Summerfest! Like the last four installments, the Big Gig is staking out three Thursday-Friday-Saturday blocks instead of the old 11-day run. In an effort to help you make some potentially difficult 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 19
HEADLINER
The Isley Brothers — 10 p.m. @ BMO Pavilion
We’d be hard-pressed to think of a better way for Summerfest to cap off its opening night and its Juneteenth celebration than a headlining set by The Isley Brothers. Aside from a few brief hiatuses, the legendary sibling soul group has been at it since 1954. They’ll treat BMO Pavilion to its treasure trove of timeless hits that span decades.
Also: Fabolous — 10 p.m. @ UScellular Connection Stage
EARLY BIRD
Ginuwine — 4 p.m. @ American Family Insurance House Stage
If you get to the Summerfest grounds early enough and you’re fortunate enough to snag a spot in the intimate confines of the AmFam House, we highly recommend catching the first of two June 19 sets by Ginuwine. The long-tenured R&B fixture and guy who gave the world the gift of “Pony” will take that tiny stage at 4 p.m., followed by an 8:15 p.m. performance at the UScellular Connection Stage.
Also: Hiss Golden Messenger @ Uline Warehouse Stage
LOCAL
Buffalo Nichols — 4:30 p.m. @ Miller Lite Oasis Stage
Following a stint in Austin, Buffalo Nichols—the on-stage moniker of soulful Brew City blues rocker Carl Nichols—is back in Milwaukee and is currently making some of the best music of his still-budding career. This mid-day Summerfest stop is a somewhat rare hometown show in between near-constant Buffalo Nichols tours.
Also: NilexNile — 4 p.m. @ UScellular Connection Stage
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 and Northcott Neighborhood House.
Friday, June 20
HEADLINER
Rick Springfield — 9:30 p.m. @ Uline Warehouse Stage
Grammy-winning power-pop mainstay and “Jessie’s Girl” troubadour Rick Springfield has made a point to come to Milwaukee semi-regularly in recent years, but (“wanna feel old?” moment incoming!) he’s a couple months away from his 76th birthday. In the instance he calls it a career soon, you definitely don’t want to miss this opportunity to hear him play the aforementioned hit, the even better “Love Is Alright,” and other cuts from his over-half-century career on a lakeside stage at the edge of the Summerfest grounds.
Also: The Head And The Heart — 9:30 p.m. @ Generac Power Stage
EARLY BIRD
Wang Chung — 3:30 p.m. @ Uline Warehouse Stage
Everybody Wang Chung…this afternoon? Yep! Everybody can have fun from 3:30 p.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m. when the veteran English new wave band kicks the Uline Warehouse Stage into high gear with classics like “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” and “Dance Hall Days.”
Also: School Of Rock — 12 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. @ Uline Warehouse Stage
LOCAL
Vincent Van Great — 4:45 p.m. @ UScellular Connection Stage
Milwaukee-based rapper, singer, and producer Vincent Van Great has become an annual part of the Summerfest action—and for good reason. He rules! Clock out early so you can watch him and his Ninja Sauce backing band doing their thing at the UScellular Connection Stage before the likes of Hoodie Allen and Mike Posner.
Also: Chris Haise Band — 4:30 p.m. @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
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 Map of Fun. Select food vendors will offer discounts on food and beverage items.
Saturday, June 21
HEADLINER
Japanese Breakfast — 9:30 p.m. @ BMO Pavilion
During Summerfest 2023, indie darling Japanese Breakfast played an incredible show at the Generac Power Stage. In 2025, however, bandleader Michelle Zauner and company will find themselves on a more high-profile Summerfest stage. Yes, Japanese Breakfast will headline the BMO Pavilion on Saturday, June 21. The show is part of a tour for Japanese Breakfast’s album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), which came out in March.
Also: James Taylor + Jason Mraz, Tiny Habits — 7 p.m. @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
EARLY BIRD
Collections Of Colonies Of Bees — 4 p.m. @ BMO Pavilion
Fresh off the release of the band’s latest album (the excellent Celebrities) and release-adjacent appearances at Vivarium and the Summer Soulstice Music Festival, Milwaukee post-rock powerhouse Collections Of Colonies Of Bees will take the BMO Pavilion before the stage plays host to Caley Conway, Ratboys, and Japanese Breakfast.
Also: Ellee Grim — 12 p.m. @ Generac Power Stage
LOCAL
Immortal Girlfriend — 4 p.m. @ Generac Power Stage
Immortal Girlfriend—a.k.a. the “Dark Knights of Synth”—released its latest and greatest album, Sojourner, in early 2024. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to play many shows in support of that stunning release, as vocalist William Bush has battled health issues. With those hardships hopefully behind him for the long haul, the sibling synth duo is now free to captivate anyone in the general vicinity of the Generac Power Stage this Saturday afternoon with material from that record and the other two winning Immortal Girlfriend releases.
Also: Caley Conway — 5:45 p.m. @ BMO Pavilion
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 (greatest need), deodorant, and/or oral hygiene items (toothbrush and toothpaste) with a total minimum value of $10 per person, will receive one FREE admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. All donations benefit the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership.