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 28 – November 3, 2024.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28
M.A.G.S. + Barely Civil, Known Moons @ Cactus Club
“M.A.G.S. is the solo moniker for Buffalo-bred, Los Angeles-based artist Elliott Douglas. His style seamlessly glides between genres—from funky garage to minty alt-pop—and hooks you in almost immediately. His universal appeal feeds his success, and it’s never at the expense of his art. Elsewhere in his blossoming catalog, songs like ‘Mvp’ and ‘Hi Tops’ zig-zag from visceral, gnarly heavy metal to lo-fi folk-rock, respectively; his musicianship is a marvel to witness, each entry building on the last with refreshing acrobatics.”
Insane Clown Posse + Ouija Macc, JCW Wrestling @ The Rave/Eagles Club
“Insane Clown Posse is perhaps the most notorious and controversial rap duo in the history of music. Over the last 30 years, ICP rose from being scrubs on the streets of Detroit to becoming bona-fide pop culture icons and Gold and Platinum-selling recording artists. Through sheer hard work and determination, ICP has created a complete entertainment empire, including music, movies, sports entertainment (Juggalo Championship Wrestling), groundbreaking music videos, and one of America’s longest-running underground music festivals, the Gathering of the Juggalos. Far beyond a rap group, ICP has proven themselves to be a worldwide phenomenon that will never be forgotten.”
Jack M. Senff + Bronco, Buena Cara, Pasta Sauce @ X-Ray Arcade
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29
Charlie Berens Wants You: Cripescast Live @ Vivarium
“Comedian, journalist and fellow Midwesterner, Charlie Berens is bringing a live episode of his Cripescast podcast to the Vivarium on October 29th, presented by Civic Media! He’ll be joined by Dan Shafer–Political Editor at Civic Media and founder of The Recombobulation Area along with Steve Scaffidi–Morning Show Host at Newsradio 620 WTMJ, to talk about why your vote is essential to keep ‘er movin’ this November. Charlie will provide the punchlines while Dan and Steve break down the key ballot issues. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for students. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.”
Vote 2024: Tee Grizzley + Kash Doll, Lakeyah, NilexNile @ The Riverside Theater
“Drive Agency is excited to get you ready to VOTE 2024 Milwaukee! RSVP for your FREE ticket to see Tee Grizzley & more on Vote Early Day by checking your voter registration or opt-ing in for election updates from HeadCount.”
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30
Drive-By Truckers @ The Pabst Theater
“Drive-By Truckers are known for a lot of things: high energy and cathartic shows, prolific strings of albums, southern storytelling, and an eclectic approach to rock and roll just to name a few. Thriving for nearly a quarter of a century, they’re bringing back Southern Rock Opera Revisited in 2024 by playing the album in its entirety alongside a few more favorites.”
Midweek Music: Ian Olvera @ Crafty 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 the pop-perfect goodness of Ian Olvera.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31
GWAR + Dark Funeral, Squid Pisser @ The Rave/Eagles Club
“Blood. Spectacle. Lifestyle. Mythology. Costumes. And more blood. When you think of beloved shock-metal outfit GWAR, those words are likely the first that come to mind. And with good reason. At a time when bands have become bland, GWAR stands out for their performances and the intimate connection with their fans. The push-and-pull between GWAR and their fans creates a visceral experience that continues to add to the band’s legend and legacy, one new tour at a time. Few, if any band, can break down a physical barrier with their audience quite like GWAR. Fluids fly, substances spray and the lust for copious amounts of fake blood [and cutting heads off, of course] leaves audiences thirsty for more. The mythological nature of their live shows may be at the forefront of people’s minds, but it is GWAR’s meticulously crafted songs blend (ING) satire, chaos and violence, made them cultural icons.”
Demons + Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin @ Oriental Theatre
“Composer Claudio Simonetti has written and recorded some of the most influential scores and soundtracks in horror, including Suspiria, Dawn Of The Dead, Deep Red / Profondo Rosso, Tenebre, and many others, with his seminal work still informing the genre to this day. This year, Simonetti’s Goblin celebrates Dario Argento’s 1985 classic, Demons, with a live performance of the score set to a screening of the movie. Following the finale of the film, the collective will return after a brief intermission to deliver an additional performance of quintessential Goblin material and ‘best of’ songs and scores set to their cinematic counterparts.”
