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 8-14, 2025.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
WWE Monday Night RAW @ Fiserv Forum
“Featured Superstars: AJ Lee, Seth Rolins, CM Punk, Rhea Ripley, Penta, Jey Uso.”
Mourning Star + Tiny Vamp, Frantic Repair, Milby @ Cactus Club
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
YUNGBLUD + Sawyer Hill @ The Rave / Eagles Club (sold out)
“Emerging from the gritty north of England, YUNGBLUD brings an explosion of raw energy and thought-provoking lyrics. He has created his own blend of alternative rock: poetry, guitar-hooks and break-beats with a fierce determination to make a dent in pop-culture. Dangerously sexy, startlingly bold yet emotionally grounded YUNGBLUD drops a grenade on his audience members imprinting himself in their minds.”
Lake Street Dive + Lawrence @ Miller High Life Theatre
“Lake Street Dive have pushed the possibilities of pop music as a unifying force, not only through their eclectic sound—a boldly original cross-pollination of soul, folk, jazz, classic pop, and more—the five-piece’s all-embracing ethos has also made them a beloved live band known for building a potent connection among every crowd.”
The Doobie Brothers + Jimmy Buffet’s Coral Reefer Band @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Zoh Amba + Garrett Waite @ Cactus Club
Poetry In The Park @ Juneau Park
Riverwalk Commons Concert Series: Joey Acopiado @ Milwaukee Public Market
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Milwaukee Night Market @ Wisconsin Avenue, between 2nd and Vel R. Phillips
“The Milwaukee Night Market is a free, outdoor event showcasing a variety of local vendors, performers, and artists. The Milwaukee Night Market transforms the heart of downtown into an exciting fusion of all the city has to offer.” One more Night Markets will follow tonight’s shindig, on October 1 (a make-up date for the canceled July installment).
Whose Live Anyway? @ The Pabst Theater
“Whose Live Anyway? is 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and song all based on audience suggestions. Cast members Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Joel Murray will leave you gasping with the very witty scenes they invent before your eyes. Audience participation is key to the show so bring your suggestions and you might be asked to join the cast onstage! Whose Live Anyway? showcases some of the improv games made famous on the long-running TV show as well as some exciting new ones, featuring musical direction by Bob Derkach.”
Mr. Gnome + The Paper Flames @ Cactus Club
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: WAND (Jam Session) @ 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 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.
Thelma And The Sleaze + Boybrain, Outpacer @ The Cooperage
“Thelma And The Sleaze is an independent all-female, queer southern rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. The group is the brainchild of lead vocalist and guitar player Lauren ‘LG’ Gilbert and features an evolving cast of A-team players to back her up for an unforgettable live experience.”
WAND + Cory Hanson @ Cactus Club
Dead, Dead Swans + A Day Without Love, Blasfemme @ Falcon Nest
Chevelle + Asking Alexandria, Dead Poet Society @ The Rave / Eagles Club
GIL Jazz: Tribute To Miles Davis (post-show record spin with DJ Caleb Westphal) @ The Estate
Matt MF Tyner @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Thursday Bike Night Concert Series: Frank Martin Busch And The Name @ Harley-Davidson Museum
Edelweiss Concert Cruise Series: Foo Coustics @ Milwaukee River, 205 W. Highland Ave.
Jazz In The Park: The Hot And Dirty Brass Band @ Cathedral Square Park
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band @ Miller High Life Theatre
Let’s just come out and say it: Ringo Starr is great. He’s a living legend, a comforting presence in a world gone mad, and a genius drummer (arguments over that last point in the comments below, please). So who’s in Ringo’s ever-changing All Starr Band this time around? How about Colin Hay (“Who Can It Be Now”), Steve Lukather (“Africa”), Hamish Stuart (“Pick Up The Pieces”), and more. So yeah: THE DUDE FROM TOTO WILL TOTALLY PLAY “AFRICA.” Also, Ringo will play “Matchbox” and “With A Little Help From My Friends,” obviously.
Social Cig (record release) +The Dead Bolts, Moonglow, Mary Don’t Care @ Turner Hall Ballroom
The past few years have been busy ones for Parker Schultz and his self-described “indie-skate-rock” project: multiple records, big local shows, extensive touring. Social Cig’s fourth LP, Patchwork: A Road Dog Story, is a document of those years. It’s an aural travelogue filled with endless shows, endless cities, car troubles, more cities, and, eventually, coming home. “This project reflects 2023-2025 after I quit my full-time office job to pursue my music career,” Schultz writes. “This was a chapter of discovery, growth, failure, determination, and grit. It was a whole lotta work but a whole lotta fun.”
China Lights: Magical Forest @ Boerner Botanical Garden (through November 2)
“With more than 40 sets of larger-than-life lantern displays, Boerner Botanical Garden in Whitnall Park will be transformed into a magical forest for this 2025 season! Complimentary live stage entertainment is included in the admission daily. The performance hours are 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. Each show lasts for about 30 minutes. Stage performance might be canceled due to rain or other inclement weather. Live stage entertainment will be at the shrub mall with acts such as Hat Juggling, Face Changing, Balancing, and more!”
