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Violent Femmes Kick Off 40th Anniv Tour With 54-piece Orchestra

Tour or event poster for Violent Femmes Kick Off 40th Anniv Tour With 54-piece Orchestra

The Violent Femmes, Milwaukee’s most popular rock band, kicked off their 40th anniversary tour with the city’s symphony orchestra adding some heft to their folky ways.

The Wisconsin trio are celebrating their 1983 breakthrough self titled debut by performing the entirety of their million-record album along with others from their deep catalogue.

On Tuesday, October 3, they did it with the backing of the 54-piece Milwaukee orchestra at the Bradley Symphony Center.

Gordon Gano (guitar & vox), Brian Ritchie (multi-instrumentalist), Blaise Garza (bass), along with John Sparrow on drums, stood in front of the orchestra dressed in black, and treated their fellow cheeseheads with something quite special.

Infact, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel music writer Piet Levy, who has seen the band countless times, called it their most special show.

read more at: Setlist.fm

Last Setlist

Violent Femmes at Bourbon & Beyond 2026

  1. Prove My Love
  2. Promise
  3. Memory
  4. Breakin' Up
  5. Blister in the Sun
  6. Kiss Off
  7. Please Do Not Go
  8. American Music
  9. Jesus Walking on the Water
  10. Gimme the Car
  11. Black Girls
  12. Gone Daddy Gone

Last verified October 8, 2026.

setlist via setlist.fm

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Violent Femmes

Violent Femmes