Halloween Benefit For Palestine: Mind Harvester + Curbsitter, Jagged, World In Action @ Cactus Club
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Revenants: A Vampire Ball @ The Cooperage
“You have been summoned to traverse the Carpathian Mountains in order to settle the affairs of a mysterious Countess, and bring her to the New World. Should you accept the invitation, you will be booked a long an arduous passage on the Demeter. Though the journey may be fraught with danger, upon arrival at the castle, you must choose: will you accept to be captivated by the enigmas within, or will you be but an observer? At nightfall, partake in a spectacle of live entertainment, dance to mesmerizing music, imbibe in leitmotif libations, and be completely consumed by the allure of vampire lore. Throughout the night, ghoulish guests will have the opportunity to engage in The Black Parade by introducing themselves to the esteemed Vampire Council for a chance to be crowned the Most Macabre of the Masque at 11:30 p.m.”
Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets @ Vivarium
“Nick Lowe has made his mark as a producer (Elvis Costello-Graham Parker-Pretenders-The Damned), songwriter of at least three songs you know by heart, short-lived career as a pop star, and a lengthy term as a musicians’ musician. But in his current ‘second act’ as a silver-haired, tender-hearted but sharp-tongued singer-songwriter, he has no equal.”
Holy Pinto (solo), Ladybird (solo), Mary Don’t Care, My Melody @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Houndmouth + Briscoe @ The Pabst Theater
Versiti Blood Drive + Performance By Local Artist BLOOD @ Cactus Club
Halloween Costume Bash @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2
State Of Sound: Ellie Jackson + Rat Bath, Dark Psychic, Bear In The Forest @ Radio Milwaukee
“Last State of Sound of the year! Saturday, Nov. 2: Ellie Jackson, Rat Bath, Dark Psychic & Bear In The Forest. Doors 6 p.m., show 6:30 p.m. State of Sound’s gettin spooky! Take your hallow-alter ego out for one last spin, Costumes welcomed!”
Boy Dirt Car + Floodwall, Free Country, Orc With Spear Mounted On Giant Wolf & Lizard Man, Sean Hendley @ Sugar Maple
“A night of music from 5 acts under the broad umbrella of ‘experimental music.’ Noise! No wave! American Primitive guitar! Connecting them are subjective soundscapes that include the dissonance and dread present in everyday life (and D&D campaigns), but often omitted from more commercial endeavors. Come and steep yourself in a few foreboding impressions that would normally have you scrambling for the nearest algorithmic dopamine hit. Drink full and descend…”
The Menzingers + Direct Hit!, Holy Pinto @ The Rave/Eagles Club
“At this point, the Menzingers are an absolute institution. The Philadelphia punk legends’ multi-decade reputation as road warriors with an unbeatable catalog is cemented as hard truth—and their seventh album, Some Of It Was True, stands as their most immediate-sounding and energetic record to date. The follow-up to 2019’s sensational Hello Exile accomplishes the daunting task of capturing the Menzingers’ distinctive live energy in the confines of the studio, resulting in a sound that’s both rich, raw, and complementary to the group’s increasingly prismatic songwriting approach. More than 15 years in, the Menzingers are still holding their listeners square in the immediate present, and Some Of It Was True documents that power in thrilling fashion.”
Beat: Belew/Vai/Levin/Carey Play ’80s King Crimson @ The Riverside Theater
Modern Joey + The People Brothers Band, The Dead Bolts @ Vivarium
Lost Orange Cat (single release) @ Nashville North
Certain Stars + The Haggardlys, Madame Furie @ Drunken Cobra
Halloween Costume Bash @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Milwaukee Record Halftime Series: Alkaline Quartet @ Cactus Club
Come on out to the Cactus Club for this week’s Packers-Lions game, and enjoy a halftime set from Milwaukee’s finest Alkaline Trio tribute act, Alkaline Quartet (featuring Milwaukee Record‘s own Tyler Maas)! 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 3:25 p.m.!
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