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 23-29, 2026, brought to you by Wynk.
MONDAY, MARCH 23
The Happy Fits + Bel @ The Rave / Eagles Club
“Originally founded in the small, rural town of Pittstown, New Jersey, The Happy Fits burst out of the gate in 2016 with Awfully Apeelin’, a self-released EP that climbed all the way to #5 on the Spotify US Viral 50, resulting in the group’s decision to drop out of school and pursue the band full time. In the years that followed, they would go on to release three widely lauded full-length LPs, embark on numerous headline tours across the globe, rack up more than 300 million streams across platforms, land festival slots, and develop a diehard fanbase across the US and Europe on the strength of their rapturous live show.”
The Night Painters + EFH, No Thanks To You, Bowvee @ X-Ray Arcade
TUESDAY, MARCH 24
Struggle Jennings + God’s Outlaw @ Shank Hall
“The grandson of legendary Country Music icon Waylon Jennings, Struggle is part of a long legacy of Gangsters, Outlaws and Rock Stars. Growing up as a black-sheep in his family, he fought his way out of the streets of West Nashville and into the studio where he would create the foundation for what has become his personal contribution to the Jennings family legacy.”
Dialogues + Life In Public, Lightninging @ Cactus Club
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
Samer Ghani Memories Of A Street Cat Release Show: Klassik + Garden Home, Living Room, Known Moons, El Sebas @ Cactus Club
Anyone who’s observed and/or participated in the city’s music scene in the past decade knows the name Samer Ghani. Ghani’s era-defining band photos and live shots have graced the digital pages of this website (and many other websites) more times than we can count. Memories Of A Street Cat, a 271-page photo book of Ghani’s live music photographs taken in Milwaukee and beyond, is out now. Local artists included in the book include Buffalo Nichols, Klassik, SistaStrings, Diet Lite, and Soul Low. National artists make appearances, too, including Death Cab For Cutie and Bully. Pick up a copy of Street Cat at tonight’s free release show.
AdeptiCon @ Baird Center (through March 29)
Last spring, AdeptiCon moved from its home in Schaumburg, Illinois to Milwaukee. Following that great 2025 debut in Wisconsin, it returns to Milwaukee for another edition this spring. What began as a small 100-person event celebrating the Warhammer 40,000 miniatures game has grown into one of the most popular wargame miniatures conventions in the country. Many manufacturers now have a presence at the show which features tournaments for Battletech, Shatterpoint, and all sorts of table-sized battlefield games. As the late, great Rob Wieland once said, “Think of it a bit like Fashion Week, except the looks are all stompy power armor and nasty Chaos-infected monsters.”
Cowboy Junkies @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Boys Like Girls @ Landmark Credit Union Live
THURSDAY, MARCH 26
Opening Day: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago White Sox @ American Family Field
What can you can say about Opening Day? You can say something obvious, that it’s the first game of the Milwaukee Brewers’ season. You can say something philosophical, that it’s the sign of new life and new hope and new prospects. You can say something about the weather, which is almost always cold. You can say something about the tailgating, which is almost always inebriated. Or you can say something specific, that this year’s game against the Chicago White Sox will be followed by a sneak peak of the new Bob Uecker documentary Ueck. Or you can just say thank god baseball is back! GO BREWERS.
Festa Sazama @ Saz’s State House (through March 29)
“Saz’s Hospitality Group proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary, honoring the legendary neighborhood anchor at 55th and State. To kick off the celebration with the community that made our milestone possible, Saz’s State House is starting the festival season early with Festa Sazama, a 4-day celebration, open to all, featuring ‘The Finest’ of food, hospitality, and community.”
HOSTS + Long Line Riders @ Nashville North
“HOSTS is an indie-Americana band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their critically acclaimed full length album Wade Low was recorded and produced by Andrew Long (Judah & The Lion, Houndmouth) and mastered by Edsel Holden (Hovvdy, Katy Kirby). Having originally formed in Nashville in 2014, HOSTS has re-emerged in Milwaukee with founding member Miles Patzer, guitarist Tyson Allison, bassist Brian Tapola, and drummer Aaron Reinke.”
The Fainting Room + Official Claire, Nineteen Thirteen @ Cactus Club
Charlieboy + Ur Mom, Heavy Bend, Socially Suspect @ X-Ray Arcade
Cowboy Killer Comedy Show: ICE Out Now @ Falcon Hall
’90s Middle School Dance Jams II: Back In The Habit @ Wiggle Room
Handsome Dick Manitoba + The Strains, Electrophonic Tonic @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Depression Nap + Okay Omen, Milorganaut, Swim Two Birds @ MKE Ultra
Paul Silbergleit Trio: Swingin’ With Strayhorn @ The Estate
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
Talib Kweli + NilexNile, Wave Chapelle @ Miramar Theatre
If you’re looking for a show from a legendary rapper at a cozy East Side venue, look no further than this Talib Kweli show at the Miramar. The Black Star co-founder will be joined by two of Milwaukee’s finest (and busiest) rappers, NilexNile and Wave Chapelle.
