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 January 26 – February 9-15, 2026, brought to you by Wynk.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9
BASIC: Chris Forsyth, Douglas McCombs, Mikel Patrick Avery + Andrew Trim @ Cactus Club
“BASIC, a mind-meld between Chris Forsyth, his frequent running partner (and formidable 6-string thinker) Nick Millevoi, and Mikel Patrick Avery presents This Is BASIC, a complex and entrancing instrumental LP recasting forgotten scraps of guitar history into a moving mosaic of strings, skins and electronics.”
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
GA-20 + Tony Holiday @ The Argo
“Get ready for a night packed with groove, grit, and the kind of blues that hits you right in the chest. GA-20 brings their raw, throwback sound to The Argo, channeling the spirit of classic blues, country, and early rock ‘n’ roll. Known for their vintage gear, live-off-the-floor recording style, and a fearless, high-energy stage presence, this trio has become a leading force in the traditional blues revival. If you’re into music that feels timeless, dirty, soulful, and unmistakably alive, GA-20 sets the bar high.”
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Motion City Soundtrack + Say Anything, Sincere Engineer @ The Rave / Eagles Club
A little more than half a year removed from performing at Summerfest, Motion City Soundtrack returns to its primary Milwaukee haunt—The Rave / Eagles Club—as part of a co-headlining tour with fellow emo-adjacent stalwarts Say Anything. Up-and-coming Chicago pop-punk outfit Sincere Engineer will guarantee you show up early by adding opening support.
Pulsars + Shrinestone, Problems @ X-Ray Arcade
“Chicago indie/synth-rock cult favorites Pulsars released one self-titled album before disbanding, with Rolling Stone later praising the debut as one of the 40 Greatest One-Album Wonders and Trouser Press calling it ‘one of the singular musical accomplishments of the ’90s…a science fair version of Pet Sounds for the computer age.’
GIL Jazz: Gershwin Valentines Show @ The Estate
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience With Robert Neary + Claire Sardina Of Lightning & Thunder @ The Pabst Theater
“A show unlike any tribute you have ever seen or heard before. Broadway, television, and motion picture actor Robert Neary creates a one-of-a-kind, cut-above-the-rest production. He talks about the songs and tells stories behind them, from Neil’s interviews, quotes, and autobiographical books. You will swear you are watching the master himself, as he and the band perform 20 of Neil Diamond’s greatest hits.”
Chili + Soulercoaster, Ann Marie & The Fever Dreams @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“Chili is an indie-soul band from Madison with a tight, expressive sound shaped over seven years of playing together. The band showcases funk-driven bass and drums supporting energetic piano and rhythmic guitar, all topped with soulful vocals and bold horn solos. Drawing inspiration from legends like Stevie Wonder and Amy Winehouse, as well as modern favorites like Lake Street Dive and The Backseat Lovers, Chili explores a unique blend of genres, always carried by their signature groove.”
Krooked (record release) + Keep, Muzzle, Reality Control @ Cactus Club
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
All Messed Up XIV (Night 1) @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“It’s the officially the 14th year of All Messed Up, Milwaukee’s annual randomized musical experiment! Tonight’s bands include Top Half Fish, The Mid-Waste Revival, Tasty Beets, The Schlitz Itch, Sequin Pleasure Crisis, Crystal Code, Robot Disco Annihilation, and Gassy Charlie & The Crabby Trapezoid.”
Full Nude + Bimbo, Swim Two Birds, Star Jelly @ MKE Ultra
There are band names that are easily Google-able, and there are band names that absolutely require the word “band” at the end of the search. Guess which category Milwaukee band Full Nude belongs to! Anyway, Full Nude is a noisy post-punk/alt-rock trio made up of some Milwaukee music veterans/ringers: Madi Moon (Heavy Hand, Like Like The The The Death), Sarah Long (Fahri, Jab Jugular), and Brock Gourlie (Blue Unit, The Trusty Knife, Potty). The group’s latest album is the terrific (and terrifically titled) Crazy Sexy Waterbed.
