Summerfest! Like the last three installments, “The World’s Largest Music Festival” is mixing things up in 2024 by staking out three Thursday-Friday-Saturday blocks instead of the traditional 11-day run. In an effort to help you make some potentially difficult Summerfest decisions, Milwaukee Record is offering Record Recommendations for all three weekends of Summerfest: a suggested headliner, a reason to show up early, a can’t-miss local act, and a tip for a way to have a cheaper and/or better experience. Here are our Record Recommendations for Summerfest’s first weekend.
Thursday, June 20
HEADLINER
Taking Back Sunday — 9:30 p.m. @ Generac Power Stage
If you’re not seeing Brittany Howard or Gin Blossoms on Summerfest’s opening night, you should MakeDamnSure to get to the Generac Power Stage at 9:30 p.m. to see screamo stalwarts and Summerfest regulars Taking Back Sunday. The band is less than a year removed from the release of its eighth studio album, 152, but here’s hoping they mix in a massive helping of material from their early albums as well.
EARLY BIRD
Gin Blossoms — 4 p.m. @ American Family Insurance House Stage
In the instance you’re able to get to the grounds early enough and manage to gain entry to the admittedly intimate confines of the American Family Insurance House Stage, you’ll be rewarded with an acoustic performance by Gin Blossoms. May fortune be in your favor! And if you can’t snag a spot near the House Stage, the band will play a full set at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard at 10 p.m. on Thursday.
LOCAL
Trapper Schoepp — 8 p.m. @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
There are but three certainties in life: Death, taxes, and Trapper Schoepp setting the table for a top-tier alternative rock act at Summerfest and doing Milwaukee proud in the process. The Milwaukee music mainstay will play right before Gin Blossoms do their thing to close out the first night of The Big Gig.
DEAL / TIP
All patrons who arrive between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and donate three shelf-stable food items will receive one FREE admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. Food donations will be accepted at all three gates. Limit one ticket per person. All donations benefit Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.
Friday, June 21
HEADLINER
En Vogue — 9:30 p.m. @ Uline Warehouse Stage
During the group’s 35-year run (and counting!), En Vogue has done it all. The iconic R&B outfit’s three divas will delight the Uline Warehouse Stage audience with their astounding catalog of Billboard hits and other timeless numbers from their platinum-selling albums. If you’re seeking a better headliner on June 21, you’re never, never gonna get it.
EARLY BIRD
Black Violin — 5:30 p.m. @ Uline Warehouse Stage
Since forming in the early 2000s, Black Violin—a duo consisting of violinist Kev Marcus and viola player Wil B—has played thousands of shows all around the planet. They’ve collaborated with the likes of Alicia Keys, Wu-Tang Clan, Lil Wayne, and 2 Chainz. They’ve helped produce music for artists like Tom Petty and Lupe Fiasco, and they’ve opened for Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Akon. They’ve played on Broadway, been part of Super Bowl and U.S. Open performances, and entertained President Obama at one of his Inauguration Balls. In the process, Black Violin also helped to change perceptions about what both classical music and hip-hop can be. They’ll bring their incomparable sound to the Uline Warehouse Stage for an early evening performance.
LOCAL
School Of Rock — Pretty Much All Day @ Pretty Much Every Stage
Like, seriously…School Of Rock will be playing all over the grounds between noon and 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Show up early and hear the future of Milwaukee music TODAY!
DEAL / TIP
All patrons arriving between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. will be admitted for FREE! Spend a fun-filled day with the family enjoying Children’s Fest activities, including the Shorewest, Realtors Map of Fun. Select food vendors will offer discounts on food and beverage items.
Saturday, June 22
HEADLINER
SZA + Aminé — 7:30 p.m. @ American Family Insurance Ampitheater
Fresh off winning three Grammy Awards on the weight of her downright outstanding and commercially massive album SOS, SZA will bring her cavalcade of chart-topping hits to a headlining set at American Family Insurance Ampitheater. In terms of overall quality and current mainstream relevance, this might be the single best booking of this year’s Summerfest. Aminé opens.
EARLY BIRD
De La Buena — 2 p.m. @ Aurora Pavilion
If De La Beuna isn’t playing it, is it really even a summer festival, block party, or music series taking place in or around Milwaukee? Fortunately for folks who show up early on Saturday, June 22, that question won’t need to be answered in regard to this year’s Summerfest. The legendary genre-melding local outfit will bring Aurora Pavilion to life during a 2 p.m. set.
LOCAL
Diet Lite — 5:30 p.m. @ Generac Power Stage
When they’re not writing/recording excellent albums, touring avidly, and filming top-notch music videos (as well as a feature-length doc), Diet Lite is occasionally—and selectively—playing hometown shows. The ambitious indie rock outfit’s next local gig is a 5:30 p.m. set at the Generac Power Stage a few hours before Awolnation headlines.
DEAL / TIP
Help support United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County’s Mary Lou’s Closet, a program providing needed hygiene supplies for youth in area public schools. The first 1,500 patrons who arrive between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. AND donate NEW socks, deodorant, and/or oral hygiene items (toothbrush and toothpaste) with a total minimum value of $10, will receive one FREE admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. All donations will benefit the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership.