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 Amp/staff pick #1
Dave Matthews Band, 7:30 p.m.
One time, I saw Dave Matthews Band at the Bradley Center in January. It just felt … wrong. In my mind, Dave Matthews Band must be seen outdoors in the summer. For a while, it felt like you had to drive out to Alpine Valley for that classic summer experience. But this year Dave has once again been kind enough to play Summerfest and save us the gas money. If you have never seen them, I highly suggest you go — even if you’re just a casual fan. It should be a lovely evening on the lakefront.
— Doris Wessels
Dave Matthews is Jesus in my family. No joke. My mother has seen this band live over 50 times, and I’ve tagged along to at least a dozen of those. The group often visits Wisconsin — bouncing between Alpine and Summerfest — so it’s no surprise that I wound up adding one of their shows to my calendar for 2023.
I feel like it had been a hot minute before they released their new album, Walk Around the Moon, last month, so I’m excited to hear some of their new stuff. Each member of the group is so talented, and the power their music has on the fans is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. You best believe my mom and I will be at the front of the pit, crossing our fingers they play “Two Step” for the encore.
— Kiri Salinas
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #2
Lord Huron @ Generac Power Stage, 9:30 p.m.
If you’re someone who listens to a lot of music and are friends with people who don’t, you spend a fair amount of time trying to describe an artist they’ve never heard of and will probably never listen to. It’s annoying. But I love doing it for Lord Huron.
“Cosmic cowboy troubadour” and “Gene Autry but if he was also an astronaut” are my two favorite descriptors for one my absolute favorite bands, whose most recent album wonderfully encapsulated that vibe. The backstory is way too long for this space, but lead singer and principal songwriter Ben Schneider called it “a long-lost classic from another dimension” in an interview with Guitar Guitar. Get a taste below and the whole meal tonight at the Generac Power Stage.
— Brett Krzykowski
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #3
Digable Planets @ BMO Pavilion, 5:30 p.m.
These days, it’s often called the golden era of hip-hop. Those mid-’80s early ’90s years, when hip-hop really came into its own, I found myself mid-stream — an era of sampling and raps reaching maturity as I did the same. This was the stuff I came of age with: albums that bloomed into straight classics and became touchstones for the future, as well as my foundation for hip-hop appreciation. New stuff dropped, I bought them on cassette and listened on repeat till I mastered their flows.
I’ll never forget 1994 for a number of reasons, not the least of which was when Digable Planets dropped their second album, Blowout Comb, that changed the way I thought about hip-hop. It was the soundtrack to the next couple of years, and even now, when I get in the mood or hear it out and about, I find it irresistible. So when I heard they were playing Summerfest 2023, I knew where I’d be today.
A quick shout to Milwaukee's Emmitt James and Twan Mack, both of whom you can catch on stage at BMO as part of the stage's stacked lineup. James goes up at 2 p.m. (check out his appearance on this episode of ourBy Every Measurepodcast earlier this year), and Mack gets the 7:30 p.m. slot right ahead of Cypress Hill.
I’ll see you there.
— Marcus Doucette
How to get in free today
Throwback Thursday presented by Pick ’N Save
Between noon and 6 p.m., admission is only $5, and drinks are 50% off (excluding frozen drinks, specialty coffee drinks and smoothies). So, technically, this isn’t “free.” It’s more like a significant money-saving opportunity depending on how much you like to enjoy beverages while at Summerfest.
Summerfest schedule for Thursday, June 29
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
- 7:30 p.m. — Dave Matthews Band
BMO Pavilion
- 9:30 p.m. — Cypress Hill
- 7:30 p.m. — Twan Mack
- 5:30 p.m. — Digable Planets
- 3:30 p.m. — Kwaj
- 2 p.m. — Emmitt James
Miller Lite Oasis
- 10:15 p.m. — Vance Joy
- 8:15 p.m. — Mat Kearney
- 6:15 p.m. — Mike Mangione
- 4:15 p.m. — Debbie Gibson
- 2:30 p.m. — Argonaut & Wasp
- 12:45 p.m. — Phillip-Michael Scales
Generac Power Stage
- 9:30 p.m. — Lord Huron
- 6:15 p.m. — Andrew Duhon
- 4 p.m. — John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
- 10 p.m. — Greensky Bluegrass
- 8 p.m. — The National Parks
- 6 p.m. — Chicken Wire Empire
- 4 p.m. — The Georgia Satellites
UScellular Connection Stage
- 10 p.m. — Coi Leray
- 8:15 p.m. — Kari Faux
- 5:30 p.m. — Mr. New York
- 4:15 p.m. — Rocky Rose
Uline Warehouse
- 9:30 p.m. — Night Ranger
- 7:30 p.m. — Johnny Wad
- 5:30 p.m. — Shinyribs
- 4 p.m. — Hotel California (A Salute to The Eagles)
Sound Waves Stage
- 7 p.m. — DJ BG GooD: Neon Rave Top 40 EDM Remix Party
Johnsonville Summerville
- 5:30 p.m. — Brian Dale Band
South Party Pavilion
- 8 p.m. — Totally Neon
Northwestern Mutual Community Park
- 7:30 p.m. — Laura Ernst: Juggler & Acrobat