September is a time of transition. This month finds summer officially giving way to fall. This month also signals the informal end of Milwaukee’s festival season. Though the seasonal shift brings about a decline of outdoor events in town, local clubs and theaters are escalating the volume and the caliber of talent they book in effort to keep the entertainment coming as the temperatures outside dip. That said, Milwaukee isn’t exactly ending this summer with a whimper or limping into autumn. Even beyond Bay View Bash and the start of our Halftime Show concert series, there’s a lot to keep you entertained this month. Here are some of our favorites.
Thursday, September 4
Alabama Shakes + Sam Evian @ Miller High Life Theatre
You really don’t know just how special a group like Alabama Shakes is until they’re gone. Following an eight-year hiatus, the incomparable Brittany Howard-helmed rock band is back and, thankfully, touring once again. They’ll stop at Milwaukee’s Miller High Life Theatre as part of said comeback tour. Sam Evian will open.
Saturday, September 6
Milwaukee Polka Riot @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
It’ll be a good old fashioned polka party at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn when Milwaukee Polka Riot returns for over six hours of genre-specific celebration. The Polkaholics, Sigmund Snopek III, Good Friends Klezmer Band, The Frantastic Sound System, and November Criminals will bring the tunes. DJ Shotski and DJ Brumeister will keep the music going between bands.
Friday, September 12
Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band @ Miller High Life Theatre
Let’s just come out and say it: Ringo Starr is great. He’s a living legend, a comforting presence in a world gone mad, and a genius drummer (arguments over that last point in the comments below, please). So who’s in Ringo’s ever-changing All Starr Band this time around? How about Colin Hay (“Who Can It Be Now”), Steve Lukather (“Africa”), Hamish Stuart (“Pick Up The Pieces”), and more. So yeah: THE DUDE FROM TOTO WILL TOTALLY PLAY “AFRICA.” Also, Ringo will play “Matchbox” and “With A Little Help From My Friends,” obviously.
Saturday, September 13
HAIM + Dora Jar @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Este, Danielle, and Alana—who the planet simply knows as HAIM—just released their fourth album. Despite the new record being called I Quit, the band is still very active. In fact, HAIM will be coming to The Rave / Eagles Club on Saturday, September 13 in support of that very album. Dora Jar will open.
Saturday, September 13
Strummerfest MKE 2025 @ Club Garibaldi
Musicians from all corners of the Milwaukee scene will honor Joe Strummer with their own adaptations of The Clash, The Pogues, and other material from the legend’s iconic career when the annual Strummerfest MKE returns to Club Garibaldi on Saturday, September 13.
Wednesday, September 17
Milwaukee Record Presents ‘Wet Hot American Summer’ @ Avalon Theater
Join us at Avalon Theater to watch the incomparably funny film that so many fell in love with long after its bewilderingly brief theatrical run. Yep! We’re showing Wet Hot American Summer at Avalon Theater again. If you want to see Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Janeane Garofalo, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Meloni, Molly Shannon, Ken Marino, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, a vegetable can-voicing H. Jon Benjamin, and so many more in some of their most memorable roles, make it your beeswax to be there at 7 p.m.
Friday, September 19
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 19!
Thursday, September 25
Spanish Love Songs + Bike Routes, World’s Greatest Dad @ Falcon Bowl
Last September, Spanish Love Songs came to The Rave to perform as direct support for Alkaline Trio. Almost exactly one year later (nearly to the day!), the Los Angels rock outfit will return to Milwaukee to headline a show at Falcon Bowl’s historic Falcon Hall. Bike Routes and World’s Greatest Dad will open.
Thursday, September 25
An Evening With Phil Rosenthal Of ‘Somebody Feed Phil’ @ Pabst Theater
As the host and namesake of the extremely popular Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil, Phil Rosenthal has traveled to all corners of the globe and indulged in innumerable culinary delicacies along the way. The Everybody Loves Raymond creator will stop by Milwaukee—a locale he’s yet to visit in his series—to treat a Pabst Theater audience to tales from his epicurean adventures and engage in other bits of food-focused discussion.
Saturday, September 27
The Queens @ Fiserv Forum
See four music legends sharing one stage when The Queens come to Fiserv Forum on Saturday, September 27. Said legends include Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, and Stephanie Mills. Need we say more? (That was a rhetorical question.)
Sunday, September 28
Dry Cleaning + Infinity Knives, Brian Ennals @ Cactus Club
It isn’t every day that lauded UK post-punk outfit Dry Cleaning comes to the cozy confines of the Cactus Club, so don’t miss your chance to catch ’em when they come to the intimate Bay View venue on Sunday, September 28. Infinity Knives and Brian Ennals will play in support.
Sunday, September 28
A Visit From ‘Portlandia’ With Fred And Carrie @ Pabst Theater
The dream of the 2010s will be alive in Milwaukee when Pabst Theater gets “A Visit From Portlandia” on Sunday, September 28. Spend an evening with Portlandia stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein as they engage in a night of “storytelling, jokes, conversation, and more.”
Tuesday, September 30
Gareth Reynolds @ Milwaukee Improv
Brown Deer, Wisconsin native and ComedySportz alum Gareth Reynolds is best known as the co-host of The Dollop, a popular American history podcast that’s brought him to perform in places like Iceland, Australia, throughout Europe, and all corners of the United States. On top of being a world-renowned podcast personality and a writer whose credits include contributions on celebrated comedies like Arrested Development and You’re The Worst, Reynolds is also and avid touring stand up comedian. He’ll return to the region for a homecoming show at Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield on Tuesday, September 30.