Summerfest! It continues this weekend (June 25-27) and next weekend (July 2-4). Here are our Record Recommended picks for the second round of the 2026 Big Gig, along with ways to get in cheap or free.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25

HEADLINER: Kim Gordon @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, 10 p.m.
Alt-rock legend Kim Gordon has put her Sonic Youth legacy behind her, releasing three solo albums since 2019. The latest, 2026’s Play Me, finds Gordon in the land of trap vocals and trip-hop beats.

ALSO: The Mountain Goats @ Aurora Pavilion, 7 p.m.

EARLY BIRD: Booker T. Jones @ Generac Power Stage, 4:15 p.m.
Want to see a stone-cold music legend at four in the afternoon? Then park yourself at the Generac Power Stage and enjoy a set from 81-year-old Booker T. Jones. Sorry, no green onion carry-ins allowed.

ALSO: Lisa Loeb @ Uline Warehouse, 5:45 p.m.

LOCAL: Wire And Nail @ T-Mobile Stage, 4:15 p.m.
“Milwaukee-tonk” group Wire And Nail always put on a terrific show, and should never be missed live. On record, the band wears its country heart on its sleeve—behold the title of its 2025 EP, Rippin’ Darts & Breakin’ Hearts.

ALSO: Chrystal Gales @ Miller Lite Oasis, 2:45 p.m.

DEAL/TIP: Throwback Thursday Presented by Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market and Mariano’s
$5.00 admission and 50% off select beverages. Enjoy a collection of music through the decades from various throwback artists. From 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., all beer, seltzer, cherry vodka lemonade, Aquafina Water, and soda will be 50% off! Additionally, don’t forget to check your receipts! For every qualifying $50 spent in a single transaction at Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market and Mariano’s locations, from April 22 to May 12 shoppers earned four FREE Summerfest tickets. Visit PicknSave.com/Summerfest for details. The offer is printed at the bottom of the receipt. To redeem the offer, bring the complete original receipt to the Summerfest ticket windows at the entry gates on June 25, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tickets are only valid for the day and time of the promotion. Limit three offers/12 tickets.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26

HEADLINER: Goldfinger @ Miller Lite Oasis, 10:30 p.m.
There’s nothing better than that first Warehouse level, right? Classic stuff. The School and Mall levels are great, too.

ALSO: The Revivalists @ Uline Warehouse, 9:30 p.m.

EARLY BIRD: Allison Mahal @ Johnsonville Summerville, 12 p.m.
Allison Mahal was born in Chicago, but she’s a Milwaukee music staple through and through. (See her 2024 video for “18 Moving South,” shot at Falcon Bowl.) Catch the singer-songwriter on the Johnsonville Summerville stage, playing songs from her upcoming Backbone EP, as the Summerfest clock strikes noon.

ALSO: Siobahn Bodrug @ Aurora Pavilion, 4:30 p.m.

LOCAL: Lake Drive @ Miller Lite Oasis, 4:30 p.m.
Lake Drive may not be the easiest Milwaukee band to Google, but it’s worth the effort. The group’s latest single, “Cherry Colored Sweater,” is another irresistible gem of glossy emo-pop.

ALSO: Blonde @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, 4:30 p.m.

DEAL/TIP: Shorewest Children’s Fest Day with TMJ4 and 99.1 The Mix
Celebrate Shorewest’s 80th anniversary at Summerfest’s Children’s Fest Day. 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 27

HEADLINER: Post Malone + Carter Faith @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater, 7 p.m.
Sure, why not.

ALSO: Little Feat @ Uline Warehouse, 9:30 p.m.

EARLY BIRD: Vincent Van Great @ T-Mobile Stage, 2:30 p.m.
Whether alone or with a guest, Milwaukee artist Vincent Van Great is aptly named. Speaking of guests, his past work with Amanda Huff is fantastic, and his upcoming single with Emmitt James, “Ultimate Freshness,” is also aptly named.

ALSO: Alley Eyes @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, 12 p.m.

LOCAL: Fuzzysurf @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, 1:15 p.m.
Tireless Milwaukee indie-rock band Fuzzysurf is known for its high-concept music videos, but the band shines live, too. Fuzzysurf’s latest (double) record is the sprawling, genre-hopping Chameleons.

ALSO: The Taxmen @ T-Mobile Stage, 12:45 p.m.

DEAL/TIP: Northwestern Mutual “Make a Child Smile” Day
The first 2,500 patrons who donate new or gently used children’s books with a $10 minimum value will receive one FREE admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. Picture books and early readers for children ages birth through ten are preferred. All books collected at the Mid Gate Promotions Booth will be donated to Next Door.

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