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 October 19-25, 2026.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19
Indigo Girls + Linda Perry @ The Pabst Theater
“Sixteen studio albums, and over 15 million records sold, Indigo Girls continue to blaze the trail for generations of Queer artists in the mainstream. The Grammy-winning duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray began their career in clubs and bars around their native Atlanta, GA amidst a blossoming alternative music scene before signing to Epic Records in 1988. Indigo Girls’ eponymous major label debut sold over two million copies under the power of singles ‘Closer To Fine’ and ‘Kid Fears’ and introduced the duo’s signature harmonies and powerful, sophisticated songs to a dedicated, enduring global audience.”
BEAT: Belew/Vai/Levin/Bozzio Performing The Music Of King Crimson @ The Riverside Theater
“Following more than 100 acclaimed performances across North and South America, Europe, and Japan, BEAT returns this fall for the last North American tour. Former King Crimson members Adrian Belew and Tony Levin are joined by guitar virtuoso Steve Vai and legendary drummer Terry Bozzio to perform the music of the three landmark 1980s King Crimson albums—Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair.”
Duane Betts + Palmetto Motel @ Shank Hall
Waterspouts + Pecking Order, Poor Ridley, Intac @ Cactus Club
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
Dogstar + The Backfires @ The Rave / Eagles Club
“Dogstar is a group of three friends who have slowly yet surely become a band of brothers—a group with multiple talents committed to picking up the pace and locking into life as a working and increasingly beloved rock band who are excited to get back on the road this summer. ‘We couldn’t fucking wait,’ Keanu Reeves says about Dogstar’s collective desire to get right back to the studio after the biggest and best tour of their lives. ‘Personally, I loved it all. For me, the attitude was like, “Let’s work hard and let’s GO.”‘”
Christy Costello & The CC Club + Jinksie, The DUIs @ MKeUltra
“Christy is a long time mover and shaker from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Vocal styles are in the key of smoke, grit, soul and life.”
Godsmack + Dorothy @ Landmark Credit Union Live
Sky High Jackass Themed Night: Saebra & Carlyle @ Cactus Club
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21
Sylvan Esso + Chris Rosenau @ The Riverside Theater
“Ow ∞ is a trust fall into our dystopian present, past and future: arms wide open, embracing and absorbing the pain of cities under water or on fire, and piecing oneself back together as a tactile, scotch-taped collage of memories, ephemera, Y2K-era burned CDs and backseat makeouts. Produced by Sylvan Esso’s Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn, Ow ∞ is also the longest the band has ever spent writing a record, yet it arrives with an intense immediacy that is messy, hellish and free, metabolizing a life of making music with people into making art that you just love.”
Bay View Pumpkin Pavilion @ Humboldt Park (through October 24)
The annual Bay View Pumpkin Pavilion offers four days and nights of fun for all ages. This year is no different, as Humboldt Park will play host to pumpkin carving, live music, food trucks, a beer garden, a magic show, a 3K “pumpkin run,” and much more. Come to see a display of 1,000 carved and illuminated pumpkins, stay for free performances from the likes of Long Line Riders and Bitch Creek.
Tedeschi Trucks Band @ Landmark Credit Union Live
Maggie Koerner + J.R. Wesley @ The Argo
Violet Wilder + Stefan Weiner, Sam Ness @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
IAN SWEET + Meg Elsier @ Falcon Nest
“IAN SWEET is the chosen shape Jilian Medford often steps into—and sometimes dissolves inside of. What began 10 years ago as a solo project that launched her to indie-critical-darling status, over time has evolved into something more atmospheric and less containable: a porous altar, a mirror, a weather system. There are stretches when the line between Jilian and ‘IAN SWEET’ disappears entirely—this time around a very real life trifecta of battling industry pressures, the ending of a three-year relationship, and a return to living in her native city of Los Angeles. These serve as the backdrop under which Shiverstruck, her fifth album as IAN SWEET, has found its way into the world.”
The Tubs + Mopar Stars, Trolley @ X-Ray Arcade
“Upon arriving in the United States for The Tubs’ first tour of the country, frontman Owen Williams told The New Yorker, ‘We’re here to unite the country. We’re gonna come, like, three times. By that point, I think this place will start healing.’ Then, joyously, they did just that, piling into a van and criss-crossing the States, bringing their literary, bleary-eyed, world-weary, night-of-your-life highwire act to the masses when it was needed most. Along the way, they signed to Merge Records, who released The Tubs’ third full-length album, Hard Life, on September 11, 2026.”
Lounj Acts: Valley Fox @ The Wicked Hop / Jackalope Lounj
Jeremiah Jams Band @ Ope! Brewing Co.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
World Series Game 1 @ American Family Field
Yep, it’s really happening: THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS ARE IN THE WORLD SERIES! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 44 LONG YEARS! AHHHHHH!!! Games 1 and 2 of the Fall Classic will go down at American Family Field; Games 3, 4, and 5 (if needed) will go down in either Tampa Bay or Cleveland. Then, if needed, Games 6 and 7 will be back in Milwaukee. Get your tickets now! We hear they’re pretty affordable! GO BREWERS!
BuckFest 2026 Feat. Big Buck World Championship XIX @ Turner Hall Ballroom (also October 24)
“Admission is FREE for BuckFest 2026! This two-day arcade festival brings together fans, players, and the world’s best sharpshooters for a weekend packed with live competition, freeplay arcade and pinball games, local food and drinks, vendors, the Amateur Open Tournament, and nonstop action.”
