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 October 20-26, 2025.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20
Social Cinema + Sego, Alley Eyes, Kat And The Hurricane @ Cactus Club
“Social Cinema is a new band with over a decade of history. More accurately, Social Cinema is the latest chapter in a decade-plus friendship and artistic journey evolving alongside the people behind the music. When three Wichita friends, Austin Engler and brothers Griffin and Logan Bush formed Kill Vargas in 2013 as young teenagers, they couldn’t have guessed that they’d all be still performing together a decade later. Along the way, the trio would cross paths with Nebraskan band, Death Cow, featuring Mari Crisler and Reed Tiwald. Between sharing bills and sleeping on each other’s couches after shows while on the Midwest DIY scene grind, the three and two would become inseparably close, and eventually join forces as five in 2021, under the new name Social Cinema.”
Jhariah + Something To Do, Socially Suspect @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21
Herbie Hancock @ The Pabst Theater
“Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. Throughout his explorations, he has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice. With an illustrious career spanning five decades and 14 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for River: The Joni Letters, he continues to amaze audiences across the globe. There are few artists in the music industry who have had more influence on acoustic and electronic jazz and R&B than Herbie Hancock. As the immortal Miles Davis said in his autobiography, ‘Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven’t heard anybody yet who has come after him.'”
Sir Chloe + Luzy Clue @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Sir Chloe is the moniker of the musician and artist Dana Foote. She has been known to blend grungy guitar hooks, sharp pop instincts, and a distinctive, emotionally raw vocal style. Sir Chloe draws influence primarily from funeral dirges and early Gregorian chants, channeling artists like PJ Harvey, David Byrne, and Radiohead. Foote shirked her government name and adopted the moniker Sir Chloe in 2017. Her stage presence has been compared to the likes of a ‘disheveled businessman after a long day,’ and a ‘drunk uncle.’ Her debut EP Party Favors (2020) has garnered nearly a billion streams and multiple gold records. The music is taut and emotionally charged, sitting between mainstream ambition and experimental edge.”
Dingus. + Barely Civil, Phasing, Paper Valley @ X-Ray Arcade
Activity + Operations, Youth Energy @ Cactus Club
Peeler + Our Vanity, Venturer, Lake @ MKE Ultra
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22
Son Reis Project + Key Of Evil @ Uptowner
“Payment Plan is a genre-defiant release from Son Reis Project—a trio comprised of Jason Goessl (Bass VI), Jason Reisdorf (tenor sax), and Ryan Thomas (drums). Forged in improvisation and driven by raw energy, the record fuses elements of no wave, post-punk, surf, prog, free jazz, and ritual noise into a tightly wound set of eight gripping instrumentals. From the psycho-surf thrill ride of ‘101’ to the jagged chaos of ‘Coke Type Thing,’ the band revels in tension and release.”
Natalie Sue And The Steed + Stefan Weiner, Max Niemann @ Cactus Club
“Born under Milwaukee’s summer sun, Natalie Sue And The Steed bring a dreamy twist to country music. Fronted by songwriter and vocalist Natalie Sue, the band blends poetic romance with newfangled twang and classic rock motion. Listen to their new single ‘Love Burns Hot’ on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms. Their EP Patchouli And Tobacco released everywhere August 21.”
Age Of The Fallen + Sacrament, World Of Fear, Krusher @ X-Ray Arcade
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23
Sugar Ransom + Caley Conway, Shawn Alan Hurd @ Falcon Hall
“Slangin’ songs, spittin’ fire, and sangin’ sweetly, Sugar Ransom returns home to perform in Milwaukee on Oct 23rd at Falcon Hall with Caley Conway and Shawn Alan Hurd. Having moved to Austin, TX in 2018 for both a marriage and grad school, this now divorced PhDropout has been hunkered down with her guitar writing some sense of it all. While Texas has certainly influenced her guitar style and chops, Sugar’s iconic voice has only grown more into itself. With recent songs focused on protest ‘Captain Swing’ and ‘Another Day, Another 73¢’ and mental health anthem ‘Anxious Lullaby,’ she is now in the midst of recording a full-length vinyl project called A Poetry of Grammar, and will be sharing pieces from that project with audiences on this October tour.”
Midweek Music: HOSTS (solo) @ Crafty Cow Tosa
Every fall since 2021, Milwaukee Record has brought live music to Crafty Cow Tosa with Midweek Music. The series is back in October and November 2025, so stop by and enjoy some free music! Once again, there is NO COVER for these all-ages shows, which run 7 -8:30 p.m. The series continues this week with a solo set from Miles Patzer of fantastic Milwaukee country band HOSTS.
