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Today's Summerfest schedule and picks: Friday, Sept. 10

Every day during Summerfest, we’re rounding up the festival’s highlights and hidden gems and sharing Radio Milwaukee staff picks. Below you’ll also find the day’s complete lineup and promotions.

(If you’re looking for the complete 2021 Summerfest daily schedules, you can find them here.)

Wilco | facebook.com/wilcohq

Headlining the Miller Lite Oasis: Wilco, 10 p.m.

Two decades ago Wilco were regulars at Summerfest, and they reliably put on a great show every single year. Here's hoping the alt-country vets bring back some of that old energy when they return to the Big Gig for the first time in ages tonight.

At the American Family Insurance Amphitheater: Zac Brown Band w/ Gabby Barrett, 7:30 p.m.

Zac Brown Band have remained a country-rock institution ever since their hit "Chicken Fried" put them on the map over a decade ago. Tonight they return to Summerfest once again with opener Gabby Barrett, an "American Idol" alum who released her debut album "Goldmine" last year to rave reviews.

Nate Imig's Pick: Sugarhill Gang + Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio and the Furious 5 @ Miller Lite Oasis

When I was editing our podcast “Backspin: The Search for Milwaukee’s First Hip-Hop Song” in 2019, I spent a lot of time in the 1980s listening to the artists who established the hip-hop genre and went on to inspire artists locally. And today at Summerfest, you have the chance to watch some of those true musical pioneers who defined hip-hop. This show will not only help you deepen your understanding of music history, but it will also likely offer some interesting people watching -- Milwaukee’s true pastime.

Doris Wessels recommends: Jade Bird @ Johnson Controls World Sound Stage, 8 p.m.

I have never seen Jade Bird live except at a virtual Studio Milwaukee session. It was one of the first ones we did in the pandemic and she was gracious and engaging and made us feel like she was playing her heart out just for us. I can’t wait to see her on an actual stage in person.

Dori Zori recommends: Torres @ Johnson Controls World Sound Stage, 8 p.m.

If you were planning on catching Jade Bird headlining this stage tonight, make sure you get there early for Torres. She just released her 5th album "Thirstier" and we are playing “Don’t Go Puttin Wishes In My Head.” Mackenzie Scott, the human behind the moniker Torres, sings the songs, she writes the songs, plays a bunch of instruments and also produces her own music. To say she’s a boss is pretty accurate. I also love how she plays with phallic symbols and lyrics associated with men in music and turns them on their heads. She plays with words, too, taking historically masculine lyrics, using words like “baby, darlin’, girl” and using them to sing her own versions of a serenade. She’s got melodies you will love and is not afraid to flaunt her vocal range. If discovering new music and a fresh artist is something you love, make sure to check out this show.

Torres | Photo credit: Shervin Lainez

Justin Barney also recommends Torres @ Johnson Controls World Sound Stage, 6:45 p.m.

This year Torres released, in my opinion, her best record to date with “Thirstier.” You may have heard her song “Don’t Go Puttin Wishes In My Head” in rotation on 88Nine right now. On “Thirstier” the riffs are bigger, the emotions swell, and Torres rips from song to song. This is who you want to see because you passed going to Pitchfork on this day.

Justin's kid-friendly Milwaukee music pick: Wes Tank @ Northwestern Mutual Community Park, 3:15 and 4:45 p.m.

A couple years ago Wes Tank had a great idea. He decided to rap Dr. Seuss books. Over Dr. Dre beats. It’s a funny concept, and what was better was the execution. Tank perfectly blends the silly concept with serious execution. He even went viral with it and got signed to do the series called “Story Raps” for Kidoodle.TV. There is nothing else like Wes Tank in the city, or the world. If you want to see the most unique show at Summerfest this year see Wes Tank. And if you love it, see it twice. And bring the kids too.

Today's throwback pick: Nelly @ USCellular Connection Stage, 10 p.m.

He may not wear the Band-Aid anymore, but he still rocks a mean "Hot In Herre."

Here's Summerfest's complete schedule for Friday, Sept. 10

American Family Insurance Amphitheater

7:30 p.m. – Zac Brown Band with Gabby Barrett

Miller Lite Oasis

4 p.m. – Sugar Hill Gang
6 p.m. – Grandmaster Melle Mel & Scoropio and the Furious Five
8 p.m. – Trapper Schoepp
10 p.m. – Wilco

BMO Harris Pavilion

4 p.m. – Jefferson Starship
8 p.m. – U2 Zoo
9:30 p.m. – Goo Goo Dolls

UScellular Connection Stage

4 p.m. – Maddie & Tae
6 p.m. – Tyler Farr
10 p.m. – Nelly

Generac Power Stage

4 p.m. – CalenRaps
6 p.m. – Sophia Messa
8 p.m. – JAHMED
10 p.m. – G-Eazy

Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard

6 p.m. – Spoof Fest
10 p.m. – O.A.R.

Uline Warehouse

4 p.m. – Jesse McCartney
6:30 p.m. – “Kids of Comedy”
10 p.m. – Lindsey Stirling

Johnson Controls World Sound Stage

5:30 p.m. – Gina Brooklyn
6:45 p.m. – TORRES
8 p.m. – Jade Bird

JoJo’s Martini Lounge

1 p.m. – Downtown Harrison
4 p.m. – Breaking Cadence
8 p.m. – Totally Neon

Klement’s Sausage & Beer Garden

Noon – TBA
2 p.m. – Boney Fingers
5 p.m. – Wade Fernandez
7 p.m. – Wait for Morning

Summerfest's 2021 lineup poster

Here's today's promotion/how to get in free: BRIGGS & STRATTON MARY LOU’S CLOSET SUPPLY DRIVE

"Help support 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 hygiene supplies like deodorant, shampoo, and body wash with a total minimum value of $10 will receive one (1) FREE admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. All donations benefit United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County’s community schools."