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 for August 17-23, 2026.
MONDAY, AUGUST 17
Musical Mondays: The Kal Bergendahl Project ft. Faith Hatch @ Lake Park Summer Stage
“The Kal Bergendahl Project is a six-piece instrumental jazz-funk band powered by a three-piece horn section. This top Milwaukee-based group will perform originals as well as jazz standards featuring up-and-coming vocalist Faith Hatch.”
Sugar Bush @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Want to enjoy a night of music from members of Chicken Wire Empire, The MilBillies, and a “rotation of other bluegrass players”? Then this Sugar Bush show at Ope! Brewing Co. is the place to be!
Heart(beats) Of The City: Jenny Thiel Group @ Red Arrow Park
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
Chill On The Hill: The November Criminals + Obscure Birds @ Humboldt Park
It’s a Chill On The Hill that has it all: music from Milwaukee’s number-one non-ironic polka hip-hop band The November Criminals (preceded by indie-rock band Obscure Birds), a live remote from WMSE’s Local/Live (featuring Milwaukee Record’s own Matt Wild), and the usual CotH goodness. Food vendors begin vending at 5 p.m.! Music begins music-ing at 6:30 p.m.! And remember: IF IT MAKES A CLOUD, IT’S NOT ALLOWED. (Shout-out to Dick Buschmann.)
Theory Of A Deadman + Sevendust, Return To Dust @ The Rave / Eagles Club
“A partnership over two decades in the making, Theory Of A Deadman and Sevendust are teaming up for ‘The Dead / Seven Tour.’ This 36-date co-headline trek promises to be more than just another show. It’s an unforgettable evening comprised of hard rock anthems, raw energy, and decades of fan-favorite hits. Whether you’ve been with them since day one or just found your new favorite track, this tour promises to deliver it all!”
Empire Of The Sun + Polo & Pan, Midnight Generation @ BMO Pavilion
Lightnin’ Luke + Yes Ma’am, Jayke Orvis, Fangerlis @ X-Ray Arcade
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
Milwaukee Record Presents: Adaptation @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
Hey! We’re screening Adaptation, the fantastic Spike Jonze film from 2002! It’s a deliriously meta story that follows real-life screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) and his not-so-real-life twin brother Donald (Nicolas Cage) as the former struggles to adapt a book from real-life author Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep) and the latter blunders his way through his own script about a serial killer or something. It’s fantastic stuff, and should be an absolute hoot on the big screen. Get your tickets NOW!
Milwaukee Night Market @ Wisconsin Avenue, between 2nd and Vel R. Phillips
“International Flavor Night invites attendees to travel around the world right from West Wisconsin Avenue with an eclectic assortment of vendors and performances that represent different cultures, styles and flavors. Over at Clover Corner, you’ll find a variety of food trucks serving up delicious bites at the Market, along with tables and seating to enjoy their meals while listening to music from the FPC Live Unplugged tent. Vel R. Phillips Plaza will have yard games and additional tables for attendees to relax and enjoy the night. As you keep heading west on the Plaza, you’ll find Draft & Co. and even more vendors!”
Washington Park Wednesdays: Ben Mulwana & The Village + The New Gray @ Washington Park Bandshell
Wonderful Wednesdays: Little Miss Ann @ Lake Park Summer Stage
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
ArtBlaze @ McKinley Beach
Milwaukee is absolutely loaded with summer festivals, fairs, music series, and more. In the “more” category is ArtBlaze, a FREE beach and beach-adjacent series featuring music, dance, yoga, family-friendly activities, food (including s’mores!) and a giant inflatable art installation from the giant inflatable art installation experts at FuzzPop Workshop. The series wraps up its 2026 season this week with music from Fuzzysurf, The Quilz, Barefoot Mike, and more.
