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 3-9, 2026.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Musical Mondays: Buckets Of Prine: The Songs Of John Prine @ Lake Park Summer Stage
“With its pitch-perfect harmonies and varied orchestrations, this Door County supergroup has created one of the peninsula’s most popular concert traditions. After performing Bob Dylan’s songs to full houses since 2011, the group is now also covering the beloved songs of legendary songwriter John Prine.”
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Of Monsters And Men + Gordi @ The Riverside Theater
“From Reykjavík to the global stage, Of Monsters And Men (OMAM) first captured the world’s attention with their 2011 debut My Head Is An Animal, transforming from Icelandic indie favorites into a band known and loved worldwide. After pursuing solo and side projects, the band now reunites with All Is Love And Pain In The Mouse Parade, a tapestry of stories, moments, and conversations, the album explores how love and pain intertwine. Feelings that might seem at odds with each other, but co-exist simultaneously and need one another. The album marks a new chapter in a career defined by growth, exploration, and a commitment to making music that reflects who they are today.”
Chill On The Hill: Valley Fox + Bo Randall Band @ Humboldt Park
“A northern folk power trio featuring Laura Bomber, Joe Wais and Tori Yocum, Valley Fox delivers bold haunting harmonies mixed with gritty string music to create a forceful, yet thoughtful sound, blurring the lines of folk, bluegrass and country music.”
Little Mazarn + Anna McClellan, Maximiano, Old Pup @ Cactus Club
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
Milwaukee Record Club: Movie Music (Songs From Soundtracks) @ Wiggle Room
We’re once again taking over the Wiggle Room decks for collaborative vinyl spin we call Milwaukee Record Club. From 6-9 p.m., we’ll drop the needle on vinyl releases that adhere to the month’s specific theme. (This month: songs from movie or TV soundtracks!) Though we’ll bring enough music to cover a full set, we’re asking—no, we’re strongly encouraging—people to bring in their own vinyl that fits our chosen theme. If we think it’s a fit, we’ll play it!
Washington Park Wednesdays: Stephen Hull Experience + Cameron Webb @ Washington Park Bandshell
“Washington Park Wednesdays hosts innovative local bands, Milwaukee’s finest food trucks, and activities sure to energize and entertain will fill the park each Wednesday. Theme nights promise diverse pairings of music, art, and fun with outstanding regional talent.” This week’s theme: LIVE! ART.
dadweed + Valley Fox @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“dadweed is an acoustic trio based out of Portland, Oregon. Reimagining pickin’ and thumpin’ by blending elements of jazz/folk/pop/R&B within a traditional bluegrass lens, their sets explore a wide variety of styles and dynamics—with a focus on improvisation—showcasing both covers and originals. Leaning heavily into three-part vocal harmonies and virtuosic instrumentation, dadweed strives to redefine what’s possible in bluegrass.”
Wonderful Wednesdays: Frogwater @ Lake Park Summer Stage
Triptides + Wisconsin Space Program, Shadeseeker @ X-Ray Arcade
Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys + Bourbon Jockeys @ Shank Hall
Heart(beats) Of The City: Donna Woodall Group @ Red Arrow Park
Tosa Tonight @ Hart Park, Wauwatosa
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Wisconsin State Fair @ Wisconsin State Fair Park (through August 16)
It’s the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair! From August 6 through August 16, hundreds of thousands of proud Wisconsinites will flock to the State Fair Grounds in West Allis to take in all the sights, sounds, and zany food the fest has to offer. Want to watch some racing pigs? The State Fair has you covered. Want to slide down the Giant Slide? The State Fair has you covered. Want to catch music from Hairball, Nelly, Bailey Zimmerman, Chandler Walters, Wynonna Judd, and Melissa Etheridge (all playing the Bank Five Nine Main Stage this week and weekend)? The State Fair has you covered. Support the West Allis lawn parking economy! We love you, Wisconsin State Fair!
ArtBlaze @ South Shore Park
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 returns this week with music from El Sebas, Shadi, and Tlalok; and dance from Debrasha Greye and Your Move MKE. A final ArtBlaze shindig is set for August 20 at McKinley Beach.
Goo Goo Dolls + Neon Trees @ BMO Pavilion
The Goo Goo Dolls—a.k.a. John Rzeznik, Robby Takac, and company—descend upon Milwaukee’s BMO Pavilion for a night of big hits and solid summer vibes. Expect songs like “Iris” and “Name,” of course, and maybe a few selections from the group’s latest record, 2022’s Chaos In Bloom.
Cathedral Square Market @ Cathedral Square Park
Jazz In The Park: Old Sam And The Teardrops ft. Lindy Hop MKE @ Cathedral Square Park
Jazz At The Vine: Heirloom @ Humboldt Park
Geena Fontanella + Turning Jane @ The Cooperage
Tuned In: Ki’Amora + Tiny Vamp, Brindled @ Radio Milwaukee
R.J. Ziebarth + Lila Rose, J.R. Wesley @ Cactus Club
Nick Dittmeier + The Sawdusters, Violet Wilder
Louie & The Flashbombs @ The Wicked Hop
Tenley Shaldon @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Edelweiss Concert Cruise Series: The Midnight Purchase @ Milwaukee River, 205 W. Highland Ave.
