Alpine Valley 2012 Lineup

As I've mentioned many times before, one of my favorite summer pastimes is to attend at least one concert at Alpine Valley. Last year, it was the Pearl Jam 20th anniversary show, the year before that I saw the Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, and Phish. The Alpine Valley 2012 lineup looks stellar this year and I just might have to go to all of the shows on the schedule. Here's a look at the Alpine Valley 2012 lineup:

• Phish-- Saturday, June 30th & Sunday, July 1st
• Dave Matthews Band--Friday, July 6th & Saturday, July 7th
• Jimmy Buffett--Saturday, August 25th
• The Tour: KISS & Motley Crue--Saturday, September 8th

For those of you that have never attended a show at Alpine Valley, I suggest that you go to one! There's nothing like seeing a concert against the backdrop of the scenic countryside of Wisconsin. When attending a show at Alpine Valley, it's important to note that traffic can get congested once you get near the venue, so you'll want to leave with plenty of time to get to the show. Depending on where you find parking, prepare for a longer walk to your seats. It's fun to tailgate beforehand in the parking lot, so be sure to stock up on your favorite food and beverages. Leaving the parking lot after the show can also take a little bit of time, so don't expect on leaving in a hurry. If it rains and you have lawn seats, you'll want to bring a raincoat and/or a blanket to sit upon. Concerts at Alpine Valley are always a good time, so you can rest assured that you won't be disappointed. 

Cheap Brewers Tickets

If you're like me, then you're probably always looking for a way to find cheap Brewers tickets. I'll let you in on a little ticket secret--cheap Brewers tickets exist out there, you just have to know how to find them. First of all, weekday games are always cheaper than weekend games because there is less of a demand on weekdays. Most people can't get off of work, the kids are in school, and it's difficult for people to travel to Milwaukee from other parts of Wisconsin on a weekday. Thus, you're more likely to find cheap Brewers tickets during the week.

The second thing to consider when looking for cheap Brewers tickets is location. Location is everything at Miller Park! Don't expect to pay upper deck prices to sit on the Brewers dugout. Upper level tickets are always priced accordingly and more often than not, you can find a great bargain in the upper level.

Finally, think about waiting until closer to the actual game before getting your Brewers tickets. Last minute ticket bargains often appear just before game time. I'm not making any promises, but more often than not, you'll find cheaper Brewers tickets just before game time. 

Summerfest 2012 Lineup

Summerfest, affectionately known as "The Big Gig," starts in a little over a month. Since the late 1960s, Summerfest has been a staple of the Milwaukee summer festival experience. Boasting 11 music stages and local food vendors, Summerfest opens its doors from noon until midnight. I cannot wait to attend this year's Summerfest and eat eggplant strips from the Venice Club and ride the glider from one end of the park to the other.

The Marcus Amphitheater headliners have all been booked for Summerfest 2012. Various announcements about Summerfest headliners have been made over the past few months, but now every act has been officially booked. In case you can remember all of the acts that are slated to perform during Summerfest 2012, here's a list of all of the Summerfest 2012 Lineup for the Marcus Amphitheater:

• Rascal Flatts- Wednesday, June 27th @ 7:30 PM
• Foo Fighters- Thursday, June 28th @ 7:30 PM
• Kelly Clarkson & Train- Friday, June 29th @ 7:30 PM
• Lady Antebellum & Darius Rucker- Saturday, June 30th @ 7:30 PM
• Beach Boys- Sunday, July 1st @ 7:30 PM
• DJ Tiesto- Tuesday, July 3rd @ 8:00 PM
• Iron Maiden & Alice Cooper- Wednesday, July 4th @ 7:30 PM
• Zac Brown Band- Thursday, July 5th @ 7:30 PM
• Big Time Rush- Friday, July 6th @ 7:30 PM
• Aerosmith & Cheap Trick- Saturday, July 7th @ 8:00 PM
• Neil Diamond- Sunday, July 8th @ 8:00 PM

Don't forget that for the second year in a row, Summerfest begins on a Wednesday and will be closed on Monday. See you at the Fest!

