Summerfest

Zac Brown Band Summerfest 2012 Show

2012-01-27T07:13:00.000-08:00

Summerfest 2012 will feature the Zac Brown Band at the Marcus Amphitheater on July 5. Judging by the 8 million vews for their video Chicken Fried, I would say that's one of their more popular songs. Zac Brown Summerfest tickets go on sale later this month.

Zac Brown Goes Country

Mr. Brown was a classical guitarist at a very young age. He turned to pop cover songs in his teen years. At some point, he caught the country music bug, and it stuck. Around the age of 24, he put together the Zac Brown band. It was a three piece outfit that travelled extensively. After dabbling in the restaurant business in 2004 Brown sold his interest and hit the road full time. In order to ramp up the country sound, Brown added strings and back up vocals for those now famous country harmonies. Fast forward to 2005, and the band added a second guitar player and vocalist. He had his first number one hit in 2008. A second top ranking song came in 2009. In that same year, the Zac Brown Band won an award for their Chicken Fried video. It's funny to read that a band that started in 2004, won "Best New Artist" six years later. Brown would also go on to win a Grammy for his song She's Walking Away.

Will Summerfest Milwaukee Raise Admission Prices for 2012?

2012-01-25T09:22:00.000-08:00

Summerfest Milwaukee is priced for family fun. For half a decade, the folks that run the "World's Largest Music Festival" have held the line on admission prices. The last time that Summerfest ticket prices went up was 2007. That's when the regular admission ticket went up to $15, if you arrive after 4pm. Keep in mind, there are so many ways to get into the festival for a discount. Where does Summerfest make up for inflation? Beer and wine prices are one way to increase revenue.

Beer Prices for Summerfest 2012

We haven't heard the announced price for beer this year, but it did go up in 2011. Five bucks bought you a 16 ounce cup of "brewski" last summer. Bottle prices can be higher. Will this be another year where they raise the cost of a cold one? My guess is no. Summerfest management made the announcement in April of last year. We might see that happen again this spring. There are many ways to raise the cash required to bring quality music to the Milwaukee lakefront. Last year, it cost nearly 10% more to book the musical acts that fill the stages. If that happens again in 2012, you can count on a price increase somewhere.

Summerfest Milwaukee History 1968 to 2012

2011-12-31T05:35:00.000-08:00

If you are old enough to remember what Summerfest Milwaukee was like in past decades, you will probably agree that the festival of old was so very different from today. The "Worlds Largest Music Festival" is what they call it today, but in the 1970's Summerfest was a bit more freewheeling fun when compared to the more structured and clean family style event that it is now. When it all started, the festival was spread out over the entire city. There were concerts, films, and contests. It was 1968, so one would imagine that the types of music and events varied greatly. Henry Maier was Milwaukee's mayor, and the founder of the festival. He was proud to say that the first Summerfest was a financial success.

Summerfest 1969 Comes Up Short

After the success of the inaugural Summerfest '68, city officials decided to make Summerfest 1969 even bigger. Sadly, the weather didn't cooperate, and the event lost money. If Summerfest were to continue, Mayor Maier felt that the festival needed a permanent home. He thought that a central location would make it easy to control and maintain the event, and he was right. The City of Milwaukee leased to festival organizers a large parcel of land located just south of downtown. The site is just shy of 80 acres, and looked out over Lake Michigan.

Summerfest Stages and Grounds
In those early years the Summerfest Stages were a bit more rickety and mobile. The rock stage was located on the north end of the grounds, and it pointed west towards Milwaukee's third ward. In front of the stage were wooden bleachers bolted to paved ground. Folks rarely sat on those bleachers, as they made for better viewing when stood upon. Kids would jump from row to row, while others danced on the thick wooden planks. These days, it's not unusual to see old and young dancing on top of picnic tables scattered around Summerfest. For nearly 20 years, Summerfest had a midway. In those days, one could walk the midway without having to pay admission to the festival, as the rides and games were located just north or south of the entrance. These days, the eleven stages that take up the grounds are beautiful, permanent structures that weather the cold snowy Wisconsin winters.
Summerfest Sponsors Over the Years
In the early years, there were few corporate sponsors of Summerfest. The companies that did pony up the funds for the festival were given naming rights to the stages on the grounds. If you are old like me, you will remember the Miller Jazz Oasis. The current rock stage has seen many sponsors, including Zippo Lighters. The largest stage, and what is really a separate venue is named after the Marcus family of Milwaukee. The Marcus Amphitheater will never lose it's name, as the 18,000 seat structure was paid for by the family that bears its name. Harley Davidson, M&I Bank, Miller, and US Cellular are a few of the corporate sponsors of Summerfest.

Would Summerfest Benefit from Downtown Lakefront Redo?

2011-12-07T08:04:00.000-08:00

The very north end of the Summerfest grounds are close to O'Donnel Park and the Milwaukee County Transit Center. Both properties are being considered for redevelopment. Couple that with the weird street and on ramp configuration at the base of the Hoan bridge, and it looks like it's time for a makeover.

Milwaukeeans have seen the rebirth of the Third Ward. Now it's time to focus on a location that could complement the area adjacent to the north gates of Summerfest. As the O'Donnel parking site is one of the most valuable properties in downtown Milwaukee, it would be wise to utilize that site for something other than the aged parking structure that it currently is. If a building goes up on that site, let's hope that it does not block access to the lakefront. As for Clybourn Street, it's time to make that an attractive boulevard from just east of the Milwaukee River, to the Summerfest grounds. Right now, it's a post-industrial roadway, that is less than inviting. Attention roadway planners, don't forget a bike lane!

Neil Diamond Plays Summerfest on July 8

2011-11-24T07:38:00.000-08:00

We were pleased to see the announcement of another Summerfest 2012 headline act. Neil Diamond will perform on July 8, at the Marcus Amp. Diamond has sold over 100 million albums, and is a member of both the Songwriters and Rock & Roll hall of fame. Even the most hard core rocker has to admit that they could recite the words to at least one Neil Diamond song.

Neil Diamond Tickets for Summerfest

Tickets for Neil Diamond Summerfest go on sale December 10. Prices through the box office range from $25 to $90, with the usual fees and charges on top of that. I would guess that the "get in" price would be for lawns or bleachers, and the highest priced tickets being up front. Either way, you will certainly be able to see his now famous sequin shirts from just about anywhere in the Marcus Amphiteater.

Lady Antebellum to Perform at Summerfest 2011 on June 30

2011-10-31T06:29:00.000-07:00

The first Marcus Amphitheater Summerfest headline show for 2011 has been booked. Lady Antebellum will perform on June 30, with Darius Rucker and Thompson Square. Summerfest 2011 will run for eleven days. That leaves ten big concert announcements to go.

Summerfest 2011 June 27-July 8

Once again, Summerfest will be closed on July 4. The festival opens on June 27, and runs through July 8. Gates open at noon each day, and close at midnight.

Take the Bus To Summerfest Milwaukee

2011-10-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

The best way to get to Summerfest is to take the bus. MCTS has Freeway Flyer routes running to the festival grounds from the park and ride lots all day. The buses run every half-hour during the day, and after 5pm the schedule changes to every quarter hour. $6 gets you a round trip adult ticket. If you are already downtown, consider hopping on the shuttle. The shuttles run east and west along Wisconsin Avenue. Be sure to look for the detour route for shuttles in 2012, as the Wisconsin Avenue bridge will be closed during the summer months.

Indian Summer Draws Large Crowd to Summerfest

2011-09-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

Reports from Indian Summer at Summerfest notes that over 50,000 people passed through the gates. The fireworks certainly drew families to the lakefront, and the Native American Crafts kept people down there. The weather certainly cooperated, as the sun shined brightly all weekend. This festival marks the last for the season.

Irish Fest Milwaukee on the Summerfest Grounds

2011-08-18T08:14:00.000-07:00

It's Irish Fest Weekend in Milwaukee. The Summerfest grounds will be packed with fans of Irish music, food, and fun, starting tomorrow. You can even watch the Celtic Canines perform their tricks.

Irish Fest Vendors Galore

There are just under 100 vendors on the grounds, selling everything from peat, to jewelry. Fall is just around the corner, so why not pick up a Guinness hoodie while you walk along the lakefront?

This festival will have entertainment on just about every stage on the grounds. I would certainly try my best to make it down to see Kintra on the High Life stage this Friday. The show starts at 5:30. See you wearing the green at Irish Fest this weekend1

Summerfest 2011 Wrap Up

2011-07-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

What did Summerfest do to deserve such great weather for 2011? It was amazing to see that just about every night was perfect for heading down to the festival grounds. Some nights were hotter than others, but nobody can complain about it being too bad.

Summerfest Highlights for 2011

July 2 - Maroon 5 had a huge crowd at the Miller Lite Oasis. We were there an hour before the show started, and you couldn't get close to a table. They didn't let their fans down.

Kid Rock - I could have done without the women dancing around stripper poles, but 99% of his fans loved it. He went from one vocal style to the next, and nobody went away unhappy.

Testa Rosa - The Cascio stage has been moved once again, this time in the blazing hot sun, just south of the rock stage. That made it tough to enjoy the lush sounds of a great local band in Testa Rosa, but I did my best.

Kanye West - He may be loved and "less loved" but he tore it up at the Marcus on June 30. Some say that it was the best show of the fest.

See you at Summerfest 2012.

Park and Ride to Summerfest

2011-06-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to get to Summerfest. Park and Ride is one of the best modes of travel when heading down to the lakefront. In fact, the MCTS has any number of ways to get to the fest. What's best for you depends on where you are coming from.

Best Way To Get To Summerfest

Wisconsin Avenue shuttle buses are spaced just minutes apart, and run just past midnight. For three bucks, you can hop on to the shuttle at any bus stop on Wisconsin Ave. where you see the famous Summerfest smile on the sign. That three bucks pays for a round trip fare.

Freeway Flyer service from Park and Ride lots are six bucks round trip. Bring exact fare, because as they say "driver carries no cash." Pick up locations are at all park and ride locations, and the last bus leaves Summerfest at midnight.

