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 September 1-7, 2025.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Laborfest @ Downtown + Henry Maier Festival Park
“Every year, labor unions and union members of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO, put on one of the biggest Labor Day celebrations in the country on the Milwaukee Lakefront that’s free and open to the public. Through the generosity of local unions and the companies at which they work, we can bring you a day of fun at the lakefront that includes live music for adults and families, children’s entertainment, bingo, wrestling, a classic car show, and union raffle with a Grand Prize of $5,000. But before you head to the lakefront, be sure to visit the parade route to see the union members in their trucks, on their Harleys, and marching with their locals in downtown Milwaukee. The parade ends at the Henry Maier Festival Grounds where Laborfest takes place.”
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
WMSE’s Local/Live: The Hallelujah Ward @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“I know a good man who will sing until his own heart explodes.” So sings Mark Waldoch on “Your Uncertain Shadow,” the opening track of The Hallelujah Ward’s full-length debut Everybody Swoons. Is it possible that Waldoch is singing about someone other than himself in that lyric? Possibly, but he fits the description to a T. Waldoch—the singer/songwriter/guitar tech/bartender/natty dresser/man-about-town—has been a city staple since the days of Atomic Records. His voice, whether solo or with a band, is a roller coaster ride of joy, heartbreak, and catharsis. Waldoch isn’t just a Milwaukee treasure, he’s one of the sounds of Milwaukee. And joined by drummer Dan Didier and bassist Paul Hancock in The Hallelujah Ward, he’s more powerful than ever.
Milwaukee Flood Benefit: 5 O’Clock Charlie + Something To Do, Anti-Everything, The Black & Blue Hearts, Left Luci, Tiger Lily @ X-Ray Arcade
“Punk Rock Saves Lives are bringing a huge benefit show to X-Ray to benefit victims of the recent floods!”
TsuShiMaMiRe + Star Jelly, Vacancy Chain @ Cactus Club
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Falling In Reverse + Slaughter To Prevail, Hollywood Undead @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
“Falling In Reverse is teaming up with Slaughter to Prevail and Hollywood Undead one night only at American Family Insurance Amphitheater on September 3!”
Cowboy Killers Comedy Show: Reier Cammerman + Carly Malison, Peggy Hurley @ Falcon Nest
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Alabama Shakes + Sam Evian @ Miller High Life Theatre
You really don’t know just how special a group like Alabama Shakes is until it’s gone. Following an eight-year hiatus, the incomparable Brittany Howard-helmed rock band is back and, thankfully, touring once again. “The Shakes’ [Zac] Cockrell, [Heath] Fogg, and Howard have also reunited in the studio promising new music to fans who have been eagerly awaiting their return,” teases a press release.
Katy Pinke + Marielle Allschwang & The Visitations, *aya @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
“Hi, I’m Katy. I’m a singer/songwriter /artist based in New York. Following this tour, in October I’ll do a short run opening for Delicate Steve in NYC, DC, and Philly. My third album, Patterns (a covers album in collaboration with Will Graefe), will be out 8/29/25. The video for my song ‘Oranges’ is inspired by my favorite film, Sergei Parajanov’s Color Of Pomegranates. My sophomore album, Strange Behavior, came out in February.”
Carlos Adames Group’s September Latin Jazz & Open Jam @ The Estate
“Join us as we continue a series of events in which the Carlos Adames group will start the evening off with a set of traditional and modern latin jazz followed by an open jam in which players will have the chance to join the group following the bands set. A full slate of latin percussion will be available to drive the jam! Bring your horn, your guitar, or even your voice and join the group following the set! Exciting for spectators and players alike, we’re happy to see the Latin jam tradition returning to the Jazz Estate!”
Ruthie Foster + Zachary Scot Johnson @ Shank Hall
Jennifer Knapp @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Thursday Bike Night Concert Series: God’s Outlaw @ Harley-Davidson Museum
Summer Film Series: Wicked @ Deer District
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
The Black Keys + The Heavy Heavy @ BMO Pavilion
“‘The Night Before’ is the first single released from The Black Keys’ 13th studio album, No Rain, No Flowers. No Rain, No Flowers is an especially personal project for the Black Keys, and sees the band craft its most ambitious and adventurous album yet, braiding together the pair’s sprawling, eclectic musical influences. They’ll continue to bring their revitalized energy to their tour where they pull from their critically acclaimed two-decade deep catalog.”
Collections Of Colonies Of Bees + Group (Of The Altos) @ Milwaukee Boat Line
Collections Of Colonies Of Bees first buzzed into existence way back in 1998, an instrumental side project of Pele guitarist Chris Rosenau and drummer Jon Mueller. Members have come and gone in the years since; these days, Rosenau serves as both the instrumental focal point and the group’s sole original member. Serving as the current vocal focal points are Daniel Spack and Marielle Allschwang, the latter on board since 2016. Live, it’s not unusual to see Allschwang shimmy across the stage, lost in the music. That simple joy comes through on the new LP Celebrities. Opener “Letters” and follow-up “You Can Go Again” perfectly encapsulate the modern CoCoBees framework: the slow-burn buildup, the free-form lyrics, the baritone purr of Spack vs. the crystalline call of Allschwang, and the cinematic explosions of guitar-solo catharsis.
TosaFest @ Tosa Village, Wauwatosa (also September 6)
“Situated in the heart of the Village of Wauwatosa, TosaFest is a long-running local street fair that showcases everything there is to love about our community. Throughout the second weekend of September, celebrate community spirit, support small, local businesses and restaurants, and enjoy activities and offerings like a vendor market, three live music stages, multiple beer gardens, KidsFest, and mouth-watering bites from fancy faire to food trucks.”
