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 September 9-15, 2019.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Meat Wave + Soup Moat, Retoro, Tell Me @ X-Ray Arcade
Two bands with gross names but amazing music will start your week off right with a stacked night of punk-tinged fun. Chicago’s own Meat Wave and Milwaukee’s own Soup Moat will be preceded by local high school phenoms Retoro, as well as new-ish band Tell Me.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Backstreet Boys + Baylee Littrell @ Fiserv Forum
Backstreet’s back? Alright.
Guida + Indonesian Junk @ Shank Hall
NEWaukee Night Market @ Downtown Milwaukee
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
An Evening Dedicated To David Berman @ Cactus Club
The loss of Silver Jews/Purple Mountains genius David Berman last month was devastating. Want to celebrate his life, music, and words? Then go to this show, which will feature performances from Nick Abel, Apollo Vermouth, Sean Hickey, Alex Shah, Zack Pieper, The Smudge, Sat. Nite Duets, Lifetime Achievement Award, Bob Bucko Jr., and Marielle Allschwang. Poetry will be provided by Sam Pekarske. Donations will go to NAMI Greater Milwaukee.
Kegnado Launch Party @ Lakefront Brewery
Join Lakefront Brewery as it unveils its latest creation: a 40-foot, three-dimensional, LED-lit “Kegnado” that adorns the northeast corner of its Commerce Street facility. The hopefully-not-controversial piece of public art is made up of 71 used, stainless steel beer kegs. The original idea came from Retailworks Inc. “The river and the people of Milwaukee have been very good to us over the years. In trying to give back, our brewery has built one of the most unique and beautiful art pieces that any brewery in the world has ever built,” says Lakefront Brewery Co-Founder and President Russ Klisch in a press release. “It’s been years in the making.”
Nick Offerman @ Riverside Theater
Ron Swanson himself, Nick Offerman, is a national treasure and he should be treated as such. Don’t miss this.
Milwaukee Underwear Bike Ride Afterpartry: Mean Jeans + Clowns, Platinum Boys @ Company Brewing
Dirty Fuss + Bandoleer Bacall, Saebra & Carlyle @ Bremen Cafe
Wizard Rifle + Lost Tribes Of The Moon @ Club Garibaldi
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
China Lights @ Boerner Botanical Gardens
If you like beautiful handmade lantern displays and a ton of people, you won’t want to miss the fourth annual China Lights festival at Boerner Botanical Gardens. An interactive exhibit area, two stages of Asian folk-culture entertainment, and much more are also planned. Yeah, the fest can get really crowded, but it’s worth it. (Through October 20.)
Friday The 13th Fest Part VI: Haunted House @ Walker’s Point Music Hall
Nineteen Thirteen @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Knaaves (EP release) + Wits End, Wanderer, Dying Wish, Enemy Of Creation, Bovice @ X-Ray Arcade
Punk Guilt + ST 37, Vocokesh @ Company Brewing
Junkyard Samurai + Genesis Renji, Will Rose @ Cactus Club
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Milwaukee Paranormal Conference 2019 @ Alverno College
Organized by author and occasional Milwaukee Record contributor Tea Krulos, the Milwaukee Paranormal Conference once again promises talks covering the usual: paranormal investigation, cryptozoology, UFOs, folklore, the Lake Michigan Mothman, etc. Things kick off at Walker’s Point Music Hall on the 13th with a haunted house-themed “Friday The 13th Fest.” Then, on the 14th, things move to Alverno College. A host of speakers and vendors will be on hand from from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or at the conference. SEE YOU THERE!
Dead Horses + Joe Pug @ Pabst Theater
Less than a week removed from opening for The Who at Alpine Valley, Dead Horses will play a rare homecoming show at the gorgeous and massive Pabst Theater. Joe Pug will play in support.
Dirty Dancing + Sleeping Pills, Waley Brown, Somegirl @ Bremen Cafe
Warhola Cats + Ester, Ellie Jackson @ Company Brewing
Super Doppler + Paper Holland, Sleepy Gaucho @ Cactus Club
The Night Carnival @ Riverwest Public House
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: Flat Teeth @ Cactus Club
The Milwaukee Record Halftime Show concert series at Cactus Club is back! Once again, we’ve assembled a stacked roster of 16 projects to provide FREE (21+) halftime entertainment. And, once again, our friends at Miller High Life are sponsoring our football-focused festivities, meaning fans can enjoy “The Champagne of Beers” for $2.50 a bottle, or $10 for a bucket of five beers all game long. And, yes, there will be touchdown shots.