Party Bus, or "Drunken Bus" service can be found at many of the more famous watering holes on the east side or near south side. You will find your way to the "drunk bus" at BBC, Twisted Fork, Vitucci's and a few other East side locations. If you are coming in from the south, try Vnuk's or King Pins. They have a shuttle that runs in the evenings.

Summerfest Ticket Discounts and Special Offers for 2011

2011-06-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that Summerfest 2011 starts next week? We are all looking for bargains when it comes to the fest, and there is always a way to get in to the grounds at a discount. For opening day this year, Johnson Controls is sponsoring a hunger drive. Drop off three non-perishable items to the north entrance before three, and you will receive one free ticket.

Summerfest and Uline Promotion

Say you don't make it to the fest until after 5pm on Wednesday. If you are one of the first 5000 people walking in just after 5pm, you may be the lucky recipient of a free tote bag from Uline. Consider the bag a handy item that will hold your rain slicker. No, I don't think that it's going to rain as much as it has this past month, but you never know.

The Food at Summerfest Improves for 2011

2011-06-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

If you have ever tried Zaffiro's thin crust pizza, you know that it's some of the best in Milwaukee. Summerfest patrons can find that out for themselves, as Zaffiro's has just been added to the list of vendors. When Kenny Chesney last played Summerfest, one of his crew made Zaffiro's his first stop. Also added this year are the Yellow Tail family of wines.

Summerfest Welcomes Jason Mraz and Guster July 2

2011-06-02T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is it, the final Marcus Amphitheater Summerfest concert for 2011. It's going to be Jason Mraz, with special guest Guster taking the stage on July 2. Jason hit the charts in 2002 with the single The Remedy. He really hit the charts with his song I'm Yours. That little number was on top for nearly 18 months.

Guster is opening the show. The band is now 20 years old, and in that time it has had only one member leave for other projects. Since 1995, they have released six albums, starting with Parachute, and currently supporting their 2010 effort titled Easy Wonderful.

Jason Mraz reserved tickets are just one price, $37. The on sale date is this Saturday, and it starts at 11am. See you at the fest!

Briggs Stage Battle of the Bands for Summerfest

2011-05-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

If you are a fan of contests, Briggs and Stratton has one for you. The Briggs stage will feature the winner of "The Battle." It's round two, on the Briggs Facebook page, and the three contenders are Slamabama, A Hero en Route, and from Greenfield Wisconsin, Matthew Haeffel. Currently in the lead is Slamabama. Haeffel is a close second. I do like the song He Left Me for That? by Slamabama. It's going to be tough to beat that band.

Britney Spears at Marcus Amphitheater Summerfest

2011-05-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears will fill the July 9 Marcus Amphitheater spot for Summerfest 2011. She's promoting her latest work titled Femme Fatal. Some say that the album is the best in years. It's a darker type of disk, that's for sure. It's not without songs that you can dance to, but certainly a shade of Britney that we have not seen before. Tickets go on sale May 21.

Cascio Groove Garage 2011 Headliners

2011-05-11T07:10:00.001-07:00

I consider the Cascio Groove Garage to be the best place to take a break from the bigger stages, while still getting a chance to hear some great music. For 2011 the headliners have been booked, and here they are. The bands listed below are scheduled to start at 9pm every night. As always, there will be many other acts playing the Groove Garage. Stay tuned for further details for a full list of performers.
The Right Now opens the fest on June 29. I'm pretty sure that this link is to the correct band, but they don't have their Summerfest date listed on the site just yet.

On June 30, we're looking at The Jeanna Salzer Band. I'm playing a sample of their music as I write this, and I must say that she's an impressive artist, and the band is solid. Yay for Milwaukee! We have one very creative band and singer in Jeanna Salzer. July 1 is when the band I'm Not a Pilot hits the stage.

The Invaders play on July 2, The Uptown Savages perform July 3, and the Fatty Acids will headline on July 5th.

Who is Brighton, MA, and where are they from? Those questions will be answered on July 6th, at 9pm. I did a Google search of Brighton, MA, and found them among the expected search results of maps, things to do in Brighton, etc. I suggest a name change before they get famous, but who am I to judge?

Here are the four final headline acts for the Groove Garage. See you at the fest!

July 7, Mark Mallman

July 8, John the Savage

July 9, Fresh Cut Collective

July 10, Surgeons in Heat

Rock Stage Lineup at Summerfest Milwaukee

2011-05-05T12:28:00.000-07:00

The Summerfest Rock Stage lineup for 2011 is set, and it looks like some repeats are on the bill. This stage is situated at the very north entrance to the Henry Maier festival grounds. The stage faces out to the lake, so look out Michigan!

This Summerfest Rock Stage 2011 lineup includes some 8pm shows. All dates listed that have two acts will start at 8pm.

June 29: Saving Abel
June 30: Jackyl, with Blackberry Smoke at
July 1: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, with Civil Twilight at
July 2: Hinder
July 3: Fuel, with Urge Overkill
July 5: My Darkest Days
July 6: Sick Puppies
July 7: Finger Eleven, with Pop Evil
July 8: Sevendust
July 9: Buckcherry
July 10: Hollywood Undead, with 10 Years

Summerfest to Purchase Land from Charter Wire

2011-05-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

It's doubtful that Summerfest's purchase of land from Charter Wire is the biggest announcement of the year, but it's worth noting here. Buying up the Charter Wire site will at the very least add more parking to the Marcus Amphitheater area. If a time comes when Summerfest would care to expand, they need acreage. That's what's happening here. Four acres make up this site, and it's just west of the southern grounds. It's not like this spot will become the 12th side stage, but at the very least, Summerfest is turning an old industrial site into something nice.

Panic! at the Disco | Summerfest 2011 Show

2011-04-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

Panic! at the Disco likes to be as visual as they are musical. According to Brendon Urie, when they toured in support of their second album, he missed all the costumes and stage effects. "Pretty. Odd." was their second album, and the tour to support it was an eco friendly and visually green, earthy, departure.

It's been two years since the band started work on their third album, and it didn't come without some changes to the line up. There are just two original members of Panic! on the new album. Now, in support of their third disk Vices & Virtues, will we see the band go back to their carnival ways? So far, that's the flavor of the tour. The carnival is back. Panic! at the Disco will perform on the U.S. Cellular Stage this year on June 30.

M and I Classic Rock Stage 2011 Lineup Announced

2011-04-20T11:11:00.000-07:00

The M&I Classic Rock stage is one of the biggest "side stages" at Summerfest. It's fitting, because most headline acts at that stage draw huge numbers. As I write this, I remember seeing Cheap Trick on that stage two summers ago, and that was one of the biggest audiences that I can recall for a weeknight headliner. To open the fest, Hall and Oates will perform at 10pm. The next night, REO Speedwagon will take the stage at 9pm. For a country classic, Loretta Lynn will perform on July 2. The entire M&I schedule is listed below.

Wed. June 29 --Hall and Oates
Thurs. June 30 -- REO Speedwagon
Fri. July 1--Styx
Sat. July 2-- Loretta Lynn
Sun. July 3 -- Blue Oyster Cult
Tues. July 5 -- Cinderella
Wed. July 6 -- Peter Frampton
Thurs. July 7 -- Kansas
Fri. July 8 -- Leon Russell
Sat. July 9 -- TBA
Sun. July 10 -- Toots and the Maytals

Milwaukee Bands and Artists that Headline Summerfest 2011

2011-04-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Would it be Summerfest without either the Bo Deans, or Pat McCurdy, or perhaps the Femmes? It seems like we see these names just about every year, either on the Marcus stage or as a side stage headliner. This year is no different. Danny Gokey even gets a turn in the spotlight, as he headlines the Briggs stage on July 6.

Milwaukee Bands Headlining Summerfest 2011

July 9 - The regionally famous Pat McCurday plays with The Bodeans

July 6 - From the suburbs of Milwaukee comes Danny Gokey

July 10 - Willy Porter will headline the Briggs stage on the final night of the fest

These bands certainly deserve some props, and local heroes do draw. On the nights were we don't have local headliners on the Briggs Stage, we will see Meatloaf, Phil Vassar, Third Eye Blind, and George Clinton. We may be missing out on spring weather, but Summerfest is on the way!

Summerfest Rock and Sole Trademark Issue Pops Up

2011-03-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

What will be the new name of the Summerfest run? It looks like there is a trademark issue afoot with the name that Summerfest used for their upcoming run/walk on July 10. Still, I think it will be fun to walk on the Hoan Bridge. No, I'm not running this one.

Summerfest 2011 Peter Gabriel Opening Night June 29

2011-03-24T07:42:00.001-07:00

June 29, Summerfest welcomes Peter Gabriel and the New Blood Orchestra. Gabriel is the headline act at the Marcus Amphitheater for the opening night of 2011. This show will include members of the MSO, and is in support of his album titled New Blood. Tickets go on sale March 31st.

Summerfest Side Stage Headline Acts Announced

2011-03-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

Summerfest announced some of the headline acts for the non Marcus Amp. stages for this 2011 festival. They also announced a massive ticket giveaway for opening day. As this is the 44th season, they plan to give away 44,000 tickets for the first night. Adults will also get a beer coupon, should they care to partake.

Recently Booked Summerfest Headline Acts for 2011

Meatloaf

Hall and Oates

Buddy Guy

Max Weinberg

Jack's Mannequin

Saving Abel
This is obviously the tip of the iceberg when it comes to headliners. With eleven stages, we expect many more announcements in the coming weeks.

Kanye West with Kid Cudi June 30 Summerfest Headliners

2011-03-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

Kanye West and Kid Cudi will tear it up on the Marcus Amphitheater stage on June 30, 2011. West is certainly worthy of the headline slot, and Kid Cudi should get the crowed worked up before the roof blows off of the Marcus Amp.

Kanye West is promoting his latest disk titled Watch the Throne. Jay-Z and West collaborated on the project, and Def Jam Records is backing the disk. Kid Cudi comes out of Cleveland and got the attention of Kanye West when he released a mixtape in 2008. From there, he landed a spot on West's album 80's and Heartbreak. Cudi is on Motown, and is supporting his album Man on the Moon II.

