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 July 14-20, 2025.
MONDAY, JULY 14
Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band @ Aurora Pavilion (Henry Maier Festival Park)
“Join us for a night of unforgettable music as award-winning actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise and his celebrated Lt. Dan Band take the stage in their first-ever public performance in Milwaukee—all in support of Skylight Music Theatre. For 65 years, Skylight Music Theatre has been Milwaukee’s home for exceptional musical theatre—but like many performing arts organizations, we are navigating rising costs, shrinking funding, and evolving audience trends in a post-pandemic world. Thanks to the generosity of Gary Sinise and the Gary Sinise Foundation, all proceeds from this special benefit concert will provide necessary operating funds, helping us keep the curtain up and continue bringing transformative, professional musical theatre to our community.”
Musical Mondays: Bonerama @ Lake Park Summer Stage
“A legendary New Orleans band featuring three trombones, Bonerama plays a genre-bending gumbo that covers the sound of everything from Crescent City horn bands, soul and gospel to music of The Beatles and Led Zeppelin.”
Rainbow Summer @ Marcus Performing Arts Center Outdoor Grounds (through July 20)
It’s Alive: Matt Froelich @ Bronze Fonz
TUESDAY, JULY 15
Chill On The Hill: Telethon + Testa Rosa @ Humboldt Park
Earlier this year, geographically scattered “hard pop” outfit Telethon dropped a new full-length album, Suburban Electric. Kevin Tully’s lyrics take the form of testimonials from imagined individuals like struggling actor who fancies himself a Sterling Hayden type, a bored senior who has seen enough in life, a guy who builds a time machine (and his neighbor), an exorcist who goes away on business, and “a guy who let things get away from him a bit.” The expansive scope of song subjects is more than matched musically, as the band not only applies its usual layers of operatic power pop to the mix, but builds on the instrumentation employed on past releases.
Dale Watson & His Lone Stars + Liv @ Shank Hall
“Dale Watson is an award-winning hardest working real country musician and producer who has been creating music and performing live for over 40 years. He has shared the stage with such icons as Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson, just to name a few. He has been seen on David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, and Austin City Limits, but most of the time, he is touring the world, killing it for his fans, keeping the country music roots sound alive. With over 30 albums and singles, Dale knows his way around the recording studio, which is why he built Wat-sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, complete with the 1937 board from Sun Studio.”
The Swell Season @ The Riverside Theater
“The fan base created by the modern masterpiece of Once looms large in the minds and hearts of many. With that, the heartbreaking beauty of The Swell Season—Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, came to be. They’re BACK with their first full length album in 16 years, featuring their exquisite sound you know and love. This special night of music will highlight songs from The Swell Season, Once, as well as their individual careers.”
Riverwalk Commons Concert Series: Learning To Fly @ Milwaukee Public Market
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
Summer Of Soul: Digable Planets + KidCutUp @ Marcus Performing Arts Center (Peck Pavilion)
“Milwaukee’s cherished summer tradition is back—Summer Of Soul 2025 brings the rhythm, flavor, and soul of the city to the heart of downtown. Ranging from R&B and Latin jazz to funk, soul, and hip-hop, it’s just the start of what makes this event extraordinary. More than a free concert series, Summer Of Soul transforms into a vibrant block party, featuring a rotating marketplace with local artisans, makers, and community vendors, along with delicious bites from Milwaukee’s top food trucks.”
Built To Spill + Yo La Tengo @ The Pabst Theater
What’s better than seeing Built To Spill and Yo La Tengo separately? Seeing them together, of course. The indie-rock legends have been no strangers to Milwaukee in recent years, but seeing them on the same bill in the gorgeous Pabst Theater is a can’t-miss proposition. Built To Spill’s latest record is 2022’s When The Wind Forgets Your Name; Yo La Tengo released the excellent This Stupid World the following year.
