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 March 2-8, 2026, brought to you by Wynk.
MONDAY, MARCH 2
Victor Jones + No Motel @ Cactus Club
“Victor Jones is a dance rock singer/songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. He plays music for mental breakdowns that can only be resolved with a raging party or a cathartic singalong. Victor gained success with his concept album Zookeeper and singles like ‘Mother Teresa’ and ‘I Get Hurt,’ the latter reaching millions of people on social media. He is 6’3″ if that’s important to you.”
TUESDAY, MARCH 3
WMSE’s Local/Live: Altered Five Blues Band @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“Altered Five smokes, smolders, and burns like a swig of good whiskey. The hip Milwaukee quintet delivers a potent blend of tough, original blues and hard-hitting live performances. Blues Blast raves that barrel-chested front man Jeff Taylor possesses a ‘smooth, warm-toned voice as monumental and undeniable as Howlin’ Wolf, with the finish and flourishes of B.B. King.’ DownBeat declares that stealth guitarist Jeff Schroedl ‘reaches the high bar of mixed invention and fluidity.’ Anchored by a rhythm section laying down the deepest grooves this side of the MGs, the award-winning band has remained at the forefront of contemporary blues for more than two decades, performing in 13 countries worldwide. The band will celebrate their newly released eighth studio album, Hammer & Chisel.”
Bridget Everett @ The Pabst Theater
Bridget Everett straight up stole the show with her raunchy cabaret act when she opened for Amy Schumer at Pabst Theater in 2013. Since then, she’s starred in an Off Broadway show she created, was the lead in the exceptional Peabody-winning HBO series Somebody Somewhere, and earned the opportunity to headline shows in many of the same theaters where she used to appear in support of other comics. Tonight, the Pabst Theater will get another sex-positive and uproariously funny musical performance from Everett when she brings her “Big Titties” and “Big Dreams” to Milwaukee.
Los Straitjackets + Deke Dickerson Rockin’ Dance Party @ Shank Hall
“Constantly tagged with a slightly reductive ‘surf music’ label, Los Straitjackets are better characterized as ‘instrumental rock ‘n’ roll,’ and have been since founders Danny Amis and Eddie Angel met and watched drummer Jimmy Lester play drums with Webb Wilder at a Nashville club. Their influences range from the double-picking-surf-attack of Dick Dale, to the proto-rock of Link Wray, the hooks of The Ventures, to the groove of Booker T. & The MGs, all played with an energy that acknowledges The Cramps and punk rock. And past the golden age of instrumentals of the 1960s, one could argue they have brought this music to more fans than any other band, having done it for more than 30 years.”
Clue: The Movie With Lesley Ann Warren 40th Anniversary Tour @ Marcus Performing Arts Center
“Join the original Miss Scarlet—Lesley Ann Warren—she hosts a screening of the cult cinema hit Clue! Based on the popular board game, this iconic comedy is now celebrating its 40th anniversary with a national tour. The film begins at a dinner party hosted by Mr. Boddy (Lee Ving), where he admits to blackmailing his visitors. These guests, who have been given aliases, are Mrs. Peacock (Eileen Brennan), Miss Scarlet (Lesley Ann Warren), Mr. Green (Michael McKean), Professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd), Mrs. White (Madeline Kahn) and Col. Mustard (Martin Mull). When Boddy turns up murdered, all are suspects, and together they try to figure out who is the killer. The evening will offer in-depth conversation, stories from set, Q&As with attendees and more. VIP meet-and-greet packages available!”
Glitterer + Graham Hunt, Prize Horse @ Cactus Club
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
Milwaukee Record Club: Women’s History Month @ Wiggle Room
We’re taking over the Wiggle Room decks for a Wednesday night monthly collaborative vinyl spin we’re calling “Milwaukee Record Club.” From 6-9 p.m., we’ll drop the needle on vinyl releases that adhere to the month’s specific theme. (This month, in honor of Women’s History Month: all femme artists!) Though we’ll bring enough music to cover a full set, we’re asking—no, we’re strongly encouraging—people to bring in their own vinyl that fits our chosen theme. If we think it’s a fit, we’ll play it!
60 Juno @ Cactus Club
“Emerging from Merced, CA, 60 juno leads the central valley post-punk scene with a blend of his own creation that sets him apart as he continues to establish a notable sound worth remembering. Taking the usual wistful, dreamy components of DIY indie-rock a step further into post-punk territory with heightened energy and rough, low vocals thrown on top merges 60 juno into a lane of his own making. The independent musician is the sole driving force behind the bass, drums, guitar and vocals that seamlessly translate heavy nostalgia into deep, dreamy melodies.”