Def Leppard and Heart Summerfest July 5

2011-03-03T08:27:00.000-08:00

On July 5, 2011, Summerfest welcomes Def Leppard and Heart to the Marcus Amphitheater. Def Leppard was formed 33 years ago. They had a more metal edge to their sound at that time, but found success with bombastic rock hits such as Pour Some Sugar On Me, Hysteria, and Love Bites.

Heart, featuring the Wilson sisters go back a bit further. Songs like Baracuda, Dog and Butterfly, represent the scope of their abilities. If you happen to catch the Wilson current work, you will most certainly be impressed. They can still rock.

Def Leppard Brings Hits to Summerfest

Def Leppard has sold over 60 million albums. In that time, nine different musicians have been part of the band. Four members have been a part of Def Leppard since 1982: Joe Elliot, Rick Savage, Rick Allen, and Phil Collen.

In the past ten years, Def Leppard has released four studio albums. The album titled "X" as in Ten was a diversion into the pop world, and tanked. Four years later, they released "Yeah!" with that album cracking the top 20 on the Billboard charts. Two years later, they put out Songs from the Sparkle Lounge, which received fair reviews across the board.

The Black Keys with Florence and The Machine at Summerfest 2011

2011-02-25T08:35:00.000-08:00

The Black Keys will headline an evening of alternative music on July 6, during the Summerfest 2011 season. Three bands make up this night of music that caters to non-country music fans. Okay, I'm sure that there are a few people that like both styles. Opening for The Black Keys will be Florence + The Machine and Cage the Elephant. Am I the only one who noticed that all three bands have three words in their name? Is that part of what makes a great alternative band name?

The Black Keys crushed it on SNL a while back. I'm a fan of drummers who use the floor toms in place of a high hat. Yes, their drummer plays a high hat, but in their more popular song Howlin' For You, he hits those toms with power.

Florence and the Machine is really all about "Florence." She's a voice, and the band is secondary. The UK likes her, and she's trying her best to make a splash here in the US. Let's put aside the fact that SPIN thinks she should be Artist of The Year, after she hit one million album sales. Her following here is growing, but I must admit that she sounds a lot like so many others. At times she's a carbon copy of Melody Gardot. Still, she's only begun to tour in the past few years, so I don't want to write her off completely.

As I visualize her performance on the massive Marcus Amphitheater stage, before the sun goes down, with people coming and going, I don't really think it's going to work. Put her voice on a movie soundtrack and it fits. Put her in front of 30,000 seats (half of them empty,) and it may be a long night. The Summerfest openers don't get the same respect as the headline acts, and her voice may not have the power to suck in the fans that are waiting for the Black Keys to hit the stage.

Sugarland Summerfest 2011 July 10

2011-02-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

Sugarland comes to Summerfest on July 10, 2011. Since 2002, Sugarland has been building a huge following, and will headline at the Marcus Amphitheater this summer. Originally a trio, Sugarland pared down to Jen Nettles and Kristian Bush by 2005.

They were signed to a major label in 2004, and went on to have five number one hits in the past six years. Sugarland is what some folks call "pop-country." With just under ten million album sales to their credit, they are now headliners at large venues like Summerfest. Mercury Nashville Records is proud to have Sugarland on their roster.

Hoan Bridge Rock and Sole Run July 10

2011-02-02T09:36:00.001-08:00

I have always wanted to walk the length of the Hoan Bridge. Summerfest is promoting the "Rock n' Sole" 10k run and walk which will take place on the last day of the festival, July 10. The walk and run will start on Harbor Drive, and continue back around, or through Lake Park, depending on which route you choose to take.

If you enter the run, you will be given two free Summerfest tickets, one of which you must use to get onto the grounds at the end of the race. This race supports the Ronald McDonald House, and Summerfest.

Katy Perry Summerfest July 7

2011-01-19T17:59:00.000-08:00

It's official, Katy Perry will hit the Marcus Amphitheater stage on July 7. Marcus Amphitheater tickets for Katy Perry tickets go on sale later in the spring. This is the second Marcus Amphitheater announcement for Summerfest 2011.

Toby Keith Summerfest 2011 with Eric Church

2010-12-29T07:49:00.001-08:00

Love him or hate him Toby Keith plays Summerfest 2011. He will be performing at the Marcus Amphitheater on July 1, with Eric Church. This is probably the earliest concert announcement for a Summerfest date ever. Toby Keith Summerfest tickets go on sale in late January.

Toby Keith Loves the USA

If Summerfest were open on July 4th, Toby Keith would be a perfect fit for that day. I don't know of any other country music star that has wrapped himself tighter around the flag than Mr. Keith. His new CD titled Bullets In The Gun is a continuation of his love for all things American. He sings about guns, trailers, driving, and kicking people out of his car. If that's not a bunch of All American country, stick to the ribs, meat and potatoes topics, then I don't know jack about that style of music.

He spent the 1990's searching for a niche, and the tragedy of 9/11 was Toby Keith's payday. Some would say that Toby Keith made his millions off of the worst terrorist attack on American soil. It's hard to deny that fact. Toby Keith was just one of those guys who found a way to turn sadness into gold.

Profitable Summerfest Looks to 2012

2010-12-02T13:16:00.000-08:00

As the experiment has not even begun, we find that Summerfest has already decided to close on Monday during the festival run in 2012. In 2011, July 4th falls on a Monday. The Summerfest management said that it made sense to close that day because Monday's are already bad, and the 4th makes it worse. To my surprise, I found an announcement that in 2012 Summerfest will be closed on Monday during that festival run as well. I wonder if they will back down on that decision if it backfires this year?

Summerfest Closed July 4th 2011 and Back On After That

2010-11-18T09:04:00.000-08:00

In what I find to be a very interesting change, Summerfest will close the gates for the July 4th 2011 holiday. This is the first time that they will shut down in the middle of the run. Summerfest management stated that the festival will run through Sunday July 10th. This will cut out the Monday doldrums that seem to occur down at the festival. Summerfest tickets do not sell well when the Forth of July lands on a Monday, and that is exactly what is lining up for 2011.

I like the idea of closing for one day. It's tough for music fans to decide between attending the local fireworks, or seeing a band that you love. My holiday starts early that day, and I don't feel like heading down to the festival grounds after eating a ton of great food. This way, we can enjoy the holiday, and know that we won't have to decide between family traditions, and music.

Summerfest South End Renovation Begins with Demolition

2010-11-17T06:45:00.000-08:00

The pictures coming from the south end of the Summerfest grounds are proof that the renovation project has begun. The Briggs stage is coming down, the beer stand has been torn apart, and the building just to the North of said stage is now a pile of lumber. The majority of the work is due to be completed by Summerfest 2011, but additional work will take place after the summer festival season ends.

Briggs Chips In to Renovate Summerfest Stage

2010-11-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

Briggs and Stratton has hosted a stage at Summerfest for the past 13 years. As the south end of the festival grounds prepares for its makeover, Briggs agreed to help pay for renovations to their stage.

Included with the stage renovations will be the construction of a building that will house vendors. As winter approaches, we look forward to the new look of the southern end of the festival grounds. The entire renovation will take two years, but major changes will be in place by Summerfest 2011.

Summerfest 2011 Lineup

2010-10-12T13:37:00.001-07:00

My friends ask me to take a guess as to who will perform at Summerfest 2011. I don't have a crystal ball. In fact, it's a well kept secret as to who is being courted by Summerfest management. We won't know until the ink is dry on a contract.

What I can say is that history has proven that there is usually an announcement in late March. The first Marcus Amphitheater act is booked around that time. More announcements trickle in as spring comes. The rumors may fly, but few people ever guess the right guess.

One other thing we have come to expect is the genre of music, and how many nights each is represented. There will be rock, pop, soul, country, and more. I'm not an insider, so I will wait with the rest of you.

Summerfest Grounds Southern Renovation

2010-10-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

The ink is dry on the plans to invest 25 million dollars on the south end of the Summerfest grounds. I have always felt that the area in question could use a face lift. Now it's going to be a reality.

The plans include a new south end box office, new restrooms, and of course the most important part, reconfiguring of the M&I stage. This will make the M&I stage change its third in just as many years. I liked the fact that they moved the M&I stage closer to the lake shore. The plan is to move it even further east.

The Briggs and Stratton stage area will also be updated. The Summerfest improvements will take two years, as this is the biggest project in nearly ten years.

Indian Summer at Summerfest Grounds 2010

2010-09-10T06:51:00.000-07:00

It's Indian Summer at the Summerfest Grounds. This is one of the last events to take place on the lakefront, before they close the gates until 2011. A veteran's parade will start at 3pm, and the pow wow will run the entire weekend. Indian Summer admission is $12 for adults, children under the age of 12 get in for free.

Marcus Amphitheater Lights Up Summerfest

2010-08-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

It was nice to see the Marcus Amphitheater lights turned on while I walked the Summerfest grounds. Irish Fest was this past weekend, and they are correct when they say that it's the largest Irish festival in the United States. The crowds rivaled that of Summerfest itself. There were times when you waited in line for food or drink tickets.

The rock stage was completely full, and fans were waiting for the Red Hot Chilli Pipers to play. They started late, but nobody minded. The weather was perfect, and the crowd was happy just to be outside in the non-muggy air.

Was there a sea of green along the Summerfest grounds? Not really. I would say that one in ten wore the green. I didn't. As the sun set, the lights from the stages took over. It was nice to have some solid beer options too. Some stands ran out of the better brews. I stayed away from the whiskey, as I was the designated driver.

Vans Warped Tour Milwaukee Summerfest Grounds 2010

2010-07-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

This coming weekend. we have the 2010 Vans Warped Tour coming to the Summerfest grounds. Who is the headline acts for this tour?

Sum 41
Pennywise
Alkaline Trio
We The Kings
Reel Big Fish
Alesana

This is the short list of what I would consider to be headliners for the Vans Warped Tour. There are so many bands coming, that everyone will have a favorite. That favorite may play at 2pm, or be the last band of the night. You never know what people will cling to. Summerfest tickets for this Vans Warped Tour are still available.

