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 16-22, 2024.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Victoria Canal + Lucy Clearwater @ Vivarium
“For almost two years, singer-songwriter Victoria Canal used her gift primarily as a way to process grief. The result of this transformative period was 2022’s Elegy EP, a bittersweet collection of tracks. Now, after experiencing creative and emotional catharsis, Canal is turning the camera back on herself and zooming in further than ever before. Grown from heartache and made with unabashed honesty, her upcoming release finds the artist at her most vulnerable—and her most courageous.”
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Arlo Parks + Social Cig @ The Rave/Eagles Club
“In Arlo Parks’ world, words are as useful as photographs. Luscious, expressive vignettes pepper the poetic lyrics in her sweet, ruminative indie pop songs. She’s inspired by an eclectic mix of artists from Radiohead to Portishead, and Sufjan Stevens to Solange.”
Great Lake Swimmers + Matthew Davies @ Shank Hall
“Featuring a blend of acoustic instruments, rural soundscapes, and wistful vocals,Great Lake Swimmers are a critically acclaimed indie-folk group led by songwriter/vocalist Tony Dekker. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the group emerged in the early 2000s with a succession of heavily atmospheric albums recorded in old silos and rural country churches. The music developed in that pastoral warmth, performed and recorded in acoustically unique and historical locales with a revolving cast of personnel. They are renowned for their homespun folk and lush, intimate Americana in their live set.”
Messy + Flavour, No Motel, DJ Strang Obsessions @ Promises
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Summer of Soul, Outdoor Marketplace & Concert Series: De La Buena @ Marcus Performing Arts Center
“This celebrated ten-piece band, a mainstay of Milwaukee’s summer festival season, combines Afro-Cuban and Latin Jazz influences, offering a sophisticated Latin dance vibe with a psychedelic touch.”
The Two Tracks + Dead Horses @ Shank Hall
“Husband and wife team of The Two Tracks, Julie and Dave Huebner write songs that traverse the male and female perspective, drawing inspiration from the rural surroundings of their home in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming. Julie’s driving guitar playing and Dave’s spellbinding cello playing merge perfectly with the four-part harmonies and rock-solid groove, filled out by Taylor Phillips on bass and Fernando Serna on drums. Their live show features an array of sounds, from introspective ballads to foot-stomping anthems…songs that reflect their earthy authenticity and a genuine love for their craft.”
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Judas Priest + Sabaton @ Miller High Life Theatre
Priest is the best, man! Priest is the best, I’m telling you! Hey, lemme tell you. Rob Halford is the baddest motherfucking singer aroooouuuund! And K.K. Downing, man? That motherfucker can play some guitar! Priest is bad, man! Priest is number one in heavy metal, man! And then, who comes next? Iron Maiden, man. Iron Maiden and Priest.
Riot Fest Presents: Home Front + Fuerza Bruta, Destros, Loose Face @ Cactus Club
“A distinct sound is made when freshly polished Dr. Marten boots crunch through the snow in northern Canada’s frozen tundra. When the hum of traffic is low Dr. Marten boots make a hard rhythm on the cold concrete. Welcome to Home Front, a beat, a sound unique to a working class city like Edmonton, Alberta. For seasoned DIY Punk musicians Graeme MacKinnon (No Problem//Wednesday Night Heroes) & Clint Frazier (Shout Out Out Out Out/Wet Secrets/Physical Copies) Home Front is the place, the medium, the perfect clash of Oi! Punk with 80s Synth Pop to create the new style of shoe gaze, or in this case, Boot Wave.”
KASE + Drive-a-tron, Shontrail @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Cathedral Ceilings + Toadskin, Thick Needles @ Bremen Cafe
Third Space Presents: Wire & Nail @ Third Space Brewing
Zach Pietrini @ Ope! Brewing Co.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
The String Cheese Incident @ The Riverside Theater (also September 21)
“The String Cheese Incident has long held a reputation as live music vibe innovators…and they’re bringing those vibes to The Riverside Theater for TWO NIGHTS this September! The past three decades have written a story packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. The String Cheese Incident has been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.”