Rare Bird Presents: Nightmare at the Brewery @ Lakefront Brewery
“Rare Bird, Lakefront’s oddities night market, is your place to shop all things weird, strange, and mysterious. On Thursday, October 23rd, their special Halloween edition of Rare Bird will feature over 20 hand-selected vendors showcasing their unique items for sale, rune and tarot card readings, live flash tattoos (from four local artists), and more! It will also be Nightmare at the Brewery, an occasion that will turn their Beer Hall into a spooky ballroom theater, playing black and white horror classics.”
Baby Tyler Band + Sex Scenes, Sense Of Self, Hottt Probs @ Cactus Club
Oister Boy + Oh Well Ok, Waterspouts @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Hannah Johnson Trio @ The Estate
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24
Widespread Panic @ The Riverside Theater (through October 26)
“Go with the flow, Milwookie! You know them. You love them. You missed them. Widespread Panic is BACK in 2025! We’re welcoming them with open arms for another three night residency at the Riverside Theater on October 24th-26th. Mark your calendar and get all the deets HERE!”
Cosmic Country Showcase feat. India Ramey @ Cactus Club
“The cult-hit Cosmic Country Showcase arrives straight from the depths of Hell and brings Nashville’s devilled damsel India Ramey with them. Andrew Sa & Mary Williamson host this psychedelic country revue with a slew of great rotating talent, comedy, and drag all backed by the house band, The Flying Objects. Featured guests: India Ramey, Dandy Freling (Milwaukee), Ric Salazar (Los Gallos), and Derry Queen!”
Cult Queen: A Rachel Talalay Retrospective @ Oriental Theatre (also October 25)
“Rachel Talalay is coming to Milwaukee!!! The director of Tank Girl, Ghost In The Machine, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, and many of your favorite episodes of Dr. Who, Sherlock, The Flash, and Riverdale, she will be here October 24-25 screening and discussing Tank Girl on 35mm, Freddy’s Dead, and key TV episodes as part of our Cinematic Sisterhood series made possible by the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee. It’s going to be stellar.”
Gig’s Up: 50 years Of Milwaukee Punk Poster Art @ Real Tinsel Gallery
“Hot on the heels of the well-attended ‘Gig’s Up’ opening night on September 26th comes Event Night #2. The October 24th panel discussion is entitled ‘DIY Art and the Dada Spirit in Milwaukee Music Posters,’ and will include artists Eric Von Munz, Guy Hoffman, James Kloiber, Francisco Ramirez, and Damian Strigens. The panel will be moderated by gallery owner Shane McAdams and will discuss the artists’ backstories, influences, techniques and technologies as they have evolved over the last half century. There will also be a musical performance by Original XCleaver Tom Tiedjens’ Spud Bucket, and video from ‘Do The Video, Marc Ferch Archives.’ Gallery opens at 5:00 PM, Artist’s Panel at 6:00 PM, Music at 7:00 PM.”
Suckfest @ Sugar Maple (through October 31)
“Suckfest will run for eight days, beginning on Friday, October 24 and ending on Friday, October 31. There will be a different theme every night with different movies being aired each day. The Sugar Maple will be dressed for the occasion, and will feature throat pokable potables and fang friendly foods. There will be costume contests, a Family Feud style trivia contest, unique cocktails, and live music. During SUCKFEST 2025, customers will be given a ‘spooky swallow,’ a house-made shot, if they come in costume. Free to attend and participate, with a cover charge for the backroom events.”
Boo At The Zoo @ Milwaukee County Zoo (through October 26)
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.
Round Trip @ The Riverside Theater (Widespread Panic pre-show street party)
House Plant @ Mo’s Irish Pub (Widespread Panic after party, also October 25)
Six Foot Blonde + Genevieve Heyward @ Vivarium
The Present Age + Sex Fear, Barynya @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Deterioration + Nak’ay, Necessary Death, Bifid Corpse @ Sabbatic
Affinity Trio (record release) @ The Estate (early and late shows)
MAM After Dark: Fright At The Museum @ Milwaukee Art Museum
Retro Video Dance Party: DJ Zerocool @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
Kathleen Edwards @ Vivarium
“Acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer Kathleen Edwards returned with her highly anticipated new album, Billionaire, on August 22 on Dualtone Records. Evoking her debut, Failer, the new 10-song album is full of Edwards’ trademark lyrical sharpness and unflinching observations and was produced by Jason Isbell and Gena Johnson. Celebrated as one of the forebears of modern alt-country and Americana music, Edwards is beloved by fans and fellow musicians, and praised by The New York Times for her, ‘droll, observant and unsparing tone that is all her own. In her best lines, Edwards has the conversational vernacular and emotional eloquence of a great short-story writer.'”
