Summerfest Weekend One starts today, here are some artists WSUM executive staff members are looking forward to seeing.

June 19th

Ava Maybee

Ava Maybee is no stranger to the music industry. The daughter of Red Hot Chilli Peppers drummer, Chad Smith, Ava Maybee Cardoso-Smith was 20 years old when she made it to the Top 14 on American Idol Season 20. Now at 24, her debut EP “Orange Drive” chronicles the last four years of her life, discussing romances and friendships of her early twenties. 

Following Maybee’s audition for Season 20, Richie declared: “You’re not going to be a maybe, you’re going to be a for sure.” Maybee is early in her career, but she is an artist worth watching.

– Madison Moris

JazzMen

Nathan “JazzMen” Mayfield is the founding member of JazzMen. Milwaukee born and raised, Mayfield and the group play smooth jazz that effortlessly blends multiple music styles together. The group has a Billboard hit record on the Smooth Jazz Charts titled “Love Birds,” which peaked at No. 16. 

In an interview, Mayfield said he wants the world to know his music. By performing at one of the oldest and largest music festivals in the United States, JazzMen has the opportunity to spread their love of jazz nationally.

– Madison Moris

June 21st

Japanese Breakfast

After being a fan of Japanese Breakfast for quite awhile now, I still somehow have not had the chance to see the group live. Coming off of their most recent release, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), I am very excited to hear Michelle Zauner, lead singer and front-woman, and her live renditions of songs like “Orlando in Love” and “Honey Water”. And of course, excited to hear some of the classics like “Be Sweet” and “Kokomo, IN”. While this is the group’s second time performing at Summerfest, this will be my first visit to the festival’s grounds. I am looking forward to a great show from Japanese Breakfast this June 21st at the BMO Pavilion at 10:00 PM.

– Allison Lukas

The Army, The Navy

All the way from California, the indie-pop duo, The Army, The Navy, consisting of members Maia Ciambriello and Sasha Goldberg, will be at Summerfest for their first time this Saturday. The duo is coming off of their first headlining tour, going through North America in March and wrapping up a short UK/EU leg in May. Additionally, they opened for singer-songwriter Matt Maltese in 2024, who you can also catch at the same stage, Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, later that evening. The duos 8:00 PM set will be the first chance for Wisconsinites to hear their most recent single, “Dirty Laundry”, live, since they haven’t been to the area since its release, and I know fans are looking forward to it.

– Allison Lukas