Some 600 artists, nine days and an incredible 14 stages.
No wonder Milwaukee Summerfest, which takes place from the end of June into the first of July, is called “the Big Gig.” It began in 1968 and PubClub.com caught up with Bob Babisch, who for 46 years was Vice President of Entertainment for Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., the organization that hosts Summerfest, about the history of the event.
“It was the brainchild of the mayor at the time,” Babisch said. “He just came back from Oktoberfest where he saw everyone was having a good time and said we should do that here. It started in parks all over city. There was a closed missile base on the water, used for storage and we said that it was the perect place to put the whole thing together. This is a beer town and Miller and Schlitz provided the money. We go back in and remodel permanent stages from time to time. The venue can hold 100,000-plus spectators. A good day for us is 90,000-105,000. A slow day brings in about 70,000 and big days are in six figures.
“It’s a festival for the people. Everything else for the grounds is very inexpensive. It’s $30. Or you can get in free.”
PubClub: What has changed though the years?
Bob Babisch: “A lot of temporary stages. Through the years we’ve taken the money we’ve made and put it right back into the event and now we have Harley, Miller, Brigs & Stratton, the biggest companies in Milwaukee helping us with the facilities. That helps keep the prices down.”
PubClub: This is one of the least expensive music festivals you can find anywhere. How do you keep the prices down when others are charging $150 or so for tickets?
Bob Babisch: “Just to get on the grounds is $30, plus there are discount days and there’s always a way to get in for free. We could never do that without the sponsors. And also we sell a lot of beer. A lot! We like to keep prices for food and beer low. It’s going back to a people’s festival.
“Summerfest is a very, very affordable music event. We’re a fabric of Southeast Wisconsin. Everyone around the country should come in for it; we have people from all over the world, and people from 35-40 states come to it. It’s a party. Come on out for it.”
PubClub: You get some really big acts. How do you do this and how do you put together the lineup each year?
Bob Babisch: “When we announce the lineup, it’s a big deal here. We’re on the local TV morning shows and get a lot of coverage. There’s a core of people here. We’re all working together. We’re trying to get the best acts. Our competition is other festivals but mostly it’s Europe. Acts go to Coachella then run to Firefly in Delaware (currently canceled with its future status unclear) and a lot of acts go to Europe in July and come back in August. That’s right in our window; there’s not a lot of things going here in the states.
“At our biggest stage, we raised the roof height and can any size show in there now. We have 19 dressing rooms foer the bands.”
PubClub: Talk about the various types of music people can see at Summerfest.
Bob Babisch: “You can see a little bit of everything: hip hop, classic rock, country. The charm of the festival is you can move around. It’s like Jazz Fest in New Orleans. We can draw on a large base of musicians. We’re running 10-11 stages from Noon-on, 6-7 bands per stage. And we’re trying to do no repeats. We try and get the best bands from Mllwaukee, Wisconsin, Illinois, etc.”
Summerfest Details & Tickets
• Website: summerfest.com
• Tickets: $30 GA plus various multi-day price packages (3-day $63, 9-day $130). Admission is free when tied into various local promotions and charities, which are detailed on its website. Note: Some stages require extra admission.
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