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 26 – September 1, 2024.
MONDAY, AUGUST 26
Musical Mondays: Gizzae @ Lake Park Summer Stage
This is it! The final Musical Monday of 2024! Get out there and enjoy, Milwaukee! “Gizzae is a musical tapestry woven from diverse experiences of its members, hailing from across the globe. With over 35 years of grooving, they’ve won Grammys and Chicago Music Awards and shared stages with Ziggy Marley, Rolling Stones and Toots & the Maytals.”
Former Critics + Clementine, Man Alive, The Fall Sound @ Cactus Club
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27
Rob Zombie + Alice Cooper @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
From acclaimed Munsters director Rob Zombie and Wayne’s World breakout star Alice Cooper comes the “Freaks On Parade” tour! We’re not worthy!
Chill On The Hill: Louie & The Flashbombs + Bright-Eyed & Blind @ Humboldt Park
This is it! The final Chill On The Hill of 2024! Get out there and enjoy, Milwaukee!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28
Milwaukee Record Presents: Kindergarten Cop @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
Join us at Avalon Theater on Wednesday, August 28 for an extra special showing of Kindergarten Cop, a classic 1990 action-tinged comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Kimble, a detective who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher. This funny, infinitely quotable (“IT’S NOT A TUMOR!”), and surprisingly violent film also features a supporting cast that includes the likes of Pamela Reed, Penelope Ann Miller, and that little kid who played Michelle’s friend on Full House. Whether you’re preparing to go back to school yourself or you just want to see “The Governator” in a school setting, you won’t want to miss our screening of Kindergarten Cop.
Holy Pinto (Super Secret New Album Listening Party) @ Vivarium
“Holy Pinto is the musical project of Aymen Saleh, a songwriter originally from Canterbury, England, now based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In this special one-off event at the Vivarium, we present an exclusive listen of the forthcoming Holy Pinto record alongside a Q+A hosted by local journalist and Pitchfork writer, Evan Rytlewski. It began as a session in Bartees Strange’s Washington DC Basement in ’21. It ended as one person feverishly stitching together sounds on their laptop in a Milwaukee living-room in ’24. A patchwork of songs, late night conversations and wild ideas which coalesced after four years of a ‘rip it up and start again’ approach. Unique sounds in strange rooms, late nights in bars, and watching others glide through their rites of passage—handling their relationships with partners, friends and loved ones.”
Washington Park Wednesdays @ Washington Park Bandshell
This is it! The final Washington Park Wednesday of 2024! Get out there and enjoy, Milwaukee!
Vivarium In The Park: Jacob Slade @ South Shore Terrace
This is it! The final Vivarium In The Park of 2024! Get out there and enjoy, Milwaukee!
Roselit Bone + Hosts, Ladybird @ Cactus Club
Femtanyl + Ava Online, Blind Equation, Ellee Grim @ X-Ray Arcade
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29
Bikini Kill + Shadow Show @ The Pabst Theater
After FINALLY managing to get their long-awaited Milwaukee show in last April following three years of postponements, two date changes, and one venue change, Bikini Kill will tempt fate by trying to do another Milwaukee show. If all goes as planned, the legendary riot grrrl pioneers will play The Pabst Theater tonight! (And yes, this show featured a venue change, too.)
WHY? + Baths @ Vivarium
“For nearly three decades, WHY? have thrived in subverting expectations. Across seven unpredictable and adventurous studio albums, the band led by Cincinnati songwriter Yoni Wolf has stretched the fringes of psychedelic pop, hip-hop, and electronic music. No matter the genre experiments and thematic departures, their discography is remarkably consistent, anchored by Wolf’s disarming lyrical transparency. His writing is provocative, self-lacerating, and always considered, coming from a place of blunt emotional openness.”
Jazz In The Park: De La Buena @ Cathedral Square Park
This is it! The final Jazz In The Park of 2024! Get out there and enjoy, Milwaukee!
Baby Tyler Band + Christy Costello, Sex Scenes @ Promises
Milwaukee Hardcore Shows Presents: Spaced + Enervate, Payasa, Identity Crisis, Clique @ Cactus Club
Edelweiss Concert Cruise Series: 11 One Louder @ Milwaukee River, 205 W. Highland Ave.
