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!
On Wednesdays from June 17 through August 26, MKE River Round-Up powered by Joy Engine will offer three hours of live music on the open water that launch from Twisted Fisherman. Each week, a different musical act will take to a pontoon boat known as “The Funktoon” to perform from 5-8 p.m., followed by an 8-10 p.m. after party at Twisted Fisherman. Instead of staying stationary and watching the show like landlubbers, people can rent a kayak from Milwaukee Kayak Company and paddle alongside the performers as The Funktoon navigates the river.
The recently announced 2026 lineup of River Round-Up outings (and affiliated after parties) include performances by the likes of People Brothers Band, Los Mitoteros, Lost Orange Cat, Sugar Bush, Garrett Waite, and a special dub-influenced “FunkDub” performance by the FunkClub Wagon. Tickets for each show and more detailed event info can be found HERE. Check out the full MKE River Round Up lineup (with after party acts in parenthesis) below.
June 17: Wonderfunk (Sleepy Andy)
June 24: Marbin (Cream City Hot Club)
July 1: Midnight Hound (Dirty Bucket Band)
July 8: Los Mitoteros (Los Nenes Del Lago)
July 15: People Brothers Band (Bamm)
July 22: Garrett Waite (Lost Orange Cat)
July 29: FunkDub Wagon (Caribbean Eclipse)
August 5: Ivy Ford (Sugo)
August 12: Honest John (Sugar Bush)
August 19: Tony Holiday (Night Fever)
August 26: Static Chicken (Craig Baumann & The Story)