June Milwaukee Brewers Games | Milwaukee Brewers Tickets

Can you believe that it's almost June? June means that summer is almost here. To me, summer is synonymous with going to Brewers games at Miller Park. There's nothing I love more than kicking back at a good old-fashioned Brewers tailgate party pre-Brewers game. I also love basking in the sun while watching the Brewers win at Miller Park. That pretty much summarizes a perfect summer day. That being said, there's no reason not to attend at least one Brewers game in June. Ticket King Milwaukee can help you find great Milwaukee Brewers tickets. The Brewers have some good match-ups at home in June, including a 3-game series vs. the Chicago Cubs. Here's a look at June Milwaukee Brewers games at Miller Park:

• Friday, June 1st- vs. Pittsburgh Pirates @ 7:10 PM
• Saturday, June 2nd- vs. Pittsburgh Pirates @ 6:10 PM
• Sunday, June 3rd- vs. Pittsburgh Pirates @ 1:10 PM
• Tuesday, June 5th- vs. Chicago Cubs @ 7:10 PM
• Wednesday, June 6th- vs. Chicago Cubs @ 7:10 PM
• Thursday, June 7th- vs. Chicago Cubs @ 1:10 PM
• Friday, June 8th- vs. San Diego Padres @ 7:10 PM
• Saturday, June 9th- vs. San Diego Padres @ 6:10 PM
• Sunday, June 10th- vs. San Diego Padres @ 1:10 PM
• Monday, June 18th- vs. Toronto Blue Jays @ 7:10 PM
• Tuesday, June 19th- vs. Toronto Blue Jays @ 7:10 PM
• Wednesday, June 20th vs. Toronto Blue Jays at 1:10 PM
• Friday, June 29th vs. Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:10 PM
• Saturday, June 30th vs. Arizona Diamonbacks at 6:15 PM

See you at Miller Park!

Nickelback Bradley Center Tickets 5/25

You can rest easy Nickelback fans, because Nickelback Bradley Center tickets for Friday's show at the Bradley Center. The Canadian rock group will be joined by Seether, My Darkest Days, and Bush (Gavin Rossdale, swoon). I'm actually pretty excited at the prospect of seeing Gavin Rossdale live in concert. My middle school self is secretly jealous. Nickelback is one of those bands that is polarizing, you either love them or hate them, there is no in-between. There appears to be an abundance of Nickelback fans all over the world, but also a large number of haters who are vocal in their opinions of the band. 

I actually saw Nickelback perform at the Rave in early 2001 when they were still fairly unknown, or at least when their success hadn't yet hit the mainstream. This was back when The State was released and they were rocking such hits as "Breathe," "Leader of Men," and "Old Enough." Nickelback seemed to be a pretty solid rock group and the next year, they went on to headline the Marcus Amphitheater during Summerfest. This marked their entrance into the mainstream and they have never looked back. Nickelback isn't for everyone, but if you're a fan of the band, you should definitely check out their show at the Bradley Center on Friday night.  

Foo Fighters To Headline Marcus Amphitheater During Summerfest 2012

The final Marcus Amphitheater headliner has been announced for Summerfest 2012. The Foo Fighters will headline the Marcus Amphitheater on Thursday, June 28th at 7:30 PM. An opening act has not yet been announced, so stay tuned! Ticket King Milwaukee is your source of Foo Fighters Summerfest tickets when they become available.

Any fan of rock music will want to make it a point to see the Foo Fighters perform at the Marcus Amphitheater during Summerfest. The celebrated rockers have been making music since 1994, when Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl founded the group after the death of Kurt Cobain. In 2000, the Foo Fighters earned their first Grammy, for "Learn to Fly" and have since won 10 Grammy awards and a multitude of other awards. During this past year's Grammy Awards, the Foo Fighters picked up 5 of the 6 Grammys for which they were nominated including Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance. Their most recent album, Wasted Light, was released in 2011 and the band is currently working on their next album. Wasted Light is the Foo Fighters' 7th studio album. Don't miss this chance to the Foo Fighters take the stage in Milwaukee!

Black Keys - Arctic Monkeys Milwaukee Review

A disco ball at a rock show? It made perfect sense at the Black Keys show this past Wednesday at Milwaukee’s Bradley Center. From “Howlin’ for You” to “I Got Mine”, you couldn’t help but get down. Looking down at the general admission floor, packed with teens and 20-somethings, made me feel every one of my 37 years, but then a quick glance to the row behind me, a couple in their 50’s enjoying the show as much as the kids, put everything in perfect perspective. The Black Keys make music for everyone.

