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 24 – March 2, 2025.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Ron Pope + Andrea von Kampen @ Vivarium
“Fiercely independent, Nashville-based recording artist, Ron Pope, carved his niche in the digital era’s early days with his breakout hit, ‘A Drop In The Ocean,’ which has amassed over 1 billion streams, earning platinum status in the US, alongside double platinum status in Sweden. His prolific songwriting is a natural fit for Music City’s Americana, roots, and country communities, garnering praise from publications such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, CMT, Relix, and The Tennessean. With each release, including his most recent album, Inside Voices, released in June 2023, Pope continues to captivate audiences with his raw authenticity and profound storytelling, soul-stirring melodies, and introspective lyricism. Beyond his own musical endeavors, Pope writes and produces for other artists, and serves as a guiding light for aspiring musicians navigating the ever-changing landscape of today’s music industry. Pope has been steadily releasing singles in 2024 that will culminate in his upcoming album in 2025.”
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Milwaukee Admirals “Salute To Cowbell Night” with Chris Kattan @ UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
During Tuesday’s game, the Milwaukee Admirals will celebrate “Salute To Cowbell Night” at UWM Panther Arena. In honor of the occasion, they’re bringing the guy who had the fourth most lines in the famed “More Cowbell” Saturday Night Live sketch that aired in the year 2000. No, we’re not talking about Chris Parnell or Horatio Sanz. None other than Chris Kattan will “be on hand for laughs, hockey action, and plenty of cowbell!”
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Don Was And The Pan Detroit Ensemble @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Don Was’ latest group, The Pan Detroit Ensemble, is doing a tour in February – March 2025. The band is made up of stellar jazz musicians from Don’s hometown, including long-time collaborators like Blue Note Records artist Dave McMurray on sax, and Eminem’s Oscar-winning collaborator, keyboardist Luis Resto. Additional musicians include trombonist Vincent Chandler, trumpeter John Douglas, drummer Jeff Canady, percussionist Mahindi, guitarist Wayne Gerard, and vocalist Steffanie Christi’an.”
Midweek Music: Jay Matthes @ Crafty Cow (Bay View)
Hey! Our free Midweek Music concert series is back at 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 singer-songwriter Jay Matthes. 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.
Yam Haus + Bizzy, Modern Joey @ Vivarium
Shamewave + Cigarettes For Breakfast, Known Moons @ Cactus Club
Americana Night: Rich & Dusty, Tos @ Sugar Maple
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27
The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight @ The Riverside Theater
“After mesmerising audiences across Europe and the UK, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight is set to electrify the USA once again. Prepare for a spellbinding 90-minute spectacle that infuses iconic Rock & Metal anthems with a hauntingly beautiful energy. In ethereal candlelit settings, this band of 14 classical musicians unleash effortlessly enchanting melodies alongside powerful walls of distortion. Witness the unexpected union of Classical music and Metal. Performing the music of iconic bands including: Metallica, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Rage Against The Machine, My Chemical Romance, Linkin’ Park, SOAD, Guns N’ Roses, Evanescence, Papa Roach, The Cranberries, and MORE!”
Radio Milwaukee Presents: SoundBites 2025 @ Harley-Davidson Museum
“Celebrating Milwaukee’s culinary and music scenes, SoundBites is Radio Milwaukee’s signature fundraising event! Held for the first time in five years, SoundBites 2025 rolls into the Harley-Davidson Museum at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. SoundBites is more than just a fundraiser for Radio Milwaukee; it’s a multi-sensory experience, with Milwaukee’s top culinary minds teaming with Radio Milwaukee DJs to create a uniquely interactive evening that highlights the best bites and sounds Milwaukee has to offer. While the chefs prepare their dish, 88Nine and HYFIN DJs will cook up the perfect mix of music to bring out the right notes on the plate.”