Milwaukee Night Market @ Wisconsin Avenue, between 2nd and Vel R. Phillips
“The Milwaukee Night Market is a free, outdoor event showcasing a variety of local vendors, performers, and artists. The Milwaukee Night Market transforms the heart of downtown into an exciting fusion of all the city has to offer.”
Tosa Tonight: Chicken Wire Empire + The Big Kind Heart @ Hart Park, Wauwatosa
Heart(beats) Of The City: Horizon – Navy Band Great Lakes @ Red Arrow Park
Mayfair Collection Summer Concert Series: Suzanne Grzanna Band @ Keady Plaza
Summer Sounds: Cold Soda Club @ Hubbard Park
Wonderful Wednesdays: Main Street Song & Dance Troupe @ Lake Park Summer Stage
Waukesha County Fair @ Waukesha County Expo Grounds, Waukesha (through July 20)
THURSDAY, JULY 17
Bastille Days @ Cathedral Square Park (through July 20)
“Bastille Days, Milwaukee’s popular French festival and one of the nation’s largest French-themed celebrations, is held in Milwaukee’s Cathedral Square Park. The free, four-day bash attracts over 250,000 visitors annually who enjoy live music, an international marketplace, French and Cajun cuisine, and roaming busker entertainment. The 5-K run and 2-mile walk will take place on opening night of the festival, July 17 at 9 p.m.”
Dead Feathers + Rujen, VBIV @ Cactus Club
“Based out of Chicago, Dead Feathers has proven themselves to be a band with exceeding potential and lasting appeal since day one. Building off of the success of their 2019 debut album All Is Lost on Ripple Music, Dead Feathers has been gaining a growing fan base across North America and overseas through ambitious touring and supporting acts like Kikagaku Moyo, All them Witches, SLIFT, and many more in their home city. During that time, they have established their name and carved a debut full-length album with the anticipation of their sophomore album Full Circle.”
Ladders + Caley Conway, Valentiger @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Krallice + Niveous, Nicholas Elert @ Club Garibaldi
Black Widows + Cozy Danger, ID @ X-Ray Arcade
Cali Cuzns + Stress Fractures, Endswell, Frantic Repair, Courtesy @ Sugar Maple
It’s Alive: Smith & Binder Jazz @ Milwaukee Public Market
Thursday Bike Night Concert Series: Ladybird @ Harley-Davidson Museum
Tunes@Noon: Jon Hintz @ Courtyard of 411 East Wisconsin Center
The Midnight Purchase @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Under The Bridge: Valley Fox @ Third Space Brewing
Port Fish Days @ Port Washington harbor, Port Washington (through July 19)
West Allis Summer Concert Series: Mixtape @ Veterans Memorial Park, West Allis
FRIDAY, JULY 18
Milwaukee Gallery Night & Day @ various locations (also July 19)
“Gallery Night MKE—Milwaukee’s original gallery hop event—unites the city through art. Experience the vast creative culture in MKE while you discover local galleries, art, and artists. This free, two-day, quarterly event offers you the opportunity to buy original art, dine in outstanding restaurants, and shop in unique boutiques.”
East Side Gallery Night @ Ivanhoe Plaza
“From gallery pop-ups and artist showcases to community art and exclusive food and drink specials, this event offers something for everyone—whether you’re an art enthusiast, casual browser, or just looking for a fun night out. It’s a chance to discover new local talent, connect with small businesses, and experience the East Side in a whole new way.” The inaugural event will be capped with an installment of Black Cat Alley After Dark—complete with a silent disco—from 6-10 p.m.
Strangelander Strings @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“Strangelander Strings is a new and exciting incarnation of Strangelander that features, as always, the explosive talents of Amanda Huff, Aaron Van Oudenallen, Pat Reinholz and Steve Peplin with a fantastic ensemble of string players including Kristian and Sonora Brusubardis, Anastasia Ballin and more. Jaems Murphy will be showcasing his album and graphic novel art for the Strangelander Saga as well!”