Summerfest Grounds Play Host to Kiss

2010-07-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you have tons of things yet to do this summer, so let's just skip right to the fall. Kiss will be hitting the stage at the Summerfest grounds on September 7. Will they ever stop touring? They are calling this the last one. We will see about that. For now, enjoy the ethnic festivals.

Summerfest 2010 Closes Out With Carrie Underwood

2010-07-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

Carrie Underwood was the last act to play the Marcus Amphitheater this season. Prior to that, Rush, Santana, Tom Petty, Justin Bieber, ZZ Top, and Usher all walked the same stage. Was Summerfest 2010 one of the best? I say yes.

I think that Tom Petty's Saturday night performance was one for the books. The fog rolled in just after ZZ Top left the stage. It cooled down just in time for Petty to perform. The wind rolled through the Marcus Amphitheater in a way that made the night special.

I took another trip down to Summerfest on July 4, to see DEVO. They were truly inspiring. Anyone that old and still pumping out new wave should be given props. Those DEVO "boys" are not getting any younger. We'll see what Summerfest 2011 brings, but that's not going to start until spring.

Summerfest Welcomes Usher to the Marcus Amphitheater

2010-06-30T07:27:00.001-07:00

Usher with Lyfe Jennings Tonight
Usher performs at the Marcus Amphitheater tonight, as Summerfest is nearing the half way point. Lyfe Jennings will open the show. We had one cancellation this year, and it was a biggie. Brooks and Dunn had to back out of their show. In place of the country music legends, Lynyrd Skynyrd took the stage.

Briggs and Stratton Stage Welcomes Dark Star Orchestra
Tomorrow night, we will see Carlos Santana with Steve Winwood on the big stage. As for side stage action, I suggest you get your kicks at The Briggs and Stratton stage. Dark Star Orchestra will perform at 8pm tonight.

Big Bang and Summerfest | A Milwaukee Tradition

2010-06-23T08:46:00.001-07:00

Are you one of the thousands that will head to the lakefront for the Big Bang fireworks? Perhaps you watch them from the Summerfest grounds. Either way, it's one of the best nights in Milwaukee. This Thursday is the first night of Summerfest. I'll be heading down to see Beatallica perform their mix of Beatles songs sung Metallica style. These local stars know how to rock.

I'll be back again on Saturday night to see Tom Petty and ZZ Top play at the Marcus Amphitheater. Petty plays two nights, and ZZ Top opens for both. Are you ready for the festival of all festivals? Summerfest 2010 starts in just two days.

Milwaukee Prepares for nearly one million Summerfest fans

2010-06-21T06:56:00.001-07:00

This is it. Milwaukee prepares for almost one million Summerfest fans. What Summerfest shows are most likely to draw the biggest crowds to the free stages? My guess for three of them are Devo on July 4, Passion Pit at the US Cellular stage on June 24th, B.B. King on June 27 at the M & I Classic Rock Stage, and The Offspring at the Harley Roadhouse on July 1. What do these bands have in common? They bring the party fans down to the lakefront. T-minus four days and counting until Summerfest Milwaukee!

Summerfest 2010 Shows at M&I Stage

2010-06-16T06:57:00.001-07:00

The Summerfest 2010 M&I Stage is just to the north of the Marcus Amphitheater. It's one of the biggest free stages on the festival grounds. When I ventured over there to see Elvis Costello last summer, I couldn't get close enough because I was late. I have to think that well over 5000 people could crowd that area with no problem.

The following are the M&I stage headline acts for 2010:

June 24 it's Night Ranger and Led Zepplin 2

June 25 Think Floyd USA/The American Pink Floyd Show

June 26 Uriah Heap 10pm with Savoy Brown at 3pm

June 27 B.B. King

June 28 Blue Oyster Cult

June 29 Weird Al Yankovic with local act Tyler Traband as support at 6:30pm

June 30 The Moody Blues

July 1 The B52's

July 2 Yes

July 3 Peter Frampton

July 4 Average White Band

This is certainly a "classic rock lineup" with the exception of the B52's. If you are headed to the M&I stage, do yourself a favor and get there a few hours before the show. That might get you a bit closer to the stage. Summerfest runs June 24th through July 4th this year.

Tim McGraw Summerfest Milwaukee Show | First Marcus Amphitheater Gig of the Week

2010-06-02T07:16:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since the first Summerfest tickets featuring Tim McGraw went on sale. I almost forgot about it. Lady Antebellum will be backing up McGraw on June 24th. That's the first night of the Big Gig. McGraw also has a show scheduled for the next night at Country Fest in Cadott Wisconsin.

I spotted Tim McGraw in a movie just the other day. He had a small part in Four Christmases, the movie featuring Reese Witherspoon, and Vince Vaughn. He plays the part of Vince's brother. I didn't recognize him. The credits at the end of the movie revealed that he was in the film. I had to rewind the movie, just to be sure. Yes, that was McGraw.

As for Lady Antibellum, the band is backing up Tim McGraw for a large part of the summer. The band is scheduled to play at their fan club party, where they hope to raise funds for the Nashville flood disaster victims.

The Big Bang and Summerfest in Milwaukee

2010-05-26T05:39:00.000-07:00

What can you expect for the Big Bang and Summerfest in Milwaukee? Crowds, people, traffic. We see the stories on the local news every year. There are families that camp out a day or two before the Big Bang. They rope off their spot on the lakefront, and sometimes sleep there overnight. Through rain or shine, these devoted fireworks lovers stick it out.

The fireworks can be seen from the entire lakefront, and as far away as Greenfield, if you park your car along Loomis Road. The launch site is near the War Memorial center, and that's where you can expect to see the largest crowds. As July 3 falls on a Saturday, we downtown commuters are thrilled to know that we will not have to fight our way home, just to turn around and head back to the lakefront. What do I like to do for the Big Bang? I get to the Summerfest grounds in the afternoon, and watch the fireworks from the sky glider.

Summerfest Admission Discount Day

2010-05-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

I always look for a good Summerfest Admission discount. There are so many ways to get in to the fest for a bargain. Some of us sign up for an early bird special. If you get the email from Summerfest, you can sign up for a pair of free admission tickets. You might have to get to the gate before 4pm, but that's not so hard.

Other times, you can take advantage of the special offers. I'm looking forward to the June 28th, Chipotle gate giveaway. The first 5000 people who show up at the gate after 5pm get a free "chips and guacamole card." My coworker practically lives at Chipotle, so I'll bet he's going on that night. Another great offer is the "2 buck Tuesday" offer from KAPCO Metal Stampings. Get to the gate between noon and 6:30, and you pay only $2 to get into Summerfest that day.

For the big day on July 4, all you have to do is hustle down to the Summerfest gates by 3pm, and it's free to enter. We all know that Summerfest Admission is a bargain, even at full price. The special offers just sweeten the pot. Don't forget the best deal of all. Johnson Controls and Fox 6 team up to help fight hunger. Bring a non-perishable food item to the gate between noon and 3pm on opening day, and you get a free admission ticket. Better yet, bring more than one item. What's it going to cost you?

Summerfest TheCoolTV Rock Stage Milwaukee 2010

2010-05-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee Summerfest 2010 TheCoolTV Rock Stage has posted their headline shows. Beatallica is a co-headliner on opening night. Big name acts such as Joan Jett, Flyleaf, Saliva, and Papa Roach will all hit the stage on various nights. Here is the complete headliner list for the Miller Lite/TheCoolTV Rock Stage. The Summerfest 2010 shows keep on coming.

June 24 Beatallica and LoveHammers

June 25 The Gracious Few

June 26 Red

June 27 Nonpoint

June 28 Saliva

June 29 Papa Roach

June 30 Cavo

July 1 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

July 2 August Burns Red

July 3 Flyleaf

July 4 Sick Puppies and Halestorm

Most headliners start at 10pm. Beatallica, Red, and August Burns Red all start at 8pm.

American Idols Marcus Amphitheater 2010

2010-05-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

The "top ten" American Idol finalists will perform at the Marcus Amphitheater on July 2. Who are they? I'm not sure of all the names, but Allison Iraheta and Orianthi will both be there. As for the rest, the names I see are Crystal Bowersox, Didi Benami, Katie Stevens, Lee DeWyze, and more.

What I do know is that Danny Gokey will be at Summerfest on July 4. Adam Lambert will be at the Riverside theater on June 15, so he's certainly not going to be at the Summerfest gig. Kris Allen will be at Turner Hall on June 4. Summerfest filled the last open slot with this show. It's wholesome fun for children and parents alike.

Usher Added to 2010 Summerfest Milwaukee Lineup

2010-04-22T13:09:00.001-07:00

Usher, the latest addition to the 2010 Summerfest Milwaukee Lineup, will headline the Marcus Amphitheater on June 30th. Yeah! Yeah! YEAH! Riding the coattails of his latest album, Raymond vs. Raymond, Usher will be certain to raise the roof at the Marcus Amphitheater with his dazzling vocals. Raymond vs. Raymond features stellar collaborations with artists such as Ludacris and Will.I.Am. If I had it my way, one of them will make a guest appearance at his show!

Rush Summerfest Tickets On Sale This Weekend

2010-04-14T07:15:00.001-07:00

Rush Summerfest tickets will be on sale this weekend. This is tour is in support of their classic album Moving Pictures. Rush performed in Milwaukee two years ago, at the same venue.

Rush news includes the fact that they are working on a new album. As of this post, they are around six songs into the writing phase. Neil Peart confirmed that five songs were completed, so it's safe to say that they are well on their way to new material. That means the tour will most likely focus on older works. The tour starts in late June, and ends in early October.

Cascio Groove Garage at Summerfest

2010-04-07T10:30:00.001-07:00

I hope that the Cascio Groove Garage is booking shows at Summerfest. For some reason, I really like that little set up. Perhaps it's the way it is tucked in between two buildings. There are actually a few trees to the left and right of the stage. It has that local talent too. Decapitado played there last summer. That was a great gig.

The Groove Garage used to be next to the food court. That was not a great location. There was traffic passing by. This traffic was headed to the Marcus Amphitheater, or looking for a place to grab a bite, and take a time out from the music. Now, the stage is just south of center.

Headliners for Summerfest are not entirely booked. I think that we will be hearing from the powers that be in the very near future. Summer is coming, and the headline acts will be locked in soon.