Dessa + Wave Chapelle @ Vivarium
“Dessa fell in love with language as a toddler-—and she just never got over it. Coming up in Minneapolis, she collected favorite words to decorate the walls of her brain; as teenager, she thrilled in metaphor; and when she started writing songs and touring, she’d always lean in to pick up on the regional slang. Now, Dessa works in most fields that traffic in words: she’s recorded rap bangers as part of the fiercely independent Doomtree collective, released a live album with the Grammy-winning Minnesota Orchestra; contributed to the New York Times and National Geographic Traveler; delivered a TED Talk on the intersection of romance and neuroscience that’s notched more than 4 million views; hosted two seasons of the Deeply Human radio program; and published a memoir recounting most of the above called My Own Devices.”
An Iliad @ Milwaukee Youth Art Center’s Goodman Mainstage Hall
“Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) is thrilled to open its 50th Anniversary 2024/25 season with An Iliad by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare, which will be onstage at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center’s Goodman Mainstage Hall September 20 – October 6, 2024. In this ‘spellbinding…smartly conceived’ (The New York Times) play, a lone Poet—exhausted from the front lines of history’s epic wars and aided only by a single Muse—steps onto an empty stage and weaves a tale filled with honor and hubris, fortitude and fallibility, and righteousness and blind rage. Intimate, urgent, and incisive, this modern retelling—adapted from Robert Fagles’ gold-standard translation and featuring a live score from Milwaukee’s own Klassik—hones Homer’s epic to a gleaming edge as captivating as it is timeless.”
WMSE’s Friday Night Freak Show: Reservoir Dogs @ Oriental Theatre
Exitstatements + Denude, Deorbit @ Last Rites MKE
Music On The Beerline @ Beerline Plaza
Friday Night Retro Video Dance Party: DJ ZeroCool @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Bay View Bash @ Kinnickinnic Avenue, between Potter and Clement
Milwaukee saves one of its best summer festivals for last. Bay View Bash will return to Kinnickinnic Avenue on summer’s penultimate day, and will fill the eponymous neighborhood with 11 hours worth of live entertainment, family fun, retail vendors, food, and drinks (including a new Bash Beer). Find individual stage lineups and absolutely everything else you need to know HERE. And stop by the Milwaukee Record stage and say hi! See you on Saturday!
Fromm PetFest @ Henry Maier Festival Park
“Fromm Petfest at Henry Maier Festival Park. Bring the whole family—people and pets alike—and join in on a full day of festival fun including pet-centric activities, live entertainment, shopping, food, music and so much more!”
Dierks Bentley + Lee Brice, Ella Langley @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
God’s Outlaw @ Nashville North
Depeche Mode vs. New Order vs. Duran Duran @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Milwaukee Record Halftime Series: Lavish Waste @ Cactus Club
Come on out to the Cactus Club for this week’s Packers-Titans game, and enjoy a halftime set from Milwaukee electro-ghouls Lavish Waste! 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, but they’ll also be shown on a projector screen in Cactus Club’s back room. THERE’S NO COVER CHARGE for the concerts. Kickoff is at noon!
Bean Plant Block Party @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
As a means of celebrating its 25th year in business, Anodyne is hosting its third annual Bean Plant Block Party. From 12-9 p.m., the Walker’s Point location (and a portion of Bruce Street outside the cafe until 5 p.m.) will feature an abundance of offerings. There will be food available from the likes of Frida’s Cocina, Twisted Plants, and Pete’s Pops. On top of Anodyne’s everyday caffeinated specialties, Indeed Brewing and the newly opened 1846 will handle beer and other beverages. 414 Flea will have vintage items for sale, and an Adventure Rock climbing wall and Cream City Skatepark ramps/obstacles will bring outdoor activity to the event. Oh, and there will be music—provided by local acts that feature Anodyne employees in its ranks—outside from 12-5 p.m. before giving way to a free show inside from 6-9 p.m. Here’s the lineup.
The Lemonheads + John David Kent @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Awkward Nerd Book Fair @ Triploli Shrine Center
Cafe Sopra Mare: Duo Serenata @ Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
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