Every morning throughout Summerfest 2024, 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 2024 Summerfest lineup here).
Today at the AmFam Amp
Illenium w/Disco Lines & Midnight Kids, 7:30 p.m.
One of the most successful crossover electronic artists working today, Illenium broke out thanks to 2017 album Awake, which included hits like “Crawl Outta Love” and “Fractures.” The Grammy-nominated producer/DJ and instrumentalist mixes elements of celestial electronic, mellow alternative, crushing dubstep, emotional indie and pop-tinged bass to create music that has topped the U.S. charts and collected more than 5 billion collective streams.
Radio Milwaukee staff … performance!
Grace Weber’s Music Lab @ AmFam House, 12:15 p.m.
For the fourth time, Grace Weber’s Music Lab is taking over the AmFam House — with American Family Insurance’s permission, of course — to hold its Summerfest pop-up. Hosted by program director, Milwaukee artist and Radio Milwaukee family member B~Free, the hour-long event will put some of the lab’s ridiculously talented youth performers center stage, including Prodigy (Ty Jackson), Maya Lopez and Mr. Chop (Romal Tafoya). Attendance is open to all, but space is limited, so make sure to get over there as soon as you’re through the gates.
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #1
Sleater-Kinney @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, 10 p.m.
If you missed out on Sleater-Kinney’s Madison show earlier this year, good news: the massively influential indie rock icons make their return to Milwaukee for weekend two of Summerfest. Steely guitars line the band’s latest album, Little Rope, as Corin Tucker’s inimitable vibrato propels their latest single “Untidy Creature.”
— Nayeli Portillo
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #2
Brigitte Calls Me Baby @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, 6 p.m.
When this Chicago outfit burst into our world last October, the descriptors practically wrote themselves. "Roy Orbison meets early aughts bands." "Like Elvis Presley and The Strokes had a baby." "Classic rock bursting out of a dingy bathroom at CBGB."
As fun as those were to come up with, the music they describe is even more so. We loved spinning "Impressively Average" on 88Nine and were so taken with the band that we invited them for one of our Studio Milwaukee Sessions at The Cooperage this week. Maybe you got picked in our drawing to check them out in that intimate environment. But whether you did or not, seeing them in the great big outdoors at Uline Warehouse is a can't-miss opportunity.
— Brett Krzykowski
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #3
MUNA @ BMO Pavilion, 9:30 p.m.
Since “Silk Chiffon” lifted them to notoriety, MUNA has played alongside a long list of notable tourmates: Kacey Musgraves, Phoebe Bridgers, Bleachers, Lorde and Taylor Swift. They’ve put that burgeoning musical fame to good use, addressing issues of sexuality and gender to help inspire younger people to be comfortable with their identities.
Their latest single, "One That Got Away," is a kiss-off ballad of epic proportions, reveling in big ’80s synth sounds but with a decidedly now attitude. It's a triumphant anthem for anyone who's been burned but walked away unscathed. MUNA will undoubtedly bring this inspiringly sassy and synth-y energy to their live performance as they set aside the role of supporting act and take the headline spot at BMO Pavilion.
— Erin Wolf
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #4
grouptherapy. @ Generac Power Stage, 6:30 p.m.
Every year, I review the Summerfest lineup to discover artists or bands I'm not familiar with and, if I end up liking them, make a point to see them in person. Let me tell you: I was swept away by the coolness of the band grouptherapy. Composed of Jadagrace Michiko Gordy-Nash and Coy Stewart, this hip-hop duo features former child actors who transitioned to the music scene with an unorthodox style that makes you pause and want to listen to another song.
From their latest album, THE ADDENDUM - i was mature for my age, but i was still a child, the tracks “Help Pt. 1” and “DYSBF!” are energetic and full of zest. The music is a bit unrefined yet expansive and experimental, with an instant switch-up every couple of songs that shouldn’t work in theory but does.
This constant shift in style and tone kept me engaged and curious about what will come next, as well as how this innovative sound translates to a live setting. I’m excited to feed those curiosities Thursday night.
