From Jelly Roll to Noah Kahan, 15 top concerts to see in Milwaukee this summer
Ok, sure, the first day of summer isn’t technically until June 20.
But I just can’t wait for it to get here — especially when I look at the concert calendar in Milwaukee.
There’ll be Summerfest, of course, plus dozens of other festivals and an overflowing slate of shows at Fiserv Forum, area amphitheaters, theaters and clubs. And no doubt there are several other tours coming to town before September that haven't been announced yet.
But as things stand now, picking the top Milwaukee summer concerts of 2024 is already a difficult proposition. Still, I took a crack at it, selecting five concert picks each for this June, July and August.
Top 5 Milwaukee concerts this June
5. Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band
Over the past decade, Chesney and Zac Brown Band became two of Milwaukee's most frequent major venue performers. But for the first time they're teaming up for a show at the Brewers ballpark where they'll no doubt pay tribute to another Milwaukee concert favorite and their friend and muse, the late Jimmy Buffett. Plus they'll share the stage with up-and-comer Megan Moroney, who recently scored more Academy of Country Music Award nominations than any female artist.
When, where, prices: 5 p.m. June 22, American Family Field, One Brewers Way. $50 to $356 at the box office and brewers.com/chesney.
4. Wilco
Jeff Tweedy and company made the trip up 1-94 from Chicago to the Riverside Theater in 2014 to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Now for the 30th anniversary of the band's run, they've got a bunch of new acclaimed music to show for it, including alt-country double album "Cruel Country," and last year's "Cousin," both new releases since their last show in town at Summerfest in 2021.
When, where, prices: 7:30 p.m. June 12, Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. $45.95 to $65.95 at the door and through the Pabst.
3. Maggie Rogers
The indie pop artist played Milwaukee just last year, but circumstances have noticeably changed, with Rogers receiving some of the greatest reviews of her career for recently-released third album "Don't Forget Me," which led to Rogers' first arena tour this fall. But before she plays such large venues, she'll play a comparatively smaller one in Milwaukee at the BMO Pavilion.
When, where, prices: 7:30 p.m. June 8, BMO Pavilion, Maier Festival Park. $59.13 to $106.88 at the box office and bmopavilion.com.
2. T-Pain's Wiscansin Fest
Hip-hop fans are going to have a hot June, between Summerfest's offerings and the second Milwaukee-area installment of the Tacos and Tequila Festival, this time led by Ludacris and T.I., at Franklin Field. But my pick for the best hip-hop showcase of the season remains T-Pain's Wiscansin Fest. Now in its third year in Wisconsin, T-Pain will take over the entire Rave compound with contemporaries like Akon, Soulja Boy and Ying Yang Twins; EDM artist Dillon Francis; breakout Milwaukee lowend rapper Myaap; plus at least 10 other acts.
When, where, prices: 3 p.m. June 8, the Rave, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave. Sold out. Resale tickets currently start at $65 at stubhub.com.
1. SZA
Keep an eye out for my guide to top shows at Summerfest in June, but I already know, of some 600 acts scheduled to play the Big Gig, which artist I'm most excited about. Few artists are as big of a sensation as SZA right now, whose long-delayed sophomore album "SOS" managed to be one both one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the 2020s and one of the most successful, thanks to smash hits like "Kill Bill" and "Snooze." Now at the peak of her popularity, she's coming to Summerfest to make her Milwaukee debut.
When, where, prices: 7:30 p.m. June 22, American Family Insurance Amphitheater, Summerfest, Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr. $130.78 to $285. 51 at the box office and summerfest.com. Tickets include Summerfest general admission on June 22.
Top 5 Milwaukee concerts this July
5. Noah Kahan
A little less than a year ago, Noah Kahan drew one of the largest crowds ever for a side stage show at Summerfest. He's become immensely more popular since then, with his fandom continuing to climb thanks to the ongoing popularity of his folk pop album "Stick Season," with A-listers like Zach Bryan, Hozier, Post Malone and Olivia Rodrigo teaming up for collaborations.
When, where, prices: 8 p.m. July 13, Alpine Valley Music Theatre, 2699 County Road D, East Troy. $379.27 to $492 at livenation.com.
4. Grupo Firme
Perhaps more than any single show, this year in Milwaukee's concert history might be remembered most as a game-changing time for Latin shows in the city. Milwaukee arenas and amphitheaters tend to host Spanish-language concerts pretty sporadically, but thanks to the rise of Latin music streaming, Milwaukee will see four exclusively Spanish-language concerts this May through August at Fiserv Forum. Then there's this show at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater from one of the most popular banda groups in recent years, to the point that on their 2022 tour, they filled stadiums.
