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 19-25, 2026, brought to you by Wynk.
MONDAY, JANUARY 19
Greg Freeman + Golomb @ Cactus Club
“Greg Freeman deals in biblical deluges, apocalyptic fever dreams, Floridian miscreants, and green mountain malaise. On his excellent debut LP I Looked Out, Gregs’s voice takes center stage, creaking, crooning, and cutting through clouds of static. The songs are linked together by a palpable urgency, whether it is the punch-in-the-face, careening momentum of ‘Tower,’ the country-gazing guitar squall of ‘Souvenir Heart,’ or the singalong finale of ‘Palms.'”
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20
Bluegrass Whatevers: Members Of Stealin’ Strings @ Nashville North
“Rob Shivo and Ryan Ogburn reunite with Jordan for an evening featuring members of local legends Stealin’ Strings. Bluegrass Whatevers is a weekly music series at Nashville North hosted by local MKE bluegrassers Joe Wais (The MilBillies), Jordan Kroeger (Chicken Wire Empire), and Ernest Brusubardis IV (Chicken Wire Empire). Following a standard ‘bluegrass jam’ format, the series features guest artists and full bands from around the region, playing ‘Whatever’ bluegrass tunes they’re feeling. It’s always good, and always Whatever.”
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
Milwaukee Record Presents: Children Of Men @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
Prescient 2006 Alfonso Cuarón-written and -directed masterpiece Children Of Men stars Clive Owen as Theo, a nihilistic and broken civil servant called upon by some old acquaintances to protect a young refugee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) whose safekeeping has untold society-saving implications. The film—which has been called one of this abbreviated century’s best by many respected outlets—also features Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Charlie Hunnam, and Chiwetel Umeadi Ejiofor. Though this one is far from our most uplifting selection, it’s still an outstanding movie we’re almost certain you didn’t get to see on the big screen during its limited theatrical run 20 years ago.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22
AZTHMA (record release) + DJ Abilities, Kia Rap Princess, Guerrilla Ghost, GetMoses @ X-Ray Arcade
Higher Education Records (HER) spins an intricate web. The Milwaukee hip-hop and electronic collective has so many individual artists (GetMoses, Mad Static, Diallo, Slang Troubadour, FHOBOS, NDILOMA, Mic Crawf) and so many projects that feature different combinations of those artists (RealityTV being one of them) that keeping track of it all can feel like a Pepe Silvia-esque undertaking. Add to list AZTHMA, a new HER collaboration of Slang Troubadour and FHOBOS. The duo’s debut 5-track EP Earborne is filled with big beats, manic vocals, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek doom-and-gloom lore.
Rascal Flatts + Lauren Alaina, Chris Lane @ Fiserv Forum
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
Cate Le Bon + Frances Chang @ Vivarium
“Its creation led by pure emotion, Cate Le Bon’s seventh record Michelangelo Dying usurped the album she thought she was making. The product of all-consuming heartache, her feelings overrode her reluctance to write an album about love, and in the process became a kind of exorcism. What emerges is a wonderfully iridescent attempt to photograph a wound before it closes up—but which in doing so, picks at it too.”
Mondo Lucha! @ The Cooperage
“Milwaukee’s own, MONDO LUCHA! returns on Friday January 23 to The Cooperage for another wild and exciting night of high-flying wrestling action. Featuring all your favorite MONDO LUCHA! superstars and personalities. Get ready to enjoy all the thrills and chills as The Cooperage gets turned upside and body slammed by the insane world of pro wrestling! DOORS AT 7, SHOW AT 8!”
The Midnight Purchase + Ben Mulwana @ The Argo
“Milwaukee’s own The Midnight Purchase delivers a soulful fusion of folk, rock, and Americana—blending heartfelt lyrics, rich harmonies, and dynamic energy that captivate audiences from the first note. Led by songwriter Peña, the band has earned acclaim for their authentic sound and emotional depth.”
Lunde (record release) + Chapped Lips, Zach Pietrini @ Cactus Club
“Three Wisconsin guys thrive on their differences. Cousins Nate Uhrich (lead vocals) and Jeremiah Lunde (drums) had long been passerby in each other’s lives. In 2018, the pair re-discovered their musical connection at a family gathering. Soon after, Josh Janiak (bass) joined and they decided to name the band ‘Lunde’ (a family name).”
Paul Silbergleit Trio @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: SpudNikk @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24
Social Cig + Sheebie & The Lovemakers, Deep Dive @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
The past few years have been busy ones for Parker Schultz and his self-described “indie-skate-rock” project: multiple records, big local shows, extensive touring, more. Social Cig’s fourth LP, Patchwork: A Road Dog Story, is a document of those years. It’s an aural travelogue filled with endless shows, endless cities, car troubles, more cities, and, eventually, coming home. “This project reflects 2023-2025 after I quit my full-time office job to pursue my music career,” Schultz writes. “This was a chapter of discovery, growth, failure, determination, and grit. It was a whole lotta work but a whole lotta fun.”
5th Annual Bluegrass Winter Heater: The MilBillies + Art Stevenson & High Water, Derek Pritzl & The Gamble, Valley Fox @ The Cooperage
“The MilBillies host a litany of wonderful artists to help set your icy souls on fire on Saturday January 24! Art Stevenson & High Water, Derek Pritzl & The Gamble, Valley Fox and more round out the evening with Jordan Kroeger on emcee duties and visits from special guests Ernie Brusubardis IV and Artist at Large!”
Jonah Kagen + Vincent Lima @ Vivarium (sold out)
“A Savannah, GA native, Jonah Kagen is the embodiment of raw talent and relentless dedication. At just 25, Jonah has already made waves with over 386 million global streams, 2.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and two critically acclaimed EPs—The Roads and Black Dress, featuring hit ‘God Needs The Devil’ which is presently Top 15 at Alternative radio and was chosen as one of Spotify’s Best Pop Songs of 2024.”
Surefire (record release) + Still Stayer, Vexatious, Vapid Soul, Torment, Strain @ X-Ray Arcade
Breakup Tour + Lily Slay, Razor Toast @ MKE Ultra
HOLLYY + Bear In The Forest, Maximiano @ Cactus Club
Flannel vs. Denim: Modern Joey + Wire And Nail, Pullstring @ Mad Planet
The Unrulies + Driveway Thriftdwellers @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Aaron Shapiro Quartet @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Ann Marie & The Fever Dreams @ Sugar Maple
Jeremiah Jams Band @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Woodland Pattern’s 32nd Annual Poetry Marathon & Benefit @ Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25
John Mulaney @ The Riverside Theater
Writer, actor, Netflix talk show host, and world-renowned comedian John Mulaney is currently at the height of his popularity and his star shows no signs of shrinking anytime soon. See the modern stand-up favorite tonight as part of his “Mister Whatever” tour.
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