A La Carte At The Zoo @ Milwaukee County Zoo (through August 23)
The Milwaukee County Zoo is celebrating the 40th year of A La Carte at the Zoo in 2026, and it’s doing so in style. The four-day, multi-stage blowout will feature music from national headliners like lovelytheband, Chris Lane, jackrabbit (featuring Dermot Mulroney), and Tank And The Bangas. Oh, and it’ll also feature music from a TON of local stars like The Hallelujah Ward, Group Of The Altos, Emmitt James, Wave Chapelle and NilexNile, Hanna Simone, Allison Mahal, Alley Eyes, Bellends, Zach Pietrini, Gego y Nony, BLOOD, Modern Tigers, Mol Sullivan, dak duBois, De La Buena, and MANY more. Find the full musical lineup HERE.
Ron Funches @ Turner Hall Ballroom
We’ve been longtime fans of the incomparable Ron Funches—recapping two previous Turner Hall appearances and interviewing him back in 2017—and, like much of the world lately, we’ve loved seeing him on the most recent season of The Traitors as one of our favorite…well, no spoilers. Despite being fans of his work in the realms of television—reality or otherwise—and his extensive TV/movie voiceover résumé (including BoJack Horseman, Adventure Time, Harley Quinn, Trolls, Inside Out 2, Bob’s Burgers, and more), we’re eagerly awaiting the opportunity to watch Funches get back on stage to do what he does best.
Gladys Knight @ The Pabst Theater
Just shy of a year removed from coming to Fiserv Forum as 25-percent of “The Queens” tour that also featured Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and Stephanie Mills, the great and timeless Gladys Knight returns to Milwaukee to perform at The Pabst Theater.
Lion’s Tooth + Milwaukee Record Music Book Club: Spanish Punk: Screaming For Democracy In A Postdictatorial State by David Vila Diéguez @ Lion’s Tooth
Do you like books? Do you like music? Do you like books about music? Then you’re in luck, because we’ve partnered with beloved Bay View bookstore Lion’s Tooth for the Lion’s Tooth + Milwaukee Record Music Book Club! How does it work? Just stop by Lion’s Tooth on the third Thursday of the month, from 6-8 p.m., and discuss a new music-related book. That’s it!
Fresh Coast Jazz Festival @ The Pabst Theater (through August 22)
Anything You Want + Heavy Bend, Bowvee @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Lounj Acts: Long Line Riders @ The Wicked Hop
Julia Graves (record release) + John Stanford, The Panoptics @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Liam Kazar + Sima Cunningham @ Cactus Club
Cathedral Square Market @ Cathedral Square Park
Jazz In The Park: Platinum @ Cathedral Square Park
Música del Lago: De La Buena @ Colectivo (lakefront)
Jazz At The Vine: Milwaukee Jazz Institute Night @ Humboldt Park
Edelweiss Concert Cruise Series: The Unrulies @ Milwaukee River, 205 W. Highland Ave.
Thursday Bike Nights: Wire And Nail @ Harley-Davidson Museum Campus
Tunes@Noon: The Kal Bergendahl Project @ Courtyard of 411 East Wisconsin Center
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
Mexican Fiesta @ Henry Maier Festival Park (through August 23)
“Join in on the fun as we celebrate three days of fun, food, Mariachi, and Fiesta for everyone. Mexican Fiesta is more than just a celebration; it is a vigorous declaration of community spirit at its best. Education is the key to the future, and through scholarship awards, the festival becomes the gateway to young Hispanics taking their rightful place in society by continuing education. Mexican Fiesta is a cultural foundation concentrating on providing education and cultural events for the growing Hispanic community. Our festival honors culture, tradition, and family. Mexican Fiesta encourages individuals from all ethnic backgrounds to share in the beauty of Mexico’s rich history, art, music, and food.”
The 4th Annual Emmitt James Big Band BBQ @ Turner Hall Ballroom
The ever-active Emmitt James is always up to something, but since the hip-hop/jazz musician moved back to his native Milwaukee from Los Angeles just over four years ago, his annual “Big Band BBQ” has pretty much been his Super Bowl. After three successful installments at Third Space Brewing, the fourth annual affair will bring a 20-piece band (!!!) to Turner Hall for a can’t-miss performance. Making it even more can’t-miss, James has teased that this year’s BBQ will be his last.
