Summerfest 2024 in Milwaukee: 27 must-see acts, from SZA to Tyler Childers to Lil Uzi Vert

Summerfest, one of America's largest and longest-running music festivals, is celebrating its 56th anniversary in 2024. But in some ways, it feels like a new beginning.

You have to look very closely at the lineup to get that impression.

As in recent years, 600 acts will take over Maier Festival Park on Milwaukee's lakefront for three weekends — this year, June 20 to 22, June 27 to 29 and July 4 to 6. And it's the typical eclectic, anything-goes lineup rarely seen at other music festivals, from A-listers to nostalgia acts to local cover bands, and from rock to country to hip-hop to pop to EDM and a lot in between.

But look closely, and you'll see a festival finally broadening its horizons.

After hosting a sprinkling of Spanish-language acts in years past, Summerfest will host several in 2024. Multiple up-and-coming LGBTQ+ artists are part of the lineup, and the Milwaukee street rap scene, which is getting massive streaming numbers and high-profile write-ups from national outlets, will be better represented at its hometown festival than ever before.

And, finally, Summerfest has booked a K-pop act.

Nuanced adjustments like these may not make the same noise as the headliners that trigger armchair analysis on social media year after year. But of the 11 Summerfests I've covered as a full-time Journal Sentinel music writer, this might be the one I'm most excited to check out.

And of those 600 acts, which ones should you check out?

I've picked three to see for each day of the festival, 27 artists in total, broken out into three categories: top headliners, best discoveries and local picks.

More: Here's the Summerfest 2024 lineup by date, time and stage for the Milwaukee music festival

More: Summerfest 2024: 14 ways to get into the Milwaukee music festival for free

June 20

Top headliner: Brittany Howard

It's been 12 years since retro-soul rockers Alabama Shakes sold out the Pabst Theater before releasing their debut album. Since that time, frontwoman Howard has defied the easier path, with the band dropping their biggest hit "Hold On" from setlists before going on an indefinite hiatus in 2018. From an artistic perspective, it's been a smart trade-off, with Howard expanding her scope, still centered around her honey-dipped voice, over two solo albums, including this year's ambitious "What Now." (10 p.m., BMO Pavilion)

Best discovery: Wyatt Flores

Folk pop artist Noah Kahan and alternative country singer-songwriter Zach Bryan are two of the fastest-rising stars of the past year. Mexican American Flores (like Bryan, hailing from Oklahoma) sounds like a mix of the two of them, amassing his own one-to-watch buzz thanks in part to a newer single that should get an especially strong reception at Summerfest: "Milwaukee." (4 p.m., BMO Pavilion)

Local pick: Trapper Schoepp

Perhaps no local artist is more indebted to their home state than Schoepp. The Milwaukee singer-songwriter's songs frequently are inspired by Wisconsin people and places, from a song inspired by the Lawrencia Bembenek case to another song, "On, Wisconsin," that he completed after it was started by Bob Dylan (with Dylan’s blessing). (8 p.m., Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard)

June 21

Top headliner: Hanson

The band of brothers will forever be best remembered for 1997 earworm "MMMBop," released when frontman Taylor Hanson was just 14. He's 41 now, but he and brothers Zac and Ike are still proud of their best-known hit — and as fans know, they have amassed a catalog of pop-rock gems frequently more sophisticated than their signature tune. And in many cases, just as catchy. (9:30 p.m., BMO Pavilion)

Best discovery: Charlotte Cardin

After becoming a critical sensation in her native Canada, with 14 Juno Award nominations (and four wins, including artist of the year and album of the year), the Montreal native is looking to make more inroads stateside, including with her latest smart pop EP, "A Week in Nashville." (7:45 p.m., Generac Power Stage)

Local pick: Micah Emrich

The singer-songwriter has made a string of strong impressions with a series of singles, including "Maybe Hell Is a Better Place?," a sobering but striking introspective song in the vein of "For Emma"-era Bon Iver, but with a surprising twist finish. His Summerfest debut should double as a preview of his album due out in August. (1 p.m., Miller Lite Oasis)