The Crosses + Sex Scenes, Poison Hand, Futile Act! @ X-Ray Arcade
“Die Kreuzen vocalist Daniel Kubinski and his band The Crosses play originals, the self-titled Die Kreuzen LP from front to back, and favorites from the October File LP.”
Winona Fighter + Rat Bath @ Vivarium
Haywire + Juicebox, World I Hate, Suffer No Fools, Nightmare Unit @ Cactus Club (early show)
Haywire + The Killer, Juicebox, Home Invasion @ Cactus Club (late show)
Florida Brothers Band + Lilac Fortress, Scopes @ Quarters Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace
Socially Suspect + Super Brick, Fish-Head And The Bones, No Parking @ Falcon Hall
Torcado (record release) + Mas Verde, Rich & Dusty @ The Cooperage
It’s Alive: Tlalok @ Lakefront Brewery
Music On The Beerline: Urban Empress And The Urbanites @ Beerline Plaza
Soulful Summer: Tlalok Rodriquez and the Latin Jazz Quintet @ Gordon Park
Sounds Of Summer: The First Wave @ Bayshore
Starry Nights: Chicken Wire Empire @ Sharon Lynn Wilson Center for the Arts
WMSE’s Friday Night Freak Show: American Graffiti @ Oriental Theatre
Friday Night Retro Mix Tape: Sage “Champagne” Schwarm + Mosh Wah @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, JULY 19
WaterStone Bank Air & Water Show @ lakefront, the sky (also July 20)
“The WaterStone Bank Air and Water Show will bring to Milwaukee and the surrounding areas the thrill of aerial aerobatics in a wholesome, family-friendly environment. We will instill fascination and love in our audience for the armed forces and aviation fun while stimulating the local economy and highlighting the natural beauty of our scenic lakefront.”
Daisyhead + Stay Inside, Bouquet, Potionseller, In Shining Armour @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Taco Tuesday + EgoDeath, Generation Why, Peach Vomit, Bayview Boyfriends @ Four Seasons Skate Park
Current Sounds: Hanna Simone @ Lakefront Brewery
Charli XCX vs. Kesha vs. Chappell Roan @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, JULY 20
Oso Oso + Holy Pinto @ X-Ray Arcade
More than five years after canceling their X-Ray Arcade show in the early days of the pandemic, Oso Oso are finally coming back to the Cudahy venue. The Long Beach, New York-based indie rock project fronted by Jade Lilitri will headline tonight’s show as part of the “$10 Bill Tour.” As the name suggests, the cover is just $10! Milwaukee’s own Holy Pinto opens.
Welcome To Night Vale: Murder Night In Blood Forest @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Beloved former teen militia member Tamika Flynn is joining a few hundred of her friends for the annual Murder Night in Blood Forest, a celebration of crows, ravens, and all corvids. But a masked killer is hunting these carefree partiers one by one. Who would ruin Murder Night with murder? Can Cecil and Tamika solve the mystery before the murderer has gotten them all? Starring Cecil Baldwin, Symphony Sanders, surprise guests playing fan-favorite characters, a special musical guest as ‘The Weather’ and live music by Disparition. Both fans of the show and newcomers will be able to enjoy this stand-alone performance.”
Milwaukee Armenian Fest @ St. John Armenian Church
“Since the 1930s, the Armenian community of Milwaukee has gathered every summer for a picnic featuring traditional Mediterranean dishes made from old family recipes. This Midwest Area family picnic has grown into Armenian Fest, an increasingly popular attraction for Milwaukee festivalgoers seeking alternatives to hamburgers and bratwurst.”
South Milwaukee Heritage Days @ various locations, South Milwaukee (through July 27)
Big Sandy And His Fly Rite Boys + Brian Ritchie Quartet @ Shank Hall
Noxis + Chemoth, Scroll @ Sabbatic
Girls Rock MKE Showcase @ Vivarium
Summer Patio Music Series: Dianna Jones @ Great Lakes Distillery
Milwaukee Makers Market @ Discovery World
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