Every morning throughout Summerfest 2026, 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 2026 Summerfest lineup here).
Today at the AmFam Amp
Megan Moroney w/Solon Holt, JP Saxe, 7 p.m.
The country prologue provided by Garth Brooks carries over to Summerfest’s first official day, which brings Georgia native Megan Moroney to the Amp. She’s come a long way from opening for Chase Rice as a freshman at the University of Georgia and has grown into a multi-platinum artist whose third studio album, Cloud 9, quickly jumped to the top of Billboard’s country and overall album charts after its release this past February.
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #1
Passion Pit @ AmFam House, 4 p.m.; T-Mobile Stage, 10:15 p.m.
It's time for us all to collectively “Take a Walk” to Summerfest for the grand return of Passion Pit. Their last appearance at the Big Gig was 10 years ago during an infamous rain storm. I can confirm that, rain or shine, their live show is a success.
As much as drenched Converse and muddy bleachers triggered thoughts of flight, I endured the fight against Mother Nature through the sheer power of young wild-and-free-ness their music evokes. Classics like “Sleepyhead,” “Little Secrets” and “Moth’s Wings” provided a figurative cover from the storm. I have since aged 10 years and yet still look forward to Passion Pit guiding me once again toward an inevitable and long-lost feeling of YOLO.
— Carolann Cohen Grzybowski
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #2
Tigernite @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, 4 p.m.
Have you ever seen a band that made you afraid that you’d leave the show covered in glitter yet a little bit excited by the anticipation of a glitter bomb? That’s what Tigernite is for.
This is a band that made waves in Milwaukee over a decade ago and quietly disbanded — only to reemerge in the aftertimes like Persephone herself, rising from the depths of hell to put an end to the cold dark winter and bring with her the color and superbloom of spring. But, you know, musically.
Tigernite is back on the scene with their signature “glam rock band from hell” brand, high kicks and all. If you like seeing live music that makes you go, “Whoa, that was badass,” you’ll want to catch this Milwaukee band. See you there Tigerknights. ⚔️
— Jay Burseth
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #3
Third Eye Blind @ Uline Warehouse Stage, 10 p.m.
Was I born in the ’90s? No. Am I a father? Also, no. Will I be enjoying some dad rock from a ’90s band at Summerfest this weekend? Yes!
Third Eye Blind is a Summerfest staple, first playing at the festival in 1998 and headlining four times since. It’s their second year in a row headlining the festival, marking a homecoming for Milwaukee-born lead singer Stephan Jenkins.
Classics like “How’s It Going to Be,” “Jumper”, and “Never Let You Go” might make you feel like you’re a kid in the back of your parents’ car again (or at least this is how I’ll feel). But, without a doubt, the iconic yet nostalgic “do-do-do … do-do-do-do” melody of “Semi-Charmed Life” will unite Gen X’ers, Millennials and Gen Z’ers alike across Milwaukee
— Rachel Tarby
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #4
Dora Jar @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, 8 p.m.
My first taste of playful, fuzz-pop artist Dora Jarkowski — known dorkily and musically as Dora Jar — was her 2023 single “Puppet.” At first listen, I knew I had to get it on 88Nine.
The opening sequence’s xylophone-like celesta pings trick the listener into thinking they’re listening to Buddy Holly, but the track ends up breaking into fiery guitars and on-point percussion. Floating above the fiery-ness are Jarkowski’s layered, breathless vocals that sing about paranoia in a fist-pumping way.
While I’ve never seen her live set, reviews of various performances have used descriptions like “highly theatrical,” “surreal,” “colorful and chaotic,” “intensely engaging” and “a force from another world.” So anyone who catches her Summerfest set is in for a treat, musically and visually.
RIYL: Grace Ives, SASAMI, Lala Lala, Haute & Freddy, Gelli Haha.
— Erin Wolf
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #5
Echo & The Bunnymen @ Generac Power Stage, 10 p.m.
Music from our youth has a nostalgic power that’s undeniable. But what happens when a band you love is still touring four decades later? What if their live show is just “meh”? Do you buy a ticket and hope for the best? When it comes to Echo & The Bunnymen, I’ve got good news for you:
They still put on a very cool rock show.
Dressed in black and almost always wearing sunglasses, original members Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant lead the band through a ripping set while engulfed in fog and flashing strobe lights, with a post-rock energy that will transport you to your favorite underground ’80s club.
Wanna find out why Echo & The Bunnymen have influenced bands from Radiohead and Coldplay to Kerala Dust and Urban Heat (and still hold a special place in my heart and playlist)? Dust off those combat boots and Doc Martens, and join me for a Thursday night dance party worth staying up late for!
— Dori Zori
Radio Milwaukee staff pick #6
Hunny @ Miller Lite Oasis, 8:30 p.m.
COPY HERE
— Bianca Camiro
How to get in free today
Saz’s Stomp Out Hunger Day with FOX6 Milwaukee
All patrons who donate three shelf-stable food items between noon and 3 p.m. will receive one free admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. Food donations will be accepted at all gates. Limit one ticket per person. Founded in 1976, Saz’s is celebrating 50 years of serving the community by matching the first 1,976 canned goods donated. All donations benefit Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.
Show Your College Pride Day with OnMilwaukee and CW18/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. Only apparel from the following schools will be accepted: Carroll University, Marquette University, Milwaukee Area Technical College, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Whitewater. High-school students who begin their FAFSA before July 4 will receive a free General Admission Summerfest Ticket, brought to you by Milwaukee Education Partnership.
Summerfest schedule for June 18
American Family Insurance Amphitheater
- 7 p.m. — Megan Moroney w/Solon Holt, JP Saxe
American Family Insurance House
- 4 p.m. — Passion Pit
- 2 p.m. — Stephan Jenkings of Third Eye Blind
BMO Pavilion
- 10 p.m. — Charlie Wilson
- 7:15 p.m. — Danny Boy
Miller Lite Oasis
- 10:30 p.m. — Tash Sultana
- 8:30 p.m. — Hunny
- 6:30 p.m. — Nicholas Tremulis & The Prodigals
- 4:30 p.m. — City of the Sun
- 2:45 p.m. — Mari
- 1:15 p.m. — Bowling Shoes
T-Mobile Stage
- 10:15 p.m. — Passion Pit
- 8:15 p.m. — Marlon Funaki
- 6:15 p.m. — Venus & The Flytraps
- 4:15 p.m. — Maximiano
- 2:30 p.m. — Micah Emrich
- 12:45 p.m. — Kyle Feerick
Generac Power Stage
- 10 p.m. — Echo & The Bunnymen
- 7:30 p.m. — Modern English
- 5:30 p.m. — The Dream Syndicate
- 3:30 p.m. — Circa 79
- 2 p.m. — Scott E. Berendt & The US Project
- 12:30 p.m. — Wildered
Uline Warehouse
- 10 p.m. — Third Eye Blind
- 7:30 p.m. — The Bends
- 5:30 p.m. — Taylor Acorn
- 3:30 p.m. — Post Sex Nachos
- 2 p.m. — Supertaste
- 12:30 p.m. — Barely Civil
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
- 10 p.m. — Holly Humberstone
- 8 p.m. — Dora Jar
- 6 p.m. — Morgan St. Jean
- 4 p.m. — Tigernite
- 2:30 p.m. — Avery Cochrane
- 1 p.m. — Saint Blonde
Aurora Pavilion
- 10 p.m. — DJ B-Lee
- 7 p.m. — Alejandro Escovedo
- 6 p.m. — Danny Boy
- Noon — MKE Live Groove