The band, comprised of drummer Patrick Carney and guitarist Dan Auerbach, has been to Milwaukee a number of times in the last few years, and for good reason. They know how to please a crowd. Here is the complete Black Keys set list for Milwaukee:

 Black Keys Set List

1.    Howlin’ for You
2.    Next Girl
3.    Run Right Back
4.    Same Old Thing
5.    Dead and Gone
6.    Gold on the Ceiling
7.    Thickfreakness
8.    Nova Baby
9.    Ten Cent Pistol
10.  Tighten Up
11.  Lonely Boy
ENCORE
1.    Everlasting Light
2.    I Got Mine

It was unfortunate the venue wasn’t filled to capacity, but ticket holders showed their love. I would be surprised if the band was at all disappointed in the crowd. In fact, I would add the respect and response given to the Black Keys’ opener The Arctic Monkeys was admirable and set a perfect tone for the night to come.

After seeing so many people, beer in one hand, poster tube in other, I became educated on the band’s limited edition show posters they commission in each city. Included here is a copy of the Milwaukee show’s poster done by Methane. Take a look at the Black Keys Facebook page for other posters; they are indeed works of art. Bottom line, a good time was had by all.

Van Halen Bradley Center Tickets

Legendary rockers Van Halen will be making an appearance at the Bradley Center on September 25th as a part of their North American tour. Ticket King Milwaukee is your source for Van Halen Bradley Center tickets when they become available. Van Halen's 2012 tour comes at the heels of their latest album, A Different Kind of Truth. This album is the group's first album in 14 years. Van Halen first burst onto the music scene in 1978 with the release of their first album, Van Halen. Since then, they have sold over 75 million albums making them one of the most successful American rock bands. Over the years, Van Halen has seen various lead singers come and go, but the band  currently consists of David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Wolfgang Van Halen. Van Halen at the Bradley Center should be an exciting night for fans of hard rock!

Black Keys Bradley Center Tickets 5/16

The Black Keys' shows have been receiving rave reviews ever since their El Camino tour kicked off in the beginning of March. On Wednesday, May 16th, the Black Keys will rock the Bradley Center. Black Keys Bradley Center tickets are still available for what will promise to be an awesome show. The Black Keys, who started their group in a basement in Akron, Ohio, have sold out arenas all over the country. No need to worry--the Black Keys still sound great live in an arena as they do on their album. British indie rockers Arctic Monkeys are opening for the Black Keys and are also talented rockers in their own right. Lower level reserved tickets are still available for Wednesday night's concert.

Milwaukee Brewers Bobblehead Schedule 2012

If you've ever been inside of the Ticket King Milwaukee office, then you know how much we love our Milwaukee Brewers bobbleheads. Having been in business for over 20 years, we've acquired quite the collections of bobbleheads. In order to keep our collection growing, we have our eyes on the upcoming Milwaukee Brewers bobblehead games. In fact, some of us already have Milwaukee Brewers tickets for all of the bobblehead games. Here's a list of the upcoming Milwaukee Brewers bobblehead schedule for the remainder of the 2012 Brewers season:

• Sunday, May 13th, 1:10 PM: Brewers vs. Cubs, Yovanni Gallardo bobblehead
• Sunday, June 10th, 1:10 PM: Brewers vs. Padres, Nyjer Morgan bobblehead
• Sunday, July 1st, 1:10 PM: Brewers vs. Diamondbacks, Italian Racing Sausage bobblehead
• Sunday, July 29th, 1:10 PM: Brewers vs. Nationals, Bob Uecker bobblehead
• Sunday, September 16th, 1:10 PM: Brewers vs. Mets, Aramis Ramirez bobblehead

As you can see, all bobblehead games are on Sunday afternoons--perfect for the whole family!

Wisconsin Badgers 2012 Football Schedule

In just under four months, the Wisconsin Badgers 2012 football season will be underway! The Wisconsin Badgers 2012 football schedule has been released and already several game times have been determined. Time to start thinking about getting your Wisconsin Badgers tickets for the upcoming season. There's nothing quite like watching a Badgers game at Camp Randall! Here is the Wisconsin Badgers 2012 Football Schedule:

• Saturday, September 1st: Badgers vs. Northern Iowa Panthers, Camp Randall 
• Saturday, September 8th: Badgers at Oregon State Beavers, Reser Stadium
• Saturday, September 15th: Badgers vs. Utah State Aggies, Camp Randall, 7 PM
• Saturday, September 22nd: Badgers vs. UTEP Miners, Camp Randall
• Saturday, September 29th: Badgers at Nebraska Cornhuskers, Memorial Stadium 7PM
• Saturday, October 6th: Badgers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini, Camp Randall, 2:30 PM
• Saturday, October 13th: Badgers at Purdue Boilermakers, Ross-ade Stadium, 11 AM
• Saturday, October 20th: Badgers vs. Minnesota Gophers, Camp Randall
• Saturday, October 27th: Badgers vs. Michigan State Spartans, Camp Randall, 2:30 PM
• Saturday, November 10th: Badgers at Indiana Hoosier, Memorial Stadium
• Saturday, November 17th: Badgers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes, Camp Randall
• Saturday, November 24th: Badgers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions, Beaver Stadium

On Wisconsin!

