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 5-11, 2026.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5
Milwaukee Record Roast Of Milwaukee @ The Cooperage
Milwaukee Record’s long-running Roast Of Milwaukee is back! Like previous years, the Roast—which is done in association with the Milwaukee Comedy Festival—will feature a stacked cast of local comedians gently (or, in some cases, viciously) making fun of our fair city. AJ Grill, Dana Ehrmann, Darrell Cochran, Diego Avila, Sam Barone, Alecia Altstaetter, and Evan Pack will be on hand for the roasting; comedian and sports radio personality Ramie Makhlouf will serve as the event’s emcee. And the laughs won’t just be at the expense of Milwaukee. A portion of the show’s proceeds will be donated to Milwaukee Women’s Center.
Milwaukee Comedy Festival @ various locations (through October 11)
Originating long before the city had anything resembling a sustainable comedy community, Milwaukee Comedy Festival has grown and evolved along with Milwaukee’s stand up scene. Along the way, the festival has brought in a wealth of noted national talent to headline some of its shows. This year’s edition—which will take place over a span of 11 shows at five different venues October 5-11—is no different, and will feature folks like Shane Torres, Mike Lebovitz, and Vik Pandya.
Pertinence + Secret Menu, Miles Armstrong @ Cactus Club
Bluegrass Whatevers @ Ope! Brewing Co.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
Beck + Ioanna Gika, Wayne Faler @ Landmark Credit Union Live
It’s been a minute—a.k.a. nine long years—since Beck Hansen graced Milwaukee with his boy-ish and chameleon-like presence. That changes tonight, when Beck brings his Ride Lonesome Tour to new-ish downtown venue Landmark Credit Union Live. The tour is in support of Beck’s new album of the same name, a lovely and chilled-out collection in the lovely and chilled-out vein of Sea Change and Morning Phase.
WMSE’s Local/Live: The Bourbon Jockeys @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“WMSE brings you another free, all-ages Local/Live show from Anodyne with The Bourbon Jockeys, hosted by Sid and Matt Wild. The Bourbon Jockeys were founded in 2022 by veteran Wisconsin musicians Michael Arnold and Jon Ziegler. The two were united by their mutual love of artists like, Jimmy Reed, Johnny Guitar Watson and the swamp blues of Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester and Lightnin’ Slim. The bands lineup was solidified in 2023 with the addition of drummer Bart Ferrara (Bleed, The Rama Lama) and upright bassist Nick Hunt (The Get Hot, Rattlecan Kings, Doghouse Flowers).”
Sadness + Barbelith, Monterey, Niveous @ X-Ray Arcade
Sowing + Autoignition, Origami Summer, Okay Omen, Superglue @ Sugar Maple
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Weezer + The Shins, Silversun Pickups @ Fiserv Forum
Speaking of ’90s alternative stars who just keep on truckin’ and who haven’t been to Milwaukee in a minute: Weezer! Tonight’s show will be Weezer’s first show in Milwaukee in more than five years, and their first show at the arena ever. The concert is part of an utterly stacked tour called “The Gathering” that also features opening support from The Shins and Silversun Pickups.
Rhett Miller + Louie Luchchesi & Mike Benign @ Shank Hall
Americana legend Rhett Miller has been a member of Old 97’s for close to 35 years. Along the way, he’s released nine solo albums. Miller’s latest, A Lifetime Of Riding At Night, came out last year (and few months before the 97’s played Summerfest this year). On Wednesday, the well-traveled troubadour comes back to Milwaukee to play songs off that record, cuts from his numerous other solo releases, Old 97’s material, and more.
UB40 @ The Pabst Theater
“UB40 is one of the most successful and influential British groups of all time, with more than 100 million albums sold, and more than 50 charting singles in the UK, including their trademark global #1 hits ‘Red Red Wine’ and ‘(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You’; and U.S. Top 10s ‘Here I Am (Come And Take Me)’ and ‘The Way You Do The Things You Do.’ The reggae/pop legends set the stage this fall for their highly anticipated Relentless tour, performing their iconic hit songs, along with new songs and reworked classics from their recently released hit 45th Anniversary album, UB45, which reached #5 on the UK official album chart.
Valley Fox (live recording session) @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“Join Valley Fox for a special one-night-only live recording experience at Anodyne. We’ll be capturing four songs live on video and inviting you into the room to experience the process from start to finish. This isn’t a traditional concert—it’s a behind-the-scenes look at how a live session comes together. It will be about 45 minutes long of music, which will include other songs performed during audio and camera set up. No walk-ins will be admitted after 7:15 PM so we can keep the recording uninterrupted.”
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
Robby Hoffman @ Turner Hall Ballroom
If you somehow aren’t aware of Robby Hoffman, get ready to be hearing and seeing a lot of her. On top of being an award-winning comedy writer and a busy TV actor (whom you might’ve seen on Hacks, Rooster, and Dying For Sex), Hoffman is an outstanding stand-up comedian on the verge of breaking out. Less than a year removed for the release of her John Mulaney-directed Netflix special entitled WAKE UP, Hoffman swings by Turner Hall. Go for the laughs, as well as the probable “I saw her at Turner Hall” bragging rights when she’s playing a far bigger room the next time she’s in town.
How To Haunt: Ghost-Its @ Shorewood Public Library
“Join us, with special guest artist Zack Pieper, for a marathon ghost-drawing session to create a multitude of Post-It Note ghosts to haunt Shorewood Public Library! This program is geared towards families and patrons of all ages. No special skills are required.”
