With varied musical influences such as Earl Scruggs, Jerry Garcia and Chris Thile, Chicken Wire Empire lights up audiences with their energetic bluegrass, Americana and folk inspired songs. Since their formation in 2014, Chicken Wire Empire has wasted little time establishing themselves as one of the hottest up and coming bands in the local and regional music scene. ChickenWireEmpire.com

The Blues Disciples have been singing the blues since 1990 with the intent of remaining true to the influences of the Chicago electric blues era of the '50's and 60's. They have forged a sound and band that has risen to the top of the Milwaukee Blues scene. Many years and changes have kept their music fresh, and relevant, while still remaining true to their Blues roots. BluesDisciples.com

Landy Cabrera is one of the new, fresh young voices to explode on the tropical salsa scene in the last 10 years. Heavily influenced by salsa greats such as Cano Estremera and Chamaco Ramirez, Landy has adapted a style that blends both traditional salsa with a new age edge. Born in Manatí, Puerto Rico, he now calls Milwaukee home.

Natty Nation has been keeping their unique reggae beats throbbing through the heartland since their inception in 1995. With original hard roots rock reggae & dub and messages of peace, love, community and spreading positive vibrations, every Natty Nation concert is a dynamic experience. nattynation.com

For more than 30 years, Willy Porter has been one of Wisconsin’s most accomplished guitarists, singers and songwriters. His current band is a blend of grit, soul and space that moves seamlessly from Folk and bluesy Americana to Alt and Progressive Rock in service of Porter’s original tunes. http://willyporter.com  

The Empty Pockets ignite a bright flame by harnessing a joyful friction between Americana, Folk, and Rock ‘n Roll spiked with Roots Soul. The Chicago quartet lean on an unspoken, yet airtight musical dialogue honed by countless performances and a wealth of memories together. theemptypockets.com 

A Country and Blues Rock singer and songwriter currently based in Nashville, Jaid Johnson is a 19-year-old Wisconsin native returning home with her four-piece band to perform her original, authentic music written and performed straight from the heart. facebook.com/jaidjohnsonmusic 

Steel pan virtuoso, composer, educator and Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame inductee Andy Narell blends his multicultural style embracing Afro-Caribbean, Calypso, Latin Jazz and Pop traditions with Madison’s 13-pan Panchromatic Steel band. panchromaticsteel.com 

Septeto Charambó is the modern version of the popular 80’s salsa band Conjunto Charambó. Combining charanga and bomba rhythms from the Caribbean, the band was reinvented in 2022 and now delivers their unique salsa dura sound, keeping the rich traditions of Milwaukee salsa alive for their return to LIVE @ the Lakefront.

Chicago-born Reverend Raven is back with the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys and Westside Andy Linderman on harmonica to play original Blues, straight up with a big dose of passion, smoking grooves, hot harmonica, silky sax and stinging guitar. reverendraven.com 

The Kal Bergendahl Project (KBP) is a six-piece instrumental Jazz-Funk band. Groovy and melodic hooks are weaved in their deeply focused musical landscape of Jazz, Funk, R&B and Soul. Powered by a 3-piece horn section, KBP has released four albums in their "Parallels" series over the past nine years.