Brennan Wedl + Max & The Fellow Travelers, Alewives @ Cactus Club
Umru + Ninajirachi, Folie, digital.maddie @ Cactus Club
Sister Wife Sex Strike + Doom Scroll, Dusty The Kid, Rat Bath @ X-Ray Arcade
Trim/Breiwick Quartet (two shows) @ The Estate
Matt MF Tyner @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Thursday Nights At MAM @ Milwaukee Art Museum
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Zach Pietrini + Wildered (dual record release) @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“In 2020 Zach and Nate (Wildered) sat down to talk about music in Milwaukee. Who could have guessed that this conversation would lead to not only a deep friendship but multiple musical collaborations and the two front men playing in each other’s projects? Not just that but release an album on the same day! The Zach Pietrini Band’s Live From Wire & Vice and Wildered’s Deluxe Album.”
Adam Ray Presents: Dr. Phil LIVE @ The Riverside Theater
“With over 10 million views online, Dr. Phil LIVE has become one of the most fun things to see in comedy. From comedian/actor Adam Ray (Curb, The Barbie Movie, MadTV, Hacks, Pam & Tommy, The Heat), the live show provides a wild late night feel with crowd interactions, standup, huge celebrity guests, surprise characters, and hilarious moments you can’t see anywhere else. It all goes down monthly at The World Famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles, CA.”
Well + Good (record release) + The Keystones, Orange Element, Mas Verde @ Cactus Club
Cicada (record release) + Zeal, Auraborn, Dark Deeds, Seven Cities Dead, Boneclaw @ X-Ray Arcade
LowDown Brass Band + TAE & The Neighborly @ Vivarium
The Erotic Adventures Of The Static Chicken @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Shatter + Jagged, Sublet, Nightmare Unit @ Bremen Cafe
Hinder + Saliva, Kingdom Collapse @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Retro Dance Party: DJ Don Black @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, MARCH 1
The Sloppy Boys Live Podcast @ X-Ray Arcade
What iiiiiiiiiiiiis up? Tonight, The Sloppy Boys—a podcast that “takes a deep dive into the drinks that you love”—drop by X-Ray Arcade for the penultimate stop on their winter tour. Beyond the laughs, the wildly different pronunciations of the word “Cudahy,” and the potential of a parody song, The Boys will also treat those in attendance to an evaluation of a drink during the live podcast recording.
Sleepersound (record release) + Spinner, SSAANN, BLOOD @ Cactus Club
“Come celebrate the release of Sleepersound’s new record My Own Dead Love. With support from Spinner, SSAANN, and BLOOD. In the bar, DJ Quick Trip and DJ $400 will be on the turntables spinning psych, prog, post-punk, art rock, and cosmic country cuts and classics.”
Jo Koy @ Miller High Life Theatre
“Jo Koy brings his Just Being Koy Tour to Miller High Life Theatre this March! Jo’s uniquely relatable comedy pulls inspiration from his colorful family that has reached all kinds of people and has translated into sold-out shows around the world!”
The Erly + Alley Eyes, Jenny Scara @ Falcon Nest
The Prince Experience @ The Pabst Theater
House Your Body: John Simmons + Andrew Optimist, Milkman @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, MARCH 2
Dusk + Graham Hunt, Misprints, Innuendo @ Cactus Club
“Dusk is a group that walks the shadowed path. It’s well known in the rural pastures of Wisconsin, where all of the members of this group were raised, that the traditional music of the common people is Polka, but the most respected form of musical expression is Country and Western. Dusk walks cleanly between these two worlds; pulling influence from both but most strongly associating with Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues. They bring with them a strong, informed, melodic statement that draws a line between themselves and the trend of bubble gum pop and country-influenced mall schlock.”
HR (Bad Brains) + Very Special Guests @ The Cooperage
“Paul ‘HR’ Hudson is best known as the front man of the iconic punk band Bad Brains, formed in 1979. With unprecedented speed and precision, Bad Brains took the Washington, DC music scene by storm and quickly became the most influential band in American punk history, breaking down cultural barriers and creating emotionally charged music centered on the message of maintaining a positive mental attitude (PMA). This concept of PMA continues to inspire HR’s fans.”
Mizzy + I H8 It Here (split EP release), Thotcrime, Bejalvin, Cocojoeyyy @ X-Ray Arcade
Adam Blackwood + Venturer, Half Moon Hideaway, Churchmouse @ Falcon Nest
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