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 April 21-27, 2025.
MONDAY, APRIL 21
One Funny Hour: Alan Resnick + Anna Seregina @ Cactus Club
“Alan Resnick is a filmmaker, comedian, and visual artist. He has worked with FX and Adult Swim and is known for videos such as Live Forever As You Are Now With Alan Resnick, Unedited Footage of a Bear, This House Has People In It, and The Dream. Resnick’s fractured take on society’s ills has delighted audiences around the world for many years, he is essentially a truth teller who tells it like it is.”
TUESDAY, APRIL 22
Tummyache + Khamsin, HUMID, Barely Civil @ Cactus Club
“Tummyache is a project that blurs the line between band and personal confession, a raw and enigmatic expression crafted by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Soren Bryce. Since its inception in 2018, Tummyache has carved out a space in the DIY scenes of both the United States and the UK, resonating with listeners who feel the weight of systemic struggles and societal expectations. Bryce’s music pulls no punches; her lyrics confront issues of class, privilege, and inner conflict, inviting listeners to face the harsh realities she lays bare.”
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23
Milwaukee Record Presents: Total Recall @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
Nineteen-ninety’s Total Recall stars Arnold Schwarzenegger in one of his most iconic roles. Schwarzenegger is joined by a great supporting cast that includes the likes of Sharon Stone, Rachel Ticotin, Ronny Cox, and Michael Ironside. The Paul Verhoeven-directed film is known for its ahead-of-its-time special effects, its masterful blend of action and comedy, some timeless quotes (“consider that a divorce!”), and being the template for countless futuristic films that have come out in the decades since its release. It ruled 35 years ago and it still rules today.
Dehd + Sweat FM, Merlin Brando @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Cigarettes burn in the moonlight. Necklaces bang against bare chests. And on their triumphant fifth album Poetry, Dehd transports us to a world steeped in imagery. It’s a world painted in the sunset tones of summer romance and flickering old flames. It’s motorcycle chrome (‘Mood Ring’), it’s fake Gucci Sunglasses (‘Dog Days’), and it’s shaking hands before a swaying lover (‘Hard to Love’). Across fourteen songs, the trio–Jason Balla, Emily Kempf, and Eric McGrady–throw themselves against the question of what it means to hope, knowing all too well that things end and hearts can break. ‘You can’t beat death, but you can beat death in life,’ wrote Charles Bukowski and upon listening to this album it’s obvious the band has chosen to attempt the latter.”
Awkward Nerd Events: True Crime Trivia @ Landmark Lanes
THURSDAY, APRIL 24
2025 Milwaukee Film Festival @ Oriental and Downer theatres (through May 8)
The 2025 Milwaukee Film Festival begins…now! From April 24 through May 8, 96 feature films and 112 short films will light up the screens of the Oriental and Downer theatres. Some quick highlights: an Opening Night documentary on Sally Ride; a live-scored screening of 1922’s Nosferatu; a retro screening of Desperately Seeking Susan; documentaries on Brady Street, Wisconsin Dells, the Green Bay punk rock scene, Pavement, Blur, Janis Ian, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Art Spiegelman, Venus Xtravaganza, Linda Perry, Marlee Matlin, Peaches, The Black Keys, house music, and converted Pizza Hut locations; new films from David Cronenberg and Errol Morris; and a LOT more. MFF25 will also feature panel discussions, Q&As, an Opening Night party, the Milwaukee Record-sponsored Cinema Hooligante program, and a Milwaukee Record-created scavenger hunt. Let’s do this!