June 22

Top headliner: SZA

Fast-rising superstars playing Summerfest in their prime frequently make the most memorable Big Gig performances — from Billie Eilish to Zach Bryan to Noah Kahan to Imagine Dragons. This year, that "remember when" moment should belong to SZA. The R&B superstar at the top of the A-list will perform smashes like "Kill Bill" — the second most popular song on Spotify in Milwaukee last year — at her first concert in Milwaukee. (7:30 p.m., American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

Best discovery: Doom Flamingo

Blending the "doom" of John Carpenter scores with the hazy, synth-soaked jams you might have heard on "Miami Vice," the '80s-obsessed South Carolina sextet might remind Milwaukee music fans of superb fraternal pair Immortal Girlfriend (who aren't part of the Big Gig lineup this year). (8:30 p.m., Miller Lite Oasis)

Local pick: Diet Lite

Diet Lite isn't holding back on self-promotion, from drummer Evan Marsalli's successful viral TikTok campaign to play with Weezer, to appearing in a tour documentary, "Stumble Out the Gate." But attention-seizing tactics wouldn't matter if the Milwaukee band wasn't a master of catchy, scrappy, shapeshifting garage rock. (5:30 p.m., Generac Power Stage)

June 27

Top headliner: Sleater-Kinney

Sleater-Kinney was an essential leader of the seminal riot grrrl movement in the '90s. The band seemingly called it a day in 2006 before making an unexpected comeback with one of 2015's best albums, "No Cities to Love." The departure of drummer Janet Weiss and some sonic changes on subsequent albums have divided fans, but there's still plenty to love in the newer material, and the band's older blistering punk songs still rip live. (9:30 p.m., Uline Warehouse)

Best discovery: Brigitte Calls Me Baby

Imagine Roy Orbison leading the Strokes and you can start to picture this buzzy Chicago post-punk band led by Wes Leavins' elegant croon. Baby is bound to get a lot more attention after its debut full-length album comes out in August. (5:30 p.m., Uline Warehouse)

Local pick: Certified Trapper

Milwaukee's lowend rap sound — a twist on twerk music that leaves ample room for out-there experimentation — is making national waves. And the leader of the movement is Certified Trapper, whose prolific, head-spinning output is peppered with unpredictable beats, which he produces himself. (7:15 p.m., Generac Power Stage)

June 28

Top headliner: Tyler Childers

There's no disputing that we're in the midst of another Americana/alt-country wave that's made Noah Kahan and Zach Bryan massive stars, much like the wave did for Mumford & Sons and the Lumineers a decade ago. And Tyler Childers is among the stars of this movement. His show was the first one announced for Summerfest 2024, and very likely will be the most attended. It's an overdue return, five years and three albums since his last show in town. (7:30 p.m., American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

Best discovery: HYO

Summerfest may strive to be the world's most musically diverse music festival, but there have been weak spots. Among the most glaring: a complete lack of K-pop as BTS, Blackpink and several other acts have achieved massive stateside success. That makes the booking of K-pop veteran HYO an exciting development. It's the first K-pop booking at Summerfest in 11 years, and just the second in the festival's 56-year history. (7 p.m., Aurora Pavilion)

Local pick: Something To Do

Don't let the humble band name fool you: The Milwaukee and Madison ska group is far from a time-killer. It has an infectious live show fueled by horn-blaring adrenaline, a wicked and sharp sense of humor and the occasional politically charged, fist-pumping anthem. (1:45 and 3:30 p.m., Johnsonville Summerville)

June 29

Top headliner: Ethel Cain

The Florida native has garnered more attention lately for her outspoken, and polarizing, stances on President Joe Biden and his response to the conflict in Gaza. But she first earned attention with "Preacher's Daughter," a critically adored debut album filled with gripping indie rock slow-burners that evoke intimate vulnerability and pulse-quickening grandeur, often in the same breath. (10 p.m., Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard)

Best discovery: Carlie Hanson

Am I cheating including an artist I've highlighted as a "best discovery" at a previous Summerfest? No doubt. But the La Crosse County native is such a skilled and heartfelt pop songwriter, with co-signs from the likes of Taylor Swift and Troye Sivan, that it's an injustice that she's not a household name by now. (5:30 p.m., BMO Pavilion)