Brooks and Dunn Summerfest Tickets

2010-04-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

Summerfest 2010 has added country duo Brooks and Dunn to its lineup at the Marcus Amphitheater. Brooks and Dunn Summerfest Tickets will go on sale any day now. The popular country pair will make a Milwaukee stop at Summerfest as a part of their farewell tour. If you are a country fan, you will not want to miss this concert! You might even want to save your Brooks and Dunn Summerfest ticket as a special momento of this once in a lifetime event.

Eric Clapton and Roger Daltry Summerfest 2010

2010-03-31T09:35:00.000-07:00

Eric Clapton will perform with Roger Daltry on June 28 at Summerfest. Eric Clapton Summerfest Marcus Amphitheater tickets will be in demand, as this show features two artists who have a huge catalog of songs between them. Clapton was best known for being part of Cream, and Daltry was the lead singer of The Who.

Roger Daltry and The Who performed at this year's Super Bowl. Eric Clapton is coming off of a spring tour that featured a collaboration with Jeff Beck and Steve Winwood. Daltry has eight solo albums to his name. Ride A Rock Horse was his best effort. The smash hit movie Tommy is what others remember.

Clapton is a legend on his own. From his work with Cream, Tina Turner, Jeff Beck, and Steve Winwood he covers all the bases of rock and pop.

Summerfest Concert Featuring Moody Blues

2010-03-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

On June 30, the Moody Blues will be headlining one of the side stages. The Marcus Amphitheater headliner has yet to be announced, but for some fans, the Moody Blues will be more than enough. The band goes back 45 years. Summerfest Milwaukee is a great place for the Moody Blues show.

Their best, and most famous early hit song was Nights In White Satin. The year was 1968, and the trippy melody was perfect for the times. Tuesday Afternoon was also a mega-hit on that same album. Eventually, the band went their separate ways.

A reunion of the band was sure to follow, and in 1977, they got together to put out an album worthy of the time. Their label was hoping to slide a somewhat nasty old live show out into the marketplace, and the Moodie Blues were having none of that.

Summerfest Grounds to host Verge Festival

2010-03-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee Verge Festival will surely draw an "alternative rock" crowd. With AFI and Weezer headlining the festival, and many other alternative acts booked, this could easily draw thousands of fans to the Summerfest grounds.

Riversplash is no more, and that opened the door for another Milwaukee festival. June 4-5 is the weekend to head to lake. The configuration of which stages are to be used has yet to be determined. Verge festival is a great way to attract younger music fans to the Summerfest grounds.

Justin Bieber to Headline Summerfest Milwaukee at the Marcus Amphitheater

2010-03-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee’s Summerfest has added teen heartthrob Justin Bieber to its 2010 lineup at the Marcus Amphitheater. Bieber will perform Sunday, June 27^th at 7 PM. Justin Bieber Summerfest tickets go on sale this coming Saturday. Bieber's last appeared in Milwaukee this past November at the Rave.

Canadian native Justin Bieber found his musical fame via YouTube and has released one album, “My World.” Bieber has collaborated with Usher and Ludacris and is featured on the remake of Michael Jackson’s, “We Are the World.” Opening acts for his Summerfest show have yet to be announced. Who would you like to see take the stage with Bieber?

Summerfest Headline Acts Include Sheryl Crow, Public Enemy and Jeff Beck

2010-03-10T08:19:00.000-08:00

Summerfest Headline Acts for 2010 are starting to commit. Sheryl Crow, Public Enemy, and Jeff Beck have already signed on. Crow will play on June 24, with Colbie Caillat on a separate stage that same evening. Public Enemy will perform on June 25. Jeff Beck will headline one of the stages on that same night. Also playing the June 25 evening is 311. Thievery Corporation and Phil Vassar will headline the night of June 26.

On the night of June 30, the Moody Blues, Puddle of Mudd, and Chevelle will take to their respective stages. So far, the only July 1 headliner is The Hold Steady. Side stages are where it's at this year. With the Marcus Amphitheater booking Tom Petty for two nights, and country headliners on two others, I'm anxious to see what other headliners will be booked for the stages on the Summerfst grounds. Summerfst plans to announce more headline acts in May. They hope to use social media as their information platform.

Tom Petty Summerfest 2010 June 25 June 26 Marcus Amphitheater Show

2010-03-03T07:37:00.000-08:00

It looks like we will see Tom Petty at Summerfest Milwaukee on June 25 and 26. ZZ Top will be the opening act for both nights. We expected an evening of Tom Petty, but the big surprise is that he's here for two nights.

Tom Petty loves to play here, and who can blame him? Milwaukee loves the nostalgia acts. Consider the fact that we saw the BoDeans and Violent Femmes play Summerfest for about 15 years beyond their freshness date. Oh well, we hope for something current, topical, and fresh for some of the other nights at Summerfest 2010. Tom Petty Summerfest tickets will go on sale soon.

Milwaukee Alternative Festival June 4, 2010

2010-02-16T07:50:00.001-08:00

The Summerfest grounds will play host to the yet-t0-be-named alternative music festival on June 4th and 5th. In a previous post, I failed to list the actual dates. So far, we have yet to hear of the musical acts that will be headlining. It's February, and there is lots of time to book the bands. If you enter the "name this festival" contest, and you win, you will get lots of free passes to the event, and a $100 gift card to be used at Summerfest 2010. Not a bad deal.

Summerfest 2010 Lineup Includes Carrie Underwood July 4th at Marcus Amphitheater

2010-02-08T09:12:00.000-08:00

For Summerfest 2010, just announced is Carrie Underwood for the Marcus Amphitheater on July 4th. As this Summerfest announcement comes on this cold and snowy day, country music fans have something to look forward to. Carrie Underwood made her splash on American Idol, and never looked back.

Her first album was titled Some Hearts, came out in 2005, and hit number one on the country charts. She was named Breakthrough Artist Of The Year at the 2006 AMA awards. She hit number one again with her song titled Wasted. That was in 2007. Carnival Ride was her follow up album, and it went to double platnum status in short order.

Things just keep getting better for Carrie Underwood. In 2009, she was named Female Vocalist Of The Year at the CMA Awards. The onsale date has yet to be announced. She's certainly an act that can sell out the Marcus Amphitheater during Summerfest.

Summerfest Milwaukee Upstaged by "Alterna-fest"

2010-02-03T07:35:00.000-08:00

Don't get me wrong, I love Summerfest. I try to get down to the festival grounds at least three times every year. Milwaukee World Festival has now thrown down the gauntlet. Introducing, well, we don't have a name yet. The powers that be, say that the new Summer Festival will be a three-stage event, featuring new and established Alternative acts. Modern rock music will also be featured.

Summerfest has certainly moved into a more mature music festival. With three country acts performing at the Marcus Amphitheater during Summerfest. last year, one could say that it's moved in a direction that nobody expected. With the announcement of this alternative music festival, it only solidifies what's pretty much known here in Wisconsin.

What will compete with this "Alterna-Fest?" One thing will be the weather. The first week of June is notorious flood weather. Another obstacle for this first season is the Lollapalooza event in Chicago. That event will keep some high profile names from coming 90 miles north.

Pricing is good, at $25 for a single day, and $40 for the weekend. Let's just hope that we don't see the Five Card Studs taking the stage at any time during the weekend. We don't need to see a single cover band during this festival.

Summerfest July 4th Show at Marcus Will Not Be Dave Matthews

2010-01-26T13:24:00.001-08:00

Where will you go? Do you head down to Summerfest on July 4th to see a band that has not been booked yet, or do you head down to see Dave Matthews at Alpine Valley on July 4th. Yes, Summerfest fans, you have some decisions to make.

Personally, I don't head down to Summerfest on July 4th, because it's too crowded. I would rather drive to East Troy and see DMB on 7/4/10. He must really love Wisconsin. No matter who you are, you probably want to be somewhere special on the 4th of July.

Tim McGraw Summerfest Milwaukee Tickets

2010-01-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

If you were a Tim McGraw Fan Club member, you were most likely at a compter screen yesterday. Tim McGraw Summerfest Milwaukee tickets went on sale yesterday, but only through the fan club. Did his fan club snap up all the good Marcus Amphitheater seats? The world may never know. Summerfest is just five months away. Keep warm Milwaukee Summerfest fans.

Summerfest M&I Stage | Daydreaming about a warm summer day

2010-01-08T07:05:00.001-08:00

On snowy days like this, I dream of Summerfest Milwaukee. I would have a bratwurst, a beer, and perhaps a hot buttered corn on the cob. I would be sitting at the M&I stage, in the warm sunshine on a bench. Summerfest is six months away, but in my mind, I'm there right now.

Summerfest North Gate Entrance

2009-12-29T11:29:00.000-08:00

Did you ever notice that Milwaukee Summerfest north gate is quite different from the other two gates? When you enter Summerfest from the north, it's hard not to notice the Milwaukee Art Museum as it's in full view. There is grass, and a view of Lake Michigan when you come in from the north gate.

Summerfest's center gate is where you will find the most people, because the ticket booths are right there. The south entrance can be crowded too. That's where the Marcus Amp. people arrive.

The Summerfest North gate entrance puts you right by the rock stage too. It's also where you can grab the sky glider and head south over the top of the crowd. No matter where you enter, you will have a great time.

Summerfest at Milwaukee's Lakefront for 20 More Years

2009-12-23T12:35:00.001-08:00

Where is Summerfest in Milwaukee? If you live here, you know that Summerfest has been at the Maier Festival Grounds for years. Now, you will find Milwaukee's Summerfest to be at the Maier Festival grounds for another 20 years. Summerfest signed a long term lease just yesterday. Now it's time for another Summerfest concert announcement to celebrate.

Milwaukee Summerfest 2010 Taylor Swift | I can dream of a Marcus Amphitheater show.

2009-12-18T10:59:00.001-08:00

In light of my new love for Taylor Swift, I am keeping my fingers crossed that she will perform this summer at Milwaukee Summerfest 2010. 2009 has been a stellar year for Ms. Swift, having several top hits, handling the Kanye West fiasco with grace, being named to People magazine’s list of 25 Most Intriguing People of the year, so I know that I can forget about seeing her at the Miller Oasis. When it comes to Taylor Swift, we’re talking Marcus Amphitheater headliner.

