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 six has in store, from confrontational pop at the Amp to futuristic blues and boogie shoes (see the full 2022 Summerfest lineup here and how to score drink deals every day here):
Today at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater: Halsey, The Marías, Abby Roberts
Halsey falls into a group of pop artists in which the emphasis is most certainly on the “artist” half of that designation. Their progression from social-media breakout to concept-album creator to Nine Inch Nails collaborator has been fascinating to watch. And the acclaim she’s received prove that their musical chops can more than keep pace with their overall artistic pursuits. If previous tour stops are any indication, expect a multimedia experience that combines Halsey’s growing song catalog with at-times jolting visuals to deliver a performance that’ll stick in your brain for a while.
Staff pick from Nate Imig: KC & The Sunshine Band, Village People @ BMO Harris Pavilion, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
The BMO Harris Pavilion is one of my favorite stages on the Summerfest grounds. The sound is dialed in, the bowl shape allows for great views (and seats, if that’s your thing), and non-ticket holders can still get a taste for the concert in the free area beyond the back row of the venue. That’s the magic of Summerfest — wandering past stages and casually hearing artists who influenced generations that followed. You’ll have that chance Saturday night when KC & The Sunshine Band and Village People transform the pavilion into Milwaukee’s hottest disco. You don’t need a ticket to drop by, and you never know when you’ll see such consequential artists on the same stage in Milwaukee again. Go get your disco on, straight from the source!
Local flavor: Buffalo Nichols @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, 4 p.m.
Milwaukee’s Buffalo Nichols seems poised to launch into a different stratosphere any day now. Following the release of his self-titled debut album last fall, Nichols got a taste of the star treatment with a "Rolling Stone" feature, a Tiny Desk concert and an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Tune to 88Nine, and you’re bound to hear a song off that new record. Back at his hometown festival, Nichols will set the stage for alt-rock heavy hitters Houndmouth and Mt. Joy.
Summerfest schedule for Saturday, July 2
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:30 p.m. – Halsey, The Marías, Abby Roberts
BMO Harris Pavilion
5:30 p.m. – Five Card Studs
7:30 p.m. – Village People
9:30 p.m. – KC & The Sunshine Band
Miller Lite Oasis
4:15 p.m. – Brooke Alexx
6:15 p.m. – Ambar Lucid
10:15 p.m. – Lupe Fiasco
UScellular Connection Stage
2:30 p.m. – Parader
4:15 p.m. – Lit
8:15 p.m. – Hockey Dad
10 p.m. – Third Eye Blind
Generac Power Stage
3:30 p.m. – Here Come the Mummies
9:30 p.m. – Taking Back Sunday
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
2 p.m. – Boy Named Banjo
4 p.m. – Buffalo Nichols
6 p.m. – Houndmouth
8 p.m. – Madison Cunningham
10 p.m. – Mt. Joy
Uline Warehouse Stage
3:30 p.m. – War
7:30 p.m. – Jackie Venson
9:30 p.m. – The Commodores
Johnson Controls World Sound Stage
1:45 p.m. – Chelsea Effect
3 p.m. – Carly Jo Jackson
4:15 p.m. – Arlie
5:30 p.m. – Jillian Francis
6:45 p.m. – Jackopierce
8 p.m. – BoDeans
JoJo’s Martini Lounge
8 p.m. – Rhythm Kings
Klement’s Sausage & Beer Garden
5:30 p.m. – Vivo
How to get in free today: Kinship Community Food Day Presented by Palermo’s Pizza
A few months ago, Riverwest Food Pantry changed its name to Kinship Community Food Center. But its mission is the same: nourish our community. The first 2,000 patrons can help and get a free admission ticket by donating three nonperishable food items (cooking oil and fruit snack packs preferred) at the Mid Gate between noon and 3 p.m.