Every day of Summerfest, we’ll bring you a rundown of the headliners, hidden gems and Radio Milwaukee staff picks so you can catch the very best local, national and global artists performing across the nine days. Here’s what day five has in store, from Megan Fox’s beau to new-wave royalty (see the full 2022 Summerfest lineup here and how to score drink deals every day here):
Today at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater: Machine Gun Kelly, Avril Lavigne, Iann Dior
The word "polarizing" has been used with Machine Gun Kelly so often, it might as well be part of his name at this point. But the guy knows how to put on a show. His crowd strained the limits of the Miller Lite Oasis four years ago, and now he’s back with a summer tour that sees him squaring off (sonically) with a physical construct of the internet. Helping him take on the big bad world wide web are fellow pop-punker Avril Lavigne and Iann Dior, whose 2022 albums ("Love Sux" and "on to better things," respectively) featured appearances by MGK.
Staff pick from Dan Reiner: Howard Jones @ Generac Power Stage, 9:30 p.m.
Full disclosure: I was born 10 years after Howard Jones released his debut album, "Human's Lib," which first asked the age-old question: "What Is Love?" But you better believe I’ll be in the crowd belting out " No one, noooo one, no one ever is to blame" and grooving along to "Things Can Only Get Better” from this new-wave icon.
Staff pick from Nate Imig: The New Pornographers @ Johnson Controls World Sound Stage with 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
The New Pornographers filled their eighth album, "In the Morse Code of Brake Lights," with complicated analogies to create a musical landscape where "foreboding and bliss somehow go hand in hand," according to liner notes. It’s one thing to read that description, but unless you see this eight-piece outfit perform, you don’t know what you’re missing. The New Pornographers consistently deliver a thrilling performance at the highest level of professional musicianship. Seeing this skilled group perform — simply due to its size — is a distinct pleasure to watch as the members feed off each other’s energy. Don’t miss them on our stage Friday.
Summerfest schedule for Friday, July 1
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:30 p.m. – Machine Gun Kelly, Avril Lavigne, Iann Dior
BMO Harris Pavilion
7:30 p.m. – Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown
9:30 p.m. – Stone Temple Pilots
Miller Lite Oasis
4:15 p.m. – Scarypoolparty
6:15 p.m. – Dean Lewis
8:15 p.m. – Vaultboy
10:15 p.m. – Timeflies
UScellular Connection Stage
10 p.m. – 2 Chainz
Generac Power Stage
5:30 p.m. – Ultravox’s Midge Ure
7:30 p.m. – Modern English
9:30 p.m. – Howard Jones
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
8 p.m. – Ber
10 p.m. – Alessia Cara
Uline Warehouse Stage
3:30 p.m. – Blue Oyster Cult
7:30 p.m. – Nora Collins
9:30 p.m. – Jessie James Decker
Johnson Controls World Sound Stage
12:30 p.m. – Hotel Fiction
1:45 p.m. – Mac Saturn
3 p.m. – The Criticals
4:15 p.m. – Jagwar Twin
5:30 p.m. – The Beaches
6:45 p.m. – Jocelyn & Chris
8 p.m. – The New Pornographers
JoJo’s Martini Lounge
8 p.m. – The Unxpected
Klement’s Sausage & Beer Garden
5:30 p.m. – Peter Neumer
How to get in free today: Generac Military Appreciation Day
All active-duty military personnel and veterans, along with up to four family members, will receive free admission by presenting any of the following between noon and 6 p.m.:
- A valid military ID
- A copy of photo of a DD-214 form
- A driver’s license with Veteran classification
A military appreciation ceremony at the Generac Power Stage at 3 p.m. will feature a presentation of colors, vocal performances and speaker Keni Thomas. Thomas is a Staff Sergeant in the Army, recipient of the Bronze Star for valor, and an award-winning country music artist and songwriter. He was recognized for his part in elite special-operations package “Task Force Ranger,” which was immortalized in the book and movie “Black Hawk Down.”