Riki Rachtman: One Foot In The Gutter @ Shank Hall
“The former host of MTV’s Headbangers Ball presents his one man show One Foot in the Gutter: An evening of stories and unbelievable true tales of rock n roll, sleaze and debauchery.”
Drew and Ellie Holcomb @ The Pabst Theater
Bluegrass Whatevers @ Ope! Brewing Co.
THURSDAY, MARCH 5
Rosenau & Sanborn Listening Party @ Wiggle Room
Chris Rosenau (Collections Of Colonies Of Bees) and Nick Sanborn (Sylvan Esso) have a new collaborative record coming out on March 6 called Two. (It’s their second collaborative record, you see.) Want to hear the full album? Want to hear the duo spin other songs? Then come out to the Wiggle Room at 8 p.m. for this free listening party!
HOG Fest: Three Days Grace + I Prevail @ Fiserv Forum
“2025 has been a big year for rock giant Three Days Grace with the return of original member Adam Gontier, along with Matt Walst on lead vocals, the release of its latest album, Alienation (with No. 1 songs ‘Mayday’ and ‘Apologies’), and sold-out shows in the United States, Canada and Europe. Now, the band is announcing its 2026 Alienation tour, including a stop in Milwaukee as the headliner of HOG Fest presented by 102.9 THE HOG.”
Radio Milwaukee SoundBites @ Harley-Davidson Museum
“SoundBites, made possible by our friends from from Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, s.c., in more than your average fundraiser. It’s a multi-sensory experience, with Milwaukee’s top culinary minds teaming up with Radio Milwaukee DJs to create a uniquely interactive evening that highlights the best bites and sounds Milwaukee has to offer. While the chefs prepare their dish, 88Nine and HYFIN DJs will cook up the perfect mix of music to bring out the right notes on the plate.”
The Smithereens + John Cowsill @ Vivarium
Bowvee + Alley Eyes, Mas Verde, Limited Edition @ X-Ray Arcade
Bitch Creek + Sam Gelband, Bad Posture Club, Maximiano @ Cactus Club
Tanner Dane + Kneafsey, Max Niemann @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Big Al Dorn @ Ope! Brewing Co.
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
South By Southwest Sendoff: Social Cig + Wave Chapelle, NilexNile, BLOOD, Wisconsin Space Program, SSAANN, Torcado, Eureeka @ The Cooperage
“A few of Milwaukee’s finest have been chosen to perform in front of 1,000s of music executives, reps, and agents at this year’s SXSW Global Music Conference and Festival…but getting there ain’t cheap and we need these guys rested and stress free so they can give their all! That’s where you come in! We’ve put together a killer lineup of the possible next up and comers to come out and play while helping us raise funds to keep these guys with transportation and a roof over their heads for the duration of the tour/trip, food to eat, and whatever other surprise expenses covered along the way.”
Anime Milwaukee @ Baird Center (through March 8)
“Anime Milwaukee (AMKE) is a three-day anime convention that operates at the Baird Center and Hilton Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with an estimated economic impact of over $3 million to the downtown area. We celebrate and educate fans about anime, manga, Asian culture, music and gaming. Anime Milwaukee will return with an in-person convention on March 6-8, 2026. AMKE started as a college anime club meeting that grew into the idea for an event, and that event has been growing and thriving ever since.”
The Early November + Hellogoodbye, Punchline @ The Argo
Opened in late 2025, The Argo is really in the swing of things now! On Friday, the new Whitefish Bay venue will host a pair of indie music vets as The Early November and Hellogoodbye each come to the region to commemorate the 20th anniversary of two of their most celebrated albums as part of their “20 Years Young” co-headlining tour.
Kathy Griffin @ The Pabst Theater
Flatfoot 56 + The Killigans, Avenues, The DUI’s @ X-Ray Arcade
Recalcitrant @ Nashville North
Anthony Deutsch Trio @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Friday Night Retro Dance Party @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Shamrock Shuffle @ various locations
“The Shamrock Shuffle is more than just the biggest St. Patrick’s Day themed Party in Wisconsin. It is a community event which brings people together to not only celebrate one of America’s most celebrated holidays but an event that brings thousands of people into the City of Milwaukee every year from all over the United States. The Shamrock Shuffle also creates hundreds of jobs for bars, restaurant, security, and MPD employees on a usually quiet Saturday.” Look for the 17th annual Shuffle in four areas: Water Street, MLK Drive, Brady Street, and Walker’s Point.
