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 22-28, 2025.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Gillian Welch + David Rawlings @ The Pabst Theater
“Gillian Welch’s rich and remarkable career spans over twenty-five years, and she and her musical partner David Rawlings are a pillar of the modern acoustic music world. They have been hailed by Pitchfork as ‘modern masters of American folk’ and ‘protectors of the American folk song’ by Rolling Stone.”
Lana Leone + Teenage Ice Age, Human Ant Farm, Oh Well, Ok @ X-Ray Arcade
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Twenty One Pilots + Dayglow @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
“Twenty One Pilots – The Clancy Tour: Breach 2025 is coming to Milwaukee! They will be headlining the American Family Insurance Amphitheater on September 23, 2025 with special guest Dayglow.”
Powerwolf + DragonForce @ The Rave / Eagles Club
“Powerwolf are undoubtedly one of the most celebrated and successful heavy metal bands of the last decade. Multiple #1 album chart entries, gold and platinum records, huge sold-out arena shows, as well as headline slots at the biggest festivals have paved their way. In less than 20 years of band history, Powerwolf has made it to the very highest league of heavy metal.”
DEI Or Die: Killer High Life + Oh Well, Ok, Noah Angel @ Cactus Club
Riverwalk Commons Concert Series: Steve Beguhn @ Milwaukee Public Market
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Dream Theater: 40th Anniversary Tour ft. Parasomnia + A Change Of Seasons @ Miller High Life Theatre
“Beyond selling millions of records worldwide and gathering a billion-plus streams, Dream Theater have quietly evolved into progressive metal trailblazers over the course of an unprecedented journey earmarked by one unforgettable milestone after another. Now, Dream Theater have returned to their roots as James LaBrie [vocals], John Petrucci [guitar], John Myung [bass], and Jordan Rudess [keyboards] reunite with Mike Portnoy [drums] during their fortieth anniversary. Simultaneously, these five old friends enter a bold new era fueled by some of the most focused, formidable, and fiery music of their career. They’re harnessing the memories of the past and the promise of the future in order to make the most of the present.”
Grieves + NilexNile @ Vivarium
“With two decades of experience in the music industry, Seattle’s own Grieves has sculpted a remarkable path as an independent artist. Originally signing with Rhymesayers in 2009, Grieves toured globally, sharing the stage with a plethora of influential artists such as Atmosphere, Prof, Macklemore, T-Pain, Watsky, Brother Ali, Evidence, Chris Webby, Rittz, People Under The Stairs, Pepper, Bad Fish, and many more. Grieves’ extensive catalog has garnered hundreds of millions of plays, landing him at the coveted #1 spot on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and #57 on the top 200. Along the way, his musical journey has caught the eye of major publications like Pitchfork, Playboy, and even your mom’s diary.”
Onlyferns + Friendly Spectres, Shontrail, Pareidolia @ Cactus Club
East Nash Grass + Brenna MacMillan @ Falcon Hall
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
B~Free (record release) + Brit Nicole, Genesis Renji, Jovan Landry, Lili K, Klassik @ Radio Milwaukee
“Singer, songwriter, flutist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist B~Free returns with her highly anticipated third album, Millennial Symphony, released September 18, 2025 on all streaming platforms. The project blends R&B, hip hop, house, & symphonic elements into a fearless, genre-bending soundtrack of millennial life. To celebrate the release, B~Free will launch her first orchestrated tour, with a virtual listening party (Sept. 11), release shows in Los Angeles (Sept. 18) and Milwaukee (Sept. 25), plus a closing night performance at Vibes w/ LA (Sept. 28). The Milwaukee show is a one-night-only, all-ages event featuring Midwest favorites Brit Nicole, Genesis Renji, Jovan Landry, Lili K, and Klassik.”
Jason Anderson + Ian Olvera @ Var Gallery
“Jason Anderson is an award-winning singer-songwriter based in eastern Canada. He has collaborated with Mount Eerie, toured with Joyce Manor, opened for Dick Dale, played guitar on Conan, and worked with a number of seminal independent labels including Salinas and K Records. Jason’s incredible live show is a see it to believe it experience—wistful poetry and anthemic hooks driving a melodic, literate, uplifting blend of folk and rock that often feels like Springsteen fronting The Weakerthans. Ian Olvera is a Milwaukee-based musician, songwriter, producer, and mix engineer. His current projects include Daydream Retrievers (the main song vehicle) and Blueheels (the occasional beast that rises from slumber).”
