Remember when the end of summer was also kinda-sorta a signal for things slowing down in Milwaukee entertainment? Those were simpler (and much more boring) times. Thankfully, there are also a ton of musicians, comedians, and other entertainers coming to town during the first full month of fall. And that’s not even counting recurring Milwaukee Record events like our Halftime Show series, Avalon film screenings, and Midweek Music concerts. There’s a wealth of great shows and festivals coming to the greater Milwaukee area in October. Here are 16 standouts from the bunch.
Friday, October 3
Re-Animator 40th Anniversary Screening And Q&A With Jeffrey Combs
There’s no film quite like 1985’s Re-Animator. Is it a horror film? A comedy? A Frankenstein/”mad scientist” spoof? A horror-comedy-Frankenstein/”mad scientist”-spoof? Whatever it is, it’s an absolute hoot. And a 40th anniversary, 4K screening of it is coming to Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater on Friday, October 3—complete with a post-film Q&A session with iconic star Jeffrey Combs! “What would a note say, Dan? ‘Cat dead, details later’?”
Saturday, October 4
Beet Street Harvest Festival @ Cactus Club
The Bay View block party—hosted by Cactus Club, Palomino, and Goodkind—is set to bring about a day of live music, local food and retail vendors, community organizations, and pie-based competition to a parcel of Wentworth and Potter avenues outside the aforementioned businesses. The family-friendly event will run from 1-7 p.m., with an 18+ after party to take place at Cactus Club once Beet Street concludes. See the whole music, food and vendor lineup HERE.
Sunday, October 5
Adam Sandler @ Fiserv Forum
You know what’s great? Adam Sandler. You know what else is great? Seeing Adam Sandler when he brings his “You’re My Best Friend Tour” to Milwaukee’s Fiserv Form on Sunday, October 5. If seeing Adam Sandler is cool, consider us Miles Davis. LET’S GO.
Sunday, October 5
The Beaches + Fightmaster @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Just over a month after releasing its latest album, the excellent and single-laden No Hard Feelings, Canadian rock outfit The Beaches will swing through Milwaukee to play songs from that new effort (and possibly its two other records) at The Rave / Eagles Club. Fightmaster opens.
Monday, October 6
Milwaukee Record’s “Roast Of Milwaukee” @ The Cooperage
Milwaukee Record’s long-running Roast Of Milwaukee event is back! Like previous years, the event—which is done in association with the Milwaukee Comedy Festival—will feature a stacked cast of local comedians gently (or, in some cases, viciously) making fun of our fair city. Joining the homegrown humorists is host Kristin Brey of WTMJ and As Goes Wisconsin fame, as well as a handful of surprises. And the laughs won’t just be at the expense of Milwaukee. A portion of the show’s proceeds will be donated to Milwaukee Women’s Center.
Tuesday, October 7
Bob Mould + David Barbe @ Shank Hall
Within six months of his latest Milwaukee appearance (April 18 at Turner Hall), Bob Mould—he of Hüsker Dü, Sugar, and solo fame—will return to town sans band for a Shank Hall appearance that’s being billed as “Bob Mould Solo Electric: Here We Go Crazy.” David Barbe opens.
Tuesday, October 7 through Sunday, October 12
Milwaukee Comedy Festival @ various locations
Originating long before the city had anything resembling a sustainable comedy community, Milwaukee Comedy Festival has grown and evolved along with Milwaukee’s standup scene. Along the way, the annual comedic undertaking has also brought in noted national talent to headline some of its shows. This year’s festival—which will be taking place October 7-12—is no different, as Patton Oswalt, Aparna Nancherla, Sean Patton, Punkie Johnson, and more will take part in the 20th annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival along with great local comics and up-and-coming humorists from all over the country.
Friday, October 10
Lorde @ UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
Saturday, October 11
Flannel Fest @ Boone & Crockett / The Cooperage
Boone & Crockett’s “Flannel Fest” will return for its fourth in-person installment on Saturday, October 11. Enjoy live music (including a Platinum Boys reunion/last show!), food vendors, and local retailers in the Boone/Cooperage lot during this free, family-friendly festival. HERE is the full lineup and everything else you need to know.