Wednesday + Gouge Away @ Turner Hall
Ballroom
“Can a self-portrait be a collage? Can empathy be autobiographical? What’s the point of living if we’re not trying to understand all the horror and humor that surrounds everything? These are a few of the questions lurking under the bleachers of Wednesday’s new album Bleeds, an intoxicating collection of narrative-heavy Southern rock that—like many of the most arresting passages from the North Carolina band’s highlight reel so far—thoughtfully explores the vivid link between curiosity and confession.”
Nate Craig @ The Laughing Tap (also March 28)
After closing its Walker’s Point club last June in order to relocate to the Historic George Watts building in downtown Milwaukee, The Laughing Tap will finally reopen in its new, improved, and larger digs this month. The Tap will call upon a familiar face to help it relaunch, as Los Angeles (by way of Wisconsin) comedy vet Nate Craig—who performed the club’s soft opening in December 2019 and was a recurring New Year’s Eve booking there—will christen the new venue with three shows spread between March 27 and March 28.
Thanalysis LIVE: Thanasis Antetokounmpo + Ric Flair @ The Riverside Theater
“Thanasis Antetokounmpo welcomes WWE Hall of Famer, the LEGEND, Ric Flair to Thanalysis LIVE. Join us for a high-energy live podcast, jam-packed with storytelling, behind-the-scenes insight, and one-of-a-kind swagger that only Antetokounmpo and Flair can bring.”
Shop Talk + Jinksie, Aluminum Knot Eye, Mostly @ Sabbatic
Steel Panther + Cody Parks And The Dirty South @ The Rave / Eagles Club
M. B. Mulkey + Great Horse!, Dead Dead Swans, Sludge Hawking @ MKE Ultra
Disposable Thumbs + My Melody, Wyvern, Her Haunting Melody @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Between Howls @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Righteous Rooster @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Don Black @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
Kyle Gass + Mt. Air @ Shank Hall
Kyle Gass is an accomplished musician, actor, comedian, and one half of the incomparable Tenacious D (which has been on an extended hiatus after…eh, just read about it yourself). In addition to his work with Tenacious D, the low-key guitar virtuoso keeps busy with projects like Trainwreck, his Kyle Gass Band, Guitarings, and other solo efforts. Gass is hitting the road to play a small run of shows in support of Kyle Gass Band’s Live In Palmdale album that was released January 23. Tonight’s Shank Hall show will feature Mt. Air from Columbus, Ohio as both the opener and Gass’ backing band. John Konesky will also be present to “lend a musical hand” to Gass.
Maria Bamford @ Turner Hall
Ballroom
Minnesota-raised comic Maria Bamford has been either crushing or absolutely alienating comedy audiences (at about a 50/50 ratio) since the late 1980s. About as “alternative” as alt-comedy gets, Bamford—by way of her inimitable comedic style that’s as off-kilter as it is uproariously funny—has gone on to do ample voiceover work, star in Lady Dynamite on Netflix, and film a few wholly unique comedy specials. You may also recognize her from her unsettling Target commercials. Knowing nothing about her recent material, it’s safe to say you’ll never see anything like tonight’s Turner Hall appearance again.
Rooted Exchange MKE Market @ Dock 3
Ulrika Spacek + Operations, The Present Age @ Cactus Club
Punk Rock Rummage Sale @ X-Ray Arcade
AdeptiCon Afterparty: Da Gof Rockerz + Nasty Boys, Hex Toy @ X-Ray Arcade
ExitStatements + Vile Bees, Genau @ MKE Ultra
Gather Them Anniversary @ The Cooperage
Beatles vs. Bee Gees: Night Fever MKE + The Taxmen @ Mad Planet
Fareed Haque @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Tony John & The Flatland String Band @ Ope! Brewing Co.
DJ Don Black: Late Night Spin @ Cactus Club
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
Chuck Ragan + Eoin McCarthy @ The Argo
When the great Chuck Ragan, the gruff-voiced vocalist of Hot Water Music, comes to a new venue in Whitefish Bay to play stripped-down renditions of his band’s material and selections from his solo catalog, it’d be foolish to miss it. The troubadour will be preceded by Eoin McCarthy, whom locals might know from his work in Whiskey Of The Damned and Bellends.
Cass McCombs + Band @ Vivarium
“Over the past 20-plus years, Cass McCombs has journeyed a singular path as an uncompromising song-carver, guitarist and singer. Along with the finest squadron of collaborators and bandmates, his music travels gracefully over seemingly contradictory terrain, from infectious guitar riffage to intensely personal lyricism.”
Menorah + Blind Hill, Oh Well Ok, Disposable Thumbs @ Falcon Nest
Ladies Rock Session 1 Showcase @ Radio Milwaukee
Daniel Nathan @ Ope! Brewing Co.
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