2 Artists Have Canceled Performances For Summerfest's First Weekend

MILWAUKEE, WI — Ahead of Thursday's kickoff to Summerfest 2023 in Milwaukee, two artists have canceled their scheduled performances.

The Big Gig this year takes place over three weekends from noon to midnight each day: June 22-24, June 29-July 1, and July 6-8.

Cheap Trick, formed in Illinois and known for their pop and rock tunes, canceled their show planned for Thursday in a statement posted to Twitter on June 15. The band said they were forced to cancel their performance at the BMO Pavillion because of unforeseen circumstances.

According to a report by CBS58, reserved tickets for the Cheap Trick BMO show can be refunded where they were purchased.

Meanwhile, The Romantics, a rock band formed in 1970s Detroit, had to cancel their Friday show at the Uline stage because a member was injured in a minor incident, the band website said.

Beyond the cancelations for the first weekend, attendees can still expect a range of music and shows. Performances are expected in the coming weeks from the likes of Yung Gravy, Smokey Robinson, Earth Wind and Fire and more.

See also: Summerfest 2023 Lineup Announced: 3 Weekends Of Concerts

Drivers may have some issues this year getting to the shows because of construction. Left turns are not allowed from Lincoln Memorial onto Clybourn, and drivers taking the highway are encouraged to get off before the lakefront.

Public transit will likely be used by many attendees this year. Several options exist for transit users between two Freeway Flyer buses, the new Bus Rapid Transit line on Wisconsin Avenue and existing bus lines.

See also: How To Get To Summerfest 2023: Freeway Flyer, Parking And Construction