Chris Fleming @ The Pabst Theater
Get ready, Milwaukee. Incomparable comedian Chris Fleming is coming to town to delight, impress, and confuse a Pabst Theater crowd with a night of unconventional material and unmatched physicality. Beyond knowing it’ll be hilarious, we honestly have no idea what to expect from Fleming this time around.
OnMilwaukee’s 5th Annual Adult Spelling Bee @ The Cooperage
Goth Prom 2026: Friday The 13th @ Mad Planet
Weval: CHOROPHOBIA Album Release Tour + Keith Sweaty @ Cactus Club
Koffin Kats + The Last Gang, Crazy & The Brains @ X-Ray Arcade
Dusty’s Struggle Band @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Conundrum + Mystical Zenith @ Bremen Cafe
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
The Great Milwaukee Can Koozie Swap & Bar Chip Bonanza @ Club Garibaldi
Join Milwaukee Record and Lakefront Brewery for another installment of The Great Milwaukee Can Koozie Swap & Bar Chip Bonanza! From 1-4 p.m., we’ll have some tables set up in the back room of the bar to serve as a makeshift marketplace where people can make some koozie-related transactions. Dale On Sale will also be there selling some of their unique koozie designs and printing designs on your koozies on-site for a small charge. But there’s more! Give us a drink chip—from ANY bar, restaurant, or brewery…even places that are no longer open or located outside Milwaukee—and we’ll let you spin our wheel for a chance to win prizes. Spins can also be purchased for $2 apiece. There’s NO COVER for this 21+ event. We dare you to think of a better way to spend Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day Celebration 2026 @ Lakefront Brewery
“Join us for another special day celebrating love on Valentine’s Day right here at Lakefront Brewery. This will be our 11th year welcoming all who wish to celebrate the holiday and create lasting memories with the ones they love. Like in years past, we’re offering romantic, quaint, and affordable options for wedding ceremonies and vow renewals ($30). Reservation times are available all day long for couples looking to officially tie the knot or revisit their wedding vows of the past.”
All Messed Up XIV (Night 2) @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“Night 2 of All Messed Up! Tonight’s bands include Jenna St. Quoi, Just A Bunch Of Normal Turtles, AL Gore Rhythm, The Deadlights, Bev the Giant Wrench, Cannibal Sand Witches, Bluesy Floozy, and Cat Shaped Hole.”
Goth Prom 2026: Valentine’s Day @ Mad Planet
Ivy Ford Band @ Nashville North
Groove Theory: A Valentine’s Day Tribute To D’Angelo @ The Cooperage
I Woof You! @ Milwaukee Brewing Company
Punk Rock Rummage Sale @ X-Ray Arcade
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15
BLAX (record release) + Modern Tigers, Dana Coppa & Mike DNA, Youth Energy, Je’Love, and They Want Blood @ The Cooperage
There doesn’t seem to be much downtime for BLAX. The veteran Milwaukee hip-hop artist has spent the past few years alone releasing numerous albums, singles, videos, podcasts, and more. Oh, and don’t forget about touring! The tireless creator’s catalog will grow even more with his new album, the 16-track Omnipotent Methodology. The release will be celebrated during a BLAX-headlined show that features a stacked supporting cast consisting of Modern Tigers, Dana Coppa & Mike DNA, Youth Energy, Je’Love, and They Want Blood.
The Last Revel + Dead, Dead Swans @ Vivarium
“Much like their sorrowful, purposeful melodies, the members of The Last Revel contain this thick thread of self, and of place, when it comes to the underlying trait in the sounds and scope of their intent, onstage and in the studio—survival mode. ‘Honestly, I don’t know if we would’ve been able to do this career for as long as we have without persistence,’ says guitarist Lee Henke. ‘By living in a challenging place, it’s definitely conditioned us to have a high tolerance for discomfort, a certain toughness to push ahead.'”
MKE FOR SUDAN Benefit Show: Mizzy + Snag, I H8 It Here, Seabunni, Bullshit Nonsense @ MKE Ultra
Killer High Life + The Floras, Octobers Exit, Spill @ 4Seasons Skatepark
Westerlund // Hagen (record release) + Lomira @ Cactus Club
Honky-Tonk Brunch @ Club Garibaldi
Handcrafted: Lakefront Makers Market @ Lakefront Brewery
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