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TUE · MAY 5 · 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Sam Shackleton with Shawn Alan Hurd

ft. Sam Shackleton, Shawn Alan Hurd

$18 · 0+ · Tickets

Scottish cowboy ballads meet Milwaukee's folk scene — a night of storytelling through song.

Part I

The details

About this event

Sam Shackleton, known for his Scottish cowboy ballads, brings his unique blend of folk and country to X-Ray Arcade. His music, deeply rooted in the traditions of Scotland and the 1960s folk revival, offers a rich tapestry of sound that resonates with the oral traditions of both sides of the Atlantic. Expect a performance that feels both timeless and fresh, as Sam weaves stories through song.

Joining him is Shawn Alan Hurd, a Milwaukee-based troubadour whose narrative-driven songs explore themes of forgotten artists and rustic dreamscapes. His guitar work and storytelling create an immersive experience, making this a must-see for folk music enthusiasts. The intimate setting of X-Ray Arcade enhances the connection between artist and audience, ensuring a memorable night.

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 only at the door, so make sure to hit an ATM beforehand as there are no card payments accepted.

What's It Actually Like?

Energy2/5
ZenMosh Pit
IntimateChill
Indie MusicArt Scene

Music

FolkIndie
Conversational

Who'll Be There

Attendees are likely to be a mix of local music lovers, folk enthusiasts, and perhaps a few curious newcomers. The all-ages aspect suggests a diverse crowd, including younger individuals, families, and older adults who appreciate folk music. Expect a laid-back, community-focused audience rather than a party crowd.

How the Room Feels

Live amplified soundSeated throughoutQuiet expected

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

Library rules. Whispers and a calm body — this is not a talking-out-loud room.

Live amplified soundSeated throughoutQuiet expected

The crowd

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

You'll leave with

A memory

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