Rush Plays Summerfest Milwaukee July 4

Rush, a band with a history that spans 45 years, is coming to Summerfest in 2013. This tour is in support of their 2011 disk, titled Clockwork Angels.  They will perform on the Marcus Amphitheater stage on July 4. Long gone are the days when the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra was the top act at Summerfest on such a momentous day.  Get your Rush Summerfest tickets here.

Rush is now part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That honor was bestowed upon this group of talented musicians in 2013.  When they first formed, the now famous drummer Neil Pert was not part of the lineup.  John Rutsey was banging on the skins when they first recorded a Buddy Holly cover tune. That was forty years ago, and Rutsey was replaced just a year after that first recording. In fact, Neil Pert had just 14 days to prepare for their first big tour. It was fortunate that Neil joined the group, seeing that they needed someone to focus on lyrics. That job was certainly not loved by other members of the band.

By 1977, the band had found their sound.  They took parts from other "Prog" rock bands, added their hard rock sound to those influences, and found commercial success.  Their Moving Pictures album is a fine example of their refined sound. After a five year break, Rush came roaring back with their Vapor Trails album.  That album was stripped of keys, and synth.  It was back to basics for the band.  With two dozen gold records under their belt, the band certainly deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.   

Summerfest 2013 General Information | Parking - Hours - Stages

Summerfest 2013 is roughly four months away, but music fans are already picking up tickets for the “Big Gig.” With just one Marcus Amphitheater date booked at the time of this post, there is sure to be a flurry of concert announcements in the coming weeks and months. For now, we can cover the “basics” of Summerfest 2013. 

Summerfest Dates and Times

Summerfest 2013 runs from June 26, through July 7.  The festival grounds are closed on July 1, as it has been for the past couple of seasons. The gates open at noon (just in time for the downtown lunch crowd,) and close at midnight. Most headline acts hit the stage between 9:30 and 10pm, but there are always great bands performing at any given time.

Ticket prices vary; depending on what time you get there.  A standard ticket will set you back $17, but if you head to the fest between Tuesday and Thursday, the cost is just $10 (as long as you get there before 4pm.) There are a number of discount days, and promotional offers that can save you a few bucks.  Don’t forget, there is a separate admission ticket for all Marcus Amphitheater Summerfest shows.

Summerfest Parking

There are a number of parking lots just to the west and south of the Summerfest grounds. Prices range from $20 per car for preferred, and $35 for premier.  Be advised that sticking around until midnight will slow your departure down big time.  Traffic jams leaving Summerfest are common, and quite frustrating.  We suggest that you park in private lots just ¼ mile from the grounds.  You will certainly avoid the worst of the slow traffic leaving the grounds.

Summerfest Stages

Summerfest has eleven stages, ranging from the 22,000 seatMarcus Amphitheater, to the small-but-entertaining Cascio Interstate Music Groove Stage.  Most stages have bench seating or picnic tables, but those premium spots are hard to grab if you arrive just before a band takes to the stage.  One of the newest stages is the BMO Harris Pavilion.  Reviews of that stage have been positive, and the powers that be plan to hold concerts at that stage throughout the summer season.