Milwaukee Magazine Editors Reveal Their Summerfest Picks

From indie rock to Americana, the editors share their must-see acts at this year's Big Gig.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Summerfest lineup has been announced, and the editors at Milwaukee Magazine have already selected their top acts to see at the annual music festival. The list includes local singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp, indie rock bands Flipturn and Blondshell, veteran rocker Father John Misty, and funk legends The Family Stone, among others.

Why it matters

Summerfest is a beloved Milwaukee tradition that brings together music fans from across the region. The editors' picks highlight the diverse range of musical talent performing at this year's festival, from up-and-coming local acts to established national artists, catering to a wide variety of music tastes.

The details

The editors selected their must-see Summerfest acts based on their personal music preferences and recent discoveries. For example, Archer Parquette is looking forward to seeing local singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp, while Amrita Thakkar is excited for indie rock bands Flipturn and Father John Misty. Carole Nicksin plans to check out veteran rocker Alejandro Escovedo and the funk group The Family Stone, while Chris Drosner recommends the raucous Australian band Amyl and the Sniffers and the indie rock of Deer Tick.

  • Trapper Schoepp will perform on June 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the Uline Warehouse Stage.
  • Flipturn will perform on June 20 at 9:30 p.m. at the Generac Power Stage.
  • Father John Misty will perform on June 19 at 9:30 p.m. at the Generac Power Stage.
  • Alejandro Escovedo will perform on June 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Aurora Pavilion.
  • The Family Stone will perform on June 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Aurora Pavilion.

The players

Trapper Schoepp

A local singer-songwriter known for his rootsy Americana, folk, and hard-rocking tunes.

Flipturn

An indie rock band with a sound that blends indie rock and poetic lyrics.

Father John Misty

The solo project of musician Josh Tillman, known for his indie rock and satirical/heartfelt lyrics.

Alejandro Escovedo

A veteran rocker who was previously part of the roots-Americana band Rank and File.

The Family Stone

An offshoot of the legendary funk band Sly and the Family Stone, led by Sly and trumpeter Cynthia Robinson's daughter, Phunne Stone.

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What they’re saying

“I was first introduced to this local singer-songwriter in the pages of Milwaukee Magazine last fall, through Josh Miller's great story about the struggles that led to Schoepp's latest album, Osborne. Schoepp's rootsy Americana, folk and hard-rocking tunes do our city proud. I'm looking forward to seeing him live for the first time.”

— Archer Parquette, Managing Editor (Milwaukee Magazine)

“Flipturn was floating around at the edge of my consciousness for most of last year. Once I heard August, however, I was hooked – it's been competing on my playlists with Swim Between Trees and Vanilla since fall. Their indie rock vibes meld beautifully with meandering, poetic lyrics, and lead singer Dillon Basse's voice is perfect for balmy summer nights.”

— Amrita Thakkar, Digital Editor (Milwaukee Magazine)

The takeaway

The Summerfest lineup offers something for every music fan, from up-and-coming local acts to established national artists across a range of genres. The editors' picks showcase the diverse talent and appeal of this year's festival, which is sure to be a highlight of the Milwaukee summer calendar.