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 June 30 – July 6, 2025.
MONDAY, JUNE 30
oldsoul + Careful Gaze, Bowvee, Fake My Death @ Sugar Maple
“oldsoul plays emotional indie rock that’s big on feelings and even bigger on riffs. It’s thoughtful, catchy, and perfect for anyone who’s ever cried in a car and liked it.”
TUESDAY, JULY 1
Juanita & Juan + Clickbait @ Cactus Club
“Juanita and Juan is a dynamic musical duo formed by Alice Bag and Kid Congo Powers, two influential figures in the punk and alternative music scenes who first crossed paths in 1977 during the early days of the Hollywood punk movement. Their friendship, rooted in a shared passion for raw, boundary-pushing music, has led to a new creative partnership that transcends genres and defies labels, although the two refer to their sound as ‘Loud Lounge.'”
Chill On The Hill: American Legion Band @ Humboldt Park
For two decades, Bay View Neighborhood Association’s Chill On The Hill music series has brought music to Humboldt Park’s band chalet every Tuesday between the beginning of June and the end of August. Just as it’s done in recent years, Chill has expanded its footprint by designating the space between the band chalet and the Vine Beer Garden for show-goers. The park road will be closed between Howell Avenue and Idaho Street on Tuesdays to allow more space for food vendors and guests. Food trucks will open at 5 p.m., the music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Tuff Sudz + You Died, Whiskey Of The Damned, One For The Ditch @ X-Ray Arcade
Riverwalk Commons Concert Series: Joe Wray @ Milwaukee Public Market
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2
Summer Of Soul: Bilal + The Shonn Hinton Experience, DJ Don Black @ Peck Pavilion
In 2024, Marcus Performing Arts Center and Culture x Design joined forces to debut Summer Of Soul. Following an inaugural year that featured performances by the legendary likes of Talib Kweli and Robert Randolph, the outdoor marketplace and concert series returns for a second season at the Peck Pavilion and its outdoor lawn. All Summer Of Soul events are free and open to the public, and begin at 5 p.m. No coolers or carry-ins are allowed, but beverages will be available for purchase on-site.
Awakebutstillinbed + For Your Health, Garden Home, badtzmaru @ X-Ray Arcade
Heart(beats) Of The City: The Midnight Purchase @ Red Arrow Park
Mayfair Collection Summer Concert Series: Nate Bjorge Band @ Keady Plaza
Summer Sounds: J Ryan Trio @ Hubbard Park
Tosa Tonight: The 5 Card Studs + Böckenpläutz @ Hart Park, Wauwatosa
THURSDAY, JULY 3
Summerfest (Weekend 3) @ Henry Maier Festival Park (through July 5)
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 for one last 2025 hurrah! Some Weekend 3 headliner highlights include Benson Boone, MJ Lenderman, Fountains Of Wayne, The Lumineers, Third Eye Blind, Phantom Planet, Babymetal, Bully, Chicago, and Social Distortion. Some homegrown highlights include Bug Moment, Certified Trapper, The Keystones, Ray Nitti, Fuzzysurf, The Gufs, 414 Big Frank, and many more. And you can usually get in free by donating a few cans of beans or something! Grumble grumble! Find our easy-to-read schedule HERE!
Milwaukee County Parks Drone Show @ McKinley Beach
In 2024, Milwaukee County canceled its long-running July 3 fireworks display due to lack of sponsorship. This, as they say, made a lot of people very angry and was widely regarded as a bad move. So what does Milwaukee County have planned for July 3, 2025? A drone show! That’s right: no fireworks, but a ton of drones! The drone show will take place over McKinley Beach and along the nearby lakeshore. It will feature three waves of drones lasting about 14 minutes each, “blending cutting-edge drone technology with an original synchronized soundtrack for a dazzling 45-minute performance.” Viewers can expect “awe-inspiring images of Milwaukee’s most iconic landmarks, and other patriotic and local themes.” The fun will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Johanna Rose + Ellie Jackson, Old Pup @ Cactus Club
It’s a homecoming show for New Orleans (by way of Milwaukee) troubadour Johanna Rose, whom locals will remember from New Boyz Club, Nickel & Rose, Calamity Janes And The Fratney Street Band, and many other projects. Bolstering the bill even further is opening support from Ellie Jackson and Old Pup.
Jazz In The Park: Chris Haise Band + Brady Lee @ Cathedral Square Park
Under The Bridge: Max & The Fellow Travelers @ Third Space Brewing
Thursday Bike Night Concert Series: Indigo Canyon @ Harley-Davidson Museum
Tunes@Noon: Jay Matthes @ Courtyard of 411 East Wisconsin Center
FRIDAY, JULY 4
Fireworks! @ various locations
If you’re all hot and bothered about Milwaukee County replacing its July 3 fireworks with a drone show, just remember: there are oodles of July 4 fireworks—and parades and other events—to be found in various city parks! Find them HERE!
Yvonne Dollheart + Anti-Everything, The Rustix @ Quarters Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Paul H @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, JULY 5
Bristol Renaissance Faire @ off I-94 at the IL/WI border (weekends, through September 1)
“Our Faire is 30 acres of pure fun! Sixteen stages offer a variety of entertainment all day long. In addition, we dazzle you with a fully armored joust, the Queen and her glittering Court, amazing arts and crafts, delicious food, fine spirits, music, dance, rides and games, and entertainers in the streets all day long. Join us for a day of play!”
Body Futures + Exitstatements, Key Of Evil @ Cactus Club
“We’re definitely a little more bummed out than we were the last time.” That’s Dixie Jacobs, keyboardist/autoharpist/singer for Body Futures. Past Body Futures records have found the group delivering squirrel-y and shout-y noise/power-pop that suggests a more irritable New Pornographers. But with 2024’s Do Not Befriend The Reaper, tempos have slowed (somewhat) and moods have soured (considerably). Opener “Private Enemy” is an alternately towering and glowering stomper that adds just a dash of psych-rock to the Body Futures mix. Ditto “Robin Guthrie’s Rock And Roll Circus,” which features Jacobs and drummer/singer DJ Hostettler trading off vocal duties while guitarist Christopher Maury and new bassist Evan Gritzon thrash along in the hazy din.
Full Nude + Three Mirrors, Youth Energy @ Bremen Cafe
There are band names that are easily Google-able, and there are band names that absolutely require the word “band” at the end of the search. Guess which category Milwaukee band Full Nude belongs to! Full Nude is a noisy post-punk/alt-rock trio made up of some Milwaukee music veterans/ringers: Madi Moon (Heavy Hand, Like Like The The The Death), Sarah Long (Fahri, Jab Jugular), and Brock Gourlie (The Trusty Knife, Potty). The group’s terrific debut album, Free Nudes, revealed itself in 2024.
40 Watt Sun (solo) + Serpentent, Ghost Cuts @ X-Ray Arcade
Sludge Hawking + The Scopes, Gallowscrown @ High Dive
Current Sounds: JL Russell @ Lakefront Brewery
Brew City Boogie Bash @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, JULY 6
Lipsticism + Devin Shaffer, Apollo Vermouth @ Cactus Club
“Lipsticism is the electronic dream pop/ ambient house solo project of musician and producer Alana Schachtel. Born and raised near Chicago, she spent the majority of her adult life in the Pacific Northwest, where she first started experimenting with sound. Because of her background in dance, she began writing music by imagining choreography and creating the rhythms and melodies to match. Her latest compositions blend her love of sound design and song, and integrate a broad spread of influences.”
Cathedral Square Market: Aaron Crook @ Cathedral Square Park
Summer Patio Music Series: Hey Tiger @ Great Lakes Distillery
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