Quintron & Miss Pussycat + No Motel, DJ Special Guest @ Cactus Club
Floryence + Bowvee @ Nashville North
Dead Air Vandals @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Lounj Acts: Swaying Daises @ Wicked Hop / Jackalope Lounj
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Umphrey’s McGee: UMBowl XII @ The Pabst Theater (also October 10)
“UMBowl is the ultimate fan-driven concert experience hosted by Umphrey’s McGee. Across two days and multiple sets, the band tackles unique thematic sets such as real-time ‘Choose Your Own Adventure,’ fan-voted setlists, deep cuts, and original film scoring, all driven heavily by audience voting and participation. Get in the game.”
IfIHadAHiFi + VomBom, Weaklung @ The Uptowner
“There’s no hippocratic oath in the punditry biz / When no one is a doctor, then everyone is!” That’s a key line in “Everyone’s A Doctor,” a standout track from IfIHadAHiFi’s EP Paws In The Bacon Grease. The veteran Milwaukee noise-rock outfit doesn’t mince words in the song: we’re living in a post-truth world where cynical bullshit artists pump figurative (and literal) poison into the brains of brain-rotted dupes who have been trained to ignore facts in favor of “doing their own research.” It’s not quite a post-apocalyptic Mad Max hellscape, but it’s close. Another EP, Night Vision Creeps, accompanied Paws in 2025.
Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival @ Baird Center (through October 11)
The 15th annual Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival is a celebration of all things ink, as body illustration enthusiasts and renowned tattoo artists take over the Baird Center for three days of fun, connection, and, of course, tattoos.
Oh My God + The Dirty Sweet @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Chasing Abbey + Blood @ Falcon Hall
Dig Deep + Billy Bronsted & The Loot @ The Argo
Faded Places + Apogetic, Mystical Zenith @ MKeUltra
Dead Stars: Goth Barge DJs + :GARZ, DJ FALKEN @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Flannel Fest @ Boone & Crockett / The Cooperage
Boone & Crockett’s Flannel Fest returns! Enjoy live music, food vendors, and local retailers in the Boone/Cooperage lot during this free, family-friendly festival. Langhorne Slim will headline the music portion of the event; a stacked cast of local stars will also play, including Buffalo Nichols, Ellie Jackson, Lessons, Mol Sullivan, and Gold Steps. There will be tasty food, delicious drinks, local retail vendors, family activities, a Kid Boogie Down, and an appearance by the Division BMX Stunt Team. A portion of proceeds from drink sales will be donated to Courage House MKE initiatives and sustainability efforts.
Rise Against + Alkaline Trio, Teen Mortgage @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Hell yeah! Rise Against and Alkaline Trio—a pair of veteran Chicago-born alternative rock acts with punk sensibilities—join forces to each play their decades’ worth of beloved material at The Rave. As if you need another reason to go, great D.C. punk duo Teen Mortgage will open.
Ellie Jackson (record release) + The Nunnery, Aya • DJ Aguara’i, DJ DRiPSweat @ Cactus Club
Following a handful of singles dating back to 2020, the new Stay Soft finds longtime Milwaukee utility player Ellie Jackson fully stepping into the spotlight and putting her many selves on display. At 13 tracks and 45 minutes, Stay Soft has the feeling of clearing the decks, of leaving everything on the table. There’s the indie crunch of “Time Is Like Taffy” and the country flourish of “The Way Of Things.” There’s the slinky NSFW bedroom tryst of “Destroy Me.” There’s the noisy stomp of “1000 Head Of Garlic,” complete with taunts of “You’re never gonna find another good woman in this city again.”
Anthony Jeselnik @ The Riverside Theater
Respected roaster, master of dark humor, and The Jeselnik Offensive namesake Anthony Jeselnik has released a total of five comedy specials over the course of his nearly quarter-century comedy career. The most recent among them, Bones And All, was filmed at The Pabst Theater in April 2024 and released on Netflix later that same year. He returns to Milwaukee as part of his Wrath Of Man tour.
Milwaukee Public Market’s Harvest Festival @ Riverwalk Commons
“Held each year in celebration of the Market’s anniversary, Harvest Festival is our way of saying thank you to the community that has supported us year after year. Join us at Riverwalk Commons for an afternoon of live music, fall activities, local food and drinks, and plenty of family-friendly fun. Best of all, the festivities are free and open to everyone.”
Milwaukee Comic Con @ Wisconsin State Fair Park
Sophie’s Body + In Shining Armour, Our Vanity, Overhand @ Cactus Club
Mason Thomas + Shontrail, Milby @ Falcon Nest
Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy + Dead Dead Swans, Old Wolves, Megan Jay @ X-Ray Arcade
Seaside Zoo @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Bayshore Fall Fest @ Bayshore (also October 11)
House Your Body: John Hawley + Andrew Optimist @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: Wisconsin Space Program + DJ Christreater @ 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 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).
Harrison Gordon + Liquid Mike, and Excuse Me, Who Are You? @ X-Ray Arcade (sold out)
Illinois emo-tinged punk project Harrison Gordon—who just released a new album with a song called “Milwaukee Josh” on it—will once again take the stage at the familiar confines of X-Ray Arcade. They’ll be joined by excellent U.P. indie outfit Liquid Mike and Madison’s own Excuse Me, Who Are You? for a can’t-miss Sunday night soiree in the heart of Cudahy.
The Hungry Williams @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Varaha + Corridore, Niveous @ MKeUltra
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