The Lonely Island, Steve Aoki and others to headline Summerfest

By Peter Zemeske
April 23, 2019

Summerfest runs June 26-30 and July 2-7 this year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The music festival boasts an impressive 11-day span and attracts over 700,000 attendees every year, according to 2018 statistics from Summerfest. What also sets Summerfest apart is its ticket price — just $23 per day for general admission. The lineup of artists playing this year was released April 9, featuring a wide span of artists and genres. To narrow the list down, here are the top six artists to see at Summerfest.

  1. The Lonely Island — The comedy trio consisting of Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone is famous for its hits like “I’m On a Boat,” “Jack Sparrow” and “The Creep,” many of which were featured on the late-night television show “Saturday Night Live.” The group has since collaborated with celebrities ranging from rapper Nicki Minaj to actress Natalie Portman.

  2. Steve Aoki — EDM mainstay Steve Aoki is known for his remixes, original music and cake throwing — yes, cake throwing. Aoki brings an energy to the crowd no one else seems to manage in the EDM scene; his album “Wonderland” was nominated for a Grammy in 2013 for Best Dance/Electronica Album.

  3. The National — Grammy-winning alternative-rock band The National is regularly at the center of critical acclaim from outlets such as Pitchfork, NME and Rolling Stone. Their mix of political anthems and post-punk sound has garnered them a consistent following throughout the years.

  4. CHVRCHES — Glasgow, Scotland synth-pop act CHVRCHES has gone nowhere but up since its debut single “Lies” dropped in 2012. The band described its latest record, 2018’s “Love Is Dead,” as “the most pop stuff we’ve done and also the most aggressive and vulnerable at the same time,” in a Dec. 17, 2017, interview with Entertainment Weekly.

  5. Sublime with Rome — Ska punk rockers Sublime with Rome have carried the laid-back legacy of the original Sublime group since the band’s formation in 2009. Singer Rome Ramirez plays alongside drummer Josh Freese and original Sublime bassist Eric Wilson and. The band play Sublime hits and new music made with Ramirez. Its last album, “Sirens,” was released in 2015.

  6. Dispatch — Roots rock group Dispatch is considered “the most popular band you’ve never heard of,” coined by PhillyVoice July 2017 referring to its loyal fanbase. The band doesn’t receive much radio play, but once submersed in its warm melodies and infectious sing-alongs, it’s not hard to see why it gets the love it does.