The Brewers vs. Cubs Rivalry | Milwaukee Brewers Tickets

Beginning Friday, the Brewers will host the Cubs for a three-game home series at Miller Park. The Brewers vs. Cubs rivalry is well-known amongst fans of both teams, but do you know the history of this rivalry? Here's a look some interesting facts about the Brewers vs. Cubs rivalry:

• Brewers and Cubs have played each other in the Cactus League of spring training since 1969 (when brewers were the Seattle Pilots), but the rivalry didn't grow until 1998 when the Brewers joined the National League. 
• 1st official Brewers vs. Cubs meeting was June 13th, 1997 in interleague play at Wrigley Field (Brewers won 4-2).
• The rivalry is often referred to as the "I-94 rivalry" because of the fact that both Miller Park and Wrigley Field are located just off of I-94.
• When the Cubs come to Miller Park, the park is often referred to as "Wrigley Field North" because in past years, more Cubs fans have showed up to the games than Brewers fans. Wrigley Field has also been historically sold out and Milwaukee Brewers tickets have been easier to come by for Cubs fans. 
• On Saturday, April 11th, 2008, the Brewers hosted the Cubs for the second of their three-game home opener series. This game boasted the highest attendance in Major League baseball.
• The Brewers and Cubs have never met in the post-season.

What do you think about the Brewers vs. Cubs rivalry? Is it still a big deal or do you think it's dwindling?

Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart Bradley Center Tickets

There are so many great concerts happening in Milwaukee this spring and summer that it's almost hard to keep track of all of them! I'm really looking forward to the Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart concert at the Bradley Center on July 30th. Ticket King Milwaukee still has great Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart Bradley Center tickets available. 

Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart are making a stop in Milwaukee as a part of their Heart & Soul tour. I'm looking forward to this evening of good old classic rock. Both Nicks and Stewart are talented musicians with a knack for storytelling. The concert will have a standard floor plan, with reserved floor seating available. If you're a fan of classic rock, you will not want to miss this opportunity to see two living legends perform in one night!

Brewers vs. Reds 5/7-5/9 | Milwaukee Brewers Tickets

The Milwaukee Brewers return home for a three-game series on May 7th-May 9th against the Cincinnati Reds. Brewers vs. Reds tickets are available for this three-game series at Miller Park.  This will be a great opportunity to watch a good NL Central match up. Currently, the Brewers are in 3rd place in the NL Central division, just behind the Cincinnati Reds.

The Brewers return to Miller Park after a west coast road trip that featured Ryan Braun setting a record for the most home runs scored in a single game at Petco Park in San Diego. This was also Braun's first career 3-homer game. Way to go, Braun! Too early to start talking about Braun as a repeat MVP?

Train and Kelly Clarkson Summerfest Tickets

Another Summerfest headliner announcement! Train and Kelly Clarkson will headline the Marcus Amphitheater during Summerfest 2012. The seasoned pop veterans and Grammy winners will take the stage on Friday, June 29th, joined by special guest Brian Dennen. Ticket King Milwaukee is your source for excellent Train and Kelly Clarkson Summerfest tickets as soon as they are available.

Train will be touring in support of their latest album, California 37. Formed in 1994, Train saw widespread success in 1998 with the release of their self-titled album Train which featured their biggest hit "Meet Virginia." In 2002, Train won two Grammys for their hit "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" off their second album, Drops of Jupiter. This song gained the band international attention.

Kelly Clarkson was the first-ever American Idol winner ten years ago. Since then, she's put out 5 studio albums and won a multitude of awards including MTV Video Music Awards, Billboard Awards, and two Grammys. Clarkson has seen much success over the course of her 10 year career and is considered the most successful Idol winner in the history of the show.

Both Train and Kelly Clarkson have performed at Summerfest in past years, so it will be nice to see both of them back and performing at the Marcus Amphitheater. Wonder if they'll collaborate on any numbers for us!