Rod Tuffcurls And The Bench Press (Baseball Watch Party) @ Vivarium
“Join Rod Tuffcurls And The Bench Press for a baseball watch party with screens throughout the venue and music starting immediately after the big game.”
Boo At The Zoo @ Milwaukee County Zoo (also October 24)
This “merry not scary” event brings after hours fun to Milwaukee County Zoo. Enjoy a “trick-or-treat trail,” pumpkin carving demonstrations, light shows, and (of course) lots of animals. All who attend are encouraged to come wearing a costume.
Widespread Panic @ The Riverside Theater @ The Riverside Theater (through October 25, sold out)
“Get ready to show off your finest colors because Widespread Panic is returning for another epic 3-NIGHT RUN at The Riverside Theater on October 23-25!”
Wolph (Street Party Before Widespread Panic) @ The Riverside Theater (through October 25)
Houseplant (Widespread Panic Afterparty) @ Mo’s Irish Pub (also October 24)
Buena Vista Orchestra @ The Pabst Theater
MMF Presents: Carnivore Carnival @ The Cooperage
Glitzy + My Melody, Casual Sex, Djambo @ Sugar Maple
The Driftless Revelers + Jake Jendusa, Wyatt Thomson, Kenny Hotopp @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Jimmy Ray & the Hippsters @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Friday Night Retro Mixtape @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
World Series Game 2 @ American Family Field
Yep, it’s really happening: THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS ARE IN THE WORLD SERIES! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 44 LONG YEARS! AHHHHHH!!! Games 1 and 2 of the Fall Classic will go down at American Family Field; Games 3, 4, and 5 (if needed) will go down in either Tampa Bay or Cleveland. Then, if needed, Games 6 and 7 will be back in Milwaukee. Get your tickets now! We hear they’re pretty affordable! GO BREWERS!
Cosmic Country Showcase: Dougie Poole + Elizabeth Moen, Jerwin Gabriel @ Cactus Club
“This quarterly cult-hit is an homage to country variety shows like Grand Ole Opry with an extraterrestrial-psychedelic twist. A diverse group of guest vocalists, who you may not otherwise find singing country classics, sing some covers with an all-star band. Some of the best names in, alt-comedy, drag performers, and other variety acts are showcased followed by a set from an original cosmic-country headliner.”
Fellow Kinsman + Ficus, Mellow Honey @ Mad Planet
They say good things come to those who wait. One such good thing is Break Room, the latest and greatest from “landlocked surf-rock” outfit Fellow Kinsman. Originally slated to come out October 2025, the project was forced to postpone the album’s release until May 2026. The only impact that had is Break Room is now one of 2026’s best Milwaukee releases instead of being among 2025’s finest. The nine-song effort exudes warmth and vibrancy throughout, with bandleader Nate Kinsman leading a persistent charge of swirling, lush, and energetic instrumentation on the outstanding “Love Came Through,” local song of the year contender “Find A Way,” and other offerings.
Dia de los Muertos Festival @ Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum
“The Dia de los Muertos Festival is a FREE family friendly event that aims to bring together the south side community to celebrate the traditions of Dia de los Muertos and enjoy the space that the Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum has to offer. The event will kick-off in the morning with a 5k Run/Walk through the grounds of the cemetery. After the run, the festival begins with food trucks, local vendors, arts and crafts for kids and families, traditional music and dance, altars to the dead, face painting, community resource booths, and so much more.”
The Longest Johns + Sean Dagher @ The Argo
Sushi Cowboy + Kieran Porter, Mystical Zenith @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Secondhand Souls + IWR, Aeropax, Future Trash @ MKeUltra
Disposable Thumbs + Logan Lamers, Owen Davies, Solana Mickey @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: They Want Blood + DJ Squaresoft @ Cactus Club
The Pack is back…and so is the Milwaukee Record Halftime Show concert series! We’ve assembled a stacked roster of 13 acts that will provide FREE all-ages entertainment at Cactus Club during halftime of Green Bay’s games. Get ready to see approximately 15-minute shows from the likes of Dialogues, They Want Blood, Wisconsin Space Program, Resurrectionists, 5 O’Clock Charlie, and many more. Our pals at Miller High Life have returned as a sponsor, meaning fans can enjoy bucket and single bottle specials on both “The Champagne Of Beers” and Miller Lite all game long. Last and certainly not least, Transfer Pizzeria Cafe will once again be coming by most games to drop off some complementary pizza (while supplies last).
Armchair Boogie (Widespread Panic Afterparty) @ Mo’s Irish Pub
“Armchair Boogie is bluegrass at full throttle, infused with the energy of a jam band and the swagger of rock ‘n’ roll. Hailing from Madison, WI, this electrifying quartet blends jamgrass, funk, and country into a sound that’s as infectious as it is unexpected. Known for their tight harmonies, blistering solos, and dance-fueled live shows, they’ve quickly become one of the most exciting acts on the circuit.”
She Wants Revenge + Rosegarden Funeral Party @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Twiztid + ABK, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, $pliff Gang @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Andrew Boay + Eli Winter, Ramsey Bell, Alex Sitze @ Falcon Hall
The Dire + Tiger Lilly, Those Who Dig @ MKeUltra
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