., and will once again serve as a thank-you to listeners and supporters of the long-running free-form radio station, as well as a thank-you to the community at large. But that’s not all! A bevy of local talent will play throughout the afternoon as well. The Exotics will kick things off, followed by Jinksie, NEWSKI, and Buffalo Nichols.
Tuesday, August 27
Rob Zombie + Alice Cooper @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Thursday, August 29
Bikini Kill + Shadow Show @ Riverside Theater
After FINALLY managing to get their long-awaited Milwaukee show in last April following three years of postponements, two date changes, and one venue change, Bikini Kill will tempt fate by trying to do another Milwaukee show. If all goes as planned, the legendary riot grrrl pioneers will return to Riverside Theater on Thursday, August 29. Shadow Show will play in support.
Friday, August 30
ESG (Accessibility Initiative Fundraising Concert) @ Cactus Club
In order to raise further funds for Cactus Club’s Accessibility Initiative (the club was awarded a Ruth Foundation for the Arts grant in April), the Bay View venue will host two big fundraiser shows this summer. The second such performance will bring heavily sampled South Bronx disco-punk legends ESG to the club on Friday, August 30 to play their first Wisconsin show ever. These tickets are $150 and 50 percent of the funds will go to the Cactus+ Accessibility Initiative.
Saturday, August 31
The Gaslight Anthem + Joyce Manor, Pinkshift @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Fans of powerful, emotionally wrought punk rock rejoice! The Gaslight Anthem is coming to The Rave/Eagles Club this summer as part of the veteran band’s “History Books Tour,” and they’re bringing Joyce Manor and Pinkshift along for the ride.
Friday, September 6
Mondo Lucha @ Turner Hall
Since starting in 2008, Mondo Lucha has brought high-flying wrestling action, burlesque dancers, and live music to its annual Turner Hall showcase. Along the way, the variety show has managed to work with renowned pro wrestlers, sell out numerous shows, and become a must-attend Milwaukee event. The beloved local variety show returns to its familiar ballroom haunt Friday, September 6!
Monday, September 9
Avril Lavigne + Simple Plan, Girlfriends @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
We don’t want to go and make things so complicated, so we’ll just state it clearly and concisely: Avril Lavigne will headline AmFam Amphitheater on Monday, September 9 as part of the accomplished singer’s “Greatest Hits Tour.” Simple Plan and Girlfriends will play in support.
Tuesday, September 10
Afroman @ X-Ray Arcade
If you’re planning to see Afroman at X-Ray Arcade on Tuesday, September 10, please, please take a lesson from the veteran rapper’s most popular song and refrain from getting high beforehand. We don’t want you to miss out on this show!
Thursday, September 12
Keith Sweat @ Riverside Theater
Longstanding R&B legend Keith Sweat is coming to Riverside Theater on Thursday, September. Who can entertain you like this six-time platinum singer, songwriter, and producer? Nobody.
Saturday, September 14
Charly Bliss @ X-Ray Arcade
Less than a month removed from the release of their new record, Forever, the NYC power pop purveyors in Charly Bliss will drop by X-Ray Arcade in nearby Cudahy for a can’t-miss show that will help summer end in style.