Metro Jam announces The Exotics will headline June 14 lineup
MANITOWOC — Metro Jam announced Milwaukee surf rock band The Exotics will headline its Friday night lineup in June.
Metro Jam celebrates 45 years of bringing international, national, regional and local music to the lakeshore area in a free event June 14-15 at Washington Park in downtown Manitowoc.
Organizers previously announced the festival’s Saturday (June 15) lineup.
The Exotics will hit the stage at 8 p.m. June 14.
The full June 14 lineup includes Manitowoc’s rock-and-roll tribute singer Dave “Elvis” Ehlert from 5:15 to 6 p.m.; alternative pop band BingBong (6:30-7:30 p.m.); and The Exotics (8-9:30 p.m.)
Ehlert has been performing as Elvis since 1965 and is the longest-running Elvis tribute show in the world, according to a news release. His voice has been considered the closest to Elvis by seven presidents of various Elvis fan clubs. He was the first performer inducted into the Elvis Performers' International Hall of Fame.
From 1994 to 2012, Ehlert operated the first theater built in Branson, Missouri. There, he widened his act to include tributes to other performers including Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, Liberace, Willie Nelson, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and Hank Williams.
According to the release, Madison-based BingBong has become one of Wisconsin’s favorite bands since 2012. The band has been racking up Madison Area Music Association awards for Song of the Year (five times) and twice named Rock Performer of the Year.
BingBong formed around their love for late 1970s and early 1980s guitar rock, striving to revive the feel and energetic power pop of the era. They were influenced by the sounds of Rockpile, The Pretenders and The Smiths.
The Exotics formed in 1994 and have kept the 1960's Go-Go beat alive, according to the release. The band released their debut album in 1996, “Go Go Guitars,” and 2009’s “Lost Album.” They travel the country playing tiki bars and surf music festivals. They released a three-song LP, “The Enchanted Interrogation Room,” in 2012, and an all-original retrospective titled “Twangy Surf & Spy Themes” in 2015, including new, remixed and favorite tracks.
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Here's the full Metro Jam lineup:
June 14
Dave “Elvis” Ehlert, 5:15-6 p.m.
BingBong, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
The Exotics, 8-9:30 p.m.
June 15
Marc Birr, noon-12:45 p.m
Charlie Bucket, 1:15-2 p.m.
Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Combuster, 4-5 p.m.
The Mommyheads, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
The Pretty Flowers, 7-8 p.m.
Drivin N Cryin, 8:30-10 p.m.
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Metro Jam is partnering with Grow It Forward this year. The nonprofit organization will handle all food and beverage concessions at the event. Grow It Forward will collect non-perishable food items at Metro Jam to give to people in need.
Admission to Metro Jam is free and Washington Park is at 1115 Washington St. Find more information at metrojam.org.
Contact reporter Patti Zarling at [email protected] or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on X @PGPattiZarling or Instgram @PGPatti.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Free Manitowoc music festival Metro Jam brings Exotics, Drivin N Cryin
