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 21-27, 2024.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21
The Lemon Twigs + Brower @ Shank Hall (sold out)
“Following the release of Everything Harmony, which garnered acclaim from Questlove, Iggy Pop, Anthony Fantano, The Guardian, and countless others, The Lemon Twigs—the New York City rock band fronted by brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario—have once again captured the attention of the music listening public. They are in their premature ‘comeback’ stage, and coming back this early has its benefits; the brothers have the energy of 24- and 26- year-olds, plus the experience and songwriting chops of seasoned musicians, having recorded their first album, Do Hollywood, nearly a decade ago at ages 15 and 17. Set for release less than a year after their last album, A Dream Is All We Know is a joyous affair. As the title suggests, it’s less of a sober look at the darker side of life, and more a hopeful sojourn into the realm of dreams.”
Tigers Jaw + Oso Oso, Snoozer @ Vivarium
“I Won’t Care How You Remember Me, by the Scranton, Pennsylvania-based band Tigers Jaw, is an ode to living in the present. As this hectic era of distraction whirrs, ticks, swipes, and scrolls by each of us at an alarming speed, the ability to maintain a sense of priority for the human elements in our lives as well as a reflective understanding of self, remains a lost art. But here, the group has seized upon it. Tigers Jaw’s sixth album—and first for new label home Hopeless Records—finds members at the height of their powers, fusing their collective skills with the synchronicity and energy the band honed over several years of non-stop touring.”
Kublai Khan TX + Sanguisugabogg, See No Evil @ X-Ray Arcade (sold out)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22
Xiu Xiu + Pleasure Thief, Hearsay, DJs Kelly and Parker @ Cactus Club
“Xiu Xiu makes beautiful music for hard times. For nearly 20 years, the band has a track record of crafting experimental music for moments when life’s harsh realities meet its existential mysteries. On the latest album, Jamie Stewart explores a recent revelation and is reminded of the power of the band’s music to surprise and connect. Listening to the songs on OH NO, it is hard to feel truly alone. Instead, it is a reminder that even when we’re alone, we’re alone together.”
Dropkick Murphys + Pennywise, The Scratch @ The Riverside Theater
“Dropkick Murphys proudly remain Boston’s rock ‘n’ roll underdogs turned champions. Since 1996, the boys have created the kind of music that’s meant to be chanted at last call, in packed arenas, and during the fourth quarter, third period, or ninth inning of a comeback rally. Whether you caught a legendary gig at The Rathskeller (The Rat) under Kenmore Square, found the band by taking the T to Newbury Comics to cop Do Or Die in ’98, discovered them in Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award winning The Departed, or saw ’em throw down at Coachella (or one of hundreds of other festivals), you’ve become a part of their extended family.”
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23
Milwaukee Record Presents: Election (1999) @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
What better way to take your mind off an upcoming election than watching a film about, well, an election? That’s right! Less than two weeks before America makes its voice heard at the ballot box, we’re showing Election at Avalon Theater. Directed by Alexander Payne, this dark 1999 comedy chronicles the lead up to (and fallout after) a student body election at a Nebraska high school that pits the overachieving Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) against popular football player Paul Metzler (Chris Klein) and finds social studies teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) trying/failing to maintain control of the proceedings and his life. Tickets are available NOW.
A Special Evening With Henry Winkler @ Oriental Theatre
“Emmy-award winning actor, author, comedian, producer, and director Henry Winkler appears at the Oriental Theatre for a special event featuring Being Henry, his deeply thoughtful memoir of the lifelong effects of stardom and the struggle to become whole.”
Mike Birbiglia @ The Riverside Theater
“Mike Birbiglia is a comedian, writer, director, and actor who has performed his award-winning solo shows worldwide—from the Sydney Opera House to the West End of London to Broadway. His five solo shows Sleepwalk With Me, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, Thank God For Jokes, The New One, and The Old Man & The Pool enjoyed successful runs on and off Broadway and became hit Netflix comedy specials. The shows merge storytelling and comedy in a way that The New York Times has called ‘Birbiglian.'”
Allegra Krieger + Greg Mendez, Hemlock @ Cactus Club
Taiyamo Denku + Pestilence, King Kamonzi, Mad Static, SPADE ONE @ Jackalope Lounj
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24
Stevie Wonder @ Fiserv Forum
What needs to be said about Stevie Wonder? Over the course of his 60-year music career, he’s written and performed some of the planet’s most beloved and iconic songs that will live on forever. You’ll have a chance to see the 74-year-old legend in Milwaukee when he comes to Fiserv Forum tonight as part of his “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour.
Brief Candles (record release) + Lightninging, Haunter @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“Brief Candles—an odd name for a longstanding band. Honestly though, who would’ve guessed they’d actually still be playing together? Details are blurry, it started in the prehistoric, pre-internet, pre-documenting-everything era. The thin days of shoegaze. When all the titans had gone away to have kids or get their degrees or whatever one does when they’ve gone out of fashion. Perhaps it could even be said that Brief Candles only got labeled as shoegaze back in those emo-laden times because they were the closest thing. Maybe because they showed up with pedal boards and delay on their vocals. It’s hard to say, that was many effect pedals ago, hundreds at least. […] Their new album, Unfinished Nature, continues that fine tradition—trying to find that special place the four of them exist in.”
