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 February 10-16, 2025.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Videovomit Presents: Blue Velvet + Eraserhead @ X-Ray Arcade
“Join us at X-Ray on Monday, February 10 for a Videovomit double feature! We’ll be watching Blue Velvet and Eraserhead in memory of David Lynch.”
Wallows + Deb Never @ The Rave / Eagles Club
“Wallows (composed of Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston) returned in 2024 with their highly anticipated third studio album, Model, which saw them reunite with Grammy Award-winning producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Sharon Van Etten). Recorded at Los Angeles’ legendary Sunset Sound, the album was met by critical applause from the likes of Clash, proclaiming Model ‘a no-skips record,’ Rolling Stone heralding it as their ‘arena-ready third album,’ and Dork who stated the album is ‘a stunning, natural evolution into their next chapter… guaranteed to reward on each and every listen.'”
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Hippo Campus + Mei Semones @ The Riverside Theater
“During the last several years, Hippo Campus has had to navigate the tougher wages of success. They are, of course, grateful that a pop band they named on the lark of some psychology lesson blew up, but it certainly eliminated the segue from adolescence to adulthood that most of us enjoy in relative privacy. How could they survive inside and alongside this thing they had created and had outgrown them? And what’s more, how could they endure the vagaries of the music industry, so that they didn’t let a disappointing tour or disspiriting release demoralize them? Or, to ask the cumulative question, how do four people connected so intimately for so long grow as individuals while preserving the bond that makes what they do so special? Or is that actually too much to ask? For a minute there, the answer seemed possibly like yes. But soon after that improvisational session, the band returned to its own Minneapolis studio and dug in.”
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Trampled By Turtles + Wild Horses @ The Pabst Theater
“Trampled By Turtles are from Duluth, Minnesota, where frontman Dave Simonett initially formed the group as a side project in 2003. At the time, Simonett had lost most of his music gear, thanks to a group of enterprising car thieves who’d ransacked his vehicle while he played a show with his previous band. Left with nothing more than an acoustic guitar, he began piecing together a new band, this time taking inspirations from bluegrass, folk, and other genres that didn’t rely on amplification. Simonett hadn’t played any bluegrass music before, and he filled his lineup with other newcomers to the genre, including fiddler Ryan Young (who’d previously played drums in a speed metal act) and bassist Tim Saxhaug. Along with mandolinist Erik Berry and banjo player Dave Carrollm the group began carving out a fast, frenetic sound sound that owed as much to rock & roll as bluegrass.”
Midweek Music: Ernie Brusubardis Quartet @ Crafty Cow (Bay View)
Hey! We’re bringing our free Midweek Music concert series back to Crafty Cow in Bay View! There’s NO COVER for these all-ages shows, which run from 7-8:30 p.m. The series continues this week with a performance from the Ernie Brusubardis Quartet. And if a free weeknight show isn’t already great enough on its own, Crafty Cow will offer $4 pints of its delicious Crafty Cow Lager (made by 3 Sheeps Brewing) during all Midweek Music concerts. They’ll also have meal deals available during each show.
Line Dancing & Live Music @ Club Garibaldi
Two Thursdays each month, Club Garibaldi in Bay View hosts Line Dancing & Live Music. As the name suggests, this recurring Robbins’ Roundup event features line dancing as Milwaukee-based country band Convoy performs. Garibaldi also offers $3 specials on Lone Star and sliders. This multi-faceted happening runs 7:30-10:30 p.m. and costs $10. The same event is also taking place at Club Garibaldi on February 27—and, assuming the pattern continues, on March 13.
Grilled Cheese Grant Fundraiser: World In Action + Misprints, Spoy, Buena Cara @ Cactus Club
Bay Faction + Bug Moment @ X-Ray Arcade
Kevn Kinney + Bobby Bare Jr @ Shank Hall
Cameron Webb’s Valentine’s Day Soul Revue @ The Estate (through February 15)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
All Messed Up XIII @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn (also February 15)
All hail the return of Milwaukee’s “annual randomized musical experiment,” All Messed Up! The two-night extravaganza will feature a total of 16 new bands that were created via random drawing back in December. Friday night showcases the musical stylings of Pjörk, RSTLNE!, The New Jersey Drones, and Soups Totes DuJour. On Saturday, buckle up for Meat Confetti, Soups Totes Du Jour, Mid Cuck Energy, Strange Ears, Abandomonium, Magick Prism, Sly Unfamiliars, and Bannable Animals.