An Evening With Phil Rosenthal Of Somebody Feed Phil @ The Pabst Theater
As the host and namesake of the extremely popular Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil, Phil Rosenthal has traveled to all corners of the globe and indulged in innumerable culinary delicacies along the way. The Everybody Loves Raymond creator will stop by Milwaukee—a locale he’s yet to visit in his series—to treat a Pabst Theater audience to tales from his epicurean adventures and engage in other bits of food-focused discussion.
Spanish Love Songs + Bike Routes, World’s Greatest Dad @ Falcon Hall
Last September, Spanish Love Songs came to The Rave to perform as direct support for Alkaline Trio. Almost exactly one year later (nearly to the day!), the Los Angels rock outfit returns to Milwaukee to headline a show at Falcon Bowl’s historic Falcon Hall.
Nourished By Time + witS, Smitty @ Vivarium
Wife + Badman, Poor Ridley, Primitive Broadcast Service @ Cactus Club
House of Harm + Sculpture Club, Fake Twin @ Club Garibaldi
Conan + Mares Of Thrace, Lost Tribes Of The Moon @ X-Ray Arcade
Victim Of Fire + Mind Harvester, Sublet @ MKE Ultra
Panalure + Denny Rauen @ Bar Centro
Kind Hearted Strangers @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Jazz In The Park: Another One @ Cathedral Square Park
Thursday Bike Night Concert Series: Cigarette Break @ Harley-Davidson Museum
Edelweiss Concert Cruise Series: Would You Kindly? @ Milwaukee River, 205 W. Highland Ave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brakKMlxMW8
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Cary Elwes + Screening Of The Princess Bride @ The Riverside Theater
“Join Cary Elwes (Westley) for a behind-the-scenes look at life on and off the set of the classic film, The Princess Bride. After a screening of the movie, Elwes will engage in a moderated discussion revealing never before shared secrets and tales of inconceivable antics! Journey back to the lands of Florin and Guilder in an adventure filled with fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, miracles, and of course, true love.”
Harvest Fair @ Wisconsin State Fair Park (through September 28)
“Enjoy free live entertainment on several stages, including local artists, Amphitheater headliners, and lumberjack shows. Activities the entire family will love include Harvest Fair favorites like Pumpkin Bowling and Make Your Own Scarecrow. Don’t miss food galore, featuring many State Fair vendors, plus shopping at the Farmers Market and more!”
Bay View Gallery Night @ various locations
“Join us for another amazing evening in the Bay View Neighborhood celebrating local art, music and Milwaukee small business!” Find a complete listing of events and participating venues HERE.
Nostalgia Con @ Baird Center (through September 28)
“Have you ever yearned to relive the cherished moments from your childhood? Nostalgia Con beckons you to embark on a journey into your past, enabling you to rekindle connections with the individuals who made those days extraordinary.”
Unlawful Assembly Vol. 5 @ Cactus Club (also September 27)
Eric Church + Marcus King Band @ Fiserv Forum
Cannibal Corpse + Municipal Waste, Full Of Hell, Fulci @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Corinne Bailey Rae @ The Pabst Theater
The Courettes + Jinksie @ X-Ray Arcade
Vile Bees + Brother Wolf, Thyone @ MKE Ultra
The Haggardlys + The Farwell Kings @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Heirloom (record release) @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Drumming Bird + Royal Mill @ Shank Hall
Soft Blue Shimmer + Human Ant Farm, Superglue, MILBY @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Tea Service + Orange Drink, The Furies @ Falcon Nest
The Argo Free Concert Series: Ben Mulwana @ Ivanhoe Plaza
Living In Oblivion ’80s & ’90s Video Night: DJ Synthia @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Doors Open Milwaukee @ various locations (also September 28)
“Historic Milwaukee’s highly anticipated annual event, Doors Open Milwaukee, returns September 27–28 for its 15th anniversary, inviting the public to explore more than 165 sites across Downtown and Milwaukee’s neighborhoods. This milestone year brings exciting new additions to the lineup, including the Marcia P. Coggs Health and Human Services Center, The Fitzgerald, No Studios, Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC), and She Slangs Wood, among others. Visitors can also visit beloved favorites such as MSO’s Bradley Symphony Center, America’s Black Holocaust Museum, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Burnham Block.”
