By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Jun 26, 2017 at 9:04 AM

It’s senior writer/editorial manager Molly Snyder’s umpteenth Summerfest, and here’s what she hopes to check out during the 11-day music festival. See you there!

Wednesday, June 28

I’m diving right in and late-night head-banging with Tesla. The band starts at 10 p.m. at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse. Tesla has weathered 30 years of sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll, so hopefully they can still bring it.

Thursday, June 29

"Starfish" probably still makes my top 20 favorite albums of all-time list, so I’m really looking forward to The Church at 5 p.m. at Uline Warehouse Stage. I’ll definitely swing by early to catch Salford Lads Club, the local Smiths’ tribute band, opening for The Church.

Friday, June 30

I’m a sucker for a brass band, and I didn’t make it to New Orleans this year so I really need a NOLA fix. Thus, the incredible Trombone Shorty – 10 p.m. at the Uline Warehouse Stage – is on my Summerfest weekend radar.

Saturday, July 1

I’m doing Summerfest by day on Saturday and plan to catch a 2 p.m. show by legendary local duo, Mrs. Fun. They play the U.S. Cellular Connection Stage and, if memory serves, will bring their unique brand of jazzy, spoken-wordy fun.

Sunday, July 2

I wanted to see Pink, who headlines the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, but I got the short straw in the OnMilwaukee editors’ draw. Instead, I plan to soak in Ziggy Marley’s good vibes at 9:30 p.m. at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse.

Tuesday, July 4

I’m gonna say "Happy Birthday, America" with the ‘90s stylings of Third Eye Blind. Not gonna lie: This band is a guilty pleasure of mine, and if they don’t play "Graduate," I’ll weep into my Lite. Third Eye plays the BMO Harris Pavilion at 9:45 p.m.

Wednesday, July 5

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers will play the first of two back-to-back shows at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, and I will be there, ready for sing-a-longs and Southern drawl. I saw TP at Summerfest many years ago during his "Full Moon Fever" tour so it will be fun to compare the two.

Thursday, July 6

I would love to see night two of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, who will take the American Family Insurance Ampitheater at 7:30 p.m., but I’m not sure it’s in the cards for me. Flick your lighter on your phone app for me if I don’t make it.

Friday, July 7

Atmosphere, I’m all yours. Harley-Davidson Roadhouse 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 8

I’m doing Summerfest by day again and, as a Peter Townsend forever fangirl, plan to catch Substitute, a The Who tribute band, at 3:30 p.m. at Uline Warehouse Stage. The Future/Big Sean/Migos show at the Amphitheater that night looks good too, but I gotta remember The Big Gig is a marathon, not a sprint.

Sunday, July 9

I’m taking my son to a National Rubik’s Cube competition today, so I won’t be there. But if I were in town, I would definitely check out the all-day Outlaw Festival featuring Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Nathaniel Ratliff & The Night Sweats, Sheryl Crow and more. It actually kind of hurts that I’m missing this.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.