It’s Alive!: Andy Braun @ Milwaukee County Historical Society
Thursday Bike Nights: Reilly @ Harley-Davidson Museum Campus
Tunes@Noon: Jon Rouse @ Courtyard of 411 East Wisconsin Center
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Third Ward Moon Festival @ Catalano Square (through August 9)
“Beginning Friday, August 7, the Historic Third Ward will transform into an immersive celebration of art, music and community as the Third Ward Moon Festival takes over Catalano Square for a three-day event centered around Museum of the Moon, artist Luke Jerram’s breathtaking, 23-foot illuminated lunar sculpture created using detailed NASA imagery. The installation has captivated tens of millions of visitors around the world and will be on display in Milwaukee for one weekend only.”
Motel Breakfast (Milwaukee farewell shows) + Sleepy Gaucho @ Cactus Club (early and late shows)
“The MB boys are going to play our last two shows ever this year, in two of our favorite cities, at two of our favorite venues. Yes, yes after 10 of the best damn years of our life, we are hanging things up. Lots of feelings and even more love for everyone who has been with us for this trek. We grew up in this band. We grew up with YOU! How lucky can some boys be?!”
Tracy Bonham @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“Tracy Bonham is a twice Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, violinist, and classically trained multi-instrumentalist whose fearless artistry has spanned three decades. Born in Eugene, Oregon, and trained at Berklee College of Music in Boston and USC in violin, Bonham burst onto the alternative rock scene in 1996 with her debut album The Burdens Of Being Upright, which earned her two Grammy nominations, an MTV Video Award.”
Kehlani + TheARTI$t, WASEEL, Dixson @ Landmark Credit Union Live
Motherwind + 5pm To Nowhere, OK Cool, Bloom The Arctic @ Falcon Hall
SSAANN + Kent Avenue Carpool, Claire Martine, My Melody @ The Cooperage
Deer District Summer Concert Series: Mixtape @ The Deer Garden
Sounds Of Summer: V Funk @ Bayshore (The Yard)
Starry Nights: The Best Of Skylight Music Theater @ Sharon Lynn Wilson Center For The Arts
Summer Sounds: Marfa + Gabriel Harris & Natan Steigman Duo @ Cedar Creek Park, Cedarburg
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Paul H @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
Juvenile & The 400 Degreez Band @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Have you ever listened to long-tenured multi-platinum NOLA rapper Juvenile (of “Back That Azz Up” fame) and thought, “Man, this would be even better if Juvenile was accompanied by a live band”? Well, you’re in luck! Tonight, Juvenile and his 400 Degreez Band will take the stage at The Rave! Go to the State Fair a different night and check this out instead!
Voices For Voces Benefit Show: Eli White + D’Funk & The Grease Monkeys, Moonglow, Thanks For The Accident, Alewives, Rainbow Cobra @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
“The current administration’s assault on immigrants and immigrants’ rights is a crisis that continues to confront the conscience of every compassionate person, and we as Milwaukee musicians will not sit idly by. Voces De La Frontera is on the front lines every day standing up for rights and what’s right—in supporting Voces, we support a movement that insists upon the inalienable dignity of every human being.”
I Should Know This… @ Puddler’s Hall
“Join us for an unforgettable evening with the improvised game show where the funniest answer always wins! In every installment, host Kristoffer Puddicombe gathers some very funny people for a unique entertainment experience that weaves together trivia, live music, friendly banter and plenty of audience participation. And you can join in the fun! Submit open-ended, conversation-starting questions for Puddicombe and co-host James Boland to debate during the show, or volunteer to join our panelists onstage during the show’s second round!”
Current Sounds: DJ Megadon @ Lakefront Brewery
South Shore Farmers’ Market: Garrett Waite @ South Shore Park
Reunion Remix @ Ope! Brewing Co.
ABBA vs. Queen vs. Blondie @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
Circle Jerks + Repo Man @ Oriental Theatre
This is pretty rad, so we’re just gonna stick to the facts: Legendary L.A. punk band Circle Jerks are playing a show at Milwaukee’s Oriental Theatre. Wow! After that, there’ll be a Q&A with Circle Jerks’ Keith Morris and Zander Schloss, as well as film director Alex Cox. Wow again! Why Cox? Because after the Q&A, the evening will close out with a screening of 1984’s Repo Man, which was directed by Cox and which features music and a cameo from none other than Circle Jerks! WOW AGAIN! Doo-biddy-doo-wop-wop-say-what, etc.
WNBA Watch Party (New York vs. Las Vegas): Raegan Niemela @ Cactus Club
Milwaukee Record, Cactus Club, and WYNK are bringing you multi-faceted monthly WNBA watch parties. In August, we’re highlighting a Liberty vs. Aces game that will be shown (with sound on) at Cactus Club, both on the bar’s televisions and on a projector in the back room. There will be specials on WYNK and Pacifico (and you’ll get a ticket when purchasing either brand for a raffle that will be held after the third quarter). Classic Slice will provide free pizza (while supplies last!). A DJ will play music during commercial breaks, and we’ve also lined up some entertainment for you. This time around, Chicago (by way of Milwaukee) comedian Raegan Niemela will treat hoopsters to a FREE halftime performance.
Holy Joke + Queen Quail, Robbie Sender, Jesse Garwood @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Cafe Sopra Mare: Death Is A Business (Acoustic Bolero) @ Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
Current Sounds: Mueller & Hill @ Lakefront Brewery
Milwaukee Makers Market @ Hide House
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