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 5-11, 2025.
MONDAY, MAY 5
Milwaukee Film Festival @ Oriental and Downer theatres
The 2025 Milwaukee Film Festival continues! For a few more days, at least! You have until Thursday to catch as many films as you possibly can! Including the Closing Night film, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, which caps off MFF25 Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre.
Mick Foley @ Milwaukee Improv
After a lengthy, body-busting tenure in professional wrestling, Mick Foley (f.k.a. “Mankind”) made the move from the ring to the stage. Foley—who’s now an author, comedian, spoken word artist, and storyteller—comes to Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield to share tales and humorous musings from his wrestling career and beyond.
TRSH + Doan, Summerbruise, Dear Maryanne @ X-Ray Arcade
TUESDAY, MAY 6
The Magnetic Fields: 69 Love Songs 25th Anniversary Tour @ The Pabst Theater (also May 7)
“In celebration of the 25th anniversary of its release, the Magnetic Fields are continuing their two-night performance of the entire 69 Love Songs album in its entirety, during a Spring 2025 USA and Canada tour run. The full concert runs over the course of 2 nights. Originally released in 1999 on Merge Records, 69 Love Songs is a beloved 3-disc masterwork that marked a significant breakthrough for the American band. This tour brings the full record live on tour for the first time in over two decades.”
WMSE’s Local/Live: Fuzzysurf (acoustic) @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“WMSE is excited to invite you back to Anodyne in Walker’s Point on Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. sharp for another free, all-ages edition of Local/Live, with Fuzzysurf (unplugged), hosted by WMSE’s Music Director Sid and Milwaukee Record’s Matt Wild. If you can’t join in the fun in-person, tune into 91.7FM at 6 p.m. or stream using the WMSE website or free app.”
Jim E. Brown + Delicious Monsters, Impish Tips @ Cactus Club
Stephen Stanley + Jake & Shelby, Mison Bones @ X-Ray Arcade
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7
Luke Callen + Clare Doyle, Dandy L. Freling @ Cactus Club
“In an age of quick fixes, flashing screens, and pop ‘songs’ that are more formula than art, an album that takes its sweet time is a radical act. Also Going Nowhere, Luke Callen’s third full-length effort is just that—a collection of songs that spread out through time and space, dripping with honest Midwest charm and a mischievous glint. It’s music that you can relax into, paired with lyrics you’ll want to chew on and savor, that ask something of their listener. These songs are proof and reminder: you don’t actually have to go anywhere at all to, you know, get somewhere.”
Apes Of The State + Sister Wife Sex Strike, Little Foot @ X-Ray Arcade
“Apes of the State is an independent folk punk band from Lancaster, PA. As a band, they are driven by DIY ethics with a goal of helping as many people as possible with their music.”
Piñata Protest + M545, Meskales @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Cheem + Snooze, Static Palms, Minnesota Fatts @ Sugar Maple
Cowboy Killer Comedy Show @ Falcon Nest
THURSDAY, MAY 8
Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic @ Club Garibaldi
Almost seven years removed from performing at Turner Hall (and eating Durty Burgers with us in the venue’s green room), Randy of Trailer Park Boys will bring his Cheeseburger Picnic comedy showcase back to Milwaukee. This time around, he’ll be taking the stage at Club Garibaldi. Fingers crossed we’ll get to eat some wings with him in the basement beforehand.
Youth Lagoon + Kaleah Lee @ Vivarium
“‘Life itself is a thunderstorm,’ says Trevor Powers, the Idaho-based songwriter and producer behind the Youth Lagoon moniker. ‘Life itself is brothers on walkie-talkies…it’s your dog at the backdoor, or a speeding car off in the distance. It’s a gentle voice on the radio. Mom smoking on the porch. The color of sunlight. It’s always right under your nose and so easy to miss. Often, a simple treasure.”
Last Call @ Crossroads Collective
“Join us for our Last Call at Crossroads Collective, a heartfelt gathering to mark the final day of operation at Crossroads Collective. This is your last opportunity to support our hard-working vendors, at this location, who have helped shape this space into something truly special.”
Neil deGrasse Tyson: This Just In: Latest Discoveries in the Universe @ The Riverside Theater
“The title says it all. Drawn from within the previous two or three years of cosmic discovery—with topics hand-picked for their impact on science and on the public’s fascinating with this moving frontier.”
