There are few Milwaukee summertime activities that can beat spending a few hours paddling around the city’s rivers in a kayak. Trust us! If the experience that blends outdoor enjoyment, exercise, and seeing the city in an entirely new way is missing anything, though, it’s live music. But wait!

Every Wednesday from June 8 through August 30, MKE River Round Up will offer three hours of live music on the open water. Each week, a different musical act will take to a pontoon boat known as “The Funktoon” to perform from 5-8 p.m. Instead of staying stationary and watching the show like landlubbers, people can rent a kayak from Brew City Kayak and paddle alongside the performers as The Funktoon navigates the river. This year, two duffy boats have also been added to the fleet. Each boat holds up to 12 people and can be rented for $500.

The just-announced 2022 lineup of River Round Up outings (and affiliated after parties) includes performances by De La Buena, Chicken Wire Empire, Cullah, The MilBillies, Long Mama, and more. MKE River Round Up ticket links will be posted next week, so check Eventbrite as show dates approach or email [email protected] for more information. Here’s the lineup!

June 8: The Stephen Hull Experience + Alex Wilson Band
June 15: The Erotic Adventures Of The Static Chicken + Adventure Circus
June 22: Craig Baumann And The Story + Ethan Keller Group
June 29: Brian Cherry Band + Midnight Hound
July 6: Old Pup + Long Mama
July 13: Another One + Bodhicitta
July 20: Honest John + Derek Pritzl And The Gamble
July 27: De La Buena + Pocket Change
August 3: Chicken Wire Empire + The Wild Roses
August 10: Heatbox + SLM
August 17: Cream City Hotclub + Sweet Sheiks
August 24: The MilBillies + Cullah
August 30: FunkClub Wagon + Sleepy Gaucho

About The Author

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Co-Founder and Editor

Before co-founding Milwaukee Record, Tyler Maas wrote for virtually every Milwaukee publication (except Wassup! Magazine). He lives in Bay View and enjoys both stuff and things.