Every morning throughout Summerfest 2023, we’ll deliver a guide that covers the day’s entertainment and how you can get in the gate free of charge. This is where you’ll find info about the AmFam Amp headliners, eclectic picks from our knowledgeable staff and the music lineup for the day (see the full 2023 Summerfest lineup here),
Today at the AmFam Amp
Zac Brown Band, 7:30 p.m.
It’s hard to believe it’s been more than eight months since we discovered the first Amp headliner for Summerfest 2023: Zac Brown Band. Smart money would’ve been on ZBB being involved in some fashion this year considering they’ve made six previous appearances at the World’s Largest Music Festival. Their last full-length release was 2021’s The Comeback, but with eight albums plus a couple EPs to dip into, it feels like we’re in for a nicely well-rounded trip through the band’s catalog.
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #1
Fitz & The Tantrums @ Uline Warehouse, 9:30 p.m.
What better band to see on the first Friday night of Summerfest than the folks behind the infectious “Handclap”? Fitz & the Tantrums did a very fun Studio Milwaukee session with us in 2012 at the Northern Lights Theater (R.I.P.), which sounded great even though they thought (very incorrectly) Noelle Scaggs was not in good voice. You’re sure to hear familiar hits like “MoneyGrabber,” “Out of My League” and “The Walker,” plus this past November they released their latest album, Let Yourself Free. Grab your first Saz’s Sampler Platter of the year and head over to the Uline Warehouse for this one.
— Doris Wessels
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #2
Diet Lite @ Uline Warehouse, noon
I’ve written about Diet Lite a lot this year — viral moments, extremely catchy singles, more viral moments, their State of Soundappearance — but I haven’t said much about their new album, Into the Pudding. So let’s fix that. This is my favorite release from a Milwaukee artist so far this year, a straight-ahead rock-and-roll record that sounds modern and classic and everything in between. You’ll hear bursts of ’90s alternative, strains of Meet Me in the Bathroom era NYC rock, a little twinge of jam-bandiness, breakneck punk — good stuff that gets even better with a good crowd behind it. Take your lunch at Uline today and support the local boys.
— Brett Krzykowski
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #3
Sofi Tukker @ Miller Lite Oasis, 10:15 p.m.
If you visited PrideFest this year and were among the record-breaking crowd under the cover of the Dance Pavilion, chances are — like me — you want to go back. Tonight, you can experience the next best thing: a huge dance party at the Miller Lite Oasis with Sofi Tukker. The Grammy-nominated, Florida-based electronic duo infuse a global pulse into their body-moving set, with lyrics sung in Brazilian Portuguese. Get ready to dance your tail off, Midwest and Summerfest nice, on a one-by-three-foot section of metal bleachers.
— Nate Imig
How to get in free today
Shorewest Realtors Children’s Fest Day with TMJ4 and 99.1 The Mix
Don’t let the name fool you. All patrons — kid-having or otherwise — will get in free between noon and 3 p.m. If you happen to have children, or perhaps are a child at heart, you’ll find Children’s Fest activities throughout the grounds, including a Shorewest Realtors “Map of Fun” and discounts from select food-and-beverage vendors.
Summerfest schedule for Thursday, June 23
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
- 7:30 p.m. — Zac Brown Band
AmFam House Stage
- 4 p.m. — Paris Paloma
BMO Pavilion
- 9:30 p.m. — The Avett Brothers
- 7:30 p.m. — Deer Tick
- 5:30 p.m. — Bandits on the Run
- 3:30 p.m. — Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys
- 2 p.m. — Rebecca and The Grey Notes
Miller Lite Oasis
- 10:15 p.m. — Sofi Tukker
- 8:30 p.m. — Sam Feldt
- 7:15 p.m. — Thomas Jack
- 6 p.m. — Party Shirt
- 4:30 p.m. — Dylan Delato
- 2:30 p.m. — Fallback
- 12:45 p.m. — Doozey
Generac Power Stage
- 9:30 p.m. — Bleachers
- 8:20 p.m. — Allison Ponthier
- 7:15 p.m. — Paris Paloma
- 5:30 p.m. — Breland
- 3:30 p.m. — Caroline Jones
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
- 10 p.m. — Tegan & Sara
- 8 p.m. — Tae & The Neighborly
- 6 p.m. — Ruby Waters
- 4 p.m. — Evangelia
- 2 p.m. — Cathy Grier + The Troublemakers
- Noon — Black Star Drum Line
UScellular Connection Stage
- 10 p.m. — Queensryche
- 8:15 p.m. — Steven Adler of Guns N' Roses
- 6:15 p.m. — Vixen
- 4:15 p.m. — Autograph
- 2:30 p.m. — The Metal Men
- 12:45 p.m. — Heaven & Hell - Chicago
Uline Warehouse
- 9:30 p.m. — Fitz & The Tantrums
- 7:30 p.m. — The Keystones
- 5:30 p.m. — The Romantics
- 3:30 p.m. — Bad Skin
- 1:45 p.m. — Crocodyle
- Noon — Diet Lite
Sound Waves Stage
- 7 p.m. — Djay Mando: Pop Stars Takeover
Johnsonville Summerville
- 5:30 p.m. — Vivo
South Party Pavilion
- 8 p.m. — Love Monkeys
Northwestern Mutual Community Park
- 7:30 p.m. — Mark Hayward: Cool Yo-Yo Guy