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 final weekend.
Thursday, July 3
HEADLINER
MJ Lenderman — 10 p.m. @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
Less than nine months after packing Turner Hall, up-and-coming indie rock darling MJ Lenderman returns to Milwaukee this week to treat the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard to material from his acclaimed album, Manning Fireworks, and various other songs from his brief-yet-prolific career. Be there…or just wait to read our “Take Me Back To Summerfest 2025” article in, like, 2037 or whatever.
Also: Sebastian Bach — 9:30 p.m. @ Uline Warehouse Stage
EARLY BIRD
Phantom Planet — 6:30 p.m. @ Miller Lite Oasis
Summerfest grounds, Summerfest grounds, here we coooooooooooooooooooome!!! Yes, Phantom Planet—of The O.C. theme song and formerly having Jason Schwartzman as its drummer fame—are playing a 6:30 p.m. set at the Miller Lite Oasis. Get to the Oasis early to catch the “California” rockers before I Don’t Know How But They Found Me and LoveJoy take the stage.
Also: Friko — 6 p.m. @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
LOCAL
Bug Moment — 4 p.m. @ BMO Pavilion
Milwaukee “emo-adjacent rock melancholia” group Bug Moment has become a full-fledged local festival fixture in recent years, and we’re not complaining about it. Before 311 closes out the stage Thursday night, make your way “down, down” to the BMO Pavilion to watch Bug Moment play songs off its latest EP, The Lazer Collection.
Also: Klassik — 2:30 p.m. @ UScellular Connection Stage
DEAL/TIP
All patrons who arrive between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. will be admitted FREE, courtesy of Walmart+! Just “deliver” yourself to any gate and enjoy the kickoff to your holiday weekend on the lakefront at Summerfest! Stop by the Walmart Delivery vehicle located near the Mid Gate next to the fountain for fun prizes and swag from the Walmart+ team!
Friday, July 4
HEADLINER
Fountains Of Wayne — 10 p.m. @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
Influential and incomparable power-pop project Fountains Of Wayne will come to Summerfest to play its first concert in 12 years and its first live outing since the tragic passing of founding member and all-around incredible songwriter Adam Schlesinger. Don’t miss Fountains Of Wayne—with Max Collins of Eve 6 filling in on bass guitar—making their long-awaited return to the stage on Friday, July 4.
Also: Chicago — 9:30 p.m. @ BMO Pavilion
EARLY BIRD
Everclear — 6 p.m. @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
Before Fountains Of Wayne makes its historic return, we strongly suggest you stake out a spot at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard and enjoy a set from alternative rock veterans Everclear in the process. “Santa Monica” and “Everything To Everyone” still hold up all these years later.
Also: The Ike Reilly Assassination — 6:30 p.m. @ Miller Lite Oasis
LOCAL
Fuzzysurf — 4 p.m. @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
While the band is best-known for its tremendous, next-level music videos, Fuzzysurf sidestepped expectations with the release of Chameleons. The long-awaited follow-up to 2020’s super poppy Sweet Tooth is a 20-track, genre-jumping double LP that comes after the band quietly took a two-year hiatus. Now that they’re back in action, don’t miss this Milwaukee-made act at, well, the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard (apparently the place to be on Friday!) before Everclear and Fountains Of Wayne.
Also: Chapped Lips — 1 p.m. @ Miller Lite Oasis
DEAL/TIP
FREE on the 4th, thanks to Kwik Trip! All patrons arriving between 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. will be admitted FREE, and the first 5,000 attendees through the Mid-Gate will receive a commemorative can cooler.
Saturday, July 5
HEADLINER
BABYMETAL — 9:30 p.m. @ Uline Warehouse Stage
It might be the last day of Summerfest, but the festival won’t be going quietly if BABYMETAL has anything to say about it. The accomplished Japanese outfit fuses elements of heavy metal and J-pop into something that, while difficult to describe, demands to be seen firsthand. Prior to the release of the band’s forthcoming album, Metal Forth (due out August 8), end your Summerfest on a loud and memorable note with BABYMETAL at the Uline Warehouse Stage.
Also: Third Eye Blind — 9:30 p.m. @ BMO Pavilion
EARLY BIRD
Saxsquatch — 6:30 p.m. @ Miller Lite Oasis
When it comes to projects that consist of a Bigfoot costume-wearing musician playing saxophone-based covers of songs you know and love, Saxsquatch might be the best in the biz. Between the sheer spectacle and the legitimate display of musical prowess, you won’t want to miss your opportunity to see this viral sensation at the Miller Lite Oasis on July 5. For everyone’s sake (but especially the saxophonist donning cryptid attire!), we hope it’s not too hot outside on Saturday.
Also: Steve Da Stoner — 5 p.m. @ Generac Power Stage
LOCAL
414 Big Frank — 6 p.m. @ Generac Power Stage
After spending years in the background of Milwaukee’s rap scene and playing the hilarious sideman to bigger names, Big Frank started his ascent to the top-tier of local hip-hop last year with his viral hit “Eat Her Up.” He hasn’t stopped climbing yet. Now a recognized and respected name in Milwaukee and beyond, 414 Big Frank will help keep spirits high with his patented lowend earworms at the Generac Power Stage in advance of headliner Tee Grizzley.
Also: Louie & The Flashbombs — 5:45 p.m. @ BMO Pavilion
DEAL/TIP
All patrons arriving between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. will be admitted FREE, compliments of Potawatomi Casino Hotel and Summerfest. Plus, the first 30,000 patrons arriving through the gates will receive an admission ticket for Summerfest 2026 AND a BIG WIN entry ticket. Simply drop the perforated BIG WIN ticket in a specially marked bin inside the Summerfest Mid Gate between the hours of 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on July 5 to be entered for the opportunity to win $1 million dollars and a guaranteed share of $10,000.