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 June 15-21, 2026, brought to you by Wynk.
MONDAY, JUNE 15
Vindictive Punishment + Grotesque Abdication, Once Purified, Backstabber, Pure Hatred @ X-Ray Arcade
It’s Monday, and you’re looking to cap your day with a stacked show of Midwest metal. What to do? Head over to Cudahy’s mighty X-Ray Arcade where Minneapolis slam/death metal groups Vindictive Punishment and Grotesque Abdication will do their slam/death metal things. Milwaukee’s own Once Purified and Backstabber will open, along with Chicago-area band Pure Hatred.
Casual Sex + Dirty 930, The Percipitators, Mas Verde @ MKeUltra
TUESDAY, JUNE 16
Summerfest Kickoff: Garth Brooks @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater (also June 17)
Country superstar Garth Brooks is playing TWO Summerfest “kickoff” shows ahead of ye olde Big Gig. The first will take place at American Family Insurance Amphitheater Tuesday, June 16. That will be followed with a second show, scheduled for Wednesday, June 17—a day before the first official day of Summerfest—also at AmFam Amphitheater. These will be Brooks’ first Summerfest shows ever, and his first Milwaukee shows in more than a decade. Chris Gaines opens. (Not really.)
The Aquabats! + Koffin Kats, Sullvn @ Turner Hall Ballroom
They’re incomparable, influential, iconic, and admittedly kind of tough to explain. They’re The Aquabats! The seminal, long-tenured, and unflinchingly goofy costumed ska-punk superheroes (which featured Travis Barker in its ranks before he joined blink-182) pay a rare visit to Milwaukee to headline a Turner Hall outing that also includes opening support from Koffin Kats and Sullvn.
Resurrectionists (record release) + Denude, Narrow/Arrow @ MKeUltra
Joe Cannon and his Resurrectionists have had a busy few years. The Milwaukee doom chamber/Americana outfit released the excellent Now That We Are All Ghosts in 2023, complete with music videos for all nine song. They followed it up in 2025 with an equally great EP, Any Time You Make A Place For Them. Tonight, the group celebrates the release of a “double EP” that collects Any Time with the new OK, Let’s Play King.
Maximiano + Bloodroots, Bitch Creek, The Devil Said Jump @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Berens Bros. Comedy Hour @ The Laughing Tap (sold out)
Riverwalk Commons Concert Series: Gabriel Harris Band @ Milwaukee Public Market
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
Milwaukee Record Presents: Face/Off @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
In case you’ve been living under a rock…or you’re not 35 or older, this straight-up bonkers 1997 blockbuster stars Nicholas Cage as international terrorist Castor Troy and John Travolta in the role of Sean Archer, the FBI agent whose life mission is bringing Troy to justice for his crimes. Faces and identities are swapped and a wealth of hilariously unrealistic action sequences—the type only a director like John Woo could pull off—ensue. Oh, and Gina Gershon, CCH Pounder, Thomas Jane, Margaret Cho, and John Carroll Lynch are in the this thing, too. It’s wild! It’s fun! It’s Face/Off.
The Phantom A.D. + Devils Teeth, dREW And Associates @ X-Ray Arcade
The Phantom A.D. specializes in so-called “Ghoulish Rock N’ Roll,” which is a blend of surf rock, garage rock, and rockabilly performed with a swagger that’s equal parts spectacle and just darn good music. The headliner will get local support from Milwaukee’s own Devils Teeth and dREW And Associates from nearby Sheboygan.
Ope! To End Alzheimer’s @ The Argo
See some of the city’s best stand-up comedians and support a great cause in the process. The Ope! To End Alzheimer’s comedy showcase will raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin chapter. The gut-busting benefit at The Argo will be headlined by Charlie Berens, who will be preceded by the likes of Chastity Washington, Ryan Mason, Dana Ehrmann, Tyler Menz, and Rachel Mac. All ticket proceeds from the event will be donated to Alzheimer’s Association.
Chill On The Hill: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra + Hot & Dirty Brass Band @ Humboldt Park
Heart(beats) Of The City: Charambó Latin Jazz @ Red Arrow Park
Tosa Tonight @ Hart Park, Wauwatosa
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
Summerfest: Weekend 1 @ Henry Maier Festival Park (through June 20)
Summerfest! The affordable nine-day music festival spread out over three consecutive Thursday-Friday-Saturday blocks with a little something for everyone that takes place in a lovely and well-appointed lakeshore park where you can eat and drink and relax and grumble about it for some reason! It’s back! Some Weekend 1 highlights include Megan Moroney, Third Eye Blind, Passion Pit, Echo & The Bunnymen, Hot Mulligan, Amyl And The Sniffers, Father John Misty, and Braid. Oh, and David Lee Roth. Find the full lineup—organized by date, time, and stage—HERE.
Edelweiss Concert Cruise Series: Trapper Schoepp @ Milwaukee River, 205 W. Highland Ave.
What’s better than seeing tireless Milwaukee troubadour Trapper Schoepp live? Seeing him live on a boat. Schoepp takes to the high seas—a.k.a. the Milwaukee River and the shoreline of Lake Michigan—for a two-hour cruise that will find him playing songs from his recent record Osborne. Oh, and selections from his deep and rewarding back catalog as well.
