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 August 25-31, 2025.
MONDAY, AUGUST 25
Musical Mondays: R&B Cadets @ Lake Park Summer Stage
It’s the final Musical Monday of the season! Head over to the Lake Park Summer Stage one last time, and enjoy the always fantastic sounds of Milwaukee summer staples The R&B Cadets! See you next year, Musical Mondays!
Linkin Park + Jean Dawson @ Fiserv Forum
“After a year of monumental returns and record-breaking milestones, Linkin Park—Mike Shinoda, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, Joe Hahn, Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain—announce From Zero World Tour will stop at Fiserv Forum on August 25 with special guest Jean Dawson. The tour celebrates its new album, From Zero, out now HERE via Warner Records. Its 2024 arena run was met with incredible demand, prompting the addition of four stadium dates in Paris, Dallas and São Paulo. Now, fans worldwide will have even more chances to experience Linkin Park’s s raw, high-octane performances with an expanded tour schedule in 2025.”
Steve Earle (solo acoustic) + Lurrie Bell @ The Pabst Theater
“Steve Earle is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. A protege of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, he quickly became a master storyteller in his own right, with his songs being recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, The Pretenders, and countless others.”
Boy Jr. + Kopps, Tiny Vamp, Ellee Grim @ X-Ray Arcade
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26
Chill On The Hill: De La Buena + Fellow Kinsman @ Humboldt Park
It’s the final Chill On The Hill of the season! Head over to the Humboldt Park Bandshell one last time, and enjoy the always fantastic sounds of Milwaukee summer staple De La Buena! Indie act Fellow Kinsman, which has released a pair of new singles this summer, opens. See you next year, Chill On The Hill!
The Crooner & The Cowboy: Leon Bridges + Charley Crockett, Noeline Hofmann @ BMO Pavilion
Riverwalk Commons Concert Series: Radio Radio @ Milwaukee Public Market
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
Summer Of Soul: Septeto Charambo + Gego y Nony, DJ Kenny Perez @ Marcus Performing Arts Center (Peck Pavilion)
It’s the final Summer Of Soul of the season! Head over to the Peck Pavilion outside the Marcus Center one last time, and enjoy the always fantastic sounds of salsa band Septeto Charambo, and the ridiculously high energy of reggaeton group Gego y Nony! See you next year, Summer Of Soul!
Bellied Up Podcast Live: Charlie Berens + Myles The You Betcha Guy, Billy Deuce @ Vivarium
“Belly up to the bar with Emmy winning comedian, Charlie Berens and Myles the You Betcha Guy. This podcast is truly a one of a kind comedy show.”
Capital Soirée + Alley Eyes, Known Moons @ X-Ray Arcade
Washington Park Wednesdays: Shonn Hinton + Long Line Riders @ Washington Park Bandshell
MKE River Roundup: The MilBillies @ Twisted Fisherman Crab Shack
Heart(beats) Of The City: Donna Woodall Group @ Red Arrow Park
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
St. Vincent + Gustaf @ The Rave / Eagles Club
“St. Vincent’s only Midwest headlining appearance this summer! Annie Clark made her recorded debut as St. Vincent in 2007 with Marry Me, quickly becoming regarded as one of the most innovative and fascinating presences in modern music. The new All Born Screaming is St. Vincent at her most primal. Featuring Clark leading ‘a curated group of rippers’ through the brawny ‘Broken Man,’ infectious Best Alternative Performance Grammy-winning ‘Flea,’ and mordant catwalk sashay through deafening assault of self-loathing that is ‘Big Time Nothing,’ All Born Screaming is equal parts spiritual desolation and rapturous acceptance.”
Texas Headhunters @ Shank Hall
“In 1985, Alligator Records dropped Showdown!, a three-headed axe grind from blues guitar gods Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, and Robert Cray—a lean, electrifying session that still cuts through the noise four decades later. Now, in 2025, Texas Headhunters picks up that torch with a fire all its own.”
Natalie Sue & The Steed (record release) + Derek Pritzl, Valley Fox @ Cactus Club
“Born under Milwaukee’s summer sun, Natalie Sue and The Steed bring a dreamy twist to country music. Fronted by songwriter and vocalist Natalie Sue, the band blends poetic romance with newfangled twang and classic rock motion.”
Paw Paw Lawton And His Jigsaw Band (record release) + God’s Outlaw @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Son Reis Project (single release) @ The Estate
Babytooth + SSAANN, How Strange It Is, W!ld Rice @ Falcon Nest
Vaureen + Blood, Long Arms @ MKE Ultra
O’Neill & Wean @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Jazz In The Park: Betsy Ade & The Well-Known Strangers + Our Voice Milwaukee @ Cathedral Square Park
Edelweiss Concert Cruise Series: Lost Orange Cat @ Milwaukee River, 205 W. Highland Ave.
