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 May 11-17, 2026, brought to you by Wynk.
MONDAY, MAY 11
Small Batch Songwriter Sessions: Caley Conway @ Indeed Brewing Company
There are moments in Caley Conway’s 2024 album Partner when the ever-busy Milwaukee singer-songwriter finds herself caught in the humdrum duties of daily life. There are things to do—or not—people to see—or not—and the ones and zeros of technology to attend to. And then, suddenly, she’s off and dreaming, belly laughing with a distant friend or considering taking up “the work of birds.” When she comes back down to Earth, more often than not, she finds bliss in a comforting middle ground. “There aren’t enough hours in the day, I’ve counted,” Conway sings early in the record, before slyly adding, “For loving you.”
No Thanks To You + Adam Blackwood, The Precipitators, The Jesse Garwood Club @ Cactus Club
TUESDAY, MAY 12
Actor Observer + Godseyes, siniu, Bullshit Nonsense @ X-Ray Arcade
Boston hardcore band Actor Observer and Long Island hardcore band Godseyes are currently on tour celebrating the release of a split EP, An Exercise In Futility / An Old Song Of Favor And Fear. Catch them tonight at X-Ray Arcade with loud, local support from siniu and the wonderfully named Bullshit Nonsense.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
Molly Tuttle + Maggie Rose @ The Pabst Theater
“Molly Tuttle is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and virtuosic guitarist whose innovative blend of bluegrass, Americana, pop, and rock has made her one of the most dynamic artists in modern roots music. In 2025, she released her boldest statement yet, the critically acclaimed So Long Little Miss Sunshine. Maggie Rose continues to win over fans and critics alike. Her widely acclaimed album No One Gets Out Alive was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album, with Rolling Stone naming it one of the best albums of 2024. Billboard called it ‘superb’ and American Songwriter hailed it as ‘moving’ and ‘triumphant.'”
Cowboy Killers: A Comedy Show @ Falcon Hall
Oh Well, OK + Year Of October, Her Haunting Melody @ Bremen Cafe
THURSDAY, MAY 14
Triumph + April Wine @ Miller High Life Theatre
“The Canadian hard-rock power trio Triumph stands out as a visionary, uniquely influential entity among their fellow brethren. Virtuoso musicianship, soaring melodies and exceptional songs with a positive perspective and outstanding live shows made vocalist / guitarist Rik Emmett, bass guitarist / keyboardist Mike Levine and vocalist / drummer Gil Moore destined for stardom. They defined and epitomized arena rock.”
The People’s Money, The People’s Power: Squirrel Flower + Wave Chapelle, DJ Shawna @ Pilot Project Brewing
“Join emcee The Kid Mero for live music by Squirrel Flower and Wave Chapelle, free food, and an after-party with DJ Shawna, the official DJ and producer for the Milwaukee Bucks. We’ll also hear from Marguerite Casey Foundation president and CEO Dr. Carmen Rojas, who will host a critical conversation with African American Roundtable executive director Markasa Tucker-Harris, Citizen Action Wisconsin executive director Robert Kraig, and Celina Su, author of Budget Justice: On Building Grassroots Politics and Solidarities.”
Purity Ring + mmj @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Wire And Nail + Cory Waller & The Wicked Things @ Nashville North
ULTRA SUNN + Goth Barge DJs @ Cactus Club
Field Hospitals + Florida Brothers Band, Apollo Vermouth @ MKeUltra
Sushi Cowboy + The Taxmen, Pinellas Park @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Natural Satellite + DJ Caleb Westphal @ The Estate
Kitty Soft Paw @ Ope! Brewing Co.
FRIDAY, MAY 15
Built To Spill + Wussy @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Built to Spill was formed in 1993 by Doug Martsch and over the years they have toured extensively and made several albums with a rotating cast of musicians, currently featuring Teresa Esguerra (Prism Bitch) on drums, and Melanie Radford (Blood Lemon) on bass.”
Marlon Wayans @ Milwaukee Improv (through May 17)
In addition to being an actor, filmmaker, and one half of the Wayans Brothers, Marlon Wayans is an accomplished comedian. In fact, standup has been his primary focus of late, as he’s released five specials since 2018. As the world waits for Scary Movie 6 to come out this June, you can catch Wayans in Brookfield when he performs a total of five shows at Milwaukee Improv between May 15 and 17.
Full Nude + Future Living, Vile Bees @ MKeUltra
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! Anyway, 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 (Blue Unit, The Trusty Knife, Potty). The group’s latest album is the terrific (and terrifically titled) Crazy Sexy Waterbed.
Luke Callen (record release) + Dandy Freling @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound @ Shank Hall
Shrinestone + Snowcuffs, The Paper Flames, Faketwin @ Cactus Club
Kowan & Da Homies @ The Cooperage
Box Elder + Meadowers, Phasing, Jawline @ Sugar Maple
Maple Road Blues Band @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Ex Fabula Season 17 Allstars: Ancestors @ Falcon Hall
The Moth: I Got It From My Mama @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Black Cow Trio @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Revel + Release: Ladies Dance Party @ Mad Planet
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: SpudNikk @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, MAY 16
Airplane! Live With Julie Hagerty And Robert Hays! @ The Pabst Theater
Joey, do you like endlessly quotable and ridiculously absurd movies from 1980? What about movies that were written and directed by Milwaukee natives David and Jerry Zucker? If you answered YES to these questions, you’ll surely want to check out this special screening of comedy classic Airplane! at The Pabst Theater. Stars Julie Hagerty and Robert Hays will be in attendance for a post-screening discussion and Q&A, where they’ll “share behind-the-scenes stories, insights, and personal memories from working on this genre-defining comedy masterpiece.” Assuming, a press release explains, that they don’t have the fish for dinner.
Dethklok + Amon Amarth @ Landmark Credit Union Live
In 2023, Dethklok and Babymetal teamed up for a night of metal mastery at The Rave during their Babyklok Tour. This time around Dethklok will team up with Amon Amarth for “The Amonklok Conquest,” a tour that will stop by the newly opened Landmark Credit Union Live for what’s sure to be an excellent (and loud) time.
Bravery In Bloom: A Queer Arts Festival @ National, 21st and Pierce to 22nd
“Bravery in Bloom: A Queer Arts Festival is a vibrant, community-driven celebration hosted by Courage+ that transforms Milwaukee’s South Side into a living canvas of creativity, expression, and belonging. An outdoor street festival set along 21st Street and Pierce, the festival uplifts emerging LGBTQ+ artists, performers, and makers by giving them a platform to share and sell their work while connecting with the broader community. From live performances and an amateur drag showcase to art vendors, interactive experiences, and local nonprofit partners, the day is designed to be joyful, inclusive, and deeply affirming.”
Alex Lambert + Max Niemann @ Vivarium
Wisconsin Blues Hall Of Fame Spring Induction Ceremony @ Club Garibaldi
Jiluka + VCTMS, TSS @ X-Ray Arcade (sold out)
Ritual + Honor Choir, In Shining Armour, Lana Leone, 12th House Sun @ Sugar Maple
Afterbirth Cartoons + Bloom The Arctic, Glitzy @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Matty Timmons + Midwestern Dirt, VLNTYN, Will Pfrang @ MKeUltra
Hyperbolic + Bowvee @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Liberace Tribute & Piano Spectacular Glitter Party @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Deutsch Does Dylan @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Festival Of Flowers @ Milwaukee Public Market
David Bowie vs. Talking Heads vs. Devo @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, MAY 17
WNBA Watch Party (Indiana vs. Seattle): Ellie Jackson @ Cactus Club
Milwaukee Record has partnered with Cactus Club and WYNK to bring you multi-faceted monthly WNBA watch parties. Once a month, we’re highlighting a specific game that will be shown (with sound on) at Cactus Club, both on the bar’s televisions and on a projector in the back room. There will be specials on WYNK and Pacifico (and you’ll get a ticket when purchasing either brand for a raffle that will be held after the third quarter). DJs will play music during commercial breaks. We’ve also lined up some halftime entertainment for you. Yep! Local musicians and comedians will treat hoopsters to a FREE performance that will take place between the second and third quarters of that month’s chosen game.
Maifest: A Gluten-Free Festival @ Lakefront Brewery
Now celebrating its fifth installment, Maifest is a celebration of all things gluten-free. In addition to highlighting Lakefront Brewery’s groundbreaking and award-winning gluten-free beers, the event taking place at Lakefront and its brewery-adjacent lot will also host more than 40 gluten-free food vendors, live music (from the likes of Wisconsin Space Program, Known Moons, Social Cig, and Long Line Riders), local retailers, a parade of dachshunds, and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
IfIHadAHiFi + Minibeast, Primitive Broadcast Service @ MKeUltra
“There’s no hippocratic oath in the punditry biz / When no one is a doctor, then everyone is!” That’s a key line in “Everyone’s A Doctor,” a standout track from IfIHadAHiFi’s EP Paws In The Bacon Grease. The veteran Milwaukee noise-rock outfit doesn’t mince words in the song: we’re living in a post-truth world where cynical bullshit artists pump figurative (and literal) poison into the brains of brain-rotted dupes who have been trained to ignore facts in favor of “doing their own research.” It’s not quite a post-apocalyptic Mad Max hellscape, but it’s close. Another EP, Night Vision Creeps, accompanied Paws in 2025.
Sunday Afternoon Dance Party: Toast & Jams @ Cactus Club
Cause And Control + Alley Eyes, Varsity Mac @ X-Ray Arcade
Milwaukee Makers Market @ The Ivy House
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