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 November 18-24, 2024.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Greg Marshall Pops Out Of The Trees @ Vivarium
“Greg Marshall is a three time Emmy Award winning storyteller and producer. His one person show, Greg Marshall Pops Out Of The Trees is a true, hilarious and deeply moving story about a young man who learns that the greatest story isn’t the one he tells, but the ones he hears from the most unexpected people. It’s an entertaining blend of storytelling and music with poetic surprises, aka freestyling. It hooks you and leaves you wanting more. One audience member said ‘I felt like I was watching a movie. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would watch it multiple times.’ Another said, ‘I was moved to laughter and tears, and as I sat there I thought, this is good, this feels good.'”
Fading Signal + Miracle, See No Evil, Sex Scenes, Krooked @ X-Ray Arcade
Calicuzns + Shoobie, Glitzy, Buena Cara @ Cactus Club
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Klassik + Nelson Devereaux, AJ, Suko Pyramid @ Cactus Club
Listeners throughout Milwaukee and beyond know Kellen Abston for his extensive, eclectic, and impressive body of work he’s released under the name Klassik. Over Klassik’s decade-plus run, the rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has earned oodles of attention in the local scene, opened for a host of impressive acts, challenged himself with a wide range of different creative undertakings, and made some of Milwaukee’s most impressive music. What to expect from this show? Says Klassik: “The Stage Slayer returns this week. MasterKlass teaching, cosmos-reaching, KlassAct head honcho, reigning, no poncho.”
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Milwaukee Record Presents: Escape From New York @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
We’re screening John Carpenter’s classic 1981 film Escape From New York at Avalon Theater! This dystopian sci-fi thriller stars Kurt Russell as former Special Forces member-turned-prisoner Snake Plissken, who is given 24 hours to rescue the President from his captors in New York in order to regain his freedom. Over the course of this 99-minute masterpiece, viewers are treated to memorable performances by the likes of Russell, Ernest Borgnine, Isaac Hayes, Adrienne Barbeau, and Harry Dean Stanton. Escape from your normal midweek routine and watch Escape From New York with your pals from Milwaukee Record.
Native Sun + Chapped Lips, Aergo @ Cactus Club
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21
An Evening With Jon Stewart @ The Riverside Theater (sold out)
Jon Stewart! Live! Sold out! Also: “This event will be a phone-free experience. Use of phones, smart watches and accessories, will not be permitted in the performance space. Upon arrival at the venue, all phones, smart watches and accessories will be secured in individual Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end of the event. Guests maintain possession of their devices at all times, and can access them throughout the event only in designated Phone Use Areas within the venue. All devices will be re-secured in Yondr pouches before returning to the performance space. Anyone seen using a device (phone, smart watch or accessories) during the performance will be escorted out of the venue.”
Midweek Music: Old Pup @ Crafty Cow (Wauwatosa)
It’s the final Midweek Music of the year! Join us at Crafty Cow Tosa for a FREE set from Milwaukee troubadour Old Pup! Once again, there’s NO COVER for this all-ages show, which runs from 6-7:30 p.m. And if a free weeknight show isn’t already great enough on its own, Crafty Cow Tosa will offer $4 pints from Badger State Brewing. They’ll also have meal deals available during each show.
Humid (record release show) + Shamewave, Milorganaut, Lila Realm @ Cactus Club
Pulverize, the second full-length album from Milwaukee group HUMID, doesn’t waste time. Opener “Infrared” begins with a bang—an instant wall of towering, bashing drums and swirling, distorted guitars—and keeps that bang going for a full three minutes. Make that a full 30 minutes: The rest of the record toggles between heavy shoegaze and arena-sized ’90s alt-rock, but that initial insistence, that initial urgency, hums throughout.
David Wax Museum @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
ADORNER (solo) @ Good City Brewing
Kitty Soft Paw @ Ope! Brewing Co.
IMprovised SOund – Milwaukee Presents: Undisclosed Sims @ Sugar Maple
Bjork Birthday Retrospective @ Red Maple
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22
SistaStrings @ South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center
SistaStrings, which consists of classically trained siblings Monique and Chauntee Ross, has been a fixture in Milwaukee music for the better part of the past decade. Now based in Nashville, the Ross sisters have quickly found their careers reaching unimaginable heights. They’ve played arenas and massive music festivals all over North America while supporting world-renowned talents like Allison Russell, Jason Isbell, and Brandi Carlile. Along the way they’ve performed at the Grammys, played late night shows and SNL, sat on stage during Joni Mitchell’s live return, and released a dual album with Peter Mulvey on Ani DiFranco’s label.