Under The Bridge: Josh Trimble @ Third Space Brewing
Thursday Bike Night Concert Series: Dandy L. Freling + Big Heart Kind Band @ Harley-Davidson Museum
Tunes@Noon: Van Issacson @ Courtyard of 411 East Wisconsin Center
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts @ BMO Pavilion
“Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts kicked off the Love Earth World Tour on June 18 in Rättvik, Sweden, with the first leg of the tour traveling through the EU and UK. The North American leg begins in Charlotte on August 8 before concluding in Los Angeles on September 15. With his band, the chrome hearts-Spooner Oldham (Farfisa organ), Micah Nelson (guitar and vocal), Corey McCormick (bass and vocal), Anthony LoGerfo (drums)-Neil Young (guitar and vocal) is bringing his music and songs, new and old, to you. Their recent single ‘big change’ is the first introduction of what’s to come on the Love Earth tour.”
Dirtnap Records 25th Anniversary Fest @ X-Ray Arcade (through August 31)
In honor of the label’s 25th anniversary, Dirtnap Records is bringing an astounding group of acts with Dirtnap affiliation to Cudahy this summer for a three-day festival. The aptly-named “Dirtnap 25” festival will take place at X-Ray Arcade from Friday, August 29 through Sunday, August 31. Over the course of the weekend-long affair, the ambitious celebration of all things Dirtnap Records will feature performances by Radioactivity, Drakulas (featuring members of Rise Against, Gwar), Marked Men, Mean Jeans, The Ergs, Direct Hit!, Nervosas, a Fox Face reunion set, Dusk, Phylums, Chinese Telephones, a solo outing from Betsy Borst from Sugar Stems, and many more.
Damon Wayans Jr. @ Milwaukee Improv (through August 31)
Despite sharing most of his name with a certified comedy legend, Damon Wayans Jr. has fashioned quite the comedic career of his own. Beyond starring in the criminally underrated Happy Endings sitcom, being a series regular on New Girl, and stealing scenes in Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar, the younger Damon also routinely travels the country to perform standup. He’ll set camp at the Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield this summer for a five-show run August 29-31.
Wisconsin Highland Games @ Waukesha County Expo (through August 31)
Screening Of The Outsiders with C. Thomas Howell @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Summer Jam: Hot Like Mars + Modern Joey, Shadeseeker @ The Cooperage
Ben Mulwana + Wattle & Daub @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Tommy Odetto @ Ope! Brewing Co.
It’s Alive: Gunnar Schmitz @ Lakefront Brewery
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Don Black @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
Deftones + Phantogram, The Barbarians Of California @ Fiserv Forum
“Following a two-week sequence of sold-out arena shows, including a double in Los Angeles at the Forum, multi-platinum Grammy Award-winning Deftones announced its 2025 North American Tour, produced by Live Nation, is coming to Fiserv Forum on Saturday, August 30. This first leg of the North American Tour tipped off on February 25, and has been met with unanimous critical acclaim. Applauding the opening evening of a sold-out two-night stand at Kia Forum in L.A., Los Angeles Times raved, ‘Deftones have never been bigger, or more definitional for what young people want out of heavy music in all its gradients. A band ahead of their time for 30 years and counting.'”
Strangelander + King Corteen @ Vivarium
“Strangelander has been called an alternative-world supergroup, as it is comprised of leaders and members of notable bands including the Static Chicken, De La Buena, Amanda Huff, You Win!!, Tontine Ensemble, November Criminals and more. SL has been said to evoke transcendental and even life altering experiences.”
Lindsay Anderson + Nathaniel Heuer @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
Bleary Eyed + Shamewave, HUMID @ Cactus Club
Well + Good + The Night Painters, EFH @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Wonderful Bluffer + Rainbow Cobra, Venturer @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Russ Johnson Quartet @ The Estate (two shows)
Nuke Plant Chickens + Mourningstar, Charlieboy, Mtn Deu @ Falcon Hall
Nervewrecker + The Present Age, Dandy L. Freling @ MKE Ultra
Third Ward Art Festival @ Broadway, between St. Paul and Menomonee (also August 31)
Current Sounds: Tail Light Rebellion @ Lakefront Brewery
House Your Body: TWAN + Jonn Hawley, Andrew Optimist @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31
Billy Idol + Joan Jett & The Blackhearts @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
“Billy Idol is returning to the road for It’s a Nice Day To… Tour Again! Fellow superstar Joan Jett & the Blackhearts will join Idol on all shows. Produced by Live Nation, the run of arenas and amphitheaters kicks off at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheater in Phoenix on April 30 and includes stops at an array of storied venues including New York’s Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD and more.”
Midwest Mudfest II: Immortal Girlfriend + Tear Dungeon, Mother Fortune, Nasty Boys, VANG! @ The Cooperage
“Mudwrestling. Water fights. Flesh. Noise. Nasty. Prepare for a night of chaos-drenched liberation at the second annual Midwest Mudfest, now greased up and reloaded as Electric Boogaloo. It’s louder, sweatier, and more unapologetically unhinged than ever before. We’re talking mud-covered wrestling, freak flag performances, and bands that don’t just play—they possess the room. Midwest weirdos unite: this is your church.”
Goth Barge: Last Call MKE @ Milwaukee Boat Line
Goth Barge: Subspace After Barge @ Cactus Club
Cafe Sopra Mare: Drew Gill @ Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
Cathedral Square Market: Octavio Arcanjo @ Cathedral Square Park
Current Sounds: Peter Thomas @ Lakefront Brewery
Summer Patio Music Series: Steve Cohen @ Great Lakes Distillery
Summer Night Movies: Shrek @ Veterans Park
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