On October 18th, 2025, fans gathered at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee to see the Violent Femmes live. This was the first of two shows in Milwaukee that they would play to close out their Fall tour, Grasp And Reach For A Leg Of Hope, and this night, there was a sold-out crowd. Starting at 7:00 pm, fans started filing into the theater, get drinks, and purchase merch. Upon entering the theater, I was excited by the setup of the stage. The Violent Femmes use a variety of instruments, including xylophones, vibraphones, brass instruments, saxophones, a stand-up bass, and a cajon. As a graduated band kid, seeing unique instrumentation live is interesting and memorable.
Just after 8:00 pm, the Violent Femmes took the stage and started a full play-through of their second studio album, Hallowed Ground. They opted out of having an opener so they could play a lengthy setlist full of fan favorites and full album playthroughs. This was unique compared to other concerts Iβve seen, and I think that for a band with such a vast discography, this was a great move to give fans more of the music they love.
The sold-out crowd was hanging on every note the band was playing, and their twangy, full-bodied sound bounced off the walls of the theater. The music was very nostalgic for fans, and it was heartwarming to watch fans dance to and connect to the music from an iconic hometown Milwaukee band. After the play-through of Hallowed Grounds, the band took a brief intermission. Following the break, the band came back onstage and played through their debut eponymous album. The album, and thus this half of the show, started with their iconic song βBlister In The Sunβ, which has a fun and notable clap-along section and the immediately recognizable guitar riff.
The rest of the playthrough carried so much nostalgia and had fans of all ages in their feels. The crowd was passing around balloons and dancing while listening to the iconic and locally important music of the Violent Femmes. After leaving the stage for a brief period, the band returned for an encore and played βKiss Offβ and βAmerican Musicβ. It was so special to see the Violent Femmes playing a sold-out show in their hometown, especially as a born and raised Milwaukee girl myself. The nostalgia, talent, and uniqueness made for an unforgettable night of music.