That’s fine with me; I am more than happy to pay extra to see her dazzle the crowd at the Marcus. If Taylor Swift comes to the Marcus, I’d definitely splurge for some luxurious red seats. Hopefully she’ll play during the fireworks display. I love seeing shows at the Marcus that fall during the fireworks, prime location.

Summerfest Show Remembered

2009-12-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

We all know that the Summerfest Stages have changed throughout the years. When the rock stage was on the south end of the grounds, I saw Stevie Ray Vaughn perform. I was a Milwaukee Punk Rock kid, and Vaugh impressed me big time.

We muscled our way to the front of the crowd. We were just feet away from Stevie. I saw him do the most amazing thing with his guitar. He would stand on it, flip it, and get a noise out of that rattling guitar that sounded like a growl. It's snowing out right now. I can't wait for Summerfest to start.

Summerfest Milwaukee Beer Prices | Will They Rise as Summerfest Takes Over?

2009-11-24T12:26:00.000-08:00

When the beer flows at Summerfest in Milwaukee, the person pouring that beer is not important to the recipient. They just want it served up cold and fast. According to news reports, those that run the festival have decided to take back control of the Summerfest beer vending. In past years, the beer vendors were contract employees, under control of a very well run company.

It must have something to do with profits. It may have something to do with the economy. Either way, if your beer is warm, and it takes too long for that suds-slinger to get to you, you are feeling the effects of the change.

I'm sure that things will go and flow smoothly, but I was a fan of the people who ran the beer tents. They didn't mess around. If this change brings a few more rock bands to Summerfest, then I will be really happy.

Marcus Amphitheater Seating Chart

2009-11-18T07:57:00.000-08:00

When you attend a Summerfest Milwaukee show, you might find yourself wondering what is that huge venue at the south end of the grounds? That's the Marcus Amphitheater of course! A long time ago, that part of the Summerfest grounds was where you would find a midway. You could go on on of those rickety rides, eat a corn dog, or try your luck at a stuffed animal prize.

Summerfest needed a permanent stage for the biggest acts. They built the Marcus Amphitheater just for that need. The midway took its place in history when that happened. When you look at a Marcus Amphitheater seating chart, you can see that the venue can hold thousands of people, all under one roof. Rain or shine Summerfest fans will enjoy the show.

Summerfest Milwaukee Food Favorites for Every Taste

2009-11-11T11:47:00.000-08:00

Everybody who has attended Summerfest has their favorite foods of the festival – some people are all about Robby’s corn on the cob, while others steer more towards the sweet treats at Ultimate Confections. Here are a few of my personal favorites.

Every year, my first food priority at Summerfest is hitting up Saz’s and getting some ribs and the combo platter! Saz’s famous ribs are slathered in BBQ sauce and if you haven’t tried them yet, you’re missing out! The combo platter includes small sample sizes of their best apps including the mozzarella marinara, sour cream and chive fries and the delectable Leinenkugel's battered cheese curds. If there is any room left after this, I love Coldstone Creamery and I always get the birthday cake remix. It is rich cake batter flavored ice cream mixed with generous chunks of brownie topped with chocolate sauce and sprinkles. After thoroughly stuffing myself, I know I will be ready for a good time with great music!

Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum Summerfest 2010 Show

2009-10-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

Tim McGraw will headline the opening night of Milwaukee’s Summerfest 2010. On Thursday, June 24th at 7:30, McGraw will take the stage of the Marcus Amphitheater. Lady Antebellum and Love and Theft are scheduled open for McGraw. This is the first announced show of the Summerfest 2010 lineup. Stay tuned for more announcements.

Summerfest 2010 Milwaukee Predictions

2009-10-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

It looks like Summerfest 2010 will start on June 24th or 25th. That would make the 11 day music festival come to a close on July 4th. As the "World's Largest Music Festival" always starts on a Thursday, it has to end on a Sunday. The earliest we hear about Marcus Amphitheater bookings is in March or April. I wonder if they will book three country shows yet again?

Summerfest Parking at Milwaukee's Henry Maier Festival Grounds

2009-10-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

Every year, thousands of Milwaukeeans and music fans from all around come down to the annual Summerfest event down by the lakefront on the Henry Maier Festival Grounds. With so many people in attendance, it can definitely be a feat to find cheap parking, let alone parking at all. Here are some tips for Summerfest parking in Milwaukee.

If you can, take a freeway flyer out of the suburbs or the city bus! Skip the trouble of finding a place to park all together for a small fee and you’re able to head down with a larger group than might fight in one car.

If you are going to the festival with someone who might have difficulty walking long distances or you’re willing to pay a little more for the convenience of a close spot, the H lot near the Marcus Amphitheater. The cost is usually a bit more (around $20) but you are less than a block away from the grounds with easy in and out

If you’re willing to walk, you can definitely find lots of places to park in the downtown area to park very cheaply or free. To find the best parking, you’ll probably have to walk at least 5 or 8 blocks but it is an option for those looking to walk off the calories of the funnel cakes you know you’ll be eating at Summerfest.

Don't forget the cabs for all you fans of the Milwaukee Summerfest beer suppliers.

Milwaukee Summerfest Admission, Stages, and Reviews

2009-10-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

The leaves are changing and the weather is getting cooler, it is officially fall. Celebrating the season, I am drinking a pumpkin spice latte and starting to bundle up but before I get too far into unpacking my scarves, I will take a moment to look back on the warmer times. Summer is spent with days on the beach and if you’re lucky enough to live in Milwaukee, great nights at Summerfest seeing your favorite bands.

My favorite Summerfest show that I have been reminiscing about lately would definitely have to be seeing Jacks Mannequin the summer of 2007. The show was at the U.S. Cellular Connection Stage that is sponsored by Leinenkugel’s and FM 102.1 and took place on the 4^th of July. This show was such a great show because it took place on the best day of the year, my birthday! The band played at 10:00 PM and the weather was perfect, a cool breeze coming in off Lake Michigan and I went with all of my friends. The band put on an awesome show and front man and pianist Andrew McMahon shared a great moment with the fans as it was the last day he took pills for his chemotherapy to treat leukemia. The band played some awesome songs from their debut CD , Everything In Transit and some new tracks from The Glass Passenger, their most recent CD. For many reasons, this is my favorite show from my vault of Summerfest memories.

Indian Summer at Summerfest Grounds

2009-09-16T07:38:00.001-07:00

If anyone had the chance to see the Apache skateboarders at Indian Summer, they were treated to some amazing performances. Indian Summer had fantastic weather, and great crowds. Soon enough, there will be snow on the Summerfest grounds. It's been a great season for Milwaukee Summerfest fans. Soon enough, we will be handing our Summerfest tickets over to the ticket checkers at the gate, in 2010.

Post Summerfest Shows and Events

2009-08-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

By the time Blink 182 took the stage last Tuesday, the crowd was put through the ringer. They opened the show with Dumpweed, blasted through 21 more songs including I Miss You, Not Now, and Josie. They came out for their encore and played Carousel, and Dammit. Travis Barker did his usual drum solo to open the encore set. The opening acts were Fall Out Boy, and Panic At The Disco.

This weekend, the Summerfest grounds will be hosting all the best from the Middle East. Arab World Fest starts tomorrow. This is probably the only festival that has to state that it is a "non-religious, and non-political festival." Does Festa Italiana have to say that it's a "non-crime family" event. That is a sad thing to have to put in your promotional material. I would just go down there for the food.

Summerfest Grounds to Consider All Season Venue

2009-07-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

Summerfest attendance was up just a bit from 2008. This comes about during a tough economic time for all festivals. Summerfest will not release actual revenue figures, but they say that revenue increased by just under three percent.

Don Smiley had big shoes to fill when Bo Black departed. His biggest challenge was to keep the turnstiles churning, and he did just that. Smiley credits this uptick to the talented performers that he brought to Milwaukee this year.

There is now talk of a year-round venue that should be built on the festival grounds. What will they do with the Marcus Amphitheater? Perhaps they could enclose that venue, or renovate it.
I will say that the Summerfest grounds are vast. If they were to make a year-round venue there, it should be on the north end of the grounds. People of Milwaukee need that visual enticement. Will this enclosed venue have to compete with venues like the Bradley Center?

Summerfest is the Best Summer Event In Milwaukee

2009-06-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

As all Milwaukeeans know, Summerfest is the highlight of Milwaukee summers. I went on the first night, June 25 and had a great time with some tasty food and awesome music. Here is a recap on my evening. I got to Summerfest around 3 PM and was greeted with some great weather. It was a nice hot afternoon so the Summerfest grounds were the perfect place to be to get a cool breeze off the lake and still enjoy the sun. I spent a few hours walking around the grounds along the lakefront, looking at the goodies all the vendors had to sell. I had a delicious late lunch of fried eggplant strips and a chicken parmesan sandwich at the Venice Club near the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse.
I took some time to take the sky glider across the grounds to get an aerial view of all the activities, stages and Marcus Amphitheater shows. It was a beautiful view and you could see the downtown skyline and the Milwaukee Public Museum. I met up with some friends a little later in the evening and saw an awesome local band called Toadking at the Cascio Interstate Music Groove Garage. Toadking are one of my favorite Milwaukee bands and they play a fusion of psychedelic music and folk rock. To after dancing and singing along to some great tunes, we went over to Coldstone Creamery to go cool down with a little birthday remix ice cream.
After taking a little break from music and dance, we went over to the Briggs and Stratton Big Backyard stage to go get some seats for Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band. We caught the last few songs from Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons and ended up getting some excellent seats right in front as some fans left. We were in the second row close to the center and were up close and personal with one of our favorite musicians, Conor Oberst. The set was fun and brought out lots of fans who we sang and danced on the bleachers with. The band played for a little over an hour and we left just in time to miss a huge surge of people leaving the grounds. We had so much fun that we are going to go back tonight (June 29) to go and see Lupe Fiasco at the Miller Lite Oasis and Spoon at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse.

