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 February 16-22, 2026, brought to you by Wynk.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Dog Movie @ Cactus Club
“A passive-aggressive tenderqueer couple sends their household into a quiet tailspin when they adopt an elderly dog with the same name as the unemployed couch surfer they just can’t seem to confront.”
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Blue Man Group @ Miller High Life Theatre (also February 18)
“Dive into the thrilling Blue Man Group experience—a blend of captivating music, interactive art and audience engagement. Blue Man Group creates a fun, disruptive and out of the ordinary atmosphere that exhilarates the senses and uplifts spirits for audiences of all ages. Join over 50 million fans who’ve experienced the magic of Blue Man Group across the world!”
Flat Out Friday Presents: Premiere Prix 4 @ The Cooperage
“World’s Smallest Flat Track Races return to the Harborfront presented by Flat Out Friday and hosted by the legendary Joey Turbo! The Cooperage is happy to welcome back the World’s Smallest Flat Track Races! It is exactly what it sounds like. We’ve built a mini flat track inside The Cooperage for a night fun, frights and mayhem! So grab your friends, and local hooligans, get a couple of drinks rippin, suck some exhaust and witness the most electrifying spectacle to kick off the festivities of the greatest part of Milwaukee’s year! THIS THING IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!”
The Wombats + Cigarettes @ Sunset @ Turner Hall Ballroom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiaxRa7DN1M
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Milwaukee Record Presents: Jackie Brown @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
This woefully undersung cult classic stars the incomparable Pam Grier as the eponymous Jackie Brown, a flight attendant who finds herself in a predicament when she’s busted smuggling money in from Mexico. Hilarity, violence, and plenty of twists ensue. Along the way, viewers encounter the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster (at his absolute best), Robert De Niro, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, and an indisputably kick-ass soundtrack.
Toto @ The Riverside Theater
Over the band’s nearly 50-year run (!!!), Toto has managed some of the most celebrated and enduring soft rock songs of all time, including “Africa” and “Rosanna.” Spend an evening with Toto when the band comes to Riverside Theater as part of an event called, well, “An Evening With Toto.”
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Nate Jackson @ The Pabst Theater (sold-out early show; late show)
“Nate Jackson is one of the fastest-rising stars in comedy, with over 4 million TikTok followers and 600 million global views. Known for his viral content and electric stage presence, he’s currently selling out theaters across the U.S. and will kick off his BIG DOG TOUR this fall.”
Listening Party (record release) + Old Oaks, Chris Haise Band @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Over the course of Listening Party’s decade-plus run, the Milwaukee band has played hundreds of shows all around the Upper Midwest and logged thousands of miles on the road. After paring the group down to a duo and releasing Been A Long Time Comin’ in 2022, Listening Party’s founding members Weston Mueller and Jacob Wood brought two new members—upright bassist Travis Worth and guitarist Tyler Furrer—into the fold. The release of the band’s long-awaited fifth album, High & Low, will be celebrated at tonight’s show.
Mama Tried Official Pre-Party @ H-D Museum
“Harley-Davidson Museum is the starting line for Mama Tried Weekend. Fire it up Thursday, February 19 with the Mama Tried Official Pre-Party, running 5-9 p.m. Boonie Bike Races ripping through the Plaza! DJ Kev spinning in the Lobby! DJ Joey Hollywood in Rumble!”
Mama Tried Official Pre-Party @ Miramar Theatre
“When the Boonie Bike races wrap up at the Harley-Davidson Museum, the night rolls on at the Miramar Theatre. Join us for the Official Mama Tried Pre-Party—the true kickoff to Mama Tried weekend. Expect loud music, cold drinks, and a room full of racers, builders, and riders ready to get things started.”
Squinny + Frantic Repair, Killer High Life, Human Ant Farm @ Cactus Club
Waterspouts + NIM, Startographers @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Kirk Tatnall Trio @ Ope! Brewing Co.
B.D. Greer & The Gents @ The Estate
The Driftless Revelers @ Nashville North
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Flat Out Friday @ Fiserv Forum
“Flat Out Friday, presented by Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company, returns to Fiserv Forum on Friday, Feb. 20, for its 10-year anniversary celebration. Part race, part rock show and part circus, Flat Out Friday adds up to 110% entertainment. More than 300 riders are anticipated to participate in 12 race classes: Open Hooligan, Women’s Hooligan, Open Women’s, 50cc, Open Amateur, Pro, Electric, Boonie (Minibikes), Vintage, Brakeless, 65cc-85cc and Goofball. Originating in 2016, Flat Out Friday is an indoor flat track motorcycle race that takes place on a sticky soda syrup track. Riders from the ages of six to 79 years old come from across the country to compete at the largest and most distinguished indoor flat track race in the United States.”
Chelsea Handler @ The Pabst Theater
“Chelsea Handler is a comedian, television host, and seven-time New York Times best-selling author whose humor and candor have established her as one of the most celebrated voices in entertainment and pop culture. After a strong seven-year run as the host of E!’s top-rated Chelsea Lately, a tenure in which she was the only female late-night talk show host on-air, she launched her documentary series Chelsea Does, followed by her talk show Chelsea on Netflix in 2016. She has penned seven New York Times best-selling books, six of which have reached #1, including her seventh and most recent book I’ll Have What She’s Having, published February 2025.”