OK Go + L.A. Exes @ Turner Hall Ballroom (sold out)
“Since their inception, OK Go has been something more than a band and something different from an art project. With a career that includes award-winning videos, New York Times op-eds, collaborations with pioneering dance companies, tech giants, NASA, animators and Muppets, and an experiment that encoded their music on actual strands of DNA, OK Go continues to fearlessly dream and build new worlds in a time when creative boundaries have all but dissolved. Formed as a quartet in Chicago in 1998 and relocated to Los Angeles three years later, OK Go (Damian Kulash, Timothy Nordwind, Dan Konopka, Andy Ross) have spent their career in a steady state of transformation and continue to add to a curriculum vitae filled with experimentation in a variety of mediums. OK Go’s work is in the permanent collection of MoMA, and their achievements have been recognized with twenty-one Cannes Lions, twelve CLIOs, three VMAs, two Webbys, The Smithsonian Ingenuity Award, and a Grammy.”
IshDARR: Old Soul, Young Spirit 10-Year Anniversary @ Cactus Club
“Milwaukee native Ishmael ‘IshDARR’ Ali has made quite a name for himself. Starting in 2014, he has been able to complete three national support tours and one headline international tour. IshDARR has released multiple independent and major successful projects to date. After being the first local artist to headline Summerfest in 2017, ish would take a break for self reflection. Not for long though, the next year his debut feature film White Boy Rick was released globally starring Matthew McConaughey. From here, he would continue working on his craft behind the scenes.”
Smoking Popes + Off With Their Heads, Mulva @ X-Ray Arcade (sold out)
Talk about a one-two punch! Tonight, a pair of prominent pop-punk projects will join forces for a nostalgic night in which Smoking Popes will play their 1994 album Born To Quit in full, and Off With Their Heads will perform 2010’s In Desolation in its entirety. Oh, and it’s sold out!
Marlon Wayans @ Milwaukee Improv (five shows, through April 26)
In addition to being an actor, filmmaker, and one half of the Wayans Brothers, Marlon Wayans is an accomplished comedian. In fact, standup has been his primary focus of late, as he’s released five specials since 2018. As the world waits for Scary Movie 6 and White Chicks 2 (both of which are reportedly in the works), you can catch Wayans in Brookfield when he performs a total of five shows at Milwaukee Improv between April 24 and April 26.
The Tallest Man On Earth (solo) + The Still Tide @ The Pabst Theater
Dusty String Band (single release) + Rich & Dusty @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Paul Giallorenzo Trio @ Sugar Maple
The Bourbon Jockeys @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Big Beat MKE @ Jackalope Lounge
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
Whitty Remarks (record release) + So Zuppy, Melodia @ Cactus Club
How do you sum up the life of someone who’s passed? Do you pay tribute to the big swings—the accomplishments, the relationships, the major life events—or do you remember the smaller moments? Acts of offhand kindness. Unspoken support. An everyday voicemail. That’s the question behind Whitty Remarks’ new Nary A Care LP. Whitty Remarks is Milwaukee musician Travis Whitty, joined by wife Ashlee and a host of local stars. Nary A Care is dedicated to Travis’ father, Patrick, who passed away in 2020. The record finds Travis grappling with his father’s death, celebrating his father’s life, and navigating the rocky road in between.
BoyWithUke + Ethan Bortnick @ The Riverside Theater
“BoyWithUke is finally awake. With Burnout—Charley Yang’s final album under the mysterious moniker that took him around the world from his bedroom—BoyWithUke is ready to trade in the mask and ukulele for a life fully on his own terms. From the moment his Minute Long Songs on TikTok took off in 2020, BoyWithUke’s life has been moving at the speed of light: Tallying nearly 1.5 billion streams, multiple Platinum records, and the most viewed Genius Open Mic video to date (‘Toxic’). He won the hearts of billions online, playing sold-out headline shows internationally, and winning the applause of Billboard, Ones To Watch, and many more.”
Stronger2Gether: The Global Party @ The Cooperage
“Stronger2Gether: The Global PartyThis is a rare opportunity to party with one of Japan’s best. DJ Tom from Osaka Japan, on his US tour, is making his debut in Milwaukee at The Cooperage. A good friend of Milwaukee’s beloved Twan Mack, he has been the DJ for Japan’s Billboard New Year celebration for the past two years. DJ Tom is excited to be in Milwaukee and bring his signature Japanese sound of crowd pleasing hip hop to get you moving.”
Riverboat Gamblers + The Evictions, Daniel James Gang @ Club Garibaldi
Jon Wood Presents: Milwaukee’s Best @ The Estate (two shows)
The Hungry Williams (w/ swing dance lessons) @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Don Black @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
Michelada Fest @ Zócalo Food Park
“Get ready, Milwaukee! The inaugural Michelada Fest is coming to Zócalo Food Park on Saturday, April 26, 2025, bringing together the city’s best Micheladas, an exhilarating boxing show, live music, and local food trucks for an unforgettable community celebration. This exciting event will feature the Best of Milwaukee Michelada Competition, where top local bars and restaurants will battle for the title of Best Michelada in town. Attendees will have the chance to taste unique variations of this beloved beer cocktail while enjoying a lively atmosphere filled with music, boxing, great food, and community spirit.”
Kathleen Madigan @ The Pabst Theater (two shows)
“The pub is open! Kathleen Madigan is bringing The Day Drinking Tour to the Pabst Theater for TWO shows filmed live! With a 33 year career that’s showing no signs of slowing down, multiple specials (shout out to Bother Jesus filmed at…you guessed it, The Pabst Theater!) and a hilarious art of crafting the perfect jokes, you don’t want to miss this.”
Fancy Night: Modern Joey + Moonglow, Stone Theory, Sulestial @ Mad Planet
“After three absolute knockouts thanks to you all, Modern Joey returns for their fourth and FINAL night of their residency series. It’s gonna be fun, it’s gonna be rockin’, and it’s sure gonna be FANCY. That’s right folks, grab your Sunday best, because this sure ain’t Casual Friday…it’s FANCY NIGHT. Joining the bill are Milwaukee favorites Moonglow, making their return to the Mad Planet stage, and Kenosha rockers Stone Theory for their Mad Planet debut! And don’t forget Sulestial on the tunes as our DJ for the evening! Get your suits pressed now, we’re gettin’ FANCY!”
Your Pest Band + Chinese Telephones, Joey Turbø, Obsess Tact, Robits @ Quarters Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace
Foxy Shazam + The Number 12 Looks Like You, Lobby Boxer, Hot Fix Sideshow @ X-Ray Arcade
Chair In The Sky: The Jazz Side of Joni Mitchell @ The Estate (two shows)
SUNDAY, APRIL 27
Stop Making Sense: A film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads live event hosted by Jerry Harrison @ The Pabst Theater
“Newly restored in 4K to coincide with its 40th anniversary, the 1984 film was directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme and is considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time. Starring band members David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison and Tina Weymouth (along with their incredible touring musicians), the live performance was shot at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater and features Talking Heads’ most memorable songs. The live event will feature a public screening of the re-release and hosted by co-star Jerry Harrison who will deliver introductory remarks, post screening comments and audience Q&A.”
Frank Caliendo @ Milwaukee Improv
“Comedian, actor, and impressionist Frank Caliendo has been making people laugh his entire life. He is well known for his impressions of famous personalities Donald Trump, Morgan Freeman, Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Robert DeNiro; politicians George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama; broadcasters John Madden, Charles Barkley and Jon Gruden; and talk show hosts Dr. Phil, Jay Leno, and David Letterman.”
Nerdwaukee Artist Alley @ Pilot Project
Awkward Nerd Events is celebrating all things 2D art during its popular Nerdwaukee Artist Alley event. They city’s “premier geek-themed craft fair” will feature a variety of visual art, stickers, buttons, and other goods that range from anime to pop art. The event is free, and Pilot Project will have food and drinks available for purchase.
Blessing Of The Bock 2025 @ Falcon Hall
Urban Heat + [:SITD:], No Motel, DJ Dance Commander, Night Ritualz @ X-Ray Arcade
Disaster Kid + Well + Good, Health Club, Royal Mill @ Cactus Club
Walker’s Point Makers Market & Bar Hop @ various locations
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