As Summerfest’s third and final weekend begins, here are some artists WSUM recommends you check out.

July 3rd

MJ Lenderman

Indie singer-songwriter and guitarist for the band Wednesday; MJ Lenderman can be seen at Summerfest this Thursday, July 3rd. While his most recent and critically acclaimed release, Manning Fireworks, is from 2024, he’s been featured on quite a few projects from other musicians since then. His cover of “Dancing in the Club” by This is Lorelai to name my personal favorite.

Lenderman is beloved by many of our own DJs at WSUM and seems to be gaining popularity by the minute. I will not be surprised if his 10:00 PM set at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard stage is packed and lively, you definitely won’t want to miss it. 

Friko

Friko, the Chicago-based indie-rock duo, will be at Summerfest this Thursday. No stranger to the Wisconsin area, the group has played shows in Madison in the past and was even on WSUM for a Snake Session back in 2020. Popular songs of theirs like “Get Numb To It!” and “Where We’ve Been” are sure to bring the energy as they take the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard stage at 6:00 PM, July 3rd!

July 4th

Frost Children

Electronic pop duo, Frost Children, will be taking the Generac stage this Friday, July 4th. Originally formed in St. Louis, the duo, consisting of siblings Angel and Lulu Prost, is now based out of New York City. This is Frost Children’s first time coming to Summerfest and who knows, with their set being directly before Porter Robinson, there is a chance you might get to see them perform their song “Mona Lisa”. Which is off of Porter Robinson’s album Smile! and features Frost Children. 

In addition to their 7:45 PM Summerfest set, you can head to Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood to see their DJ set at the Cactus Club right after!

July 5th

BABYMETAL 

Just in Madison this past November for their 2024 World Tour, Japanese alt-metal band BABYMETAL will be back in Wisconsin at Summerfest on July 5th. The trio’s highly anticipated fifth studio album, Metal Forth, will be coming out very soon, in early August. Fans may just be able to hear some of their soon-to-be-release songs at their 9:30 PM set at the ULINE stage, so make sure you stop by!

– Allison Lukas