Max & The Fellow Travelers + Winefred RT, Alewives @ Cactus Club
“Max & The Fellow Travelers, Winefred RT, and Alewives, all artists with strong DNA in the Milwaukee music community, are joining forces for a short co-headlining Midwest run titled ‘The Horse Runs Wild Through the Midwest Tour,’ with a stop at Cactus Club on February 20, 2026. The three acts come from the same regional indie, folk-rock, and heartland circuit and have a long history of sharing bills, collaborating, and supporting one another in Milwaukee and throughout the Midwest. Rather than a traditional package tour, this run functions as a showcase of their respective pocket of the midwest folk-rock scene.”
The Effigies + Poison Hand, The Mighty Deerlick @ X-Ray Arcade
MAM After Dark: Hearts On Fire @ Milwaukee Art Museum
Horny Hawg Hootenanny: Flat Out Friday Official Afterparty @ The Cooperage
Frantic Repair vs. Casual Sex + Crash House, Tedworth @ Falcon Nest
The Night Howls + Hi/Jack, Radio Silence @ Last Rites
Kieran Porter + Cosmic Lovechild, Shell Bells @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
American Progress @ Ope! Brewing Co.
The Hungry Williams @ The Argo
A Jazz Tribute To The Music Of Sting @ The Estate (early and late shows)
The Moth: Love Hurts @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: SpudNikk @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Mama Tried Motorcycle Show @ The Rave / Eagles Club (also February 22)
“The Mama Tried Motorcycle Show is an indoor invitational motorcycle expo that has become the largest winter motorcycle rally in the country. Keeping the fire stoked all winter long, the show features more than 100 motorcycles (of all brands) from builders from around the world—flat-tracker, hill climber, chopper, bagger, dragster and bar hopper. The curated invitational showcases the commonality in road, race, chopper, stunt and all around unusual custom builds. The show, created by Scott Johnson (local restaurant owner) and Warren Heir (JR’S Custom Fabrication), embodies their cumulative lifelong experience racing and riding in the Midwest motorcycle scene.”
Chris Novak Birthday Extravaganza: Wonderful Bluffer + Carrellee, Prairie Dogs w/ Rebz River, The Racing Pulses @ The Cooperage
“Chris Novak, you know him, you love him, he’s the best Milwaukee has to offer…and it’s his birthday yet again! Welcome to another year of Chris’s fave bands playing his fave show…his own! This year Chris welcomes Milwaukee’s own Wonderful Bluffer with Madison’s best Carrellee, with support from Prairie Dogs with Rebz River and the Racing Pulses! As always this is not one to be missed, so join us on the Harborfront for a celebration of all things Chris!”
Gin Blossoms (Admirals Postgame Concert) @ UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
What could be better than going to a Milwaukee Admirals game? Why, seeing the Gin Blossoms perform a postgame concert on the ice after the game, of course! That very thing will be happening on Saturday, February 21 and it’s going to be awesome.
Burn Bright MKE 2026 (Day 1) @ X-Ray Arcade (sold out)
“Burn Bright MKE is a Milwaukee area festival that showcases some of the best up and coming bands in the emo/alternative space.” And both days are sold out!
Frostfest @ Milwaukee Public Market
Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves + Sludge Hawking @ Falcon Hall
Gabriel Sanchez Presents: The Prince Experience @ The Pabst Theater
NEEDTOBREATHE + Phillip Bowen @ The Riverside Theater
Adam Greuel And The Space Burritos + Valley Fox @ Cactus Club
Obscure Birds + Cassini Echoes @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Toadskin + Bigfoot, BREATHMINT @ Bremen Cafe
Aluminum Knot Eye + Alleyway, Floor Model @ Veggas Pub
Whiskey And The Devil + The No Writes, Hi/Jack @ Uptowner
Christian Dillingham Quartet @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Cody Bolden & The Road Hands @ Nashville North
ABBA vs. Queen vs. Blondie @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
The Knee-Hi’s + Ione, Ellie Jackson @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“The Knee-Hi’s are a female fronted garage glam rock band existing as a living love letter to rock & roll. Described as the ‘sweethearts of punk rock,’ The Knee-Hi’s serve up a mixture of punk, glam, new wave, and power pop that’ll give you hope for the future of rock music!”
Breaking And Entering Presents: Roots Renegades + Mosh Wah, Milwaukee Dub Massive @ Cactus Club
“Roots Renegades are a reggae/ska/dub trio that have become known throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and beyond. The band is led by A-Keezy and Ras Amerlock, and has played with The Viceroys, as well as taken their sound from Wisconsin to Jamaica.”
Burn Bright MKE 2026 (Day 2) @ X-Ray Arcade (sold out)
Monica Clare Murphy (“Yeah Bikes!” singe/video release) + Mari Grace @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
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