— Salam Fatayer
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #5
St. Paul & The Broken Bones @ Uline Warehouse, 9:30 p.m.
When I think of music that’s played during (and primed for) hot weather, St. Paul & The Broken Bones comes to mind instantly. The Alabama-based band makes summer cool with their old-school soul sound mixed in with blues and funk, led by the powerful vocals of Paul Janeway.
Their résumé includes opening for the likes of Elton John and The Rolling Stones, which has elevated them to headlining status and rightfully so. It’s easy to get lost in the moment listening to their music — the mixture of love and heartache along with some soulful fun makes for one hell of a time. If there’s a reason to stay out on a weekday, it’s this band.
— Benjamin Koenigs
How to get in free today
Throwback Thursday presented by Pick ‘n Save
Noon to 6 p.m.
For the $5 admission, you can enjoy a collection of music through the decades from Tiffany, Nappy Roots, Eve 6 and more. Plus, all beer, seltzer, Cherry Vodka Lemonade, Aquafina Water, and soda will be half off.
In addition, Pick ‘n Save shoppers can earn four free Summerfest tickets for every qualifying $50 spent at Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market locations from April 24 to May 14. Visit PicknSave.com/Summerfest for details. The offer is printed at the bottom of the receipt. To redeem the offer, bring the complete original receipt to the Summerfest ticket windows at the entry gates between noon and 6 p.m. Tickets are only valid for the day and time of the promotion. Limit three offers or 12 tickets per transaction.
Summerfest schedule for Thursday, June 27
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
- 7:30 p.m. — Illenium w/Disco Lines & Midnight Kids
AmFam House
- 4 p.m. — Boys Like Girls
- 12:15 p.m. — Grace Weber's Music Lab
BMO Pavilion
- 9:30 p.m. — MUNA
- 7:30 p.m. — Maude Latour
- 5:30 p.m. — Sawyer
- 3:30 p.m. — Tiffany
- 1:30 p.m. — SM6
Miller Lite Oasis
- 10:45 p.m. — Alison Wonderland
- 8:45 p.m. — Ian Asher
- 7:15 p.m. — Lavern
- 6 p.m. — T-LIVE
- 4:30 p.m. — EDX
- 2:45 p.m. — Scott E. Berendt & The US Project
- 1 p.m. — KB & The Dungarees
UScellular Connection Stage
- 10 p.m. — Boys Like Girls
- 8:15 p.m. — Hawthorne Heights
- 6:30 p.m. — Anberlin
- 4:15 p.m. — Eve 6
- 2:30 p.m. — Gloom Girl MFG
- 12:45 p.m. — Gold Steps
Generac Power Stage
- 10 p.m. — Ken Carson
- 9 p.m. — CLIP
- 8 p.m. — DJay Mondo
- 7:15 p.m. — Certified Trapper
- 6:30 p.m. — grouptherapy.
- 6 p.m. — AyooLii
- 4 p.m. — Nappy Roots
- 2 p.m. — Nikhil Korula Band
- Noon — The Solomon Royals
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
- 10 p.m. — Sleater-Kinney
- 8 p.m. — Tracy Bonham
- 6 p.m. — Brigitte Calls Me Baby
- 4 p.m. — Letters to Cleo
- 2 p.m. — Sleepy Gaucho
- Noon — wht.rbbt.obj
Uline Warehouse
- 9:30 p.m. — St. Paul and the Broken Bones
- 7:30 p.m. — McKinley Dixon
- 5:30 p.m. — Briscoe
- 3:30 p.m. — Cedric Burnside
- 1:45 p.m. — Bassel & The Supernaturals
- Noon — Hanna Simone
Aurora Pavilion
- 9 p.m. — Mr. New York
- 7 p.m. — K CAMP
- 5 p.m. — Millyz
- 4:30 p.m. — OT the Real
- 4 p.m. — Dre Llamo
- 3:15 p.m. — Real Rich Izzo
- 2 p.m. — Zonk Rolan
- 1 p.m. — Ellie Allen
- Noon — Eric Look Band