What was once the Johnson Controls World Sound Stage at Summerfest, found near the midgate, is now the Sound Waves Stage hosting DJs with raving performances and bringing in larger crowds.
Revamped for this 2023 edition, Summerfest's Sound Waves Stage now has large video walls, an upgraded sound and light system, and a larger stage – all for its new concept, with Summerfest bringing in DJs to drop hit after hit all night long. (Or at least until midnight.)
The stage has featured themed DJ nights throughout the first two weeks of Summerfest – featuring hip-hop, reggaeton, pop, throwback jams and more. For this final weekend of the Big Gig, the Sound Waves Stage will showcase new wave hip-hop, R&B jams and emo music for a "Sad Boy Saturday" set.
Every headliner DJ taking the stage will play from 7 p.m. until midnight, giving audiences a chance to catch a show (and bust a move) either before or after their main concert. And they are shows: DJs start their respective parties with raving light shows, confetti cannons, smoke machines, hypemen and sometimes even robots wandering around the stage. DJ BG Good, for instance, showed up this past Thursday with a robot getting down to his mixes and hyping the crowd up before joining the dancing throng on the ground level.
Here is the lineup for the last weekend of Summerfest at the Sound Waves Stage:
Thursday, July 6
- Noon – Korbel Papi
- 3 p.m. – DJ B-Lee
- 5 p.m. – Homerecker
- 7 p.m. – City Lights: New Wave hip-hop
Friday, July 7
- Noon – DJ James Jaxin
- 3 p.m. – DJ Miho
- 5 p.m. – DJ Eddie Reckless
- 7 p.m. – Mr. New York: Lovers & Friends R&B concert
Saturday, July 8
- Noon – DJ Zovo
- 3 p.m. – DJ Rutger Krueger
- 5 p.m. – DJ Whyte Nite
- 7 p.m. – Sad Boy Saturday: Emo Music Takeover
For more information on Summerfest Sound Waves Stage, click here.
Courtney Bondar is an adventurous Multimedia Journalist at OnMilwaukee, covering all things Milwaukee. Born and raised in Greendale, WI, Courtney has a deep-rooted connection to her hometown and a strong desire to explore and showcase the vibrant city of Milwaukee.
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