Three Dog Night + Trapper Schoepp @ The Pabst Theater
Oh Geeeze, Not Again + Life After 5, Violet Wilder @ Falcon Nest
Ari Hest @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Big Beat MKE @ Jackalope Lounj
Thursday Bike Night Concert Series: Joseph Huber @ Harley-Davidson Museum
FRIDAY, MAY 9
Jimmy Eat World + Diet Lite @ The Rave / Eagles Club
It isn’t too often that Milwaukee gets a non-festival tour stop from Jimmy Eat World. However, the longstanding and beloved emo outfit is swinging by The Rave! And Milwaukee’s own Diet Lite is opening! Are you listening?
Caley Conway + Lee Ketch, MATTHÚ @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
There are moments in Caley Conway’s latest 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.”
Brother Ali + DJ Abilities, Jabee @ Shank Hall
Long-tenured and low-key legendary rapper Brother Ali will treat Shank Hall to cuts from his extensive catalog that spans decades. He’ll be joined by his former Rhymesayers label mate (and Milwaukee’s own) DJ Abilities, as well as opener Jabee.
Mari Mari (record release) + Dave Kevin Adam, Bunk Bed @ Club Garibaldi
In its relatively brief history, Milwaukee’s Mari Mari—which features past members of Flat Teeth, John The Savage, Those Royals, and Saebra & Carlyle—has only managed a small handful of live outings and released exactly one song. However, that’s all about to change. Mari Mari has put the finishing touches on a debut EP the band recorded with Skott Moriarti at Broken Robot Studios. That four-song effort, We Don’t Talk About It, will officially be released tonight when the quartet headlines a Club Garibaldi show to mark the milestone.
Gang Of Four @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Twenty-twenty-five will be the 45th anniversary of the release of Entertainment! in the US, and will be our final year as a band. It’s been wonderful, but all things must end. We want to go out with a bang and celebrate with our fans and friends. So, on what will be our last US tour, we’ll play two sets at each show: Entertainment! from start to finish in the first, and the best of the rest in the second. Come and join in, it’ll be a blast!”
Jinksie + Heather The Jerk, Holly And The Nice Lions @ Quarters Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace
Phillip-Michael Scales (record release) + ANDII @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Long Line Riders @ The Wiggle Room
Age Of Fable + Whiskey And The Devil, Rustbandit, Sharp Left Turn @ Falcon Nest
Jerry Grillo: “My Hometown Milwaukee” Day @ The Estate
The MilBillies @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Friday Night Retro Video Dance Party: Goth Barge + DJ Kittens @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, MAY 10
MKEmo presents: Action/Adventure + Barely Civil, Buena Cara, Endswell @ Amorphic Beer
Milwaukee pop-punk proponent and emo enthusiast Chris Luecke applies his musical passion into his “MKEmo” endeavor that highlights a wide range of local artists under these stylistic umbrellas. However, his primary gig is traveling around the country to record episodes of his “Manufacturing Happy Hour” podcast. His two very different worlds collide tonight when Amorphic Beer releases his “Stay Innovative Stay Thirsty IPA” and hosts a show by Action/Adventure, Barely Civil, Buena Cara, and Endswell.
North Warren + Lunar Moth, The Rotundos, Old Timer @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“North Warren, named after the street he lived on as he began releasing music, is the creative endeavor of Luke Esperes, an artist residing in Milwaukee, WI. His influences come from bands such as Harvey Danger, Let’s Wrestle, and Built To Spill making grungy indie rock with an emotional weight. His first single, ‘USPS,’ was released in the summer of 2019 and his second single, ‘Overdramatic,’ September 7 2019.”
Volcandra + Saidan, Illusion Of Fate, Niveous @ Club Garibaldi
TUGG + Peppers And Pineapples @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Y2K! All 2000s Dance Party @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, MAY 11
Uncured + Haunter, Always Alive, Fallen Condition @ X-Ray Arcade
“Uncured is an explosive, uncompromising 4-piece from New Jersey, USA, featuring brothers Rex Cox (vocals) and Zak Cox (guitar), drummer ‘King Z’ Zachary King and bassist Betto Andrade. Uncured combines the raw energy, power and aggression of 2000s metal with the huge hooks, catchy choruses and brutal breakdowns of today’s metal scene to deliver an intense, fresh experience that can best be described as ‘Nu Metalcore.'”
Jeremy Camp + Jonathan Traylor @ The Pabst Theater
Superglue + Eli Orion And The Everything, Mail Manipulators, Aergo @ Cactus Club
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