Trapper Schoepp (record release) + Devil Met Contention @ Vivarium
“In fall 2025, Trapper will release his rawest work yet titled Osborne, which traces his path through addiction, recovery and chronic pain brought on by BMX accidents in his youth. Osborne lends its name from the unit Trapper was in at a Minnesota rehab facility and is also a nod to the songwriter’s muse Ozzy, who attended the same facility. Channeling Black Sabbath, Suicide and Springsteen, this 11-track record coming via Blue Elan Records is wildly different than anything Trapper has done. Produced by pop polymath Mike Viola (Andrew Bird, Dawes) and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Chester (Madison Cunningham, Jackson Browne), Trapper feels like he’s found an honest voice in song and spirit through Osborne.”
Third Space Brewing 9th Anniversary Party @ Third Space Brewing
On Saturday, September 27, Third Space will celebrate its ninth birthday—while simultaneously welcoming the first weekend of autumn in grand fashion—with a limited edition beer release of a “champagne-style ale,” a few food trucks, a dash of philanthropy, and loads of live entertainment. The 9th Anniversary Party will feature Third Space’s array of exceptional beers, an eclectic mix of local food vendors (including Piña Mexican Eats, Off Shore MKE, and Ian’s Pizza), and opportunities to donate to YMCA Camp Minikani—where Third Space’s founders first met. Best yet, the brewery’s outdoor deck will host close to 10 hours worth of live music from great Milwaukee acts.
The Queens @ Fiserv Forum
See four music legends sharing one stage when The Queens come to Fiserv Forum on Saturday, September 27. Said legends include Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, and Stephanie Mills. Need we say more? (That was a rhetorical question.)
Joss Stone @ The Pabst Theater
“Joss Stone is a Grammy and Brit Award-winning artist who released her acclaimed debut album, The Soul Sessions, in 2003, at the age of 16. Over her career, she has released nine studio albums, selling over 15 million copies worldwide.”
World Oddities Expo @ Baird Center
“The World Oddities Expo is a traveling oddities festival—a peculiar paradise where weird thrives! We pride ourselves on being an all-inclusive artisan and small business fueled mega-convention. We feature artists, vendors, performers, educators, and guest speakers to create a macabre and magical experience for all!”
wht.rbbt.obj + Royal Mill, Well + Good @ Falcon Hall
The Bourbon Jockeys + The Grovelers @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Fox Lake + Kaonashi, Surfaced, Dark Deeds, Krooked @ X-Ray Arcade
Faith Hatch @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Fear Factory + Byzantine, Beyond Threshold @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Sacrificial + Lost Tribes Of The Moon, Bigfoot, Crow Eater @ MKE Ultra
Kitty Soft Paw @ Ope! Brewing Co.
50th Anniversary Of Springsteen’s Bombscare Show @ Irving Place Records
Nineties By Nature: DJ Milkman + Andrew Optimist @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Harbor Fest @ Harbor View Plaza
“Harbor Fest is packed with fun, free activities for all ages, celebrating all the things that make Milwaukee’s Inner Harbor and Harbor District amazing! Enjoy performances by local artists, savor delicious food, take boat rides around the Inner Harbor, participate in hands-on activities for all ages, watch or release baby sturgeons, and even see a REAL LIVE mermaid!”
Dry Cleaning + Infinity Knives, Brian Ennals @ Cactus Club
It isn’t every day that lauded UK post-punk outfit Dry Cleaning comes to the cozy confines of the Cactus Club, so don’t miss your chance to catch ’em when they come to the intimate Bay View venue on Sunday, September 28.”
A Visit From Portlandia With Fred And Carrie @ Pabst Theater
The dream of the 2010s will be alive in Milwaukee when Pabst Theater gets “A Visit From Portlandia” on Sunday, September 28. Spend an evening with Portlandia stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein as they engage in a night of “storytelling, jokes, conversation, and more.”
Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel @ Marcus Performing Arts Center
Americana Matinee: Amy LaVere + Will Sexton, Long Mama, Joseph Huber @ The Cooperage
Minot + The Stinkeyes, Full Nude, Killer High Life @ MKE Ultra
Pareidolia + Fake My Death, Crash House, Tiny Vamp @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Cathedral Square Market: Kyle Feerick @ Cathedral Square Park
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