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 nine has in store, from two Rhetts and a Ryan at the Amp to artists spanning the alt catalog across the festival grounds (see the full 2022 Summerfest lineup here and how to score drink deals every day here):
Today at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater: Thomas Rhett, Ryan Hurd, Rhett Akins
It’s pretty common to hear country artists extoll the virtues of family. Tonight, it will literally be on display at the Amp as headliner Thomas Rhett and his father, Rhett Akins, play the same stage. The elder of the pair is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and has penned 33 No. 1 singles. That includes quite a few for his son, whose album “Where We Started” included the younger Rhett's 13th consecutive No. 1 track, “Slow Down Summer,” which he co-wrote with his dad. Joining them on the bill is Ryan Hurd, who made his mark as a songwriter before releasing his first album, “Pelago,” last October.
Staff pick from Brett Krzykowski: Illuminati Hotties @ Generac Power Stage, 1:45 p.m.
Imagine going to Golden Corral and everything at the buffet being James Beard-quality delicious. That’s Illuminati Hotties, who make a rapid return to Milwaukee following a March show at The Back Room. What started as a demo reel so then-producer Sarah Tudzin could show potential clients her flexibility has mushroomed into a rock-solid three-album run that shows off now-musician Sarah Tudzin’s eclectic tendencies. The band deftly whips from hushed ballad to pop-punk to punk-punk to shoegaze, sounding as delicate as a pane of glass one moment and then spitting shards at you the next. You cannot start your final day at Summerfest any better.
Staff pick from Brett Krzykowski: Guster @ Johnson Controls World Sound Stage With 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
Guster should give a Masterclass in how to evolve your sound. The three founding members have played together for more than 30 years, starting with two guitars and a Thunder God on bongos back at Tufts University. The eight studio LPs that followed saw the band push the boat out a little further each time, keeping their loyal following intrigued and their collective sense of humor intact. Pac-Man suits, ping-pong balls, tone-deaf percussionists singing Bonnie Tyler — there’s a reason why Summerfest keeps asking them back.
Staff pick from Dan Reiner: Death Cab for Cutie @ Generac Power Stage, 9:30 p.m.
It’s hard to believe Death Cab has been churning out music for 25 years, and here they are touring their upcoming 10th LP, “Asphalt Meadows,” due Sept. 16. But it isn’t DCFC’s newer stuff that will have me front and center at this show; I’d argue their run of four albums (“The Photo Album,” “Transatlanticism,” “Plans” and “Narrow Stairs”) to start the millennium is one of the best stretches for any band in modern alt or indie rock in terms of sound, style and staying power.
Summerfest schedule for Saturday, July 9
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
7:30 p.m. – Thomas Rhett, Ryan Hurd, Rhett Akins
BMO Harris Pavilion
7:30 p.m. – Gego y Nony
9:30 p.m. – French Montana
Miller Lite Oasis
6:15 p.m. – The Warning
8:15 p.m. – Piqued Jacks
10:15 p.m. – Chevelle (replacing The Pretty Reckless)
UScellular Connection Stage
6:15 p.m. – Zola Jesus
8:15 p.m. – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
10 p.m. – The Cult
Generac Power Stage
1:45 p.m. – Illuminati Hotties
3:30 p.m. – Bob Mould
5:30 p.m. – Dry Cleaning
7:30 p.m. – Parquet Courts
9:30 p.m. – Death Cab for Cutie
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
4 p.m. – Sister Hazel
8 p.m. – Dante Bowe
10 p.m. – For King & Country
Uline Warehouse Stage
5:30 p.m. – The Marshall Tucker Band
9:30 p.m. – Rick Springfield
Johnson Controls World Sound Stage
4:15 p.m. – The Appalachians
5:30 p.m. – Ben Harold & The Rising
6:45 p.m. – Mike Mains & The Branches
8 p.m. – Guster
JoJo’s Martini Lounge
8 p.m. – Modern Giants
Klement’s Sausage & Beer Garden
5:30 p.m. – Wade Fernandez
How to get in free today: Summerfest Fan Appreciation Day With Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
Show up between noon and 3 p.m. That’s it. Plus, if you’re one of the first 30,000 people to pass through the gates, you’ll get a free ticket to next year’s festival.