More Summerfest Updates

2009-05-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

As the weather gets warmer, all Milwaukee area residents look forward to the staple of their summer: Summerfest. With the event being about one month away, most of the bands playing are already posted and it looks like we’re in for a great 11 days of music and fun.
This year, like every year, Summerfest will be hosting a wide variety of performers. Some main stage acts include Bon Jovi, Kid Rock, Bob Dylan and No Doubt, just to name a few. This year we are seeing three different country performances (Keith Urban, George Strait, and Kenny Chesney) which are a big staple of the Marcus Amphitheater Shows. This influx of country should add a unique feel to the festival this year and bring out some people that may not have been as interested in the fest previously. Another big name coming to Summerfest this year is KISS, a rock band that has been around since the 1970s. Their performance will bring out some hard rocking fans looking for a sensational and stimulating show. Along with their exciting live performance, we will probably see a lot of great KISS merchandise, such as clothing, action figures and other novelty items. Though the Marcus Amphitheater is a great venue on the Summerfest grounds to see popular big name acts, my favorite stage is the Cascio Interstate Music Groove Garage. This stage is my favorite because it provides a great opportunity to local musicians. The stage is sponsored by Cascio Interstate Music, which is one of the state’s largest music stores and also a large competitor nationally in the independent music company circuit. The stage offers live, local and original music all 11 days of the fest. Some bands I am excited to see there are a jam band called The Toad King and an alternative mellow band called hitide.lotide. This year the Cascio Stage is moving to a better location between the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse and the Briggs and Stratton Big Backyard stages which is a higher traffic area than the previous location, allowing more people to become prospective fans.
After seeing some great bands and hopefully enjoying some beautiful weather, Summerfest offer a great variety of places to chow down. Whether you are interested in a sweet ice cream treat from Cold Stone Creamery or some spicy hot wings from Buffalo Wild Wings, Summerfest has it all. My favorite place to grab a bite to eat between performances is Greek Village on the north end of the grounds near other ethnic eateries. The Greek Village has awesome gyros, hot and fresh spinach cheese pies and to finish your meal, delicious honey puffs. If you don't like rock and roll, Miller Park tickets are always a great deal. Check out the Brewers if you can.

Side Stages Announce Headliners at Summerfest

2009-05-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

A number of the side stage headline acts have been posted for Summerfest 2009. I have to hand it to the Summerfest management. They have booked some solid shows on those stages. We are not surprised to see the BoDeans on one night. At least they are not taking up space on the Marcus Stage.

My early pick for best night would be when the Dropkick Murphys take the stage. The Tossers will play just prior to the Dropkick Murphys. The Offspring play the same night. They are on the Miller Lite Oasis stage. That used to be called the "Miller Lite Jazz Oasis" stage. How times have changed.

Is Summerfest setting up a "punk" night? What a surprise. That's all I have time for today. I'll be back with more Summerfest concert announcements as they get locked in.

"The Beast" talks about Summerfest

2009-05-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

Since I’m taking a blog break, I asked “The Beast” to write up what she likes about Summerfest. Let me introduce “The Beast.”
Being a resident of the Milwaukee tri-county area, Summerfest is an event that is always at the top of the list for summertime activities. Summerfest is my favorite annual music festival. It features all genres of music and boasts the slogan “The World’s Largest Music Festival.” Some headliners coming this summer are Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, Chicago, No Doubt, Bob Dylan and The Fray, just to name a few.
While Summerfest is a music festival, it is not just limited to music. Many local eateries serve food and beverages. You can find vendors selling clothing and novelties, and there are many family oriented activities for children available during the day.
Some personal highlights of Summerfest for me would be seeing Jack’s Mannequin at the U.S. Cellular Connection Stage in 2007 and 2008, and seeing A.F.I on the same stage in 2006. This year, I am looking forward to checking out Sound Tribe Sector 9 on July 1. I hope that the weather is better than last year, because it rained both times I went in 2008. One con of the free stages is the bleachers. You will find them bolted to the ground, and right up to the front edge of the stage. I would stand up close to the stage, but I usually get there early enough for a good bleacher spot. With so many people that attend the festival, you will surely be chatting with your neighbors while waiting to see your favorite bands (And hopefully meet some interesting and nice people.)
The U.S. Cellular Connection Stage is in a great location, because it is close to the lake. It’s almost a guarantee that you will feel a cool breeze; it’s also close to the many dining options bathroom facilities. The stage is sponsored by local radio station Rock 102.1, so many of the acts are alternative or rock. The U.S. Cellular Connection stage is not the only place to hear great music though. On the grounds, there are 10 free music stages, such as the Miller Lite Oasis, the Harley Davidson Roadhouse, and M&I Classic Rock Stage. The Marcus Amphitheater is the largest stage, and the “main” stage for performances on the grounds. That is where all the headliners play. Tickets for these shows cost extra, but that ticket price includes Summerfest admission.

Summerfest is a great place to go with your family during the day and enjoy the weather. It’s also a fun nightlife experience, with many bands and musical performances. This year, Summerfest runs from June 25 through July 5. The park is open from noon until midnight, daily. A unique and convenient perk of Summerfest is the Freeway Flyer shuttle service, offering rides to the park and back to park-n-rides in close suburbs and the Milwaukee County Public Transit system offers their bus services for those living downtown. If you are looking for some fun in Milwaukee this summer, I highly recommend that you check out Summerfest and their musical lineup.

Earth, Wind and Fire with Chicago at Summerfest

2009-04-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

We saw the massive crowd at the side stage. Earth, Wind, and Fire drew a crowd so large that Summerfest decided that they were worthy of a Marcus Amphitheater show. Chicago is a band this has continued to perform since 1967. On June 30th, we will see if their fans can fill the venue. Both bands have had numerous hits. For Earth, Wind and Fire, their biggest was Shining Star. That also happens to be their only number one song. Their Album Gratitude hit number one in 1975. Since that time, they have not had a number one song or album. In fact, if we dig deeper Summerfest fans would be hard pressed to find their songs in the top ten since 1986.

Chicago has seen nineteen members come and go since they formed in 1967. They still have four of the original members in the lineup, so the other fifteen must have been temps? Colour My World is a song you will certainly hear at Summerfest.

Kid Rock with Lynyrd Skynyrd on tour, Sort Of.

2009-03-30T18:05:00.000-07:00

Sweet Home Alabama is a song I know. Kid Rock put his own lyrics on top of that melody last year. It was a huge hit for Kid. We will see both Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd play The Marcus Amphitheater on the last night of Summerfest. Lynyrd Skynyrd will open the show, but you can bet that they will come back out for Kid's most current hit song.

Kid Rock comes from Detroit, so it was interesting to listen to the way he crafted the words to that old song Sweet Home Alabama. This Summerfest season sure leans towards the southern end of things. With three country acts, and now this southern rock band backing up Kid Rock, a whole new group of fans will come to know the fun of having Summerfest tickets in hand.

Ok, What's the Deal Country Don?

2009-03-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

Mr. Smiley:

I'm not a country music hater. I love the classic artists like George Strait. With that being said, you are starting to worry me. You booked three nights of country music for the Marcus Amphitheater.

We all have our opinions about who you should book for Summerfest. Let's be honest and say that other "festivals" have stronger line ups depending on the year. Bumbershoot comes to mind. Seattle is a larger city, with a rich history of cutting edge music. Some years, I will see their lineup and wonder why these bands cannot make it to Milwaukee. Perhaps its more about the art in Seattle, and less about beer sales.

For now, I will chalk it up to your desire to see lots of cowboy hats on the Summerfest grounds.

Sincerely,
The biggest Summerfest fan in Wisconsin

I Need A Summerfest Fix

2009-02-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

When the high temperature hit 60 degrees on Monday, I longed for Summer. When I think of Summer, I think of Summerfest. So far, we have two concert announcements. Both are country artists, so I won't be seeing them, but I might be there that night just to see someone on a side stage.

The two shows came out very early this year. Now we wait to see who is next. The tickets for this Brew City event come out in the next few weeks, and trickle down throughout the coming months. Every once in a while, the Summerfest people leave a date open for what seems like a very long time. We may see the last concert announcement come out in May, for the June 25th opening.

The air will be warm, the sun will shine, and you will find me on the grounds with a beer in my hand. I bet that it will be another month before I see a 60 degree day. At least we had one in February.

Less than 24 Hours to Go...

2008-06-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

We have less than a day to go for the opening of the Summerfest gates for the 2008 run. All of the bands have been announced. All of the beer has been chilling and Saz's is loading up on the combo platters.

"The Big Bang" fireworks display will be tomorrow night Thursday, June 26, at 10:30 pm, weather permitting. Usually to accommodate people who want to see the fireworks, but attend the main stage show at the Marcus Amphitheater, the concert will either end in time for the fireworks or break for the "oohs" and "aahs". With Stevie Wonder being the opener this year, and probably an older crowd, I am going to go with the former. I don't know if he even has an opening act scheduled.

I listed it earlier, but there are various ways to get in summerfest for free. Food donations come to mind. Coupons are often available in the Journal/Sentinel. Some days, there is free admission if you get to the gate early. If you check the Summerfest website, you will find a list of the specials.

40 Years of Summerfest Classic Rock Style

2008-06-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

On a local Milwaukee radio station's website, there is a nice laundry list for classic rock fans to peruse. Starting with Summerfest's first year 1968, Steve Palec put together a list of memorable Summerfest moments. (WKLH took that link down, but we all have our favorite moments to reflect upon)

It is funny looking at the list as many of the acts who headlined a stage at Summerfest come back year after year, sometimes moving to a bigger stage, sometimes smaller. Then you have a band like The Steve Miller Band who goes both directions.

If it weren't for classic rock, Bob Babisch and the other Summerfest big shots would have some empty stages, most notably on the Marcus Amphitheater stage.

Summerfest Blogging

2008-06-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

If you nose around the web looking for Summerfest information. Maybe you haven't been before and are looking for the locals' take. Maybe you are just curious about the admission promotions for the upcoming year. Either way, you are sure to stumble on a blog or two dedicated to Summerfest and it's charm. Just today I came across a blog entry from a neat site called Johnnyjet.com. You can read it on your own time, "Milwaukee: Part 2", but it deserves to be highlighted as it is very complementary to my Milwaukee, Brew City, which isn't something that happens everyday. It helps getting the word out that there are things to do in Milwaukee besides getting drunk.

Top Summer Beers to Enjoy at Summerfest

2008-06-07T09:22:00.000-07:00

There is one big caveat to the following list. Not all of the beers listed can actually be purchased on the Summerfest grounds. The offerings at the various tents do run deeper than Milwaukee's Miller brands, though not as deep as a serious beer drinker might be hoping for.

Playing a quick game of "if I was in charge", I have compiled my list of ice cold brews I would like to enjoy as I take in some music at Summerfest. Sorry Miller, the list does not include your nasty Miller Chill. I tried, can't do it.

10. Pabst Blue Ribbon

9. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

8. Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat

7. Corona with lime

6. Blue Moon

5.Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy

4. Sam Adams Summer Ale

3. New Glarus Spotted Cow

2. Hacker-Schorr Weiss

with the obvious winner being...

1. Sierra Nevada Summerfest

Summerfest Memories

2008-06-06T13:27:00.000-07:00

We were sitting around chit chatting at the office today talking about our Summerfest memories. The oldest of the bunch immediately shared with us his first concert, the Jackson 5 back in the 70's. He went with his Dad; said it was a great memory for him. I guess of all the bands, seeing the Jackson 5 break out "ABC", "I'll Be There" and "Never Can Say Goodbye" would be pretty cool. This was in the days pre-Marcus Amphitheater.

Then the youngest of the bunch shared seeing Alanis Morisette when he was in 6th grade. I like her, but this concert as a first could permanently damage a kid.

The cougar in the office didn't mention seeing any music, just the fun in meeting cute new boys each night of Summerfest. Those were the days.

Brewers Team Up with Summerfest

2008-06-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

The Milwaukee Brewers are offering a sweet deal combining a Brewers ticket with a Summerfest admission ticket for just $20. Brewers fans will get a ticket to one of the three Interleague games against the Toronto Blue Jays June 17-19, 2008 and then the admission ticket to Summerfest would be valid any one of the days of the run, June 26-July 6. The ticket packages are available through the Miller Park Box Office. I thought in years past there were cute t-shirts they made available too. Add the t-shirt and count me in.

As the Brewers sit 6 behind the Chicago Cubs, this series could be pivotal. And as I sit waiting for the gates to Summerfest to open and feed me yummy food and cold beer, I will take advantage of any ticket deals around this summer.

Summerfest Admission Promotions for 2008

2008-06-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

If you are headed to Summerfest in Milwaukee this summer without an admission ticket in hand, you will have a few options. On your way to the gate, you will likely encounter a number of guys selling admission tickets. While you might get a fairly good deal, you might also get turned away at the gate because the ticket you bought was stolen or counterfit. While it probably won't happen, there is a chance. Remember that your concert ticket for one of the Marcus Amphitheater shows like Tom Petty, Rascal Flatts or John Mayer already gets you in the door for the rest of the festival grounds. No need for another admission ticket if you are seeing an Amphiteater show.

Summerfest.com has listed the following promotions for this year, each offering fest-goers an opportunity at discounted Summerfest tickets. Each deal, unless otherwise noted runs from noon until the promotion runs out or 3p, whichever comes first. My experience has been that you really need to be there right at noon, or line up early to take advantage of these deals. Then the trick is, that you have to stick around for awhile to get a handstamp to come back in later in the day. So you end up spending all sorts of cash on food and drink waiting for a hand stamp.

Here is the promotion run down:

Thursday, June 26
Johnson Controls Stomp Out Hunger Day (benefitting the Hunger Task Force). Donate three non-perishable food items and receive one free admission ticket.

Friday, June 27
Cedar Crest Day. The first 1,500 patrons will receive one free admission ticket at the Mid-Gate promotions booth when they turn in: two pint lids, one quart lid or one 48 oz. lid of Cedar Crest ice cream or sherbet.

Saturday, June 28
M&I Classic Rock Rewards Day. Be one of the first 1,000 M&I Bank customers to show a valid M&I Rewards Check Card, Rewards Credit Card or Rewards Equity Card and receive one free admission ticket.

Sunday, June 29
Johnson Controls Goes Green at Summerfest Day. The first 1,500 patrons presenting a receipt along with identifiable product packaging of a multi-pack Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL) will be granted one free admission ticket. The receipts must be dated between June 1 and June 29, 2008, and no copies or handwritten receipts will be accepted.

Monday, June 30
Dean's Milk & Ice Cream, Sentry Foods and TODAY'S TMJ4 Children's Fest Day
All patrons arriving between Noon and 3:00 pm will be admitted free! Spend a fun-filled day with the family enjoying free Children's Fest activities including the Map of Fun and Family Ticket Package giveaways at 3:15 pm at the Sentry SportsZone. Select food vendors will offer discounts on food & beverage items. Stop by the Dean's Milk & Ice Cream truck next to the Elizabeth Bo Black Children's Fountain and purchase a Deans Milk Chug to benefit Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

Tuesday, July 1
Northwestern Mutual Day. The first 1,500 patrons who donate any new, indoor children's toy, art supplies or children's G or PG rated DVD movie with a $5.00 minimum value will receive one free admission ticket. All items must be new with original tags attached and/or original packaging. All items collected will be used throughout the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin System.

Wednesday, July 2
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel PressCard Day. All patrons who present a valid Milwaukee Journal Sentinel PressCard will receive one free admission ticket. One admission per card.
Pick 'n Save / Kimberly-Clark Food Drive Day is Thursday, July 3. Starting June 12, Pick 'n Save customers who purchase three participating Kimberly-Clark products (i.e. Kleenex, Cottenelle, Scott, Huggies Diapers or Pull-Ups) using their Pick 'n Save savings card will receive a checkout values coupon. The first 2,000 customers who show the coupon and donate three non-perishable Roundy's brand items will receive one free admission ticket. No copies of coupons will be accepted. All donations will benefit the Salvation Army.

Thursday, July 3
H.O.G.® Day will also take place on . Patrons will receive one free admission ticket when presenting a valid H.O.G.® (Harley Owners Group®) card at the tent located on the northwest corner of Chicago Street and Harbor Drive. One admission per card.
Friday, July 4 is Malt-O-Meal Day. The first 1,500 patrons will receive one free admission ticket when presenting an original receipt from any Wisconsin grocer that specifies the purchase of any two Malt-O-Meal Bag Cereals 6 oz. or larger. Receipt must be dated between June 26 and July 4, 2008. No copies or handwritten receipts will be accepted.

Saturday, July 5
CBS 58 Milwaukee / MDA Day. The first 1,500 patrons contributing $5 or more to the Muscular Dystrophy Association will receive one free admission ticket.

Sunday, July 6
We Energies Free Admission Day. All patrons attending Summerfest on the final Sunday between Noon and 3:00 pm will receive free admission compliments of We Energies!

DISCOUNT ADMISSION PROMOTIONS:

Monday, June 30 - Thursday, July 3
Time Warner Cable's weekday discount promotion. Receive $3 off an $8 weekday admission ticket when presenting your Time Warner Cable Summerfest bill stuffer at any ticket window.

Wednesday, July 2
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Newspaper Coupon Day is . Receive $6 off an $8 weekday admission ticket when showing an original 2008 Summerfest coupon from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel at any Summerfest ticket window.

AND

Wisconsin Lottery Discount Day. Present a non-winning Wisconsin Lottery Summerfest scratch ticket and receive $3 off an $8 weekday admission ticket at any window.

Mellencamp fills in hole at Marcus Amphitheater

2008-05-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

The final date to the Summerfest 2008 lineup at the Marcus Amphitheater has been announced. John Cougar Mellencamp will bring his classic rock to Milwaukee on Saturday, June 28. Having a nice long list of hits like, Jack and Diane, Small Town, Little Houses, ROCK in the USA, Paper in Fire and Hurts so Good to choose from will have concertgoers singing along like it's karoke night at Summerfest. For many of the dates, rocker Lucinda Williams is the opener, but no one has been confirmed as the Summerfest opener. I checked the Mellencamp official site, no one was posted there either.

Mellencamp tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster Saturday, May 31 at 10am central time. Ticket prices start at $45 before service charges. It does look like Summerfest will offer a limited number of free lawn seats the day of the show, usually via a nasty handstamp line early in the day.

US Cellular / 102.1 Stage Announcements

2008-05-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

Even though I am approaching the age whereby I should enjoy the Marcus Amphitheater lineup at Summerfest, I tend to get just as anxious to see who the 102.1 radio/US Cellular people line up for their main stage on the Summerfest grounds. Generally, "alternative" type rock and usually doesn't disappoint. This year the first and last day of the fest have peaked my interest with They Might Be Giants playing at 10p on the first night and The Bravery closing the 10 day music festival in Milwaukee. For my $15 Summerfest admission, these two bands can have my loot. The trouble is now, I have the open, the close and the 4th to see The Roots play. Being the grumpy middle-aged gal that I am, I just don't know if I have the stamina to go three days. Depressing I realize. I am more of a Captain's Deck kind of girl. Free beer, place to sit and chill with my friends all sounds good to me. But what doesn't kill me will make me stronger. So watch out you little drunk 18-year-olds trying to see The Bravery, this mama is making her way to the front of the stage.

Summerfest Stages Filling Up

2008-05-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

Each day there seem to be more announcements on the official Summerfest.com site. The Harley Davidson Stage, the Potawatomi stage, the Briggs & Stratton stage and the M&I Rock stage all have announced their headliners. There seem to be some nice additions. Earth, Wind and Fire singing "September" would be worth a trip to Summerfest on the last night. The song always end every wedding reception I am at, why not close out the 2008 fest?

In case you didn't know, Summerfest is open each day, June 26 - July 6, from noon until midnight. They usually have a "kids" day at the grounds, with some taking this way too long in to the night.

If you are looking to kill some time online, check out the Summerfest Blogs at http://summerfest.com/cs/. In my one quick look, I learned the Foo Fighters are playing the Harley Davidson Anniversary party. I like me some Dave G.