Local pick: Hosts

There's no shortage of Milwaukee artists who have moved on to better established music cities to advance their careers, but Milwaukee has also seen some acts move here, much to the local scene's benefit. And among the most welcome transplants is this alt-country outfit led by Miles Patzer, whose visceral holler might make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. (1:45 p.m., Uline Warehouse)

July 4

Top headliner: AJR

The creative pop band of brothers had to bow out of two Summerfest shows last year to be by their ailing father who passed away during the festival. They're back with songs that take stock of that loss and look candidly at mental health struggles, all set to quirky, instantly catchy pop music and accompanied by a highly imaginative stage show. Make sure you show up early to see the openers, mxmtoon and especially Carly Rae Jepsen. (7 p.m., American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

Best discovery: Del Water Gap

Maggie Rogers played in this band for about six months; these days, it's a solo project for Samuel Hoden Jaffe. They've remained friends (Del Water Gap opened for Rogers' Riverside Theater show in 2023), and Jaffe's influence on Rogers (and vice versa) shows via his own folk and pop songs that lure listeners in with nuanced epiphanies and grab them tight with unshakeable hooks. (5:30 p.m., Uline Warehouse)

Local pick: Wave Chapelle

About a decade ago, Memphis rap juggernaut Yo Gotti took Wave Chapelle under his wing, signing the Milwaukee native, the son of a local rapper, to his label. Chapelle has come home since then, becoming one of the sharpest spitters during this golden age for local hip-hop. (5 p.m., Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard)

July 5

Top headliner: Paul Cauthen

Arguably not since Johnny Cash has the country mainstream heard a baritone this bold (it’s even earned Cauthen the nickname “Big Velvet”). And he puts it to grand use with fire and brimstone-flavored ballads. (10:15 p.m., Miller Lite Oasis)

Best discovery: Reyna Tropical

The adventurous duo, whose exotic sound draws from the music of Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Congo and elsewhere, was dealt a devastating blow when co-founder Nectali "Sumohair" Díaz passed away in 2022. Co-founder Fabi Reyna has continued, honoring her late collaborator’s character and creativity on latest album ”Malegría.” 5:45 p.m., Aurora Pavilion)

Local pick: DC The Don

The Milwaukee-born rapper channels emo in his sound, but he isn’t afraid to defy trends with ultra-polished production. That risky distinction has paid off — he’s just the second rapper from the city to be named to XXL magazine’s coveted ones-to-watch Freshman Class list. (6:30 p.m., UScellular Connection Stage)

July 6

Top headliner: Lil Uzi Vert

Is this the strongest Summerfest-exclusive hip-hop amphitheater show ever? It’s certainly one of the most stacked. Lil Uzi Vert, among the biggest risk takers among the rap A-list, is the key draw, making Summerfest their only show this festival season outside of Coachella. But make sure you show up early for the wild undercard: Lil Yachty, J.I.D., Rico Nasty, LIHTZ — and, perhaps most exciting, Milwaukee’s own breakout rappers J.P. and 414BigFrank, plus local spinner Djay Mando. (7 p.m., American Family Insurance Amphitheater)

Best discovery: Anne Wilson

Not to be confused with the legendary Heart singer and songwriter, Anne (with an “e”) Wilson is also making a name for herself as a Christian country singer-songwriter and defying the silo that sometimes surrounds faith-focused artists. She's earned a full embrace on Music Row and collaborating with some of Nashville’s biggest stars, including Lainey Wilson (no relation). (7:30 p.m., Uline Warehouse)

Local pick: Klan 414

A modern take on regional Mexican music is taking America by storm, with breakout bands bursting onto the scene from unexpected places — including Milwaukee, via Klan 414. Simultaneously stylish and intimate, romantic and down to earth, Klan 414 has earned its biggest hometown show to date, as an opener for one of the fest’s hottest bookings, emerging phenomenon Ivan Cornejo. (5:30 p.m., BMO Pavilion)

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: Summerfest 2024 in Milwaukee: 27 best acts, from SZA to Lil Uzi Vert