The Record Company + Jontavious Willis @ The Pabst Theater
“The Record Company was born out of a late-night hang in 2011, when Chris Vos (vocals, guitar), Alex Stiff (bass, backing vocals), and Marc Cazorla (drums, backing vocals) spun classic blues records like John Lee Hooker’s Hooker ‘N Heat and swapped stories of their favorite concerts (Iggy Pop & The Stooges, among them). Energized by the evening, the three musicians reconvened the next day for a jam session at Stiff’s Los Feliz home. Before long, his living room would become the band’s epicenter as they wrote songs, performed for friends, and, eventually, recorded and mixed their debut album, Give It Back to You.”
The Dose: A Psychedelic Comedy Show @ The Cooperage
The Dose: A Psychedelic Comedy Show has been called “mind-bending journey of experimentation, laughter, and healing.” On Saturday, the immersive comedic experience will come to Milwaukee. After a DJ set, host/emcee Steve Gillespie will lead a can’t-miss stand up show at The Cooperage that features a varied blend of comedy talents and other entertainers. Milwaukee’s own Canni Hemp Co. will also be on-site selling their goods.
Jimmy O. Yang @ The Riverside Theater
Angel Du$t + Big Boy, Bad Beat @ X-Ray Arcade (sold out)
Hawthorne Heights + Letlive., Creeper @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Matty Timmons (single release) + 5PM To Nowhere (solo), Sabrina Prochaska @ Anodyne Bay View
Eclecti-Pop! + Eric Blowtorch & Dena Aronson, Local Hands @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Louie & The Flashbombs + The Dirty Sweet @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Voces De La Frontera Benefit Show @ Art*Bar
Socially Suspect + Crash House, Or Does It Explore, I’ll Remember April @ Bremen Cafe
Won’t Stay Dead + Mulva, Bad Year, Arizona The State @ Last Rites
Hudson Freeman • Brian Gerald Bulger @ Cactus Club
Bomber & Red + Dandelion Delivery Service, Ann Marie Metz @ Nashville North
Garrett Waite Quartet @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Y2K All 2000s Dance Party @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, MARCH 8
Meatless Raffle @ Cactus Club
Milwaukee Record is proud to bring back our Meatless Raffle! The second annual 100% vegetarian version of a Midwest mainstay will take place at Cactus Club on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. During that three-hour span, 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, apparel, and other great goodies from Milwaukee Record and event sponsors 3 Sheeps Brewing, Outpost Co-op, and WYNK. There’s NO COVER to attend this all-ages event. The majority of proceeds from raffles will be donated to Kinship Community Food Center.
Lion’s Tooth Birthday Bash: Middle Reader + Mostly, Spidora, Middle Aged Riot DJs, Rum Revere, Brock & Jess Spin @ Cactus Club
“Please join us for a celebration of the fifth anniversary of Lion’s Tooth storefront in Bay View. Live shows by musical projects of Lion’s Tooth co-owners Cris and Shelly: Middle Reader (Shelly’s band), Spidora (Cris’ band), Mostly (Cris and Shelly’s band together) plus front room entertainment: a set by Rum Revere, WMSE’s Middle Age Riot DJs (including Shelly again!), and a record spin by Brock Gourlie and Jess Ader. This is a fundraiser for Lion’s Tooth with community support from Cactus Club, WMSE and Milwaukee Record.”
God’s Outlaw (record release) @ Puddler’s Hall
“On Sunday, March 8th at 1 p.m., God’s Outlaw brings their brand of Rebel Country back to Puddler’s Hall—the room where it all began. Long before the miles, the records, and the hard-earned stories, this was the place where outlaw country rang loud and true. Known for raw, honest songs rooted in classic outlaw tradition—where grit, truth, and conviction matter more than polish—God’s Outlaw delivers country music the way it was meant to be played. No pop sheen. No shortcuts. Just real stories, real instruments, and songs built the hard way. This special homecoming show features songs from their new album, Tales Of The Hard Way, performed live in the same room that helped shape the band’s sound and spirit.”
Waterspouts + When The Wall Breaks Down, Mizzy, My Melody @ MKE Ultra
Anodyne Wedding Expo @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Buffalo Rose + Valley Fox @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
The Hungry Williams @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Want more Milwaukee Record? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and/or support us on Patreon.