Third Space Presents: Wildered @ Third Space Brewing
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
ESG + Clickbait, Diamond Life, DJ Christreater @ Cactus Club
In order to raise further funds for Cactus Club’s Accessibility Initiative, the Bay View venue is hosting big fundraiser shows this summer. The second such performance brings heavily sampled South Bronx disco-punk legends ESG to the club to play their first Wisconsin show ever. These tickets are $150, and 50 percent of the funds will go to the Cactus+ Accessibility Initiative.
Teens In Trouble + Bat Boy, The Dreaded Laramie, Breakup Tour, The Nile Club @ Promises
“Specializing in catchy hooks, heavy guitars, and disarmingly direct lyricism, Teens in Trouble, the bright-blazing creative project of Lizzie Killian makes anthemic, emotionally driven indie-rock that merges the snappy, confessional style of Weezer with the Pixies’ soaring, fuzzed-out melodies. The band’s ever-evolving sound is most informed, though, by Killian’s ability to refract these influences through a prism of memory, melding past and present with sun-dappled clarity and a cathartic vocal power that’s distinctly hers.”
Pinellas Park + Lauryl Sulfate And Her Ladies Of Leisure, Raddish, Glitzy @ Bremen Cafe
“Come join us for a high energy, big vibes evening of music at Bremen cafe! Featuring Madison-locals Raddish alongside Milwaukee darlings Lauryl Sulfate And Her Ladies of Leisure (LOL), Glitzy, and Pinellas Park. Doors are at 8pm, music starts at 9pm!”
Whiskey And The Devil + Trash Pandas, Mas Verde, Janette Eyeland @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Post Saga + Hanna Simone, Torcado @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Soma + The Truck, Cripes @ Club Garibaldi
Wisconsin Highland Games @ Waukesha County Expo Center (through September 1)
Friday Night Retro Mixtape @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
Red Bull Wake The City @ Lakeshore State Park
“Making its debut in the United States, Red Bull Wake The City brings a first of its kind format to wakeboarding as 36 of the worlds best professional riders face off in a doubles competition. From the canals of Milan to the shores of Lake Michigan, the party will be rocking all afternoon long on the Lakeshore State Park Inlet, directly adjacent to the iconic Henry Maier Festival Park grounds. Grab a spot along the shoreline, this is one you won’t want to miss!”
Third Eye Blind @ Potawatomi Casino Hotel Outdoor Stage
“Catch legendary alternative rock band Third Eye Blind live and in-person at Potawatomi Casino Hotel, Milwaukee. The third and final act of Potawatomi Casino Hotel’s Amplified summer concert series features Third Eye Blind and their decades of timeless rock music. With 10 albums, over 12 million records sold and a Billboard Music Award, Third Eye Blind is one of the most influential bands of the 21st century. Don’t miss a performance you’ll never forget.”
The Gaslight Anthem + Joyce Manor, Pinkshift @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Fans of powerful, emotionally wrought punk rock rejoice! The Gaslight Anthem is coming to The Rave/Eagles Club as part of the veteran band’s “History Books Tour,” and they’re bringing Joyce Manor and Pinkshift along for the ride!
Pitbull + T-Pain @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Caley Conway + Doby Watson, Teri Quinn, Jamie Yanda @ Var Gallery
Elizabeth Moen + Julia Blair @ Shank Hall
Wonderful Bluffer + Stone Theory, Good Grief @ Mad Planet
New Junk City + Brave You, Mulva, Glitzy @ Cactus Club
Third Ward Art Festival @ Broadway, between St. Paul and Menomonee (also September 1)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Lost Orange Cat + J.R. & The Strangers, Chris Haise Band @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“Lost Orange Cat burst onto the Milwaukee music scene in 2018. Musically featuring their original songs inspired by a broad variety of styles and genres. They are always pushing the boundaries of their creativity to find new sounds that feel familiar. The band’s live performance brings the force of a locomotive led by Josh Konkel’s power soul vocals backed by a Rock N’ Roll band disguised as a bluegrass band. The group is made of 4 total members that each bring a unique stylistic flare to give Lost Orange Cat their original sound. You’ll hear elements of classic rock, outlaw country, psychedelic blues, and a hint of bluegrass to give you something you can only call, Folk N’ Roll.”
Summer Patio Music Series: Sam Rodewald @ Great Lakes Distillery
This is it! The final Sumer Patio show of 2024! Get out there and enjoy, Milwaukee!
Harlow + Max & The Fellow Travelers, Hang Ten, Logan Scott & The Fly By Nights @ Cactus Club
Cafe Sopra Mare: Nalani Moesch @ Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
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