Every day during Summerfest, we’re rounding up the festival’s highlights and hidden gems and sharing Radio Milwaukee staff picks. Flo Rida and Shaggy? Summerfest, you've outdone yourself. Below you’ll also find the day’s complete lineup and promotions, including how to get in free today (which is very easy).
(If you’re looking for the complete 2021 Summerfest daily schedules, you can find them here.)
Justin's From The Music Desk Picks: Flo Rida (Miller Lite Oasis, 10 p.m.) then running over to the Big Backyard to see Shaggy do “It Wasn’t Me”
This is the great part of Summerfest. You can literally go to see one band do one song. That’s what I’ll be doing. At 10 p.m., I’ll get a couple drinks and stand in the back and watch Flo Rida perform a litany of hits. Then, at the encore, the move is gonna be to head over to Shaggy on the Big Backyard and get in with all of Summerfest singing every word to “It Wasn’t Me.” That’s how you do Summerfest right.
Marcus also picks Shaggy @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, 10 p.m.
Yep, I’d go see Mr. Boombastic at Summerfest. Maybe it’s because I’m intrigued that they actually booked a dancehall artist or maybe I just want to hold onto some 90’s nostalgia. Either way, I used to (and occasionally still do) listen to to some of his classics. He’s a cat I always sort of wanted to dislike, then in the right scenario, I’ll hear “Early in The Morning” or “Angel” or “Boombastic,” and find myself in a groove. If someone tells you they don’t get down to a little Shaggy, it wasn’t me.
Today's Milwaukee music pick Zed Kenzo @ Miller Lite Oasis, 8 p.m.
Over the last several years, Zed Kenzo has made a name for herself as one of the city's most energetic, relentlessly creative rappers. She's also a knockout performer, too, so it'll be excited to see what she brings to one of the biggest stages in the entire city.
Doris Wessels' Milwaukee music pick Willy Porter @ Briggs and Stratton Big Backyard, 4 p.m.
Sure, he went to my high school. Yes, he’s an incredibly decent human being. That would be enough for me to turn up and support him. But don’t forget that Willy Porter is a virtuoso guitarist and charming performer. And don’t fall into the trap of “He’s from Milwaukee; I can see him anytime” and then you never actually see him. Go!
Doris also recommends: JD McPherson @ Johnson Controls World Sound Stage, 6:45 p.m.
I was delighted to hear the Oklahoma native’s “Lucky Penny” pop up in FX’s “Reservation Dogs” the other week. Some may dismiss JD’s retro rock as derivative but I thoroughly enjoy it, and it’s great for a warm evening down at the Summerfest grounds (presumably he won’t be doing songs from his Christmas album “Socks”).
Tarik Moody's early-bird pick: Black Star Drum Line @ Generac Power Stage, noon
I really want to see the Black Star Drum Line because it brings me back to my days at Howard University watch the band perform during halftime. But this group is really special. Based in Madison and founded in 2008, Black Star Drum lime features young people from the community. They were also the first junior drum line in the NBA during the 2016-2017 season. These kids will get you dancing.
Today at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater: Twenty One Pilots, 7:30 p.m.
The Ohio-born rock duo Twenty One Pilots has been one of the biggest names in alternative rock for nearly a decade now, and they've kept that hot streak alive with their sixth and latest album “Scaled and Icy,” which they released in May.
Here's the complete Summerfest schedule for Saturday, Sept. 4
Saturday, Sept. 4
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:30 p.m. – Twenty One Pilots
Miller Lite Oasis
4 p.m. – Cannons
10 p.m. – Flo Rida
BMO Harris Pavilion
4 p.m. – John Waite
8 p.m. – Steely Dane
9:30 p.m. – STYX
UScellular Connection Stage
4 p.m. – Blanco Brown
6 p.m. – Chayce Beckham
10 p.m. – Yung Bleu
Generac Power Stage
2 p.m. – Eve 6
8 p.m. – Spanish Love Songs
10 p.m. – Rise Against
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
4 p.m. – Willy Porter
10 p.m. – Shaggy
Uline Warehouse
6:30 p.m. – Shinyribs
10 p.m. – Vince Neil of Motley Crue
Johnson Controls World Sound Stage
6:45 p.m. – JD McPherson
8 p.m. – Drive by Truckers
JoJo’s Martini Lounge
1 p.m. – Rudy & Vee
4 p.m. – Crossfire
8 p.m. – The Toys
Klement’s Sausage & Beer Garden
Noon – MC Smith and John Minard
2 p.m. – Cache Milwaukee
5 p.m. – Harmonious Wail
7 p.m. – Senri Oe
How to get in free today: Simply arrive from noon-3 p.m. For Lou Malnati's Children's Fest Day
Made possible through the support of Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, ALL patrons arriving between 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 4th, will be admitted for FREE! Spend a fun-filled day with the family enjoying Children’s Fest activities, including the Lou Malnati’s Map of Fun and the Family Ticket Package drawing. Select food vendors will offer discounts on food and beverage items.