Jake McKelvie + Caley Conway, Liv Mueller @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“Jake McKelvie has traveled the DIY touring circuit in the US and UK for over a decade, carving out a niche for himself as a songwriter and performer. Known for his off-kilter and whimsical ‘stream of self-consciousness’ lyricism and charming stage demeanor, he keeps audiences engaged both as a solo performer or with his newly minted backing band, ‘the New Old Band.’ He released his latest LP A New Kind Of Hat in 2024 and has been touring in support of that since.”
Faded Places + Modern Tigers (dual record release), Shadseeker, SSAANN @ Falcon Hall
fallfiftyfeet + Bird Law, .zipbomb, Agita @ MKeUltra
Nemesis Engine + Prog XP, Widacre, 9Eyes @ The Argo
Vacation Manor + Nolen Durham @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
The Black Moods + Kitty Soft Paw @ Shank Hall
Chad Clark + Nicholas Elert/Steve Gallam, Owen Davies @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
Deer District Summer Concert Series: Catelyn Huckstep @ The Deer Garden
Music On The Beerline: Sugo @ Beerline Trail
Sounds Of Summer: Stone Jam Band @ Bayshore (The Yard)
Summer Sounds: Southern Accents + The Roadies @ Cedar Creek Park, Cedarburg
Friday Night Retro Mixtape: DJs Sage “Champagne” Schwarm + Mosh Wah @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
WMSE Backyard BBQ @ Humboldt Park
WMSE’s annual Backyard BBQ music festival has featured some big names in recent years: Guided By Voices in 2023, Bob Mould in 2024, and Braid in 2025. And hey! The 2026 names are equally big! The independent radio station’s 16th annual Backyard BBQ will feature a night-closing DJ set from none other than Sylvan Esso—a.k.a. Amelia Meath and Milwaukee prodigal son Nick Sanborn. Legendary North Carolina indie-rock band Superchunk will play immediately before the Sylvan Esso DJ set. Midwest blues artist Ivy Ford will open the day, followed by Milwaukee’s own Known Moons and Field Report. WMSE DJs will spin throughout the day. That’s a hell of a lineup!
Social Cig + Headband Henny, Bowvee, Sulestial @ Mad Planet
“Saturday, August 22, we are hosting a special end of summer live show, featuring the rockin’ musical stylings of Social Cig, Headband Henny, Bowvee, and Sulestial. Born and brewed in Wisconsin, Social Cig is the ‘Midwest indie skate rock’ project of Parker Schultz. Social Cig will be joined by Headband Henny, rising R&B/hip-hop star from Kalamazoo, local indie rock band, Bowvee, and galaxy funk band, Sulestial.”
Chapped Lips + Touchdown Jesus, Yolk, Aergo @ Cactus Club
“Chapped Lips is a four-piece alternative rock band based in Milwaukee (originally from Sheboygan). Power pop, funk, blues, and punk all get thrown into a high-voltage blender. FFO The Strokes, Foxygen, Stephen Malkmus.”
Dizgo + Hot Like Mars, Wonderful Bluffer @ The Argo
Key Of Evil + Moon Rebels, Hotell @ MKeUltra
Rap J + Darrin Alston, Riz, DJ DSCRIBE @ Shank Hall
Current Sounds: The Belle Weather @ Lakefront Brewery
South Shore Farmers’ Market: Bo Randall Band @ South Shore Park
Summer Night Movies: Jurassic World Rebirth @ Veterans Park
Goth Barge Presents: Post Modern Sleaze @ X-Ray Arcade
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
Jesse James DeConto + Brandon Reisdorf, Ben Mulwana @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“The Pinkerton Raid’s songwriter Jesse James DeConto has been a dad since he was 24 years old. He spent the first two-and-a-half decades of this new millennium raising two kids with their mom and now their step-mom and his big, extended family. Themes of fatherhood have sprouted up throughout his six previous full-length albums, but never with the focus you’ll find on If You Love Somebody, Tell Them.
Maribelle Holmes + The Upside, John Gorman, Chris Darby @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“Maribelle Holmes is a nonbinary Milwaukee mom who began as a poet and picked up guitar, now they have an album out called evolve or repeat with a goal of helping people heal through music.”
Damager + Oh Well Ok, Heavy Bend @ Cactus Club
Current Sounds: 5pm To Nowhere @ Lakefront Brewery
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