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TUE · MAY 5 · 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Sam Shackleton and Shawn Alan Hurd

ft. Sam Shackleton, Shawn Alan Hurd

$18 · 0+ · Tickets

Scottish folk meets Milwaukee charm — a night of storytelling through song.

Part I

The details

About this event

Dive into an evening of rich musical storytelling at X-Ray Arcade with Sam Shackleton and Shawn Alan Hurd. Shackleton, known for his Scottish cowboy ballads, brings a unique blend of country, folk, and blues, deeply rooted in the oral traditions of Scotland. His performances are a journey through time, echoing the folk revival of the 1960s.

Joining him is Shawn Alan Hurd, a Milwaukee-based troubadour whose songs paint vivid pictures of forgotten artists and rustic dreamscapes. Together, they create a musical tapestry that’s both nostalgic and fresh. It's a perfect night for folk enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience the magic of live storytelling through music.

From the organizer

X-RAY ARCADE PRESENTS LIVE MUSIC / ALL AGES 7PM DOORS / 8PM MUSIC $18 CASH DAY OF SAM SHACKLETON - SCOTTISH COWBOY BALLADS TOUR Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok Sam Shackleton, also known by his Gaelic moniker, Sorley the Bard, is a Scottish singer-songwriter and folk artist. His music is greatly inspired by the rich inter-connected musical oral traditions of Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. Strongly influenced by the 1960s folk revival, his unique sound is a mix of country, old time, traditional, folk, and blues with a Scottish spirit. He was born in Stirling and raised all over Scotland, from the Borders to the Highlands, and his music is deeply inspired by the oral tradition, musical culture, and landscapes of Scotland. Sam also holds a Research Masters degree with distinction in Scottish Ethnology from the renowned academic folk music institution, the School of Scottish Studies, specializing in folklore and ethnomusicology. He spends his days writing, performing, and busking across the world, sharing his unique and authentic musical style through his own writing and interpretation of the folk traditions, songs, and ballads that came before him. He views all of his music as part of the carrying stream of folk tradition. SHAWN ALAN HURD Bandcamp | Instagram Shawn Alan Hurd is a guitar picking troubadour currently passing his time in Milwaukee, WI. His folk-leaning narrative songs tend to focus on downtrodden and forgotten artists as they weave their way through rustic dreamworlds, dodge distant memories, and traverse through charcoal dusted landscapes.

Getting in

  • Tickets

    Tickets available online

  • Registration required — must sign up

Pricing details

$18 cash day of.

Pro tips

  • Budget

    The event is $18 cash at the door, so make sure to bring cash as cards might not be accepted for entry. There's an ATM inside, but it charges a $3 fee.

  • First-timers

    Doors open at 7 PM, but music starts at 8 PM. Arrive early to grab a good spot and explore the venue's unique arcade games before the show.

What's It Actually Like?

Energy2/5
ZenMosh Pit
IntimateArtsyChill
Indie MusicArt Scene

Music

FolkIndie
Conversational

Who'll Be There

Attendees will likely include folk music fans, local musicians, and individuals interested in acoustic performances. Expect a mixed crowd of various ages, including younger adults and older folk enthusiasts who appreciate storytelling through music. The all-ages designation suggests a family-friendly atmosphere, but the primary audience will lean towards adults.

How the Room Feels

Live amplified soundSeated throughoutLow light

What You'll Leave With

A memory

Who It's For

Social style:
Small group (3–6)
Energy needed:
Sit back and receive

Part II · The feel

How it feels

The details organizers don't always put in the description — pulled from the room, the crowd, and what people remember afterward.

The room

Dim and seated throughout. Intimate, slow-paced.

Live amplified soundSeated throughoutLow light

The crowd

Designed for 3–6 people. Good group-of-friends territory.

You'll leave with

A memory

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