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 January 29 – February 4, 2024.
MONDAY, JANUARY 29
Dive Beer Night @ Lakefront Brewery
“Do you miss when beer was just beer? Yes, we all love the innovative ideas and tantalizing ingredients that come from craft brewers but sometimes you just want a ‘beer-tasting’ beer. May we present to you Dive Beer Milwaukee Lager. A classic, easy-drinking lager. Pours pale gold with a fine white head. Light-bodied and refreshing with a fresh-baked bread flavor up front, malty sweetness is checked by a modest hop addition. Barley, water, hops, and yeast, that’s it! Our Dive Beer will be pouring at a cheap $5/pint and will be available in 15-packs!”
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30
Rock Paper Scissors League 2024 @ Company Brewing
“It’s Rock Paper Scissors but for fabulous* prizes! This is an individuals league, no team-play yet. If folks like this and it catches on, we will add a team category next season. The game-play is just as you remember from your childhood: rock, paper, scissors, shoot! As with other RPS leagues in the country, goofiness is highly encouraged! Costumes are highly encouraged! Kayfabe is encouraged! *Nightly prizes include stickers, a gift card from Company Brewing, and your name on the leader board. The grand prize is your very own Milwaukee RPS tee shirt and the annual trophy, forged by a Cream City Media family member.”
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31
M545 + Toadskin, Age/Out @ Cactus Club
“Referencing the medical code for chronic back pain, M545 rocks punkwise in the spirit of all your favorite California counties, you know, the ones where Pennywise, NOFX, and AFI came from…and feature mems of Size 5s!”
Acoustic Open Stage: Andii + Jorge Vallentine @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Midweek Music: Dameron & Brusubardis @ Crafty Cow (Bay View)
Back in November, we wrapped up another autumn installment of our Midweek Music concert series at Crafty Cow’s Wauwatosa location. For winter, the concerts will take place at Crafty Cow’s location in Bay View on select Wednesday and Thursday nights. Once again, there will be NO COVER for these all-ages shows, which will run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. If a free weeknight show isn’t already great enough on its own, Crafty Cow will offer $4 pints from Third Space Brewing during all Midweek Music concerts. They’ll also have a “Cheap Date” special, which includes two entrees, a starter, and a dessert for just $37. This week: Ben Dameron and Viktor Brusubardis!
Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me @ The Riverside Theater
“Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! is National Public Radio’s Peabody Award-winning comedy news quiz show. Host Peter Sagal leads a rotating panel of comedians, writers, listener contestants, and celebrity guests through a rollicking review of the week’s news. Contestants vie for the most coveted prize in all of public radio: a custom-recorded greeting by any of our cast members for their voicemail.”
Vanity Plates + SSAANN, Nopaleros @ Cactus Club
“Vanity Plates is rock and roll for people, by people. Combining instruments like drums, bass, and guitar, they ask tough questions and don’t always wait around for the answers. Milwaukee alt-pop for overthinking underachievers.”
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Sleepersound + Ghost Cuts, West Nile Crows @ X-Ray Arcade
Sleepersound’s 2021 album Idle Voices is a hazy, atmospheric, and impeccably lovely record. Opener “Silence Otherwise” unfolds and evolves like a dream, the cinematic (and instrumental) title track plays like an indie-rock tribute to Blade Runner, and “The Nightingale” ends things on a haunting note. Simpatico Milwaukee groups Ghost Cuts and West Nile Crows fill out this can’t-miss Friday-night bill.
Xposed 4Heads Present: The DIFF, A Power Pop Dance Party @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“The legendary Xposed 4Heads will play their fun, high energy original New Wave that airs nationally. They’re the Ultimate Original Fun Rock Party Band. Enthusiastically positive and proudly quirky! The DIFF, a scene-maker in Boston in the late 70s/early 80s, has finally released their debut after 40+ years. Hard-hitting popcraft with hooks galore!”
D.L. Hughley @ Milwaukee Improv (through February 4)
The Hughley Show namesake, one of the “Original Kings Of Comedy,” and veteran stand-up D.L. Hughley will return to the Milwaukee Improv, where he’s been a frequent visitor since the club opened in 2021. Hughley will perform five shows in the Brookfield-based venue February 2-4.
Will Pfrang And The Goodland Gang + 5pm To Nowhere, Faded Places @ Shank Hall
Soul Night (MKE Music Night LXVII): No Seatbelts + Soul Patrol, V.I.P. Live @ The Cooperage
Dylan LeBlanc + Jarrod Dickenson @ Cactus Club
Dead Man’s Carnival @ Miramar Theatre
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Paul H @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Mitten Fest @ Boone & Crockett
It’s the same great great winter festival, only (temporarily) in a new location. Mitten Fest 2024 will take place outside Boone & Crockett, just a few miles up the road from its regular home outside Burnhearts. Again, the venue change is a temporary one, as Burnhearts owners B.J. and Jess Seidel wanted to take a year away from hosting the ever-growing block party “to re-envision [their] location.” The beer selection and brandy-based drink list, the eclectic blend of local music, and the lineup of area food/retail vendors will be the same as usual.
Graham Hunt (record release) + Rustbelt (record release), Shontrail, DJ Yuppie @ Cactus Club
Even though Mitten Fest won’t be in Bay View, the neighborhood is still playing host to one hell of a show that night. Madison (by way of Milwaukee) treasure Graham Hunt celebrates the release of a new album at this stacked Cactus Club show that doubles as an EP release show for Rustbelt, and also features Milwaukee Record favorite Shontrail opening things up.
Great Lakes Pet Expo @ Wisconsin State Fair Park
While there are a bunch of expos, tournaments, and trade shows scheduled to take place at Wisconsin State Fair Park this winter, the Great Lakes Pet Expo is the best of the bunch. (No offense, Milwaukee Boat Show!) The 19th installment will bring thousands of animal lovers to Wisconsin State Fair Park to explore 143,000 square feet worth of “pet loving shopping and services, entertainment, educational experiences, and some of Wisconsin’s cutest adoptables.” Get out of the house, bring the whole family, and support Wisconsin’s homeless companion animals.
State Of Sound: Sleepy Gaucho + Dak Dubois, Scam Likely, Wave Chapelle @ Radio Milwaukee
Zig Zag Sex Mag Presents: Spidora + Video Sex Priest, Edging @ Last Rites
ABBA vs. Queen vs. Blondie @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4
MKE Chili Bowl @ Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
The mighty MKE Chili Bowl is back to tickle tongues, clear sinuses, and bring a wide variety of Milwaukee-area culinary professionals together to compete for The Golden Ladle. Head to Potawatomi Hotel & Casino to sample traditional, spicy, and vegetarian chili varieties.
Landon Conrath + Motel Breakfast, Micah Emrich @ Cactus Club
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