Milwaukee is chock full of things to do, but only a handful of Milwaukee events are worthy of the lofty honor of “Record Recommended” (patent pending). Here are our recommendations—brought to you by Lilliput Records—for February 12-18, 2024.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Briston Maroney + Phoebe Go @ Turner Hall
“Fans of Hippo Campus, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Flipturn…Briston Maroney is bringing his dreamy indie tunes to Turner Hall Ballroom. Don’t miss his high energy, inclusive and full of heart live show!”
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets @ Fiserv Forum
Giannis vs. Jokić!
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Matthew Sweet @ Shank Hall
Veteran singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet will swing by Milwaukee the night before Valentine’s Day to play an intimate set at Shank Hall that’s sure to feature material that spans various points of his prolific career.
The Kills + The Paranoyds @ The Rave / Eagles Club
The Kills! In Milwaukee! Nice!
MMB ENT + ZuesRLR, Jalapenonative, Skymall, Ve9us @ Cactus Club
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Lonely Hearts Honky Tonk @ Cactus Club
The second annual Lonely Hearts Honky Tonk brings some of the city’s best musicians in the folk/Americana/country realms together for one can’t-miss Valentine’s Day showcase. This year’s event includes Long Mama, Jesse Walker’s Hitch, Maximiano, Dandy L. Freling, Kati Ketchever, and Steph Lippert.
Plain White T’s + Pollyanna @ The Rave/Eagles Club
As chance would have it, Plain White T’s will be stopping in Milwaukee on Valentine’s Day. Take that special someone with you to The Rave to hear “Here There Delilah” played live. Now that’s romance!
Valentine’s Day Roast @ Milwaukee Improv
As they say, “you only roast the ones you love.” Some of Milwaukee’s best comics will do just that when they trade barbs out in Brookfield at Milwaukee Improv’s Valentine’s Day Roast.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Truth Club + Operations, Buena Cara @ Cactus Club
North Carolina indie rock outfit Truth Club swings by Cactus Club to head up a great midweek bill that features local support from Operations and Buena Cara.
Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience @ Marcus Performing Arts Center
Joe Dombrowski @ Milwaukee Improv
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16
X-Ray Arcade’s 5-Year Anniversary Party @ X-Ray Arcade
It’s tough to remember a time before X-Ray Arcade. Frankly, we don’t want to think about it. Thankfully, the Cudahy arcade and concert venue opened in early 2019 and has hosted some truly unforgettable shows that very likely would’ve otherwise skipped the region altogether. Celebrate five years of X-Ray on February 16 with a blend of bands, DJs, and other surprises. And here’s to many, many more years to come!
HOSTS @ Third Space Brewing
Third Space Brewing is celebrating the release of its new year-round amber called “Pretty Good” with a party that features the Roll MKE food truck and a free show from Milwaukee indie-Americana outfit HOSTS.
All Messed Up XII Night 1 @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
All hail the return of Milwaukee’s “annual randomized musical experiment,” All Messed Up! The two-night extravaganza will feature a total of 16 new bands that were created via random drawing back in December. Friday night showcases the musical stylings of Brown Water Rations, Slutty Shel Silverstein, The Cheeseheads And Mary Jane, and more.
The Whiskeybelles @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Jackie Fabulous @ The Laughing Tap
Preacher Lawson @ Milwaukee Improv (two shows!)
MKE Music Night with TLALOK + Adventure Circus, Midnight Hound @ Company Brewing
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Greg Cartwright + Ellie Jackson, Connor LaMue, DJs Heebz N Ceebz @ Cactus Club
Just a few months removed from a Cactus Club doubleheader back in November, the great Greg Cartwright of Reigning Sound and The Compulsive Gamblers fame will return to the Bay View venue to—with the help of “The Good Nights” backing band of Milwaukee music all-stars—head up a loaded show that also features loaded support from Ellie Jackson and Connor LaMue. Hell yes.
Chris Novak Spectacular with Astral Hand + Wonderful Bluffer, Pink Halo @ The Cooperage
Milwaukee music super-fan and all-around great guy Christopher Novak has long celebrated his birthday by giving local listeners a gift in the form of one heck of a concert. This year’s loaded lineup includes Astral Hand, Wonderful Bluffer, and Pink Halo taking the stage at The Cooperage.
Valentine’s Comedy Sampler @ ComedySportz
Get a night of comedy you’re going to love at ComedySportz as Milwaukee stand-up legend Chastity Washington joins some of the city’s best improvisers at the Valentine’s Comedy Sampler. Oh, and the money from ticket sales will be donated to Meta House. Also, the $10 cover is discounted to just $5 with the donation of a personal hygiene item for Meta House.
All Messed Up XII Night 2 @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
All hail the return of Milwaukee’s “annual randomized musical experiment,” All Messed Up! The two-night extravaganza will feature a total of 16 new bands that were created via random drawing back in December. Friday night showcases the musical stylings of Bathrobes ‘n’ Boxers, The Bag Lickers, Rockodile, and more.
Sad Boy Saturday @ X-Ray Arcade
JP Cyr & The Ramblin’ Kind + Matt “MF” Tyner @ Anodyne Coffee Roasters
Bruce Humphries & The Rockabilly Rebels @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Jackie Fabulous @ The Laughing Tap (two shows!)
Preacher Lawson @ Milwaukee Improv (two shows!)
Don’t Tell Comedy @ The Fitzgerald
The Get Down @ Quarters Rock ‘n Roll Palace
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Scarlet Demore + Floats, Demo Division, Mizzy @ X-Ray Arcade
Have a Sunday funday with Scarlet Demore. The Chicago indie band will be joined at X-Ray Arcade by the likes of Floats, Demo Division, and Mizzy.