Milwaukee International Short Film Festival @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater (also September 6)
“The Milwaukee International Short Film Festival, named ‘Best Local Festival’ by Moviemaker Magazine celebrates 27 years! The longest running film festival that honors local filmmaking returns September 5th-7th at the Avalon Theater. A whopping 75 films will screen that weekend! Except for four films they are all premieres, never seen in this area before, or in Wisconsin, a few are even World premieres. Not only that but 90% of the films are by local filmmakers! More premieres! More new filmmakers!”
Milwaukee Horror Con: Fall Frightmare @ Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee Convention Center (through September 7)
“Get ready for a weekend of pure terror at Wisconsin’s ONLY horror convention! Dive into a world of fright with special guests, exclusive merchandise, creepy panels, and premiere indie horror films. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer, there’s something for everyone. Meet horror legends, discover spine-chilling surprises, and connect with fellow fans in an unforgettable celebration of all things terrifying.”
Steny’s 40th Anniversary Block Party @ Steny’s (through September 7)
“We’re shutting down 2nd Street and National Avenue for one EPIC weekend! We’ve been serving up great times for 40 years, and now it’s time for the biggest party in Steny’s history! 9/5 FRI | Blues Night. 9/6 SAT | Rock Night. 9/7 SUN | Reggae + Jammin’ in de Sand + Packer Party!”
Bimbo + Babe Report, Brief Candles, Angelica @ MKE Ultra
The Steepwater Band + Louie And The Flashbombs @ Shank Hall
Tombstoner + Yotuma, Ancient Entities, Swapmurders @ Sabbatic
Samuel Catral Quartet @ The Estate (early, late shows)
The Argo Free Concert Series: Violet Wilder + Haley Klinkhammer @ Ivanhoe Plaza
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Paul H @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Silver City Fest @ National Avenue, between 32nd and 35th
Since its start in 2012, Silver City International Festival—or Silver City Fest, as it’s now being called—has celebrated the numerous cultures that help make Silver City the most diverse neighborhood in Milwaukee through food, the arts, and music that all take place on few blocks of National Avenue (between 32nd and 35th Street) every September. The fun will continue this year with another edition of Silver City Fest. From noon to 5 p.m., the annual festival will offer live music performances, an eclectic blend of local dining options, work from area artists, goods from retail vendors, children’s activities, and much more.
Lebowlski Night @ Oriental Theatre + Landmark Lanes
“The Dude abides—and so should you! Landmark Lanes is partnering with Milwaukee Film and the Oriental Theatre for Lebowlski Night, a one-night celebration of The Big Lebowski on Saturday, September 6. The night kicks off at the Oriental Theatre with a special screening of the Coen Brothers’ cult classic—but that’s just the beginning, man. After the film, the party rolls over to Landmark Lanes for a full-blown afterparty that promises to really tie the night together. Attendees of the afterparty can expect: themed karaoke (yes, you can sing ‘Just Dropped In’ in costume); costume contest for Dudes, Walters, Maudes, and Nihilists alike; specialty drinks including—you guessed it—White Russians; and VID (Very Important Dude) upgrades for the ultimate achievers.”
Milwaukee Polka Riot @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
It’ll be a good old fashioned polka party at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn when Milwaukee Polka Riot returns for over six hours of genre-specific celebration. The Polkaholics, Sigmund Snopek III, Good Friends Klezmer Band, The Frantastic Sound System, and November Criminals will bring the tunes. DJ Shotski and DJ Brumeister will keep the music going between bands.
Socially Suspect (record release) + Chapped Lips, Calicoloco, Well + Good @ Cactus Club
A recent Guardian article suggests that the song of the summer is…nothing. Maybe it’s just as well. Who could possibly be in the mood for an upbeat summer jam when, well, you know, everything. So maybe instead of a feel-good summer song, we deserve a feel-bad summer song. And maybe “Empire Of Rust,” by genre-flouting Milwaukee band Socially Suspect, is that song. “Live and get burned / Invest yourself, get nothing in return,” sings Steven Baird in one of the song’s sunnier verses. “They sold us a lie / It just gets worse no matter how you try.” Yep. Need we say more?
Ace Parker (record release) + Drudini, Shun Millions @ Cactus Club
Alex Koi/Kirin McElwain + Lorna Dune, Pieper/LePlae/Smith @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
Dead7 + Zeal, Lilac & Lotus, Coldstate, Haunter @ X-Ray Arcade
Samuel Caiola Trio @ The Estate (early, late shows)
Beyonce vs. Rihanna @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: Green Day Packers @ Cactus Club
The Pack is back! And so is the Milwaukee Record Halftime Show concert series at Cactus Club! This season, 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 will sponsor 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 will be available at a discount during all games. Last and certainly not least, Transfer Pizzeria Cafe will once again be coming by most games to drop off some complementary pizza. As usual, there will be a DJ playing music during commercial breaks. There will also be touchdown shots (both regular and N/A options will be offered). Games will be shown in the bar as usual, but they’ll also be shown on a projector screen in Cactus Club’s back room. And we repeat: THERE’S NO COVER CHARGE for the concerts. This week: the glorious return of Green-Day-tribute-act-with-lyrics-about-the-Packers Green Day Packers!
Benefit Show: Mizzy +Smoke Free Home, I H8 It Here, Killer High Life @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
“This is a benefit show sponsored by the Young Workers Committee (YWC) and Milwaukee Area Labor Council (MALC) aiming to raise money for an official historical marker made to commemorate the now defunct but influential labor union known as UAW Local 248 which used to operate out of the former Allis-Chalmers plant in West Allis.”
Pareidolia + Milby, Toyboxes, Night Again @ Falcon Nest
Want more Milwaukee Record? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and/or support us on Patreon.