Summerfest 2012 Headline Shows | Lots of Oldies Bands in Milwaukee

Summerfest is just about who's playing at the Marcus Amphitheater.  Far from it.  Some of the best shows are at the "side" stages.  2012 is no different.  Summerfest has all the bases covered when it comes to music.  Here is just a sample of the bands coming to Milwaukee's lakefront in 2012.

If you are into the oldies, come to Summerfest on the first night.  Kool and the Gang will headline the Miller Lite Oasis.  Performing at the very same time is another product of the 1970's.  Steve Miller Band is playing at the BMO Harris Bank stage.  This is the newly designed stage that replaces the old M&I stage.  Government Mule will hit the Briggs Stage at 10pm as well.  It's a tough call.  Do you get your funk on with Kool and the Gang, or do you pick one of two old rock bands? 

On June 29, you will find Morris Day and the Time hitting the BMO stage at 9:45pm.  Local legend Greg Koch will also be at the BMO Harris stage at 5pm. Kellie Pickler is the 10pm headline act at the Harley Davidson Roadhouse.

If you are at the lakefront on June 30, check out the Summerfst Strongman contest.  I'm going to see ZZ Top at 10pm that same evening.  Here is an opening slot on the U.S. Cellular stage, at 8pm.  Who do you think is playing that time slot?  We won't know until the lights go up.  Who is Midwest Death Rattle, and do they play music that the locals will like?  We don't know, but they play on the Cascio Groove Stage at 9pm on the same evening.

What would Summerfest be without an appearance by The BoDeans?  Apparently, we will never know, as the band is booked for July 4, at 9:30pm on the Potawatomi stage.  I think that they are down to just one original member, so be warned.  This BoDeans line up might not look familiar to anyone.  Whatever you like as far as music, I think Summerfest has you covered.  See you there?

Kelly Clarkson Summerfest Show on June 29

Kelly Clarkson is coming to Summerfest 2012 on June 29, at the Marcus Amphitheater.  This books the last open spot for headline acts.  Clarkson made a name for herself when she won the first season of American Idol.  Since then, she has appeared in a number of television shows, and toured the world three times.

Her 2004 album titled Breakaway was certainly her most popular effort.  That disk went "multi-platinum" in nine countries.  Since then, her third and fourth albums had respectable sales numbers, but her current popularity is more limited to the United States and Britain.  That's not to say that she's no longer popular in other countries.  She is. Her single, titled Mr. Know it All sold two million copies in Australia last year.

Summerfest 2012 Headline Act Lady Antebellum June 30

I overheard a coworker say "Can you believe that we already know who is going to play Summerfest 2012 on June 30th?" This was certainly an early announcement for Marcus Amphitheater headline act number one. It's not unheard of to have one of the ten nights booked before the new year, but I think that this Lady Antebellum booking is the earliest on record. In fact, it's such an early that you can actually see the band in La Crosse in the coming weeks, then eight months later at Summerfest.

Summerfest Milwaukee Books Country Music at the Marcus Amphitheater

This show is probably one of three country music acts that will be booked for the Marcus Amphitheater next year. The eleven day festival bring all sorts of music fans down the the lakefront. The acts that are booked range from rock, to pop, to country. Still there is a definite pattern now. Three country acts have been booked each year for at least the past five seasons. This does not include the side stages.

I doubt that we will hear of another Summerfest booking until next year. Most of these announcements come in early spring. Sometimes there can be a late scratch from the program, like there was in 2011. Brooks and Dunn had to cancel their Summerfest booking last year. It doesn't happen often, but you never know. For now, we'll await the next announcement from the folks at Summerfest.