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 March 10-16, 2025.
MONDAY, MARCH 10
Faye Webster + Mei Ehara @ The Riverside Theater
“Faye Webster loves the feeling of a first take: writing a song, then heading to the studio with her band to track it live the very next day. When you listen to the Atlanta songwriter’s poised and plainspoken albums, you can hear why: she channels emotions that are so aching, they seem to be coming into existence at that very moment. ‘One of my favorite things about songwriting is taking thoughts that people don’t really think are worthy, or might overlook, and highlighting them,’ Webster says. ‘I like saying things that everybody thinks, but nobody’s saying.'”
Hunter Peebles And The Moonlighters + Torcado, Brandon Good, Valley Fox @ Cactus Club
TUESDAY, MARCH 11
Gost + Dead Register, Destros @ X-Ray Arcade
“Gost exists in the dark crack between black metal and the most shadowy end of electronic music. Since the release of the Radio Macabre EP at the start of 2013, and the remorseless digital nightmare of their Skull debut album six months later, Texas-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, and main-brain James Lollar has become an increasingly singular force in music. Far more aggressive and sinister than the synthwave he’s often grouped with, Gost is a harsh and unique digital nightmare that takes the listener right into the heart of the abyss.”
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12
Midweek Music: William Seidel + Anna Argeropoulos @ Crafty Cow (Bay View)
Hey! Our free Midweek Music concert series is back at Crafty Cow in Bay View! There’s NO COVER for these all-ages shows, which run from 7-8:30 p.m. The series continues this week with a performance from Dramatic Lovers’ William Seidel and Anna Argeropoulos. And if a free weeknight show isn’t already great enough on its own, Crafty Cow will offer $4 pints of its delicious Crafty Cow Lager (made by 3 Sheeps Brewing) during all Midweek Music concerts. They’ll also have meal deals available during each show.
Gaelic Storm + The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band @ The Pabst Theater
THURSDAY, MARCH 13
Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy And Friends Play R.E.M.’s ‘Fables Of The Reconstruction’ And More + Dave Hill @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Famed character actor Michael Shannon and accomplished musician Jason Narducy (Bob Mould Band, Superchunk, Sunny Day Real Estate, Split Single) are bringing their “Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy And Friends” band to Turner Hall! The concert, which is the penultimate appearance on a 19-show tour, will celebrate the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s sophomore album Fables Of The Reconstruction. Shannon, Narducy, and company will perform the 1985 album in sequence and in its entirety, along with a few other R.E.M. classics. Unlike a recent Athens show, however, the actual R.E.M. probably won’t be there. Probably.
Shiner + Fight Dice, Overhand @ X-Ray Arcade
Stop us if you’ve heard this twice before: Kansas City rock stalwarts Shiner are coming to Cudahy for a can’t-miss club outing that also features local support by D&D-themed supergroup Fight Dice and the ever-busy Overhand. Originally scheduled to happen December 4, then again on January 9, the show will now take place at 7:30 p.m. on March 13.
Snakehole Lounge: A Parks And Rec Pop-Up @ Sugar Maple (through March 16)
“Get on board and buckle up because this rides gonna be a big one and if you get motion sickness put your head between your knees because Sugar Maple is stopping for no one! In addition to the usual Pop Up events, such as Trivia, Costume Contest, Vendor Fair, Food Trucks, there will be additional programming that includes ‘Know Ya Boo?’ a partner compatibility contest/game, a ‘Rent A Swag’ Clothing Swap, and a series entitled ‘Empowering Women/LGBTQIA+, BIPOC,’ which are talks given by compassionate people in areas of expertise to provide positive and proactive ways to engage in your community.”
Clare Doyle + Ladybird, Driveway Thriftdwellers @ Cactus Club
Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound + Rami And The Reliables @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Bill Camplin Band @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Riverwest Co-op Presents: 2025 Annual Pre-WMSE Vegan Chili Cook-off @ Lush Popcorn
Thursday Nights at MAM @ Milwaukee Art Museum
FRIDAY, MARCH 14
The Dollyrots + Jinksie, Doubter, Socially Suspect @ Cactus Club
During the band’s 20-plus-year run, The Dollyrots have released more than a dozen albums and EPs, played all over the world, performed with countless punk and rock and roll mainstays, and had their music featured on television shows and in films. Almost exactly a year after playing at X-Ray Arcade, the veteran pop-punkers will come to Cactus Club for a stop on their “Sugar In The Gas Tank Tour,” with local support by Jinksie, Doubter, and Socially Suspect.
