Milwaukee, WI
From The Strokes to Benson Boone, 15 top summer concerts in Milwaukee
Your guide to the top summer concerts in Milwaukee in 2026
From Benson Boone to Bryan Adams, here are 15 of the best concerts happening in Milwaukee this June through August.
You may think Milwaukee’s summer concert season isn’t quite as hot for 2026 – and you’d have evidence to make your case.
American Family Field will host no major stadium tours for a second consecutive year. The Harley-Davidson Homecoming festival was called off. There have been some high-profile tour cancellations with scrapped local stops from Zayn and Pussycat Dolls. And as is always the case for a music fan in Wisconsin, seeing some of the biggest tours of the season is going to require a road trip.
But even taking all of that into consideration, the city is still overflowing with exciting concert options this June through August, from the largest venues to most intimate clubs.
Here are 15 top summer concert picks – but be on the lookout later this summer for separate recommendation lists for Summerfest and the Wisconsin State Fair.
As rappers who consistently defy convention to push their creativity into new territory, Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE have a lot in common. Now the longtime friends have something else that connects them: a new acclaimed joint album, “Pompeii//Utility,” and good reason to hit the road together.
When, where, how much: 7 p.m. June 22, the Rave, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave. $60.50 to $150 at the box office and therave.com.
When the New York Times published their much-talked-about “30 Greatest Living American Songwriters” feature in April, there naturally were some living legends and bona fide superstars in the mix, including Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Paul Simon and Taylor Swift. And there were unexpected and welcome surprises like Brandy Clark, an overlooked Nashville craftswoman behind signature songs for Miranda Lambert (“Mama’s Broken Heart”), Kacey Musgraves (“Follow Your Arrow”) and others, who brings tender musicality and witty wordplay to her own winning catalog.
When, where, how much: 8 p.m. June 22, The Argo, 334 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay. $48.95 to $68.56 at the box office and theargolive.com.
With the dynamic one-two punch of its first two electric art rock albums in 2021 and 2022 – “For The First Time” and “Ants From Up There” – British band Black Country, New Road quickly became a critics’ darling. But a few days before “Ants” came out, frontman Isaac Wood announced he was leaving the group, putting Black Country, New Road’s ascent into jeopardy. Despite the odds, the band’s upward trajectory continued with last year’s “Forever Howlong” that put the band in a new, equally exciting direction. Be sure to show up for opener Horsegirl, another emerging rock band getting plenty of buzz.
When, where, how much: 8 p.m. June 28, Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 N. Phillips Ave. $35.98 at the door, the Pabst Theater box office (144 E. Wells St.) and pabsttheater.org.
The last time Julian Casablancas sang “Last Nite” in Wisconsin was 15 years ago as part of Pearl Jam’s PJ20 festival at Alpine Valley Music Theatre. Three Strokes albums will have been released during that absence, including latest “Reality Awaits” coming out in June, but patient fans in Wisconsin should be rewarded with plenty of turn-of-the-century hits in the setlist. There’s also a special offer just for them: the Milwaukee date is the only stop of the band’s extensive tour to feature both Cage The Elephant and Thundercat.
When, where, how much: 7 p.m. July 17, American Family Insurance Amphitheater, Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive. $67.15 to $473.95 at the box office and amfamamp.com.
Less than a year ago Benson Boone was flipping around a Summerfest stage for a sold-out American Family Insurance Amphitheater concert, his first following the release of latest album “American Heart.” But people can’t get enough of the gymnastics and Freddie Mercury-style belting, because his Milwaukee return is already close to sold out, even though Boone doesn’t have new music to share (not yet, anyway).
When, where, how much: 8 p.m. July 22, Fiserv Forum, 1111 N. Phillips Ave. $123.30 to $430.10 at the box office and fiservforum.com.
There’s a lot that people love about Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster, Oscar-winning, 1932-set vampire film “Sinners,” but one of the most cherished elements is its celebration of the blues, with living legend Buddy Guy playing a pivotal part in the 2025 movie. That’s sparked renewed interest in Guy’s music and legacy, which makes the opportunity to see him particularly special – that, and the fact that he’ll turn 90 a few days after performing in Milwaukee.
When, where, how much: 7:30 p.m. July 26, Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. $72.50 to $176.41 at the door, the Pabst Theater box office and pabsttheater.org.
A highlight of the lineup at Justin Vernon’s cherished Eaux Claires festival, returning this July after an eight-year absence, is singer-songwriter Aimee Mann performing her 2000 album “Bachelor No. 2 or, the Last Remains of the Dodo” in its entirety. But you don’t have to trek to Eau Claire to see Mann revisit one of the most celebrated albums of her career, with Mann also planning to perform songs featured in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film “Magnolia” at this Milwaukee show.
When, where, how much: 8 p.m. July 27, Pabst Theater. $47.81 to $236.67.
“What were you like in the ’90s?” It’s a question you might have seen in your social media feeds this year, perhaps accompanied by old photos of celebrities. Guaranteed the music playing for most of those videos was Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris,” which has sparked a renewed interest in the band’s discography (even Pitchfork penned a tribute to the track), well timed ahead of their summer tour.