Long Line Riders @ The Wiggle Room
One Friday a month, the Milwaukee country purveyors in Long Line Riders set up shop at The Wiggle Room for a three-hour split showcase. They’ll spin records at the Bay View listening lounge from 5-6:30 p.m. before playing a live set of country classics from 6:30-8 p.m. This one-two punch is 21+ and it’s free!
3rd Annual Lonely Hearts HonkeyTonk @ Cactus Club
For the third consecutive year, the Lonely Hearts HonkyTonk will bring some of the city’s best musicians in the folk/Americana/country realms together at Cactus Club for one can’t-miss Valentine’s Day showcase. This year’s event includes “sad country songs” from the likes of Kati Katchever, J.R. Wesley, The Krause Family Trio, Ellie Jackson, The Spine Stealers, and Maximiano.
Honky Tonk Takeover @ Falcon Hall
It’s a full-on Honky Tonk Takeover at Falcon Hall this Valentine’s Day! A $10 cover (whether attending solo or with a date) gets you a two-step tutorial, as well as instruction on Western-style partner dances and line dancing. Stick around after the lessons for live country tunes from the likes of Convoy and Sludge Hawking. This 18+ event starts at 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors).
Natasha Leggero @ Milwaukee Improv (through February 16)
Actor, podcaster, accomplished comedian, and Rockford native Natasha Leggero will return to her native Midwest for a total of five Milwaukee Improv performances spread over three Valentine’s Day-adjacent nights. Whether you’re looking to celebrate or flat out avoid V-Day, seeing Natasha Leggero live is an excellent option.
Lady SabO + *aya, RBL @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Good Kid @ Turner Hall Ballroom (sold out)
Belmont + Young Culture, Static Palms @ X-Ray Arcade (sold out)
Vermit + Mark Adams Son Of Bill, Evinspragg @ Bremen Cafe
The Incorruptables @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Casablanca: Film With Orchestra @ Bradley Symphony Center
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Chris Novak Birthday Extravaganza @ The Cooperage
Milwaukee music super-fan and all-around great guy Christopher Novak has long celebrated his birthday by giving local listeners a gift in the form of one heck of a concert. This year’s loaded lineup includes Gold Steps, Colfax Speed Queen, Alley Eyes, and Mari Mari taking the stage at The Cooperage.
Iron Pizza + Full Nude @ Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts
Milwaukee’s Iron Pizza occupies a warped, whacked-out wavelength where every broken thrift shop kiddie keyboard is an instrument to be treasured, and where songs like “Stoopid Drugged Up Monkees” exist. The band has been making its own delightful no-wave electro ditties since 2014; a four-song EP, Nobody’s Fool, was released in 2018.
Greg Marshall Pops Out Of The Trees @ Vivarium
“Greg Marshall is a three time Emmy Award winning storyteller and producer. His one person show, Greg Marshall Pops Out of the Trees is a true, hilarious and deeply moving story about a young man who learns that the greatest story isn’t the one he tells, but the ones he hears from the most unexpected people. The show, directed by Dave Kang, is an entertaining blend of storytelling and music with poetic surprises (aka improv music and freestyling). It hooks you and leaves you wanting more. One audience member said ‘I felt like I was watching a movie.’ Another said, ‘This will be one of the most unique and unexpected experiences you can possibly treat yourself to.'”
Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol + Lip Critic, Zang! @ Cactus Club
Mulva + Brave You, Local Legends, Dinoslug USA @ Falcon Nest
Litwax + Taco Tuesday, Vex-Hate, Candy Apples & Razor Blades @ 4Seasons Skate Park
Sean Hendley + Brain But My Friends Call Me Brian @ Art Bar
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16
God’s Outlaw + Kilbourn, Cat Call Killers @ Club Garibaldi
“God’s Outlaw is a Wisconsin-based rebel country band that performs originals, a Johnny Cash tribute, and other old school country music like the top hits to the B-side gems your grandpa listened to. God’s Outlaw does country the old way. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, David Allen Coe, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams (as well as Jr. and 3).”
Faded Places + Half Moon Hideaway, Hey Muchacho @ Falcon Nest
Hyer + Shlomo Franklin, RJ Ziebarth, Damsel @ Cactus Club
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