Tuesday, October 14
Saxsquatch + DJ Teach @ Shank Hall
When it comes to projects that consist of a Bigfoot costume-wearing musician playing saxophone-based covers of songs you know and love, Saxsquatch might be the best in the biz. Between the sheer spectacle and the legitimate display of musical prowess (which many raved about after witnessing it at this year’s Summerfest), you won’t want to miss your opportunity to see this viral sensation at Shank Hall.
Friday, October 17
Brandy & Monica: The Boy Is Mine Tour @ Fiserv Forum
Individually, Brandy and Monica have each been responsible for a steady stream of chart-climbing hits and have enjoyed careers that have endured for decades. Together the stars combined for one of the biggest songs of the late 1900s, which won both of them a Grammy. For the first time ever, this pair of R&B powerhouses will join forces on a co-headlining tour. The second stop on their “The Boy Is Mine Tour” will take place right here in Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum. Brandy and Monica will be joined by Kelly Rowland (of Destiny’s Child fame), Muni Long, and 2025 American Idol winner Jamal Roberts.
Friday, October 17
Talib Kweli @ Miramar Theatre
Last year, hip-hop icon, activist, and Blackstar member Talib Kweli performed a concert outside Marcus Performing Arts Center. This year, he’ll take things indoors to the intimate setting of Miramar Theatre. Don’t miss this opportunity to see this rap legend in the company of, like, 400 other people.
Saturday, October 18
Neko Case + Des Demonas @ Pabst Theater
When Neko Case sings, you listen. Also, when Neko Case graces one of Milwaukee’s finest venues, you show up. Whether alone or with The New Pornographers, Case is a monumental talent with a monumental voice. Her latest solo album, Neon Grey Midnight Green, comes out September 26. About three weeks later, she’ll return to Pabst Theater to play in support of that brand new record. Des Demonas opens.
Sunday, October 19
Peter Mulvey + Katie Dahl, Kat Wodtke @ Anodyne Coffee’s Walker’s Point Roastery
Over the course of his 35-year music career, Peter Mulvey has released more than 20 albums, written hundreds of songs, played thousands of shows all over the world, shared bills with a wealth of notable performers, and helped to enact change though his efforts as an activist and environmentalist. Before the Massachusetts-based singer and songwriter was gathering experiences and sharing his perspective with audiences spread far and wide, he was growing up in Milwaukee. He’ll return to his hometown to perform at Anodyne’s Walker’s Point Roastery with Katie Dahl and Kat Wodtke on Sunday, October 19.
Saturday, October 25
JOEY BADA$$ + Ab-Soul, Rapsody @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Fresh off the release of his outstanding and shapeshifting album Lonely At The Top, hip-hop mainstay and Mr. Robot series regular JOEY BADA$$ will swing by The Rave as part of his ongoing Dark Aura Tour. Mr. BADA$$ will be joined on the bill bu Ab-Soul and Rapsody.
Monday, October 27
The Dollop @ Turner Hall Ballroom
In case you’re not among the show’s millions of listeners: The Dollop is a popular podcast wherein comedian Dave Anthony reads a story from American history to his friend, Gareth Reynolds, who doesn’t know what the topic is about. Only time will tell what locally focused topic they discuss during their Turner Hall return, but it’s sure to be informative, entertaining, and likely to draw parallels between how bad things were throughout history and how absolutely terrible the world continues to be today. The show is also a homecoming of sorts for Reynolds, a devout Packer Backer who originally hails from Brown Deer and got his start at ComedySportz.
Friday, October 31
Gold Steps (split set) @ Ope! Brewing
Milwaukee pop-punk outfit Gold Steps contains multitudes. They’re not only one of the city’s most entertaining and all-around best original acts going right now. They also occasionally moonlight as Crush Crush Crush, one of the best Paramore tribute acts out there. You can get the best of both worlds at Ope! Brewing on Halloween when the band treats the West Allis taproom to a full set of Gold Steps tunes and a full set of Paramore hits on the same night.