When, where, how much: 7 p.m. Aug. 6, BMO Pavilion, Maier Festival Park. $48.90 to $2,634.60 at the box office and bmopavilion.com.
Buffalo Nichols performs three songs for USA TODAY Acoustic
Buffalo Nichols performs “Cold Black Stare,” “The Difference” and “Belly of the Beast” for USA TODAY Acoustic in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newsroom.
Summer is the season of huge outdoor concerts and festivals, but tiny clubs still have some of the best live music of the season. Places like Shank Hall, Linneman’s, X-Ray Arcade, Falcon Bowl, Anodyne, Cooperage and MKeUltra will keep the shows coming, so check out their calendars. And if there’s one club show we’re especially excited about this summer, its Buffalo Nichols coming back to his hometown for an intimate set of stirring folk and blues originals.
When, where, how much: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14, Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave. $20 to $25 at the door and cactusclubmilwaukee.com.
In 2022, after a 13-year absence, Tori Amos put on a powerful concert in Milwaukee that saw her frequently playing keys and piano simultaneously, while infusing her songs and a Joni Mitchell classic with impassioned vocals. It was one of the best concerts we reviewed that year, and we’re blessed the wait won’t be so long for Amos’ return, when she’ll have new songs to share from latest album “In Times of Dragons.”
When, where, how much: 8 p.m. Aug. 15, Riverside Theater. $64.55 to $308.29.
In 2024 pop rocker Bryan Adams was scheduled to play his first Milwaukee concert since 2011 at Fiserv Forum, but the show and others were quietly canceled with no explanation. For his attempted return after what has now been a 15-year absence, Adams has a special incentive for the cost of a ticket: Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Pat Benatar + Neil Giraldo as his opening act.
When, where, how much: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16, Fiserv Forum. $73.30 to $400.90.
It was a matter of when, not if, consistent hitmaker Tim McGraw would get inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In March fans found out it’s happening this fall, with McGraw hitting the road this summer to remind people who don’t need reminding why he’s so worthy of the honor.
When, where, how much: 7 p.m. Aug. 22, Alpine Valley Music Theatre, 2699 County Road D, East Troy. $35 to $2,195.70 at the gate and livenation.com.
The Australian trio has become one of the most celebrated live acts in EDM, getting headlining slots at premiere festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, and booking stadium gigs including Fenway Park in Boston. For Milwaukee this summer, that means a tour stop at the 23,000-person-capacity American Family Insurance Amphitheater – a massive upgrade from the Miramar Theatre they played their last time in town a decade ago.
When, where, how much: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26, American Family Insurance Amphitheater. $35 to $122.
In April, Milwaukee was lucky to get the opening night of Romeo Santos and Prince Royce’s tour, one of the most-anticipated Latin music tours of the summer. Just four months later, it’s happening again, when Puerto Rican superstar Chayanne kicks off what’s being billed as the final leg of his “Bailemos Otra Vez” tour at the Bucks’ arena.
When, where, how much: 8 p.m. Aug. 28, Fiserv Forum. $71.70 to $1,377.05.
We may not get another Harley-Davidson Homecoming this year, but it did give Milwaukee a lot of memorable performances. That included a spellbinding set last year from Sierra Ferrell, who brings an earthy, psychedelic style to her traditionally minded country and folk songs, and who will certainly offer fans a longer set this time than what a festival slot could provide last summer.
When, where, how much: 8 p.m. Aug. 29, Landmark Credit Union Live, 1051 N. Phillips Ave. $60.50 to $185.25 at the box office and landmarkculive.com.
Contact Piet Levy at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
MILWAUKEE — On Saturday night at American Family Field, nearly every seat was filled, but the crowd wasn’t there for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Thousands of fans packed the ballpark as Banana Ball, the fast-paced baseball and entertainment phenomenon popularized by the Savannah Bananas, brought its traveling show to Milwaukee.
The event featured the Party Animals and Loco Beach Coconuts, two teams in the six-team Banana Ball Championship League.
For many fans, the attraction goes beyond baseball.
“It’s the music, the dancing, and a lot of things for families,” said Sue Liegeois of Muskego, who attended with family members visiting from Michigan.
Liegeois said she became a fan after watching on TikTok and then attending a Banana Ball event in Franklin in 2023.
“The first time I went, I was hooked,” she said.
TMJ4 News
Banana Ball has built a national following through viral social media content and its fan-focused approach to the game.
The Milwaukee stop also featured local connections on the field.
Brady Kais, a southeastern Wisconsin native and pitcher for the Party Animals, said playing in front of family and friends at a major league ballpark was a special experience.
“It’s unbelievable being able to see my friends, family — everybody I’ve seen throughout my whole life,” Kais said.
Kais attended Greendale High School and later pitched for the Lake Country DockHounds in Oconomowoc before joining the Banana Ball tour.
“Growing up, Banana Ball wasn’t a thing, so I definitely never thought this would be something I’d be a part of,” Kais said. “But once I saw it, I knew I needed to be involved.”
TMJ4 News
On the opposing side, Loco Beach Coconuts catcher Erik Ostberg also has ties to southeastern Wisconsin.
