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 25 – December 1, 2024.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Ike Reilly Assassination @ Shank Hall
“Since his explosive major label debut, Salesmen And Racists, Reilly has been creating rebellious punk/folk/country/blues-influenced rock ‘n’ roll records that are poetic and cinematic. Critical praise for his work has been plentiful, and he has garnered a wildly loyal fan base—from faithful fans in the dirty bars and rock clubs in the middle of nowhere to legendary authors. Reilly’s songs have a unique universality that affects people. Author Stephen King wrote that Reilly’s travel band saga, ‘Boltcutter,’ was ‘the best new song to come out of the Trump era.’ The New York Times called Reilly’s longtime band, The Assassination, one of the best live bands in America.”
Originally Wisconsin: Wildered + Meadowers @ Story Hill FireHouse
“Milwaukee-based singer songwriter Nate Bjorge will headline a live performance with his band Wildered at Story Hill FireHouse in Milwaukee on Tuesday, November 26th, at 7 p.m. This is a part of Wisconsin Music Ventures’ Originally Wisconsin series, promoting all original music at an inspiring, historical, ‘original to Wisconsin’ venue—a firehouse-turn event space. Opening up the night will be Meadowers.”
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Chicken Wire Empire + Dandy L. Freling @ The Cooperage
While Chicken Wire Empire plays festivals all over the Midwest and is known to embark on the occasional European tour, the Milwaukee-based bluegrass stalwart tends to play sparingly in its hometown. The scarcity of those local outings only serves to make them more special and less skip-able, so you definitely don’t want to miss Chicken Wire Empire’s “Friendsgiving” show at The Cooperage the night before Thanksgiving. The show will feature two sets from the headliner and an opening set by Milwaukee’s own Dandy L. Freling.
‘Twas The Night Before…By Cirque Du Soleil @ Miller High Life Theatre (through November 30)
“‘Twas the Night Before… is Cirque du Soleil’s first holiday show, based on the classic poem ‘A Visit from Saint Nicholas’ by Clement Clarke Moore. Memorable lines from this cherished classic inspired Cirque’s story about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays. A festive flurry of love and cheer created especially for families, ‘Twas the Night Before… features thrilling acrobatics, lovable characters—and a soundtrack including holiday classics re-invented by Cirque du Soleil. The show was conceived and is directed by Cirque du Soleil Senior Artistic Director James Hadley, a 25-year veteran of circus productions and live theater.”
Nod To Bob: A Tribute To Bob Dylan @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“‘Nod to Bob’ is a tribute to one of the world’s all-time truly great songwriters—Mr. Bob Dylan. Twenty-twenty-four marks the 26th annual event, which always doubles as a fundraiser for a critically important local charity—Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force, during its most needy time of the year. This night-before-Thanksgiving event features scores of great Milwaukee songwriters—in their own write—performing their best renditions of favorite Dylan gems.”
Wishbone Ash + Argus Live @ Vivarium
Xeno & Oaklander + DT Harm, Memory Spector @ X-Ray Arcade
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Groove Theory: Black Elephant (reunion) + DJ Bizzon @ The Cooperage
Dial the ol’ Wayback Machine to the early ’00s and you’ll likely run into one of Milwaukee’s most popular hip-hop groups of the day, Black Elephant. “They grinded harder than just about any other act,” Radio Milwaukee said about Black Elephant in a 2019 roundup of the 10 most important songs in Milwaukee rap history, “and thanks to their Roots-esque band setup, they had a better live show than just about any other act, too.” The group—Verbal (Derrick Harriell), Element (Element Everest-Blanks), and Dameon (Dameon Ellzey)—released their debut record in 2002; two years later saw the release of Eat This Album, a 17-track tour de force that proved to be Black Elephant’s masterpiece. Tonight, Black Elephant reunites to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the latter record.
The Muppet Christmas Carol: Film With Orchestra @ Bradley Symphony Center (through December 1)
“Experience Charles Dickens’s classic holiday tale as only the Muppets can tell it. Kermit and the gang help Ebenezer Scrooge, played by actor Michael Caine, find redemption and his holiday spirit one fateful Christmas Eve. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra plays the memorable score composed by Miles Goodman with songs by Paul Williams while the delightful family film plays on the big screen.”
