Early May is a trying time for Milwaukee music fans. On one hand, festivals, block parties, and the numerous other outdoor events that help make Milwaukee’s momentary stint of warm weather special officially begin in under a month. However, beyond some Summerfest acts, most of the State Fair talent (and Vanilla Ice), and a few other entertainment announcements here and there, not much is known in the way of specific performers that will populate these various summer institutions. At least, not much is known about the bands performing on land.
As you wait to see the entire lineups for Chill On The Hill, Locust Street Festival, Summer Solstice, and—of course—Cudahy Lions Club’s Sweet Apple-Wood Festival, hopefully Milwaukee Boat Line’s punctual Concert Cruise roster can tide you over until The Delta Routine narrowly edges out U2 Zoo to be named official Brady Street Festival headliner, and so on. Virtually every Friday and Saturday night between June 6 and August 30, bands will board the Vista King vessel to play two-hour sets to drink-toting passengers on the waves of Lake Michigan. Some highlights of this season’s lineup include pop-punkers Midwest Death Rattle, Avenues, and Jetty Boys; WAMI-nominated bluegrass band Doghouse Flowers; the young Milwaukeeans of GGOOLLDD (with opener Boy Blue); and the old Milwaukeeans of Boney Fingers.
Here’s the full schedule:
June 6: Modern Giants
June 7: Uncle Larry
June 13: Three Little Pigs
June 14: Boney Fingers
June 20: Steez
June 21: Brokenplautz
June 27: The Raid
June 28: Category X
July 4: GGOOLLDD with Boy Blue
July 5: Doghouse Flowers
July 11: Blax (with live band accompaniment)
July 12: Midwest Death Rattle
July 18: Big Noise
July19: Burgandy Ties
July 25: The Uptown Savages
July 26: The Tritonics
August 2: The Revomatics with The Madeira
August 15: Ultra Sound
August 16: The Invaders
August 22: Southern Tradition
August 23: Avenues with Jetty Boys
August 29: The System Lights
August 30: Maple Road