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 1, 2026, brought to you by Wynk.
MONDAY, JANUARY 26
Anastasia Coope + Autobahn, Apollo Vermouth, Cut @ X-Ray Arcade
“The feeling that Anastasia Coope’s music transmits seems to emanate from a precipice beyond the material world, like a void or memory pressing up against the veil. It’s exacting and enveloping but unmoored in space and time: ghostly, spectral, far-out folk. Darning Woman, her debut album, feels like a dispatch from another past. Akin to lullabies or nursery rhymes, its minimal folk instrumentation contorts into something staccato and strange, led by Coope’s expressive, stratified vocals.”
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27
Chloe Kimes + Living Room @ Cactus Club
“Chloe Kimes is a Michigan born singer, songwriter and bandleader currently based in Nashville, TN. In 2022 Kimes independently released her self titled debut album—voted ‘Listener’s Choice Album of the Year’ by WYCE Radio as well as landing her a spot on NPR Music’s Top Ten Nashville Artists on the Rise. In 2024 she released her latest single ‘Coors Light’ following its immense viral popularity, and spent the year touring a fresh batch of originals on the shoulders of her well loved debut.”
Bluegrass Whatevers: Sugar Bush @ Nashville North
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28
The Toasters + 5 O’Clock Charlie, Local Legends, Meskales @ X-Ray Arcade
The Toasters are nothing short of ska royalty. The constantly touring outfit stops by Cudahy to head up a midweek show that’s nothing short of a Midwest skanker’s dream, as The Toasters will get oodles of local support from 5 O’Clock Charlie and Local Legends, as well as Madison-based Meskales.
Cause And Control + Killer High Life, I’ll Remember April @ Cactus Club
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29
Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy + Dead Dead Swans, WT Newton, S.S. Web @ X-Ray Arcade
“Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy (CNS) is a high-energy quintet from Wichita, KS, USA. The band, whose sound has been described as ‘…a stagecoach in overdrive’ and ‘dark, psychedelic speedfolk,’ has performed their signature blend of strings and horns across 49 states and 9 countries since 2007.”
Cone Earth + Bella Larson And The Scene Kids, Crisis Actress, Kev @ MKE Ultra
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30
David Spade @ The Riverside Theater
“Nominated in 1999 for an Emmy Award for his memorable role as Dennis Finch, the wise-cracking, power-hungry assistant on Just Shoot Me, David Spade became a household favorite during his five-year stint as a cast member on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe in 2000 and an American Comedy Award in 1999 for his work on NBC’s Just Shoot Me. Spade continues to be a box office draw and continues to do stand-up tours nationwide.”
Wisconsin Card Show @ Baird Center (through February 1)
“Wisconsin’s premier card show event produced by Lake Country Cards & Swarmm Events at The Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee. 300+ premier tables; full bar and food available; beautiful new carpeted venue at the Baird Center; athlete signings from Waukesha Sports Cards; benefiting charity.”
Full Nude (record release) + Spidora, Lavish Waste @ Bremen Cafe
Breaking & Entering Presents: Avenues + Calamity, Tiger Lily @ The Cooperage
The Driftless Revelers + Kenny Hotopp @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Luma Knotty @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Solomon Lindenberg Trio @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Revel + Release: Ladies Dance Party @ Mad Planet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37UTTMPopNA
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Oh how the years fly by! Believe it or not, it’s been nearly 30 years since hip-hop legends Bone Thugs-N-Harmony put out E. 1999 Eternal, which featured standout hit “Tha Crossroads.” By this point, that guy in Bone Thugs probably really misses his uncle Charles.
Ice Bear Fest @ Third Space Brewing
Third Space’s Ice Bear Fest returns! The Menomonee Valley brewery will once again be host to a “1980s après ski dance party” in its beer garden to celebrate its tasty seasonal Baltic porter. In addition to the abundance of Ice Bear on hand, the winter affair will feature an era-specific playlist from Sound By Design until 5 p.m., Mixtape playing live renditions of ’80s covers from 5-7 p.m., food available from Hue and Brew City Snowballs, shotskis, a costume contest at 4 p.m., a vintage ski gear pop-up from Fresh To Death vintage, and various other Third Space brews on-site to help keep you warm.
The Time Is Now: Milwaukee Artists And Our Political Moment @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
Amphibient + Tarek Sabbar, Jay Mollerskov @ MKE Ultra
Liv Held Quartet @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Malört Night @ Boone & Crockett
House Your Body: Jon Davis Jr.+ TJK, Jonn Hawley, Andrew Optimist @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Big Head Todd And The Monsters @ The Pabst Theater
“For close to four decades, the members of Big Head Todd and The Monsters—Todd Park Mohr (vocals, guitar, keys, sax, harmonica), Brian Nevin (drums), Rob Squires (bass, vocals), and Jeremy Lawton (keyboards, lap pedal/steel guitar, vocals)—have continued to both throw down in the studio and light up stages worldwide. Rallying around a core vision, the platinum-selling Colorado quartet kick out the kind of blues-drenched rock ‘n’ roll bangers that make you want to rev the engine a little louder, sing along like no one’s looking, and live a little freer.”
In Memory Of Bob Weir @ The Cooperage
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