Summerfest Day 1: Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is something of an enigma, when you think about it. The band dominated the '80s and yet its relevancy remains as its former contemporaries faltered and found themselves at county fairs and on VHI reality shows.

Who else among the headbangers of the hairspray era have managed to not only survive this far, but also evolve into something enjoyable by today's standards?

Whereas bands like Poison and Mötley Crüe will be forever hailed (and potentially mocked) as the heroes of hair metal, Bon Jovi has come so far in the last two decades, it's possible that new fans never knew the band was once "Slippery When Wet."

And this is perhaps Bon Jovi's greatest accomplishment.

The band is a great choice for the Marcus Amphitheater stage on opening night of Summerfest. Jon and crew are known for putting on one hell of a live show for their more than 34 million fans across the globe. Opener Soraia starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the show, which include Summerfest admission, cost $97, $87, $67 and $42.

Bon Jovi has released 10 studio albums in the last 25 years and in 2006 was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame. This past August the band announced the details of its forthcoming documentary, "When We Were Beautiful."

OnMilwaukee.com staff picks for Thursday:

Unfortunately, Rancid and Meat Puppets play at the same time -- 8 p.m. -- and both are bands that I really want to see. I will probably flip a coin, bounce between the two or finally figure out how to split myself in two. American punk band Rancid plays on the Harley Stage and the rowdy, iconic Meat Puppets are on the U.S. Cellular Stage. At 10 p.m. I'll attempt to check out Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band on the Briggs & Stratton Stage if I'm still wearing my Summerfest smile and my sandals aren't too beer soaked at this point. -- Molly Snyder Edler

It's opening night and although the former emo in me wouldn't mind catching Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard at 10 p.m. and the former teenager in me would have fun at Rancid (Harley-Davidson Roadhouse, 8 p.m.), I'll be at the Marcus Amphitheater reviewing the 7: 30 p.m. Bon Jovi concert. I hear he puts on a hell of a live show. -- Julie Lawrence

I've heard great things about Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons, so they may be worth checking out at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard before the always-interesting Conor Oberst fronts the Mystic Valley Band. I haven't seen Oberst since a pretty solid Bright Eyes show a few years back at the Pabst, so it will be interesting to see how he's developed as a performer. I'll definitely make it over to check out Matthew Sweet, too. He's been a longtime favorite and songs from "Girlfriend" still pop up on the iPod during walks with the dog. On a side note, did they get the order wrong on the order wrong over at Harley? Shouldn't the kids from Rise Against be opening for Rancid? Just wondering... --Drew Olson

The Meat Puppets play the U.S. Cellular Connection stage at 8, warming things up for Matthew Sweet, who plays at 10. Neither has made a record I've heard in a long time, but I'd still check them out for their past achievements. I saw Sweet at the Big Gig a few years back and he was sharp. The Meat Puppets? Well, it's been quite a bit longer. -- Bobby Tanzilo

I liked Matthew Sweet quite a bit in high school and college, and though I'm hardly an aficionado, I enjoyed his performance a few years ago at the Miller Oasis. This year, he plays the U.S. Cellular Stage at 10 p.m. It's always fun to show up on opening night, but I'm not sure one act is strong enough to bring me to the grounds. -- Andy Tarnoff

The full Summerfest line-up for Thursday:

Marcus Amphitheater: Bon Jovi and Soraia, 7:30 p.m.

Miller Lite Oasis: Caught in the Act, 3 p.m.; Opening ceremonies, 5 p.m.; Three Beers 'Til Dubuque, 6:30 p.m.; The Last Vegas, 8:30 p.m.; Puddle of Mudd, 10 p.m.

Harley-Davidson Roadhouse with Miller Genuine Draft: Saved by Stereo, noon; The Lucas Cates Band, 2:30 p.m.; Hillbilly Casino, 4 p.m.; The Riverboat Gamblers, 6:30 p.m.; Rancid, 8 p.m.; Rise Against, 10 p.m.

US Cellular Connection Stage with Leinenkugel's and FM 102/1: Moon Boot Posse, noon; Rivalry, 3 p.m.; Ace Enders, 4:15 p.m.; Pictures of Then, 5:30 p.m.; Dirty Sweet, 6:45 p.m.; Meat Puppets, 8 p.m.; Matthew Sweet, 10 p.m.

M&I Classic Rock Stage with Fiduciary Management, Miller Lite, 97.3 The Brew & My 95.7: Yadda Yadda, noon; Sonic Circus, 2 p.m.; Liam Ford, 4 p.m.; Brandon James, 6 p.m.; Bad Boy, 8 p.m.; Loverboy, 10 p.m.
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard Featuring The Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame With

Miller High Life: Chad James, noon; Dirty Lingo, 2:30 p.m.; The Briggs Bluesbusters, 4:30 p.m.; Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, 8 p.m.; Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, 10 p.m.

Potawatomi Bingo Casino Rock Stage with Miller Lite and 94.1 WJJO and 95 WIIL ROCK: Boxkar, 3 p.m.; IROCK Z, 5 p.m.; The Steepwater Band, 6:30 p.m.; Peter Mac and the Fighting Fish, 8 p.m.; Robin Trower, 10 p.m.

Mid-Gate Stage at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Pavilion with Miller High Life and 88Nine RadioMilwaukee: Launchpad High School Battle of the Bands, noon; Jason D. Williams, 8 p.m.; Lee Rocker, 10 p.m.

JoJo's Martini Lounge with Miller Lite: Pre-Recorded Music, noon; Joe Hite, 4 p.m.; The Toys, 8 p.m.

Cascio Interstate Music Groove Garage with WMSE and the Shepherd Express: Kinetic, 2 p.m.; Reaching Scarlet, 3 p.m.; The Up & Atoms, 4 p.m.; Dub District, 5 p.m.; BSG, 6 p.m.; Toad King, 7 p.m.; The Invaders, 8 p.m.

Sentry SportsZone With Newsradio 620 WTMJ: The Milwaukee Bucks Experience, 1 p.m.; Marquette Women's Volleyball, 2 p.m.; Milwaukee Admirals Hockey, 4 p.m.; Milwaukee Bucks Draft Party, 6 p.m.; Division BMX Stunt Team, 8 p.m.

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and Northwestern Mutual Children's Theater & