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 May 12-18, 2025.
MONDAY, MAY 12
Somewhat Unplugged: Hello Death + Sam Moss @ Dandy
Moody folk outfit Hello Death excels at sparse, haunting music that works its way into your bones like a winter chill. Made up of members of the gone-but-not-forgotten Altos (Marielle Allschwang, Nathaniel Heuer, Shawn Stephany, Erin Wolf), the group doesn’t so much perform folk music as suggest it; Allschwang’s gorgeously airy alto, Heuer’s Nick Cave-esque baritone, and the group’s stripped-down instrumentation combine to form a sound that seems to pre-date music itself.
Winged Wheel + Nurse Julie, DJ Gosha @ Cactus Club
“Big Hotel, the sophomore effort of Winged Wheel, is an evolutionary document. Core members Cory Plump (Spray Paint, Rider/Horse, Expensive Shit), Fred Thomas (Tyvek, Idle Ray), Whitney Johnson (Matchess, Damiana), and Matthew J Rolin (Powers/Rolin Duo, solo) expand their lineup to include Lonnie Slack (Water Damage) and Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth), and instead of the entirely remote method utilized to create their 2022 debut No Island, the far-flung party convened in person in Kingston, NY for a long weekend of live studio recording.”
Seether + P.O.D., Nonpoint @ The Rave / Eagles Club
TUESDAY, MAY 13
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening: Celebrating 50 Years Of Physical Graffiti @ The Riverside Theater
“A lot of talented children have probably been asked by a parent to entertain family and friends, maybe in the living room, maybe sing a little, play an instrument. No big deal and a good way to get used to performing for others. But when Jason Bonham was a small child and got called in to entertain, the family friends he played his drums for could be anyone from Jimmy Page to some of the guys from the group Bad Company. That’s what happens when your father is drummer John Bonham, one of the original members of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin.”
Venturer + Cripes, The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors, Vanity Plates @ X-Ray Arcade
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
Alice Cooper @ Miller High Life Theatre
“Alice Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical brand of hard rock that was designed to shock. Drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock, the group created a stage show that featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood and boa constrictors. He continues to tour regularly, performing shows worldwide with the dark and horror-themed theatrics that he’s best known for.”
Melvin Seals & JGB @ The Cooperage (also May 15)
“Melvin Seals has been a powerful presence in the music industry for over 30 years with a long-established reputation as a performer, recording artist and producer. Melvin is most revered for his powerful, high-spirited, Hammond B-3 organ, and keyboards in the Jerry Garcia Band. Melvin spun his B-3 magic with the Jerry Garcia Band for 18 years and in doing so helped pioneer and define what has now become ‘Jam Band Music.’ From blues to funk to rock to jazz, Melvin Seals serves up a tasty mix with a little R&B and gospel thrown in to spice things up.”
Resurrectionists + Forest Ray, Cassini Echoes, Max Niemann @ Falcon Nest
Alley Eyes + Vinny Franco And The Love Channel, Modern Joey, Nalani @ Cactus Club
THURSDAY, MAY 15
Milwaukee Metal Fest @ The Rave / Eagles Club (through May 18)
Wisconsin metalheads rejoice! After the successful 2023 reincarnation of Milwaukee Metal Fest and an even bigger 2024, the festival—which had previously been dormant since 2007—returns to The Rave/Eagles Club from May 15-18. Things kick off with a Thursday night pre-party (which is free for those who purchase three-day passes for the rest of the fest) featuring Jasta And Friends and others. Subsequent dates feature DOWN, Black Label Society, GWAR, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and dozens of other accomplished metal and metal-adjacent acts. You can check out the full daily lineups HERE.
Cat Ridgeway & The Tourists + Friend Of A Friend, 5pm To Nowhere @ X-Ray Arcade
“You can’t help but be excited when talking about Orlando singer songwriter Cat Ridgeway. Her infectious energy and contagious enthusiasm in everything she creates is electric, while her passion and commitment to her music radiate through her fiery blend of indie-rock and punk with hints of dream pop and folk. A skilled lyricist and melodist, Ridgeway is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who can play guitar, harmonica, trumpet, trombone, drums, piano, mandolin, and bass—sometimes playing three instruments at once! Ridgeway, along with the revolving members of her touring band, The Tourists, create a sweaty, energetic, exciting party with each live show. It’s not uncommon to see them play musical chairs as they switch places and instruments on stage. Expect the unexpected.”
Cinema Stereo + The Keystones, Killer High Life @ Falcon Hall
Big Beat MKE @ Jackalope Lounj
Edelweiss Concert Cruise Series: Bob Welsch @ Milwaukee River, 205 W. Highland Ave.
Thursday Bike Night Concert Series: Bootjack Road @ Harley-Davidson Museum
FRIDAY, MAY 16
ADULT. + Plack Blague, Choke Chain, Goth Barge DJs @ Cactus Club
“With over 23 years working and a sprawling discography to show for that labor, Adam Lee Miller and Nicola Kuperus have spent their entire career as ADULT. obscuring any defined genre or style, writing and recording albums as art for life’s sake. On their latest album, the group are back at it with some discordant, doom dance sludge to mark their 9th studio album Becoming Undone. Written between November 2020 and April 2021, the album might be the bands most non-conformant yet. Sure there’s plenty of dance bangers, but ultimately the album is riddled with impermanence, loss and looping dissatisfactions.”
Benmont Tench + The Melancholy Season @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Benmont Tench is a founding member of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and one of contemporary music’s finest organ players, piano players, anything-with-keys players. In addition to all of the Heartbreakers recordings, Tench has played on records by Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, Green Day, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, the Dixie Chicks, the Replacements, John Prine, Waylon Jennings, John Fogerty, Elvis Costello, the Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, just to name a few. Jimmy Iovine, man of many hats and former Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ producer, puts it this way: ‘If you want a track to sound better, you just put Benmont’s part higher in the mix.'”
Wisconsin Card Show @ Baird Center (through May 18)
Lake Country Cards and Swarmm Events are joining forces on what they’re calling “Wisconsin’s Largest Card Show.” The claim seems to be accurate, as the 2025 Wisconsin Card Show will bring more than 300 tables worth of collectors and vendors to Baird Center May 16-18. There will also be a ton of Brewers, Packers, Bucks, and Badgers legends signing autographs over the course of the three-day event.
Dan Rodriguez + Ben Mulwana @ Vivarium
Shadeseeker + ZANG!, Crooked Rugs @ Falcon Hall
Gin Mill Hollow @ Ope! Brewing Co.
The Moth: Only In Milwaukee @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Don Black @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, MAY 17
Paul Simon In Concert: A Quiet Celebration @ The Riverside Theater (also May 18)
“The incomparable Paul Simon brings A Quiet Celebration Tour to the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee for TWO nights of intimate performances. The legendary singer/songwriter will present the live debut of Seven Psalms as well as a celebration of his timeless classics you know and love.”
Alan Jackson + Zach Top, James Carothers @ Fiserv Forum
“Last Call: One More for the Road Tour will find the three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year thrilling audiences as fans relive hits like ‘Chattahoochee’ and ‘It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere’ night after night. ‘I’ve been touring for over 30 years—my daughters are all grown, we have one grandchild and one on the way, and I’m enjoying spending more time at home,’ said Jackson. ‘But my fans always show up to have a good time, and I’m going to give them the best show I can for this Last Call.'”
The Newport’s 20th Anniversary Block Party @ The Newport
From 12-9 p.m., the one-block stretch of pavement outside The Newport will host a winning blend of live music, drinks, local vendors, cookout food favorites, and philanthropy. The event will help raise funds for the Bay View Community Center, WMSE, and Bay View Lions Club. The latter will be selling burgers, brats, and hot dogs on-site. Retail vendors will be Scout Gallery, LuvPrints, and possibly more. Beyond having multiple beer tents and a full bar inside, The Newport will also be selling their ever-popular merchandise, including their beloved hats, hoodies, T-shirts, and stickers.
Sushi Cowboy + Grain Elevator, Well + Good @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Catbite + Rodeo Boys, Something To Do @ X-Ray Arcade
Callahan & Witscher + Ellee Grim, 1996, Apollo Vermouth, Gem Fumigation Spa (DJ Set) @ Cactus Club
Indica Gallery + Denny Rauen @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Joe Policastro Trio @ The Estate
Punk Rock Rummage Sale @ X-Ray Arcade
Depeche Mode vs. New Order vs. Duran Duran @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, MAY 18
Maifest: Gluten-Free Festival @ Lakefront Brewery
“Join us for the 4th annual Maifest, the Midwest’s largest gluten-free food festival, right here outside Lakefront Brewery on Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since we brewed New Grist Pilsner, the nation’s first Certified Gluten-Free beer, we began to understand how underserved the regional gluten-free community is. Our first Maifest was an instant success, and we continue to raise the bar and increase our offerings with our fourth installment. This year’s event will shift its focus to providing an array of over 30 vendors featuring all gluten-free food items alongside 9 food trucks exclusively serving gluten-free items. Show up hungry, folks!”
Size 5’s + The DUI’s, The Malones, Rabid Wreck @ X-Ray Arcade
“This is part of our series of fundraiser events, featuring rad performers who’ve chosen to do their thing for free—every dollar in ticket sales goes toward our accessible entryway construction project. All you gotta do is show up.”
The John Sieger Combo @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Samuel Huston + *aya, FTBK, Willonwater, Keyba @ Cactus Club
Maul + Yotuma, Futile Act, Sublet @ Sabbatic
The Honolulu Millionaires @ Foundation
Milwaukee Makers Market @ The Ivy House
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