Summerfest! Like the last five 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 18

HEADLINER: Third Eye Blind @ Uline Warehouse Stage, 10 p.m.
Last July, Third Eye Blind came to Milwaukee to perform a headlining set on Summerfest’s final night. Fewer than 50 weeks later, the veteran alternative rockers and recent Big Gig regulars will close out the festival’s first night with a headlining set at the Uline Warehouse Stage.

ALSO: Passion Pit @ T-Mobile Stage, 10:15 p.m.

EARLY BIRD: The Dream Syndicate @ Generac Power Stage, 5:30 p.m.
The Dream Syndicate are long-running rockers and a prominent project from the Paisley Underground sub-genre. Though Milwaukee has been a frequent stop on singer Steve Wynn’s solo jaunts and on The Baseball Project (Wynn’s other band) tours, Syndicate shows are something of a rarity around these parts. So get to the grounds early!

ALSO: Barely Civil @ Uline Warehouse Stage, 12:30 p.m.

LOCAL: Maximiano @ T-Mobile Stage, 4:15 p.m.
A couple months removed from the release of Rokeby (one of the best Milwaukee albums of the year so far), and recently back from an east coast tour, Maximiano will bring their catalog of homespun songs capable of captivating cozy clubs to the bustling, outdoor, Saz’s Sampler-selling confines of Henry Maier Festival Park. It’s going to be a great time!

ALSO: Tigernite @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, 4 p.m.

DEAL/TIP: SAZ’S STOMP OUT HUNGER DAY WITH FOX6 MILWAUKEE
All patrons who arrive between 12:00 p.m. and 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 gates. Limit one ticket per person. Founded in 1976, Saz’s is celebrating 50 years of serving the community by matching the first 1,976 canned goods donated. All donations benefit Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

Friday, June 19

HEADLINER: Amyl And The Sniffers @ Miller Lite Oasis, 10:30 p.m.
Calling itself “The World’s Largest Music Festival,” you can bet your ass Summerfest pulls in talent from all over the planet. This year, Amyl And The Sniffers will bring some international appeal to the festivities. The Australia-based band will bring its over the top rock from the land down under to the Miller Lite Oasis to close out Summerfest’s first of three Fridays.

ALSO: Tyrese @ T-Mobile Stage, 10:15 p.m.

EARLY BIRD: Deer Tick @ Generac Power Stage, 5:30 p.m.
Venerable folk rock outfit Deer Tick and its 20-plus years worth of exceptional material is worth the price of Summerfest admission (usually three shelf-stable food items) on their own. Getting to catch two or three more acts after watching this headliner-caliber project’s 5:30 p.m. set is what we refer to in the biz as “a bonus.”

ALSO: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus @ Uline Warehouse Stage, 5:30 p.m.

LOCAL: Emmitt James @ T-Mobile Stage, 6:15 p.m.
Having already played Morgan Park Picnic, Locust Street Festival, PrideFest, and Summer Soulstice this spring, it’s only natural Emmitt James would keep his festival season frenzy going with a performance at Summerfest. Before Tyrese does his thing at the T-Mobile Stage watch the genre-merging Milwaukeean do his hometown proud.

ALSO: Sleepy Gaucho @ Generac Power Stage, 3:30 p.m.

DEAL/TIP: REDO CABINETS SUPPORTS NORTHCOTT NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE FOOD DRIVE
The first 2,500 fans who arrive between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and donate three shelf-stable food items will receive one FREE admission ticket courtesy of Redo Cabinets, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. Food donations will be accepted at the mid gate. Limit one ticket per person. All donations benefit Northcott Neighborhood House.

Saturday, June 20

HEADLINER: David Lee Roth @ BMO Pavilion, 9 p.m.
Ahhhyaaaa! Former Van Halen singer and “Just A Gigolo” crooner David Lee Roth is sure to end Summerfest’s opening weekend in memorable fashion with a headlining performance at BMO Pavilion. Ooooh yeah! HyaahAHah! Yeeeeahhh!

ALSO: Christopher Cross @ Uline Warehouse, 9:30 p.m.

EARLY BIRD: The Juliana Theory @ Miller Lite Oasis, 6:30 p.m.
The Juliana Theory is proof that few bands truly break up forever anymore. Since starting just shy of 30 years ago and inking a major label deal in 2001, the emo project has called it quits three times and experienced considerable lineup changes with each inevitable reformation. Now five years into its fourth go-round, The Juliana Theory is a great evening entertainment option if you’re feeling nostalgic and/or want to hold onto a good bleacher spot for the 10:30 p.m. set by The Academy Is… on the same stage.

ALSO: A.J. Croce @ Uline Warehouse, 3:30 p.m.

LOCAL: Braid @ Miller Lite Oasis, 8 p.m.
While Braid’s status as a “local” band is certainly debatable, this Illinois-formed Midwest emo stalwart consists of members with former ties to nearby Grafton and who currently call Milwaukee home. So we’re counting ’em, dammit! If you disagree, just scroll down to the Trapper Schoepp recommendation.

ALSO: Trapper Schoepp @ Uline Warehouse, 5:30 p.m.

DEAL/TIP: BRIGGS & STRATTON UNITED WAY DIAPER & WIPE DRIVE
Help United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County provide essential diapers and wipes to families across the community. The first 1,500 patrons who arrive between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. AND donate NEW unopened wipes or diapers 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 United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County’s Diaper Bank network.

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