When, where, prices: 8 p.m. July 13, American Family Insurance Amphitheater, Maier Festival Park. $85.08 to $699.63 at the box office and amfamamp.com.
3. Alanis Morissette
Milwaukee fans had to wait 14 years for Alanis Morissette to return to town in 2022. They won't have to wait so long this time. Hits from her landmark album "Jagged Little Pill" will again be a focal point, but the openers are an exciting incentive to get a ticket: seminal rocker Joan Jett with her band the Blackhearts, plus exemplary country singer-songwriter Morgan Wade.
When, where, prices: 7 p.m. July 28, American Family Insurance Amphitheater. $44.94 to $592.35.
2. Jelly Roll
The talent buyers from the Harley-Davidson Fest sure did a heck of a job this year, nabbing my two top concert picks for July. First up July 26 is Jelly Roll, the troubled Tennessee youth and felon turned rapper turned country star. His story of survival, matched with uplifting and heart-wrenching music, drew plenty of tears at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater last summer — including from Jelly Roll himself — resulting in one of my favorite concerts of 2023.
When, where, prices: 9:30 p.m. July 26, Willie G. Davidson Stage, Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival, Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr. $125 to $325 for single-day tickets at hdhomecoming.com. $200 to $500 for two-day tickets.
1. Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Veterans Park portion of the Harley-Davidson Homecoming will conclude with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The group will take a pause from their stadium gigs to play Milwaukee for the first time since reuniting with their most beloved guitarist, John Frusciante, after a decade-long absence.
When, where, prices: 9:15 p.m. July 27, Willie G. Davidson Stage, Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival, Veterans Park.
More: What you need to know about 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival in Milwaukee
Top 5 Milwaukee concerts this August
5. Reyna
There's an abundance of major concerts to choose from in Milwaukee this summer, but make some time to check out some local artists and club shows. Or with Reyna, you can do both at once. The sister act - among the finest pop songwriters not just in Milwaukee, but I'd argue, across the country - will get to play Milwaukee's newest venue Vivarium for the first time. And their opening act: none other than themselves, with a rare performance of winning songs from their previous band, Vic and Gab.
When, where, prices: 8 p.m. Aug. 17, Vivarium, 1818 N. Farwell Ave. $18 to $20 at the door and through the Pabst.
4. Heart
Perhaps no classic rocker's voice has aged as gracefully as Ann Wilson, whose pipes were as powerful as ever when Heart last played Milwaukee in 2019. Her sister Nancy will be on hand to offer the immortal guitar licks of "Barracuda" and other hits, and Heart will be in grand company with fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Cheap Trick as their opening act.
When, where, prices: 8 p.m. Aug. 15, Fiserv Forum, 1111 N. Phillips Ave. $44.50 to $563.25 at the box office and fiservforum.com.
3. Barry Manilow
Two months after celebrating his 81st birthday in June, Manilow is doing a short tour of eight cities, where he'll sing "Copacabana," "Mandy" and his other standards for the last time in those towns — including Milwaukee.
When, where, prices: 7 p.m. Aug. 3, Fiserv Forum. $84.50 to $703.50.
2. Vampire Weekend
Critical darlings for their entire career, Vampire Weekend made a dramatic improvement to their live shows behind their fourth album "Father of the Bride," nearly doubling the number of musicians on stage and embracing killer Grateful Dead-style jamming. A larger band set-up is still intact for the latest tour behind yet another well-loved album, the band's fifth, "Only God Was Above Us."
When, where, prices: 7 p.m. Aug. 1, BMO Pavilion. $44.94 to $358.
1. Green Day
Pop punk lovers will have plenty to choose from this summer, including the first Blink-182 show in Milwaukee since the classic lineup reunited; a couple intimate All Time Low gigs at the Rave (including one at their empty pool); plus two pop-punk festivals: Not Just a Phase Fest at Franklin Field and Sad Summer Festival at the Rave. But the pop punk show of the summer, no doubt, will be Green Day, who will revisit "Dookie" for its 30th anniversary, and "American Idiot" for its 20th anniversary, at American Family Field. The Smashing Pumpkins, Ministry and the Linda Lindas round out the stadium show lineup.
When, where, prices: 5:30 p.m. Aug. 24, American Family Field. $34 to $949 at ticketmaster.com.
Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or [email protected]. Follow him on X at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: From Jelly Roll to Noah Kahan, 15 top Milwaukee concerts this summer