Body Futures (record release) + Nonagon, Redshift Headlights, Vacancy Chain @ X-Ray Arcade
On Body Futures’ 2018 album Maybe It’s Just The Weather, hooks are tossed off like confetti, sci-fi sound effects ring out like party favors, and shit just gets big and loud. Similar to 2014’s Brand New Silhouettes, Weather‘s draw is twofold. There’s the band’s noisy sound, full of big guitars, big drums, knotty rhythms, and a single-minded disdain for current trends. Then there’s the sometimes sweet, sometimes shout-y vocal interplay between singer/autoharpist Dixie Jacobs and singer/drummer DJ Hostettler. Need more Body Futures in your life? Then buckle up for the band’s new six-song LP, Do Not Befriend The Reaper.
Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts + Candy Cigarette @ Shank Hall
“Led by free-wheeling front man Miles Nielsen, The Rusted Hearts have been wowing audiences for years with the diversity of their sound, the tightness of their four-part harmonies, and the quality of their songcraft. Equally comfortable in a compact three-minute pop song and an epic ten-minute jam, the band has toured incessantly since their inception in 2011, amassing an army of hardcore followers that have dubbed themselves the Rusted Herd.”
Holiday Folk Fair International @ Wisconsin State Fair Park (through November 24)
“Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premier multicultural festival and a program of the International Institute of Wisconsin, celebrates the cultural heritage of the people living in southeastern Wisconsin. You can explore the ways music, food, dance, and art weave together a message of welcome.”
MKE Music Night: Cullah + Sleepy Gaucho, Josh Trimble, Torcado @ The Cooperage
Snag + Okay Omen, Jagalchi, Overhand @ Cactus Club
Old Crow Medicine Show + Willie Watson @ The Riverside Theater
The Moth @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Friday Night Retro Video Dance Party @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Ryan Necci And The Buffalo Gospel + Joseph Huber Band, Maximiano @ Vivarium
Even though Ryan Necci—the founding member, bandleader, and namesake of Ryan Necci And The Buffalo Gospel—now calls Tennessee home, the Milwaukee expat and professional songwriter returns to his home region every November and brings the band out for a Turkey Day-adjacent concert. This year, Necci and company make their Vivarium debut the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Joseph Huber and Maximiano add local support and make this a certified can’t-miss show.
Dogpark + Meyru @ Cactus Club
“Dogpark got their start performing at University of Richmond (their alma-mater), before launching into sell-out shows across the country. The band consists of Eamon Moore (lead vocals), Chris Conte (drums), Declan Harris (lead guitar), Billy Apostolou (bass/guitar), and Will Harford (vocals/bass/guitar). Infectious stage presence and an homage to the indie-rock of the ’90s have kick-started their career from a backyard band to a mainstage group. The band’s EP, Breaking In Brooklyn, proves that they are here to make a mark, and with the release of their upcoming full-length album, this is only the beginning.”
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 her Turner Hall appearance again.
Trainfest 2024 @ Baird Center (also November 24)
All aboard! Trainfest 2024 is chugging into Baird Center for two days of miniature railroading fun for the whole family. Children, modelers, collectors, and anyone else with a passing interest in this hobby are invited to check out booths from manufacturers and retailers, see exhibits, and partake in activities and seminars centered around model trains.
New Wave Fest 2024: The First Wave + Xposed 4Heads, The DIFF play The Cars @ The Cooperage
The Cure vs. The Smiths @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: Taiyamo Denku @ Cactus Club
Come on out to the Cactus Club for this week’s Packers-49ers game, and enjoy a halftime set from prolific Milwaukee rapper Taiyamo Denku! Games are shown in the bar and on a projector screen in Cactus Club’s back room. As always, there will be touchdown shots (both regular and N/A options will be offered) and DJs during commercials. THERE’S NO COVER CHARGE for the concerts. Kickoff is at 3:25 p.m.!
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