Every morning throughout Summerfest 2025, 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 2025 Summerfest lineup here).
Today at the AmFam Amp + Radio Milwaukee staff pick #1
The Killers, 7:30 p.m.
If you were an avid music-head in the early 2000s, I’m sure you can recall the relief when indie music suddenly went mainstream. It was a time when we had grown weary of boy bands and safe rock. A sudden shift occurred overnight, and with that came a surge of artists like The Shins, The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand and, of course, The Killers.
Decades later, this sound has defined what I humbly refer to as “the tail end of generation X.” We know the words by heart when 88Nine plays “Mr. Brightside” and “All These Things That I’ve Done.” That’s just the beginning, as the band has released seven albums to date packed with singalongs-a-plenty.
I’ve seen the Killers in concert several times since their debut, and they do not disappoint. So join me at the Amp, and let’s bask in the nostalgia of Y2K angst together.
— Kat Froelich
[more words go here]
— Natasha Dunn
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #2
Rubblebucket @ Aurora Pavilion, 7 p.m.
Relationships are complicated. But, if you’re lucky, they can enhance the most unexpected parts of life. This certainly was the case for the brassy, arty band Rubblebucket on their latest album, Year of the Banana.
At surface-level, you’ll hear soulful disco woven into electro-pop built atop poetic lyrics. Yet there’s more than meets the ear. In fact, the lyrics of the album were built on Rubblebucket co-founder Kalmia Traver’s 2016 booklet of poems from her breakup year with band co-founder (and ex-husband) Alex Toth. While there are moments of raw intensity, there’s also hope and joie de vivre.
Traver and Toth’s ability to build undiminished musical and personal relationships is a testament to their artistry. They hang both tight and loose, expressing the joy and sorrow of relationships of all kinds to create a relatable, lovable listen. RIYL: humans, brass instruments, wiggly synths, dancing and the full spectrum of emotion.
— Erin Wolf
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #3 (and 3a)
Wishy @ BMO Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
A band whose most recent album title, Planet Popstar, is a reference to classic Nintendo, Wishy brings full body anthemic alt-rock to Summerfest (and Radio Milwaukee a little earlier in the day). Following the growing trend of indie bands developing a scuzzy soundscape, the Indianapolis five-piece combines it with emo lyricism to create a sound that is both rough and angelic. It’s so forward thinking that it makes you wonder what lies in store for the genre. Just don’t forget to bob your head while you're pondering the future of alt-rock.
CAKE @ BMO Pavilion, 9:30 p.m.
Right after Wishy, stick around the pavilion for a seminal band born from the ’90s and refined in California. CAKE have wit, charm and talent that builds a recognizable but hard-to-define sound. Spoken word singing churns with groovy, downright awesome rhythms and melodies bursting from all sorts of instruments. These guys ooze talent, with their ability to construct songs from every angle, tapping into the open mindedness that was California rock in the ’90s.
— Jonathan Joseph
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #4
Billy Corgan & The Machines of God @ Miller Lite Oasis, 10:15 p.m.
Smashing Pumpkins hold a special place in my heart. A soundtrack to a summer of love, independence and living on the East Side of Milwaukee, away from my family home. When I heard that Billy Corgan, the iconic frontman of the band, was hitting the road this summer with his new solo project The Machines of God, my nostalgia kicked in BIG TIME.
I’ve seen Pumpkins before — several times actually — but this time it’s billed as more than just a Smashing Pumpkins show. It’s a culmination of so many projects Corgan has created over the last three decades with some big, noteworthy musical milestones.
I have it on good authority that Corgan is preparing a super unique show, blending his classic and new material. There will be songs celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, the 25th anniversary of the Machina albums and his latest record, Aghora Mhori Mei.
Joined by guitarist Kiki Wong, bassist Kid Tigerrr and drummer Jake Hayden, I’m excited to see what kind of chemistry these rockers bring to the live show. So whether you're a longtime Corgan fan or just curious to hear his latest creations live, put this show on your list.
— Dori Zori
How to get in free today
Show Your College Pride Day with OnMilwaukee, CW18 and MY24
Patrons arriving between noon and 3 p.m. wearing a shirt or hat from a participating college or university, or showing a valid high school ID, will receive one free admission ticket (valid only during the promotion). Visit the Mid Gate Promotions Booth to claim your ticket, then visit your school inside! Only apparel from the following schools will be accepted:
- Beloit College
- Carroll University
- Herzing University
- Marquette University
- Milwaukee Area Technical College
- St. Norbert College
- UW-Milwaukee
- UW-Parkside
- UW-Whitewater
In addition, all high-school students who begin their FAFSA before July 5 will receive a free general admission Summerfest ticket, brought to you by Milwaukee Education Partnership.
Summerfest schedule for Friday, June 27
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
- 7:30 p.m. — The Killers w/Cold War Kids
BMO Pavilion
- 9:30 p.m. — Cake
- 7:30 p.m. — Wishy
- 5:45 p.m. — Walt Disco
- 4 p.m. — Social Cig
- 2 p.m. — Alley Eyes
AmFam House
- 4 p.m. — Jo Dee Messina
- 2 p.m. — Plain White T’s
Miller Lite Oasis
- 10:15 p.m. — Billy Corgan & The Machines of God
- 8:30 p.m. — Local H
- 6:30 p.m. — Return to Dust
- 4:30 p.m. — Bad Skin
- 2:45 p.m. — Cordell Winter
- 1 p.m. — Infer/Red
UScellular Connection Stage
- 10 p.m. — Offset
- 8:45 p.m. — 1900RUGRAT
- 7:30 p.m. — Skrilla
- 6:15 p.m. — Maf Teeski
- 5:15 p.m. — Ishdarr
- 4:15 p.m. — Jungle Baby, Homerecker
- 2:30 p.m. — 81355
- 12:45 p.m. — Manwolves
Generac Power Stage
- 9:30 p.m. — Motion City Soundtrack
- 7:45 p.m. — Plain White T's
- 5:45 p.m. — Showoff
- 4 p.m. — People R Ugly
- 2 p.m. — Mood Medication
- Noon — Life After 5
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
- 10 p.m. — Malcolm Todd
- 8 p.m. — Yves Jarvis
- 6 p.m. — Isabel Dumaa
- 4 p.m. — Dauzat St. Marie
- 2 p.m. — Hell on Heels
- Noon — The Noize
Uline Warehouse
- 9:30 p.m. — Jo Dee Mesina
- 7:30 p.m. — Phil Vassar
- 5:30 p.m. — Steve Max: Master of Simon Sez
- 4 p.m. — Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles
- 2 p.m. — Adam Warner
Aurora Pavilion
- 9 p.m. — BG Good
- 7 p.m. — Rubblebucket
- 5:45 p.m. — Torres
- 4:30 p.m. — Chaparelle
- 3:15 p.m. — Ladybird
- 12:15 p.m. — Rockonsin Finals Competition