If you live in Milwaukee and probably Wisconsin, you all know Summerfest. Some of us love it. Other of us can’t stand it. It’s an enigma as a place to watch concerts. Summerfest announced yesterday plans to do a brand new amphitheater with the help of American Family Insurance who are also becoming a presenting sponsor. Summerfest will be getting a facelift in the coming years, and it’s about time that things started to look more like updated.

This isn’t to be a hater against the common day Summerfest, but they could use some updates. A new amphitheater, just like the Milwaukee Bucks new arena, will draw some big names who haven’t played here. Music artists seem to find new, big venues as catnip and can’t resist performing there if given the opportunity. The hope is the biggest artists are going to find their way to play at the Big Gig. A part of me wonders if they’re having issues booking the 50th anniversary for main stage, and that might have been a deciding. Pure speculation, but the lineup thus far has been underwhelming. But I feel like I utter that sentence around this time every year and it ends up being okay.

The other parts of Summerfest that are getting makeovers are the Miller Lite Oasis and U.S. Cellular Stage. Those are two of the biggest stages right now for the 11-day festival, and they are getting a new feel to them. This is also an exciting venture to help update some of these smaller venues as well. Oasis would benefit by figuring how to deal with the massive crowds. More seats? It’s going to be a tough one there.

As I get older, things get older as well. It’s good to see Summerfest isn’t dying any time soon.