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 24-30, 2025.
MONDAY, MARCH 24
Mike Farris + Coventry Jones @ Shank Hall
“Grammy winner Mike Farris is an artist’s artist, a musician’s musician, celebrated and revered by his fellow performers. It’s no wonder. He’s the one who brings everything to his music and to every live performance, every time. Mike is also the frontman of the mainstream rock group The Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, who launched onto the scene in the ’90s with a major label release. They quickly became darlings of the critics and fans alike due in part to the extraordinary and controlled chaos of their lead singer’s live vocal performances and stage charisma.”
Fiddlers At The Gates Of Inferno: The Verdin Brothers + Preomnor, Sean Hendley @ Sugar Maple
TUESDAY, MARCH 25
Diorama-Rama: Myths & Legends @ Amorphic Beer
Here’s a fun fact: Milwaukee is home to the world’s first habitat diorama! In 1890, Carl Akeley, a.k.a. the “father of modern taxidermy,” created a muskrat colony diorama for the then-young Milwaukee Public Museum. Another fun fact: Milwaukee is home to Diorama-Rama, a cozy celebration of the crafty and adorable art form! Founded by Danelle “D” Kirschling in 2016, the annual competition has boasted past themes like “A Look To The Future,” “History’s Greatest Hits,” and “A Celebration of the ’90s.” This year’s theme? “Myths and Legends”!
mxmtoon + juliet ivy @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Since she was 17 years old, mxmtoon has made exquisitely catchy pop songs that capture the kind of complex and tender feelings we often keep hidden from the world. Over the years, the Oakland native and now Nashville-based artist’s unguarded self-expression has earned her a devoted global following, led to collaborations with the likes of Carly Rae Jepsen and Noah Kahan, and propelled her through an expansive career that’s also included hosting a podcast and authoring a pair of graphic novels.”
Parachute Day + Buena Cara, In Shining Armour, Oogwé @ X-Ray Arcade
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
AdeptiCon @ Baird Center (through March 30)
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 AdeptiCon, which features tournaments for Battletech, Shatterpoint, and all sorts of table-sized battlefield games. The convention remains central to the Warhammer fandom, as Games Workshop announces many of the new troops it will be selling for the next year at the show. Think of it a bit like Fashion Week, except the looks are all stompy power armor and nasty Chaos-infected monsters.
Present Music: intO tHe WiLd @ Jan Serr Studio (also March 27)
“We kick off the centennial year of author and illustrator Edward Gorey with a CD-release performance of the Carla Kihlstedt/Present Music collaboration 26 Little Deaths, which is based on the book The Gashleycrumb Tinies. It’s an alphabet book, part Tim Burton, part Edgar Allan Poe, which takes macabre humor to a new level—and Kihlstedt’s brilliant interpretations are truly epic. The concert also features premieres from two of today’s most exciting composers: Andy Akiho’s Copper Canvas examines the number 29 from the Periodic Table of Elements, and PM favorite Kamran Ince’s then, nothing asks the tough existential questions. And a tongue-in-cheek romp through the Steppenwolf biker classic will rev you up for the wild ride!”
GloRilla + Real Boston Richey, Queen Key @ The Rave / Eagles Club
The last six months have been very good to GloRilla. Since October, the Memphis rapper earned a Grammy nomination, released her critically acclaimed and commercially successful Glorious, and had three songs from said album climb the Billboard charts (simultaneously!). Now a bonafide modern music sensation, GloRilla will stop by The Rave as part of her ongoing “The Glorious Tour.”
Heart + Cheap Trick @ Fiserv Forum
“Legendary rock band Heart will play its rescheduled date at Fiserv Forum on March 26, with special guest Cheap Trick. The band will bring its signature sound to Milwaukee this spring, taking audiences on an unforgettable musical journey. Of the band’s highly anticipated return in 2025, Ann Wilson said, ‘The best is yet to come!’ Nancy Wilson said, ‘We are so, so excited to resume this tour. We were just starting to fire on all cylinders and the vibe was entirely MAJOR. To be continued…'”
Frozen Charlotte + Killer High Life, Hiking Journal @ Falcon Nest
THURSDAY, MARCH 27
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers (farewell tour) + Dale Hollow @ Cactus Club
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers absolutely love the Cactus Club and Milwaukee listeners are reaping all the benefits. The eternally busy band return to their beloved Brew City haunt for the final time (!) during what’s being called its farewell tour. Don’t miss this one!
Midweek Music: as Oak @ Crafty Cow (Bay View)
Hey! It’s the final installment of our latest Midweek Music series at Crafty Cow! And the fantastically vibe-y as Oak is playing! There’s NO COVER for this all-ages show, which runs from 7-8:30 p.m. 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), and have meal deals available during the show.
Penn & Teller: 50 Years Of Magic @ The Riverside Theater
“From humble beginnings nearly 50 years ago busking on the streets of Philadelphia to acclaimed sold-out runs on Broadway, to the longest-running, and one of the most-beloved resident headline acts in Las Vegas history, magic’s legendary duo—Penn Jillette and Teller—continue to defy labels and at times physics and good taste, by redefining the genre of magic and inventing their own very distinct niche in comedy.”
Blue Öyster Cult + SIIN @ The Pabst Theater
“For over five decades, Blue Öyster Cult has been thrilling fans of intelligent hard rock worldwide with powerful albums loaded with classic songs. Indeed, the Long Island, NY-based band is revered within the hard rock and heavy metal scene for its pioneering work. Blue Öyster Cult occupies a unique place in rock history because it’s one of very few hard rock/heavy metal bands to earn both genuine mainstream critical acclaim as well as commercial success.”
Jake Blount Band @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Key Of Evil + The Simsons, Saxomaphone @ Uptowner
Thursday Nights at MAM @ Milwaukee Art Museum
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
Whitney Cummings @ The Pabst Theater
“Whitney Cummings is a comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, entrepreneur, and host of the hit podcast ‘Good for You.’ Launched in 2019, ‘Good For You’ is self-produced and features conversations with Whitney’s friends, fellow comedians, and experts in a variety of fields, including neuroscience, veterinary medicine, and magic. Best known for creating and starring in the NBC series Whitney, Whitney is also the co-creator and co-writer of the syndicated Emmy-nominated CBS comedy series 2 Broke Girls. She has appeared in numerous television shows, films, and stand-up specials, including her sixth stand-up special Mouthy which was released on OnlyFans in November 2023.”
Scam Likely + Allergin, In Shining Armour @ Bremen Cafe
Scam Likely’s excellent 2023 debut Getting Worse was stuffed with crunchy indie-rock rocker after crunchy indie-rock rocker—with a few dream-pop detours tossed in for good measure. On 2024’s Yolk, the Milwaukee band expands its sonic palette but remains as blisteringly pissed and mood swing-y as ever. Yolk is a sonically diverse, highly polished, and remarkably assured sophomore album that solidifies Scam Likely as one of the city’s best working bands. It’s not a new direction—it’s a definition.
Da Gof Rockerz + The Eradicator, Slaughter Party @ X-Ray Arcade
“Big and Green, Da Gof Rockerz are on a never-ending tour of the cosmos. When their Rok crash-landed on planet Earth, they emerged ready to jam and to scrap. Get ready puny humans for they have arrived, Da Greatest Band in Da Ooniverse, Da Gof Rockerz.”
Broken Demeanor + Chapped Lips, Superglue, Fake My Death @ Falcon Hall
Offtide + Zang!, Oh Well, OK @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Ty Myers + Noah Rinker @ The Rave / Eagles Club (sold out)
Righteous Rooster @ The Estate
Grace Weber Music Lab: Girls Rock MKE @ Radio Milwaukee
Chastity Washington @ The Laughing Tap (also March 29)
Subspace: Hack The Planet ’90s Rave Cyberpunk Dance Party @ Cactus Club
Retro Dance Party: DJ Don Black @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, MARCH 29
Tiki Takedown @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Following four successful installments, Tiki Takedown will once again bring warm vibes and cool cocktails back to Turner Hall Ballroom! From 1-4 p.m., Turner Hall will host mixologists from a variety of local bars and restaurants, each of whom will be serving up their own unique tiki cocktail creations using TIKI LOVERS spirits as they compete for votes from those in attendance so they might claim the coveted Tiki Takedown Trophy and Tiki Master title.
Gardens & Gears: Steampunk Faire @ Mitchell Park Domes
“Experience the sublime sounds produced by DJ Madame Phoole and her Panharmonium at Saturday’s Steampunk Faire! ‘Gardens & Gears’ returns to The Domes after a five-year hiatus, and the event is more pumped than ever. 15 vendors! Entertainment! Costume Parade! Food! Free face painting (10-2)! Fun! Don’t miss the ‘punkiest event of the spring-ish season. Included in Domes admission, which is only payable at the door—there are no online ticket sales. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last admission at 3 p.m.”
Naruto: The Symphonic Experience @ Miller High Life Theatre (two shows)
Wire & Nail (record release) + Dan Lepien, Valley Fox @ Vivarium
Anberlin + Copeland, The Dangerous Summer @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Krooked + Keep, Lunar Moth, World Of Fear @ Falcon Hall
MKE Music Night: Violet Wilder + Lake Waves Trio, Tlalok @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Sonido Gallo Negro + Klan 414 @ Cactus Club
Neon Night: Modern Joey + Space Monkey Mafia, Funk Summit Bass Team ft. Hagen Bros. @ Mad Planet
Kid Rock + Chris Janson @ Fiserv Forum
SUNDAY, MARCH 30
Robert Cray Band @ The Pabst Theater
“Blues icon. Soul man. Rock and roller. Robert Cray is all these things—and more. The Georgia-born, Washington-raised musician first picked up a guitar after seeing The Beatles on TV then, having witnessed Jimi Hendrix perform in Seattle, determined that his destiny would also follow a similar path. And so he has: across the past half century Robert Cray’s developed into one of American music’s most singular artists. ”
Roger Clyne And The Peacemakers + Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts @ Shank Hall
Sunday Bloody Bingo Fundraiser @ Club Garibaldi
Poor Ridley + So Zuppy, Eli Orion @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Pamela Scesniak Memorial @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Discus + Operations, dylanwesch @ Cactus Club
The Malones + Taco Tuesday, Rabid Wreck @ Quarters Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace
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