Victor DeLorenzo & Friends @ The Estate (early and late shows)
“Victor DeLorenzo has been performing for audiences around the world for the last 40 years, give or take a few hours here or there! Proud to have worked as an actor, writer, speaker, producer of sound and image, Victor is a founding member of the pioneering folk-punk band Violent Femmes. He is a once and always member of Theatre X of Milwaukee, where he first entered the theater company to fill a spot that was left vacant when fellow actor Willem Dafoe relocated to New York City and film stardom. He’s also a member of chamber-rock outfit Nineteen Thirteen, and Night Crickets, a group made up of Victor, David J (Bauhaus/Love and Rockets) and multi-instrumentalist Darwin Meiners. We’re excited to welcome the Jazz Estate’s most well-regarded neighbor and friend to his favorite jazz club to celebrate his birthday with a wide-ranging show that you’re not going to want to miss!”
JOEY BADA$$ + Ab-Soul, Rapsody @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Fresh off the release of his outstanding and shapeshifting album Lonely At The Top, hip-hop mainstay and Mr. Robot series regular JOEY BADA$$ will swing by The Rave as part of his ongoing Dark Aura Tour. Mr. BADA$$ will be joined on the bill bu Ab-Soul and Rapsody.
Halloween on Brady @ Brady Street
“Join us for a day of fun and frights; we’d love to celebrate Halloween with you on Brady Street! We’re hosting the city’s largest costume contest, complete with cash prizes! Each participating bar will determine a winner eligible for the overall competition. Put on your best costume and visit your favorite Brady Street spot on Saturday, October 25, to enter.”
Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee @ Baird Community Commons
“Upon arrival, guests will have an opportunity to select a free pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, while supplies last. Artists Working In Education will staff a decorating station where children can create silly or spooky jack-o-lanterns. Families will also enjoy face-painting, photo opportunities with beloved characters, live entertainment and story times, fire engine exploration with the Milwaukee Fire Department, a children’s book sale with Friends of Milwaukee Public Library, and more. Fall-themed vendors will offer food and beverages for purchase. Children are encouraged to attend in costume as Trick-Or-Treat goodie bags will be distributed, while supplies last.”
Washington Heights Spooktacular @ Washington Heights
“Washington Heights Spooktacular is back for its 37th year of Nighttime Trick-or-Treating. We are excited to bring together the neighborhood for a fun and safe event for all ages. This year’s Spooktacular event will take place rain or shine on Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. The event zone will be revealed when you register your children.”
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.”
Magoo @ The Riverside Theater (Widespread Panic pre-show street party)
Lorna Shore + The Black Dahlia Murder, Shadow Of Intent, PeelingFlesh @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Torcado + Fairy Astronaut, RJ Ziebarth @ Falcon Hall
Headley Grange @ Ope! Brewing Co.
The Simsons (record release) + Venturer, Fightin’ Bob @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Atlas Maior @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
The Rocky Horror Halloween Show @ Oriental Theatre
Ladies Of Hip Hop @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: Jaff Graffner + DJ Joey Turbo @ Cactus Club
The Pack is back! And so is the Milwaukee Record Halftime Show concert series at Cactus Club! We’ve assembled a stacked roster of 15 acts that will provide FREE all-ages entertainment at Cactus Club during halftime of Green Bay’s games. Our pals at Hamm’s are sponsoring the series, meaning fans can enjoy specials on cans and buckets of the beer “from the Land of Sky Blue Waters” and Miller High Life all game long. WYNK has also come on as a sponsor and its THC seltzer is available at a discount during all games. Last and certainly not least, Transfer Pizzeria Cafe is once again coming by most games to drop off some complementary pizza. Games are shown in the bar as usual, and also shown on a projector screen in Cactus Club’s back room. And we repeat: THERE’S NO COVER CHARGE for the concerts.
Neighbor @ Mo’s Irish Pub (Widespread Panic after party)
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