Our fat-free, dolphin-safe Milwaukee events calendar is chock-full of things to do, but only a handful of events are worthy of the lofty honor of “Record Recommended” (patent pending). Here are our recommendations for November 21-27, 2022.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22

Covet + The Velvet Teen, No Stranger @ X-Ray Arcade
If y0u’re looking for your weekly Tuesday-night instrumental prog-rock/guitar-wiz fix, look no further than this stacked X-Ray Arcade show. Originally scheduled for The Back Room @ Colectivo, the lineup features guitarist Yvette Young leading up the prog-y and math-y Covet, along with The Velvet Teen from Sonoma County, and No Stranger from Philadelphia.

Ike Reilly Assassination @ Shank Hall
Libertyville, Illinois native Ike Reilly is no stranger to Milwaukee—he plays here (and especially Shank Hall) often. Reilly and his family-centric band, the Ike Reilly Assassination, recently played a rousing afternoon set at Summerfest 2022. Fan Tom Morello sums up Reilly well, calling him “part Springsteen, part Replacements.”

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23

Charlie Parr @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Over the course of his 30-year career, Duluth-based singer-guitarist Charlie Parr has released more than a dozen albums, played thousands of shows all over the U.S. and beyond, opened for legends like B.B. King and Doc Watson, and has remained thoroughly captivated by the guitar the entire time. Along the way, he’s performed at massive festivals and in empty bars (and everywhere in between), built a more-than-respectable fan base, and has made friends all over the globe by way of his tireless touring.

For Keith: Keep On Keepin’ On, A Charity Event For Keith Pulvermacher @ Turner Hall Ballroom

Nod To Bob: A Bob Dylan Tribute Fundraiser For Hunger Task Force @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn

5 Card Studs + Almighty Vinyl @ The Cooperage

Bad Omens + Dayseeker, Make Them Suffer, Thousand Below @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Happy Thanksgiving!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25

Ryan Necci And The Buffalo Gospel @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Even though Ryan Necci—the founding member, bandleader, and namesake of Ryan Necci And The Buffalo Gospel—now calls Tennessee home, we’ve continued keeping tabs on him since he left Milwaukee to start a career as a professional songwriter. Since relocating, Necci has been part of some exciting co-writes and has made the most of awesome opportunities in the Nashville music scene. Thankfully, he and his (primarily Milwaukee-based bandmates) have also kept working on new Buffalo Gospel material. Necci returns to town the night after Thanksgiving to join his band on stage at The Back Room @ Colectivo.

Pete Lee @ Milwaukee Improv (7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. shows)
After growing up in Janesville, Wisconsin, Pete Lee has gone on to perform on Letterman, guest on The Tonight Show (FIVE TIMES and counting!), and rack up a wide variety of credits that include notable TV shows like Last Comic Standing, As The World Turns, Best Week Ever, Comedy Central’s Roast Battle, and much more. He’s released comedy albums, put out a Comedy Central half-hour special, and has performed more than 500 shows at colleges around the country. Lee returns to the region November 25-27 for a total of five Thanksgiving weekend shows at Milwaukee Improv.

Daryl Hall + Todd Rundgren @ The Riverside Theater

Black Friday Retro Dance Party: Radio Radio + The Salford Lads Club, Substance101 @ Turner Hall Ballroom

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26

A Conversation With ‘Caverns Below Milwaukee’ Author/Illustrator Andy Tyra @ Lion’s Tooth
In Andy Tyra’s first book, Caverns Below Milwaukee, a Bay View man’s insatiable curiosity about the inner workings of a South Side cobbling shop takes him to unimaginable realms and causes him see his hometown in a whole new way. The book—which Tyra both wrote and illustrated—is rife with local references and nods to Milwaukee-area myths like Haunchyville and the Goatman. This Saturday, Tyra will return to town to talk about his book and the magic hidden in Milwaukee during an extra special author event at Lion’s Tooth that’s moderated by Milwaukee Record. This event runs from 6-8 p.m. and there’s no cover charge. Come have a drink or two, buy a book or print, and talk local literature with Andy Tyra and Milwaukee Record!

An Evening With Morrissey @ The Riverside Theater
An evening with Morrissey! Or maybe 30 minutes or so! Who knows! (UPDATE: It’s been postponed.)

Them Coulee Boys + Hurd & Galante @ The Back Room @ Colectivo

Yung Gravy + bbno$, Terror Reid @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom

Eagle Trace + Louie & The Flashbombs @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery

Pete Lee @ Milwaukee Improv (6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. shows)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Milwaukee Record Halftime Series: The Grovelers @ Cactus Club
Our Milwaukee Record Halftime Show series has returned! This season, we’ve assembled a stacked roster of 16 performers that will provide FREE entertainment during halftime of Green Bay football games. Miller High Life, Miller Lite, and Rehorst Vodka Bloody Marys will be on special. Meanwhile, Awkward Nerd Events will occasionally pop by for giveaways to their upcoming events and other fun complements to the in-game/on-stage action. There will also be touchdown shots (both regular and N/A)! This week’s halftime performance comes courtesy of delightfully scuzzy sleaze-rock veterans The Grovelers.

Pete Lee @ Milwaukee Improv

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