Pete Lee @ Milwaukee Improv (through December 1)
After growing up in Janesville, Wisconsin, Pete Lee has gone on to perform on Letterman, guest on The Tonight Show (FIVE TIMES and counting!), and rack up a wide variety of credits that include notable TV shows like Last Comic Standing, As The World Turns, Best Week Ever, Comedy Central’s Roast Battle, and much more. He’s released comedy albums, put out a Comedy Central half-hour special, and has performed more than 500 shows at colleges around the country. Lee returns to the region November 29 through December 1 for a total of five Thanksgiving weekend shows at Milwaukee Improv.
Ganser + Christy Costello, Delicious Monsters, Primitive Broadcast Service @ Promises
Rat Bath + Anita Velveeta, Ultra Deluxe, Courtesy, Kule @ X-Ray Arcade
Aluminum Knot Eye + Full Nude, Son Of Bill @ Bremen Cafe
Black Friday @ Lakefront Brewery
Friday Night Retro Dance Party @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Honey Creek (final show) + Bug Moment, NilexNile, Overhand, FORM, Breakup Tour @ Cactus Club
“Honey Creek was an Alt-Pop/Pop Punk band from Milwaukee, WI. The band at one point lived together in a house on Holton where the kitchen sink didn’t work. The landlord is now renovating that house and turning it into an Airbnb. Honey Creek’s median age is currently 26.8 and at one point they aspired to take over the world but now they are dead.”
Chevy Metal @ The Rave/Eagles Club
“Chevy Metal was ignited in 2002 by the rhythmic prowess of Taylor Hawkins and his long time friend and musician Wiley Hodgden. Taylor, recognized worldwide as the iconic drummer for the Foo Fighters, brought a relentless energy to the stage fueled by his infectious passion for classic rock. Wiley, both singer and bass player, was the drum tech for Hawkins at this time. While playing and touring with the Foos, Taylor joined with Wiley to form Chevy Metal as a side hustle cover band that focused on quintessential rock classics mixed with deep cuts. When the band was faced with the untimely passing of Taylor, its members came together to honor and pay tribute to him at the Taylor Hawkins Memorial shows, held at Wembley Stadium and The Forum. These were thought to be their final performances, but Taylor’s son, Shane Hawkins, decided that the band must endure, thus taking his father’s place as their drummer.”
Them Coulee Boys + Max & The Fellow Travelers @ Vivarium
“With four full-length albums and an EP behind them, including 2019’s Die Happy (produced by Trampled By Turtles’ Dave Simonett on Lo-Hi Records) and 2021’s Namesake (produced by Grammy winner Brian Joseph), Them Coulee Boys have garnered international attention and earned press in American Songwriter, Ditty TV, Folk Alley, and The Bluegrass Situation, as well as tours with Trampled By Turtles and a spot on the songwriter’s Cayamo Cruise. In 2020, they were named Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Band to Watch. In 2021, they won Bluegrass/Americana Band of the Year by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry.”
Kyle Feerick @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Y2K! All 2000s Dance Party @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
Milwaukee Krampusnacht @ Brewery District
Since 2017, Milwaukee Krampusnacht has celebrated the half-goat/half-demon Krampus—a.k.a. a figure from Alpine folklore who punishes naughty children and acts as a foil to the do-gooding Saint Nicholas. The annual blowout boasts a family-friendly night of costumes, music, food and drink, parades, scavenger hunts, and arts and crafts. Milwaukee is the city of festivals, after all, so why not an annual Krampusnacht? Itching for Milwaukee Krampusnacht 2024? It’s this Sunday! At various locations in the Brewery District! Behold the jam-packed schedule HERE.
All Messed Up XIII Potluck Drawing @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“Welcome to All Messed Up 13, Milwaukee’s annual randomized musical experiment that puts musicians together into bands randomly to see what perfect strangers can create together! IMPORTANT DATES: OCTOBER 25: Registration Opens at 00:00/12:00am. DECEMBER 1 Drawing/Potluck @ Linneman’s 6pm doors. 7pm Drawing. JANUARY 5: Name your band by 23:59/11:59pm. FEBRUARY 14th & 15th Showcase at Linneman’s.”
Hover Craft @ The Pritzlaff Building
Since 2009, Hover Craft has brought skilled local artists, crafters, retailers, and others residing beneath the broad “maker” umbrella together to bring Milwaukee-made goods to area consumers during the holiday season. It returns to The Pritzlaff Building for another installment on Sunday.
Steel Panther + Stone Horses @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Third Coast Blues Collective @ Ope! Brewing Co.
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