In 2001, two guys started a small show “to celebrate the Atari Jaguar” at a Boy Scout Service Center that drew about 100 gaming enthusiasts. Since that unheralded outset, the event—which was later named Midwest Gaming Classic—has ballooned in popularity and has taken over virtually every square inch of the Brookfield Sheraton for three days every April. After more than 10,000 gamers, pinball nuts, tabletop competitors, and cosplayers milled around the suburban hotel last year, the organizers made the bold decision to bring the Classic to downtown Milwaukee this year.

The move to the Wisconsin Center gives Midwest Gaming Classic more than double the space, which means there’s more room for game play, vendors, and entertainment. In its fourth year booking at the event, A Band Of Gamers Podcast has put together the biggest and arguably the best music lineup yet. This April 14-15, a total of 10 bands, solo artists, and DJs will perform. If you’re looking to give your thumbs a break or want to add some audio accompaniment to the visual stimuli the weekend brings, here’s who you can expect to see.

Saturday, April 14

6 p.m. — Mechanical Life Vein
4:45 p.m. — Arcade Mode
3:30 p.m. — Tigernite (acoustic set)
2:15 p.m. — Faux Fiction (acoustic set)
1 p.m. — Myles Coyne (acoustic set)
11:45 a.m. — Moth Light
10:30 a.m. — Alicia Renee

Sunday, April 15

4 p.m. — Subspace
2:30 p.m. — Zac Shipley
1 p.m. — Kid Yuki And The Otakus

About The Author

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Co-Founder and Editor

Before co-founding Milwaukee Record, Tyler Maas wrote for virtually every Milwaukee publication (except Wassup! Magazine). He lives in Bay View and enjoys both stuff and things.