Halloween TV Broadcasts: Back From The Grave @ X-Ray Arcade
Back in 2022, Milwaukee author Luke Geddes released the first issue of his TV Grime zine. It was a 116-page collection of, in Geddes’ words, “reviews and free associations of every Halloween episode I’ve ever seen.” TV Grime has covered other television topics since then, but Halloween TV has remained close to Geddes’ heart. Tonight, that love will come to life at X-Ray Arcade, in a live installment of TV Grime. Not only will Geddes screen “an autumnal cornucopia of vintage Halloween television,” it’ll all come complete with vintage commercials, as originally broadcast. There’s no cover for the show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the fun begins at 7:30 p.m.
Midweek Music: Nate Bjorge @ Craft Cow (Wauwatosa)
Join us at Crafty Cow Tosa on select Wednesdays and Thursdays in October and November for a total of eight Midweek Music performances! Once again, there’s NO COVER for these all-ages shows, which run from 7-8:30 p.m. 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. The series continues this week with Wildered’s Nate Bjorge.
Hall-Ooo-Ween: An Adventure Time PopUp & Art Show @ Sugar Maple (through October 27)
The Nunnery + Dosh, Luke Callen, Maximiano, Jesse Walker’s Hitch @ Cactus Club
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
Fight Dice (record release) + Humid, The Feat @ X-Ray Arcade
“Be transported to another realm with Fight Dice, Milwaukee’s fantastical music collective that merges heavy post-punk sounds with the epic narratives of your favorite role-playing game. Featuring veterans from beloved bands The Promise Ring, Maritime (Dan Didier – drums), Braid, and Hey Mercedes (Todd Bell – bass), Fight Dice has captivated audiences since 2022 with its tight, high-energy stage show. The band is celebrating the release of its debut album Total Party Kill on Forge Again Records. ”
Ms. Pat @ The Pabst Theater
The life story of Patricia Williams (aka Ms. Pat) is nothing short of astounding. Once a teen mom who was selling drugs in Atlanta, she turned her life around and, by way of her incomparable perspective and undeniable talent, shifted her focus to comedy. In the years that followed that significant life change, Ms. Pat has amassed an abundance of TV credits, started a popular podcast, wrote a critically-acclaimed and NAACP Award-nominated memoir, and has toured extensively. Ms. Pat will drop by Pabst Theater tonight for a night of boundary-pushing comedy.
Panalure + Acclaimed Guitarist Denny Rauen, Dallas & Anja @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“Panalure returns to Anodyne for a rare live performance. The band was nominated for 14 WAMIs (Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award) including 7 for their 2023 acclaimed album Ear Elephant. Panalure combines thoughtfully crafted storytelling with an eclectic range of folk, rock, country and jazz. If you’re looking for a label, call it ‘Americana.’ Panalure delivers a mix of songs that will both engage your brain and get your feet moving. They will premier songs from their upcoming fifth album, due to be released.”
Summoning The Lich + Outer Graves, Ancient Entities, It Bleeds @ Club Garibaldi
Sunday Drive + Wildered @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Don Black @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
Xposed 4Heads @ Ope! Brewing Co.
“The Ultimate Original Fun Rock Party Band. Enthusiastically positive and proudly quirky! Xposed 4Heads plays original, fun, sci-fi themed new wave synthpop that is aired on SiriusXM and other national radio shows. They have headlined Devo’s DEVOtional, opened for ABC, been called Godhead by Rodney on the Rock and put on a great live show! This is a rare Halloween Show performance.”
Aswang @ Oriental Theatre
Written and directed by Wrye Martin and Barry Poltermann, and starring a host of familiar Milwaukee theater faces (Victor DeLorenzo and Norman Moses among them), the tongue-in-cheek, shot-on-16-mm Aswang the story of a family of Filipino vampires who feast on the unborn. Yikes! Aswang premiered at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight Movie section; thirty years later, it will come home to the Oriental, digitally restored and as gnarly as ever.
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.”
Goth Barge + Subspace Halloween Spooktacular III @ X-Ray Arcade
Willy Porter Band: Falling Forward 25th Anniversary Celebration @ Vivarium
Crush: Asher Gray + Greyhound @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
Milwaukee Record Halftime Series: Cities In Dust @ Cactus Club
Come on out to the Cactus Club for this week’s Packers-Jaguars game, and enjoy a halftime set from Milwaukee’s Cities In Dust! Games will be shown in the bar, but they’ll also be shown on a projector screen in Cactus Club’s back room. As always, there will also be touchdown shots (both regular and N/A options will be offered). THERE’S NO COVER CHARGE for the concerts. Kickoff is at noon!
Cosmic Country Showcase: Bad Trip – Hosted by Andrew Sa & Mary Williamson + Old Pup
“The Cosmic Country Showcase is back for three nights at Color Club this fall. Lunar crooner Andrew Sa and cosmic clown Mary Williamson take us on a journey through the Cosmic Country that’s gone all kinds of sideways. The house band, The Flying Objects, guide our hosts and esteemed guests through their nightmarish country-psych revue with classic country-ish covers and originals along with comedians, drag performers, and more! Musical Guests (cover sets): Julia Stiener (Ratboys); Gabacho; Dani Jean-Baptiste (Fruitleather); Alex Grelle.”
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