Martin Lawrence @ The Riverside Theater
Say what you will about Black Knight and the Big Momma’s House trilogy, but Martin Lawrence remains a skilled and influential comedian. With close to 40 years of experience logged on stage and in front of cameras, the transcendent comic still has what it takes to make a massive room of strangers double over with laughter—at least if his Riverside Theater stops in 2011 and 2016 were any indication. The standup legend returns to Milwaukee tonight as part of his ongoing “Y’all Know What It Is!” tour.
Milwaukee Horror Con @ Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee Airport Convention Center (through March 16)
“Get ready for a weekend of pure terror at Wisconsin’s ONLY horror convention! Dive into a world of fright with special guests, exclusive merchandise, creepy panels, and premiere indie horror films. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer, there’s something for everyone. Meet horror legends, discover spine-chilling surprises, and connect with fellow fans in an unforgettable celebration of all things terrifying.”
The Ike Reilly Assassination + The Revenirs @ Shank Hall
Reproductive Justice Action – Milwaukee Fundraiser: Crash The System Y2K Dance Party @ Falcon Hall
The Claudettes + The Stephen Hull Experience @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Flatfoot 56 + Something To Do, The Crombies, The Malones @ X-Ray Arcade
White Dry Pages + 3 Springs, Little Otik @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Yankee Bastard + Hanus, Gangstalker, Misprints, Nekron 9 @ Quarters Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace
MKE Music Night XCVIII: Nirvana x The Police @ Last Rites
Friday Night Retro Video Dance Party ft. Goth Barge @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, MARCH 15
57th Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ Downtown Milwaukee
“Downtown goes green for the 57th Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 15 at noon. Presented by Miller Lite, the Parade steps off on West Wisconsin Avenue at North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and ends on Water Street at Highland Avenue.”
An Acoustic Evening With Trey Anastasio @ The Riverside Theater
“Over the past four decades, composer/guitarist/vocalist Trey Anastasio has forged a singular, multi-faceted career, winning acclaim and garnering accolades across genres and disciplines including rock, classical, musical theatre, and more. He is a founding member of Phish, one of today’s most successful and innovative rock bands. As a solo artist, Anastasio has released over two dozen studio and live albums and has toured extensively with the Trey Anastasio Band, Classic TAB, and other iterations.”
Old Pup (record release) + Joseph Huber, Dandy L. Freling @ Cactus Club
Old Pup straddles the line between country, folk, Americana, and experimental. The Milwaukee-based band led by pedal steel player and songwriter Will Hansen will play a belated release show for their latest album, Spider Towns, tonight at Cactus Club. Fellow local music mainstays Joseph Huber and Dandy L. Freling will open things up.
Lion’s Tooth 4th Anniversary Party @ Lion’s Tooth
Cassina Echoes + Vanity Plates, Blue Unit @ Kochanski’s
Royal Mill + Meadowers, Addicus, BERMS @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Ignite + Old Salt, Magnetic Minds @ X-Ray Arcade
Fareed Haque Quartet @ The Estate
Bella Bruto + The Aimless Blades @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Max & The Invaders @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Punk Rock Rummage Sale: Sham Rock Your Socks Off @ X-Ray Arcade
Totally Rad Vintage Fest @ Wisconsin State Fair Park
Beyonce vs. Rihanna @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, MARCH 16
Meatless Raffle @ Cactus Club
Milwaukee Record is proud to present a 100% vegetarian version of a Midwest mainstay, the inaugural Meatless Raffle! From 1-4 p.m. we’ll be raffling legitimately valuable prize baskets filled with meat-free delicacies, gift cards to vegetarian- and vegan-friendly local establishments, a variety of beverages, and other great goodies. In addition to the primary raffles we’ll do every 30 minutes, we’ll also have a few 10-liners going as well as our Prize Wheel. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Kinship Community Food Center.
Coroner + Deceased, Morta Skuld @ X-Ray Arcade
“From their modest beginnings as roadies for avant-garde Swiss metal legends Celtic Frost, the members of Coroner carved out one of the most unique careers in the European thrash metal scene. They were originally pegged as a conventional thrash band, but their jaw-dropping musicianship and increasingly complex, almost prog rock compositions soon won over most critics, some of whom labeled them the Rush of thrash metal. Over the course of eight years and six albums, they fought constantly to expand the limiting boundaries of thrash, yet achieved only limited commercial success for their efforts. Still, their fearless experiments have allowed their albums to endure and stand the test of time better than many of their more celebrated peers.”
Pretendacle + Automatic Lover, Play Machine @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Outlier @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Faire Folk Spring Revel @ Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
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