Lion’s Tooth + Milwaukee Record Music Book Club: Girl In A Band: A Memoir by Kim Gordon @ Lion’s Tooth
Do you like books? Do you like music? Do you like books about music? Then you’re in luck, because we’ve partnered with beloved Bay View bookstore Lion’s Tooth for the Lion’s Tooth + Milwaukee Record Music Book Club! How does it work? Just stop by Lion’s Tooth on the third Thursday of the month, from 6-8 p.m., and discuss a new music-related book. That’s it!
Garden Home + Mizzy, Or Does It Explode, In Shining Armour @ Cactus Club
Ann Marie & The Fever Dreams + Lily Slay & The Vertebrae, JR Wesley @ Falcon Nest
Devin Drobka’s Resorts Piano Trio @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Lounj Acts: Frogwater @ The Wicked Hop
Cathedral Square Market @ Cathedral Square Park
Concerts On The Green: The Mosleys + Matt Tyner @ Enderis Park
It’s Alive!: Cream City Folk @ Milwaukee Public Market
Jazz In The Park: Respect! A Tribute To The Queen Of Soul @ Cathedral Square Park
Música del Lago: Septeto Charambo @ Colectivo (lakefront)
Thursday Bike Nights: Old School Fuel @ Harley-Davidson Museum Campus
Tunes@Noon: Frogwater @ Courtyard of 411 East Wisconsin Center
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
Juneteenth Jubilee Parade @ 14th and Atkinson to MLK and Locust
“Join us for an unforgettable celebration featuring vibrant floats, electrifying marching bands, dynamic dance teams, and an array of exciting activities. Plus, faith-based, non-profit, community, and education organizations have the opportunity to compete for monetary awards in the float, dance, and marching band competition.” The parade steps off at 9 a.m. Summerfest, meanwhile, will feature various Juneteenth-related events throughout the weekend.
Greek Fest @ Waukesha County Expo Center Grounds (through June 21)
Greek Fest has been a part of the Milwaukee summer festival tradition for the past 60 years. For the fest’s 61st year, it’s moving from Wisconsin State Fair Park to the Waukesha County Expo Center Grounds. While the venue will be different, organizers say the “cherished family recipes, traditions, music, and warm hospitality” of past Greek Fests will live on.
Guy Branum @ The Laughing Tap (also June 20)
When he isn’t writing and/or producing some of your favorite TV comedies (such as Hacks, The Other Two, and The Mindy Project) or acting opposite Seth Rogan, Rose Byrne, Jean Smart, and Natalie Portman in both television and film properties, Guy Branum is on stage performing stand-up comedy. The accomplished comedian and award-winning writer will drop by The Laughing Tap’s new and improved downtown location for a total of three shows split between two nights.
Farewell Moonlight + Her Haunting Melody, Wyvern, Oh Well Ok @ MKeUltra
Garrett Waite: Shapeshifter Live @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Steve Cohen @ Ope! Brewing Co.
WMSE Friday Night Freak Show: Paris Is Burning @ Oriental Theatre
Deer District Summer Concert Series: Xeno & Joe @ The Deer Garden
Summer Sounds: LowDown Brass Band + Hanna Simone @ Cedar Creek Park, Cedarburg
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
Jerry Grillo: A Temporary Farewell @ The Estate
“What would a goodbye to the Jazz Estate be without a (temporary) farewell from legend of the Estate stage, Jerry Grillo? Fresh off of his WAMI win for his song ‘The Strength Of America,’ Jerry will take listeners on a musical journey with his unique blend of jazz excellence and the intimate allure of a French Cabare. Grillo’s shows showcase his versatile vocal prowess and his deep connection with the audience.”
Bloom The Arctic (record release) + Bowvee, Heavy Bend @ Cactus Club
“Bloom the Arctic is an alternative rock band based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, formed in May 2025. Blending reggae rock and alternative, the band draws inspiration from artists like Sublime, Pepper, and Cage the Elephant to create a sound that feels nostalgic yet unique. Bloom the Arctic is set to release their debut album Trippin Daisies June 20 which showcases their range within genres as they continue to build their own identity.”
Father Figure, Mother Figure, Other Figure: Film Premiere by Neil Gravander + music by Sarah Long, Zack Pieper, Secret Sister @ Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts
“Join us for the premiere of Father Figure, Mother Figure, Other Figure, a feature-length film by Neil Gravander! This event will also feature performances from Sarah Long, Zack Pieper, and Secret Sister.”
Current Sounds: Jack Tell @ Lakefront Brewery
South Shore Farmers’ Market: Stallis Cowboys @ South Shore Park
Summer Night Movies: Zootopia 2 @ Veterans Park
Shrek Rave @ The Rave / Eagles Club
House Your Body: Jonn Hawley + Andrew Optimist @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, JUNE 21
Make Music Milwaukee @ various locations
“Make Music Milwaukee is part of Make Music Day, the worldwide music celebration held each June 21. Featuring concerts, performances, music lessons, jam sessions and other musical events on streets, sidewalks, parks and public spaces in Milwaukee and across the U.S. Make Music Day encourages all people, of all musical abilities, to celebrate the joy of making music.”
Set My Friends On Fire + Scro, Current Comfort, I H8 It Here @ X-Ray Arcade (sold out)
Cafe Sopra Mare: Louis Cucunato (Classical Guitar) @ Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
Current Sounds: Pete McDermott of Ladybird @ Lakefront Brewery
Milwaukee Makers Market @ American Family Field
Want more Milwaukee Record? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and/or support us on Patreon.