Milwaukee’s concert scene has a lot going on, so we look at the shows coming up to find the ones you’ll look back on and be glad you went. Then we add them to our weekly Milwaukee Concert Picks, sponsored by Urban Ecology Center.
It’s Labor Day weekend, which traditionally means a quieting-down of live music around Milwaukee. The city seems to be bucking that urge, however, and the deep list at the bottom of the page contains one of the more unique options on the entire concert calendar.
The Milwaukee Polka Riot wins this week based on its name alone. Billed as “America’s first and (as far as we know) only alternative polka festival,” the event’s been happening since 2017 and will take over both the inside AND outside of Linneman’s this Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m.
Due to our admittedly tenuous connection to the alternative-polka scene, we aren’t as familiar with the bands in the lineup as we’d like to be. But the good folks at Linneman’s have more than earned the city’s trust when it comes to putting solid acts on their stages. And, really, aren’t day-long events like this made for music discovery?
Outdoor Stage
- 2 p.m. — DJs Stashu, Shotski and Brümeister
- 3 p.m. — Forró Fo Sho
- 4 p.m. — The Baggie Magnums
- 5 p.m. — The November Criminals w/Mario The Poet
Indoor Stage
- 7 p.m. — Good Friends Klezmer Band
- 8 p.m. — The Polkaholics
- 9 p.m. — The Frantastic Sound System
The people behind the Milwaukee Polka Riot have kept this weirdly wonderful event free over the years and merely ask that you buy a t-shirt so they can do it again next year. Honestly, if you can resist the urge to buy a shirt that contains the words “Milwaukee Polka Riot,” regardless of where the proceeds go, you’re better people than us.
Your other bang-for-your-buck options both happen Friday, starting at Falcon Hall with Live! Fest and its 3:30 p.m. kickoff while the sun still shines. This one’s all about the underground rap scene and artists from Chicago, New York, Atlanta and even Orlando comprising a lineup that lists 22 different acts on the flyer (with the promise of “+ more!!!”).
A few hours after that one gets going, the Cooperage will host — if our Roman numeral education hasn’t failed us — the 94th MKE Music Night, which this time around focuses on the city’s Latin talent. Taking the stage are Tlalok (7 p.m.), Pulpa de Guayaba (7:40 p.m.), Los Mitoteros (9 p.m.) and the Kenny Perez-endorsed Calakas Sonoras (10:30 p.m.).
Finally, a few quick honorable mentions to note in the full list: Parker Schultz of Social Cig is flying solo at the Wicked Hop’s Jackalope Lounj on Thursday, Holy Pinto have an album-release celebration at the Vivarium on Saturday, and The Wallflowers will be at the Pabst Theater on Sunday as part of their 30th anniversary tour for breakout album Bringing Down the Horse.
Best concerts in Milwaukee this week
- Sept. 2: Orchid Mantis, SSAANN, in shining armour @ Cactus Club, 8 p.m.
- Sept. 3: Christa Lee w/Julia Grace @ Falcon Nest, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 3: Social Cig (solo performance) @ Jackalope Lounj, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 3: Dad Bods, Courtesy, Heavy Bend, Shoobie @ Cactus Club, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 4: Keep Flying, Local Legends, Minnesota Fatts, Jawline @ Anodyne, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 4: MKE Music Night XCIV — Latin Night @ The Cooperage, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 4: Live! Fest @ Falcon Hall, 3:30 p.m.
- Sept. 4: Killmoves, Solemn Grey, Tiny Vamp, Crash House @ Cactus Club, 6:30 p.m.
- Sept. 5: Milwaukee Polka Riot @ Linneman’s, 2-10 p.m.
- Sept. 5: Holy Pinto (album release) w/Moonglow, Waterspouts @ Vivarium, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 5: Dermot Kennedy w/Hunter Metts @ Landmark Credit Union Live, 8 p.m.
- Sept. 6: The Wallflowers w/Early James @ Pabst Theater, 8 p.m.
- Sept. 6: JoJo Hermann of Widespread Panic @ The Cooperage, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 7: Earth Tongue, The Well, Moon Destroys, Wisconsin Space Program @ X-Ray Arcade, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 8: Black Pontiac, Bowvee, No Thanks to You @ X-Ray Arcade, 8 p.m.
