Some of the best Milwaukee concerts and comedy shows this winter
Here are some top shows to check out in Milwaukee from December 2025 through February 2026.
I’m probably not alone in thinking that January is generally not the best time in Milwaukee, between the post-holiday blues and the often freezing temps.
But you can start 2026 right by checking out these 10 top new albums, singles and EPs from Milwaukee artists, listed in alphabetical order.
The unprintable opening track of the hard rock band’s six-song EP (hence the title) signals a whole lot of confidence, especially for a debut project. But TNGNT’s ensemble have a lot of experience – from Kyle Ciske (The Delta Routine, Lost Orange Cat) to Andrew David Weber (Whiskey of the Damned). It’s clear from the new outfit’s introduction – spanning from blues rock bluster to Soundgarden-esque grit – that the bravado is warranted.
Leona made the Journal Sentinel’s favorite Milwaukee songs of 2025 list with fellow teen artist Jawny Jell-O (stage name for John Abt) for their dreamy and haunting collaboration “Never Learn” from the latter’s ambitious and accomplished pop debut album “Staticmind.” A few months later, the two team up again for Leona’s equally impressive debut that sees her drop withering words with “Jackass Forever” and unveil deep vulnerability with vibrant vocals on closer “Throw Me Away.”
One of the most exciting emo bands from Milwaukee’s exciting emo scene has teamed up with local indie rock band Known Moons for a split release, “Barely Known.” It offers up a rollercoaster rocker, both musically and emotionally, that fits the track’s grandiose title.
“Echoes of Conscience,” Maledictis
John Marszalkowski has created one of Milwaukee’s most ambitious acts with his symphonic chamber rock project Maledictis, assembling 24 musicians for his project’s first full-length album, “Echoes of Conscience.” Combined, they bring his grandiose vision to life with choral singing, flute, bassoon, flugelhorn, tuba, cello, viola and more.
With the dreamy guitars, echo-drenched vocals and spacious guitars, Shrinestone on “Starboxing,” the first song of their four-song EP, create the sensation of floating through space. The songs that follow are just as transportive.
“Night Vision Creeps,” IfIHadAHiFi
How lucky are we to get another EP from the veteran noise rockers so quickly after “Paws in the Bacon Grease” dropped last fall, following years of silence? “You’re a Mess” is a staggering opener, from distorted guitars and pummeling drums to a sprinkle of ’50s sci-fi synths, and the blasts of noise that follow are equally thrilling.
I’ve been happily covering Nicholas Elert’s projects for over a decade now, consistently impressed with his output. His newest project, “Phase Machines,” may be his most engrossing, reminiscent of the twitchy and magnetic energy Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross from Nine Inch Nails bring to their film and TV composition work.
“The Dead Can’t Take a Hint,” Ryan Necci and the Buffalo Gospel
The Milwaukee music scene veteran, now based in Tennessee, doesn’t have a single dud in his Americana songbook with the Buffalo Gospel. It was a matter of when, not if, he would score a breakout songwriting credit, and he’s done just that with “Mighty Beast,” which he co-wrote with Stephen Wilson Jr., who’s bound to be one of the big country breakouts of 2026. I’m happy to see this well-deserved success, and that Necci continues to showcase his stirring songwriting with his own band on their latest soul-searching, excellent album.
The Known Moons’ single equation of that “Barely Known” split release with Barely Civil, “Time” shows how Andrew James’ indie rock band has become a favorite of Barely Civil, one of the best bands in the city, with a surprise trumpet solo sprinkled into this wide-eyed heart-racer of a track. Love to see, too, that Moons is going to start playing shows after initially being conceived as a studio-only project. Catch them live soon.
The 22-year-old Milwaukee native, based in Los Angeles, is just getting started with her music career. But her voice is magical, expressed through radiant R&B and enchanting acoustic pop on debut album “Work in Progress,” suggesting that her talent is already well established.
“Must-Hear Milwaukee Music” runs on or around the first of every month in the Journal Sentinel and at jsonline.com. If you have a new album, EP or song coming out, contact Piet Levy at [email protected] for review consideration. Follow him on Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.jsonline.com ’