Live! Fest: AyooLii + Uglyworld, DJ Devario, The Camp Kid, Raskol @ Falcon Hall
Jeremy Jordan & Age Of Madness + Alley Eyes @ Vivarium
Sarah And The Safe Word + Foxcult, The Weekend Run Club, Sludge Hawking @ X-Ray Arcade
Helado Negro + Lia Kohl, Macie Stewart, Whitney Johnson @ Cactus Club
Bryan Cherry + The Belle Weather, Micah Olsan @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Already In Jail (record release) + Metal Marq, The Rustix, Temporal Autonomy @ MKE Ultra
B.D. Greer & The Gents @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Sequoia + Dandy Freling, Kati Katchever @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Shravan Raghuram + Keegan Phillips, Barynya @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
Dusty String Band @ Ope! Brewing Co
Friday Night Retro Video Dance Party: Goth Barge @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
HAIM + Dora Jar @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Este, Danielle, and Alana—who the planet simply knows as HAIM—just released their fourth album. Despite the new record being called I Quit, the band is still very active. In fact, HAIM is coming to The Rave / Eagles Club on this Saturday in support of that very album. Don’t miss it!
Strummerfest MKE 2025 @ Club Garibaldi
Musicians from all corners of the Milwaukee scene will honor Joe Strummer with their own adaptations of The Clash, The Pogues, and other material from the legend’s iconic career. Artists include The Dirty Sweet, M545, The Quilz, Guerrilla Ghost, The Mod Violets, Electricity Kills, Black Belt Theatre, Sarah Lynn Huss, and the Andrew David Weber Band.
Shorewood Feast @ Oakland Avenue, 4200 to 4400 blocks
“The 6th Annual North Shore Bank Shorewood Feast presented by the Shorewood Foundation is Shorewood’s signature street festival from the 4200 to the 4400 blocks of Oakland Avenue. This is a family-friendly foodie event with free entertainment and activities for every age. There will be music, entertainment, a harvest dinner, artisans, and more!”
Argren Faire @ Locust Street (Garden Park + Black Husky)
Last September, Riverwest got its own neighborhood renaissance faire in the form of Argren Faire. The daylong event was held at and around Black Husky Brewing, and was based on the mythical land of Argren—a.k.a. the setting of the Spirit Song Saga by Milwaukee authors Ross Hightower and Deb Heim. More than 2,500 people showed up! And now, Argren Faire returns! The second annual blowout will take place from noon until 8 p.m., on Locust Street from Humboldt to Fratney. Expect music, feats of strength, a costume contest, a beard contest, plenty of beer, a live aluminum pour from Milwaukee Makerspace, an author’s alley with 10 local fantasy authors, and more.”
Tacos And Tequila Festival @ Franklin Field, Franklin
“Grab your crew and enjoy a night out kickin’ it at Franklin Field with your favorite throwback artists (Lil John, Pretty Ricky, more), while chowing down on Milwaukee’s best chef-inspired taco vendors throughout the festival. Wash those tacos down with some margs and tequila. Throughout the day, there will be: World Renowned Hip-Hop Artists; Craft Margaritas; Tequila Shot Bars; Locally Crafted Tacos; Lucha Libre Wrestling; Exotic Car Showcase; Chihuahua Beauty Pageant; Salsa & Queso Competition; Art Installations & Photo Ops; AND MORE!”
Wisconsin Horror-Fest @ Four Points By Sheraton Milwaukee Airport
“The Wisconsin Horror-Fest is a Horror mecca convention located in the beautiful City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Striving to be Wisconsin’s best and truest Horror convention featuring fandoms of multiple genres. As a long-time collector of horror and pop culture items the promoter brings Milwaukee an event that will satisfy any fandom!”
Milwaukee Comic Con @ Wisconsin State Fair Park
“Milwaukee’s biggest Comic Con event returns for the fall show we are waiting for! The long running event isn’t one you want to miss!”
Kid Congo Powers & The Pink Monkey Birds + Devils Teeth, Spidora @ X-Ray Arcade
“Legendary guitar stylist Kid Congo Powers (The Gun Club, The Cramps, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds), along with cohorts: drummer Ron Miller (Up The Academy), and guitarist Mark Cisneros (Make-Up, Des Demonas & Hammered Hulls), embark on a Midwest USA & Canada tour in September 2025. Waking from a nap in the swamps of outer space, Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds ride a geisterbahn into the hypnagogic, a place between sleep and consciousness. Look out for them in a town near you!”
Alan Parsons Live Project @ The Riverside Theater
The Taxmen (record release) + Fightin’ Bob, Funk Summit Bass Team @ Mad Planet
Ladies Rock 10-Year Anniversary Bash @ Radio Milwaukee
Tropa Magica + Pulpa de Guayaba @ Cactus Club
Stay Out + Cardboard People, Obscure Birds @ MKE Ultra
Carbon Decoy + Zang!, Glass Chimera, Shrinestone @ Falcon Hall
Marquee & the Moonlighters @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Distant Worlds: Music From Final Fantasy @ Miller High Life Theatre
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Kelsey Waldon + Grayson Jenkins @ Cactus Club
“In the six years since she signed to John Prine’s Oh Boy Records, Kelsey Waldon has earned wide praise for her ‘self-penned compositions [with] the patina of authenticity’ (Rolling Stone). On her new album, Every Ghost, she confronts addiction, grief, generational trauma, and even herself—and comes through it stronger and at peace.”
Harlow + The Taxmen, Chutes, Blacktop @ Falcon Hall
John Stanford + Dan Vanzeeland, Feather & Stone @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
The Hungry Williams @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Cathedral Square Market: Matthew Haeffel @ Cathedral Square Park
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