Ostberg spent two seasons with the Milwaukee Milkmen before joining Banana Ball and said his time in the area helped shape his career.
“The people here are great. A lot of the people here helped build me up, and I’m very thankful for the Milkmen and Milwaukee,” Ostberg said.
The event also drew young baseball players eager to see the unique version of the game in person.
“It inspires little kids to have fun and follow their dreams,” said Nelson Damrow of the Concordia Lakeshore Jr. Chinooks baseball team.
For longtime fans like Helen Evans, who traveled from South Carolina, sharing the experience with newcomers is part of the appeal.
“To share this with people who’ve never been able to experience it is almost as good as going to the game yourself,” Evans said.
The Loco Beach Coconuts defeated the Party Animals on Saturday night. The teams return to the ballpark Sunday for a second sold-out game
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Lou Saldivar, Wochit
After its driest May on record, Milwaukee just got hit with its heaviest day of rain since early April.
Between morning showers and evening storms, Milwaukee logged 1.42 inches on rain on June 5, according to the National Weather Service Milwaukee. That’s Milwaukee’s most precipitation in a day since April 2 and nearly four times what fell in the city for the entire month of May, which received a total of just 0.36 inch.
The rain fell as part of a statewide weather pattern on June 5, as severe weather alerts launched the weekend for several counties in south-central Wisconsin. Tornado warnings were issued in Green Lake, Dodge, Fond du Lac and Columbia counties with the final warning expiring at 10:30 p.m.
Andrew Quigley, a meteorologist at the NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan office, said there were no confirmed tornadoes in south-central Wisconsin yesterday. However, there was some severe weather inthe western half of the state.
In Juneau County, the NWS received reports of 60 mile-per-hour winds and damage to barns, said Jeff Boyne, a meteorologist at the NWS La Crosse office. There was also a report of a tornado in Buffalo County, though the NWS has not yet confirmed it.
How much rain did the Milwaukee area get on June 5?
Quigley said southern Waukesha County and southern Milwaukee County turned in the day’s highest totals with anywhere from 1 inch to 1.5 inches of rain, on average. Other suburbs in the Milwaukee area averaged from a half inch to 0.9 inch of precipitation.
“[It’s] some beneficial rain,” Quigley said. “I know some were probably going to be looking for a little bit more than that, but it’s a good start.”
The National Weather Service has a volunteer monitoring system for rainfall, which is updated each morning. Here are southeastern Wisconsin’s rainfall amounts in the 24-hour period as of 9:30 a.m. June 6.
- Lake Geneva: 0.44 inch
- Wauwatosa: 0.69 inch
- Menomonee Falls: 0.69 inch
- Mequon: 0.52 inch
- Waukesha: 0.71 inch
- Jefferson: 0.72 inch
- Oregon: 0.87 inch
- Burlington: 0.92 inch
- Racine: 1.06 inches
- Greendale: 1.37 inches
- South Milwaukee: 1.44 inches
- Cudahy: 1.72 inches
DENVER (AP) — Jake Bauers hit a two-run double in Milwaukee’s four-run 10th inning after Andrew Vaughn’s pinch-hit two-run single capped a four-run ninth and the Brewers held on to beat the Colorado Rockies 9-7 on Friday night.
Milwaukee scored eight runs in the final two innings after going hitless from the second through the eighth innings. The Brewers won for the first time this season when trailing after eight.
Trevor Megill (1-2) blew the save, but got the win for the Brewers. Aaron Ashby allowed two runs — one earned — on Sterlin Thompson’s bases-loaded single in the 10th before getting Brett Sullivan to ground into a double and striking out Jake McCarthy to end it.
Juan Mejia (1-5) got just one out and gave up four runs — three earned — to take the loss for the Rockies.
Colorado took a 3-1 lead into the ninth after Ryan Feltner allowed one hit and a run through six innings and Jaden Hill pitched a scoreless seventh.
Antonio Senzatela struck out the side in the eighth before coming back out for the ninth. He gave up a leadoff single to Brice Turang, then threw wide of second going for a double play after snagging a comebacker from William Contreras.
Bauers followed with an RBI single and Sal Frelick doubled in the tying run before Vaughn’s single made it 5-3. Turang’s hit was the first for the Brewers since Bauers doubled in the first inning.
Chad Stevens walked to force in a run against Megill in the ninth, and Hunter Goodman hit a sacrifice fly to tie it at 5.
Goodman hit his 16th homer, a solo shot in the third to make it 3-1. Willi Castro had a two-out double, but Frelick made a diving catch in right on a sinking liner by Ezequiel Tovar to save a run and end the inning.
Brewers starter Brandon Sproat allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings. He was relieved by Brian Fitzpatrick, who threw a scoreless sixth, came out for the seventh and was throwing warmup pitches when he reacted in pain and grabbed his left arm. Brewers manager Pat Murphy told reporters after the game that Fitzpatrick, promoted before the game, would have an MRI but “it doesn’t look good.”
Up next
Brewers RHP Jacob Misiorowski (6-2, 1.65) starts Saturday opposite Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (0-1, 6.37).
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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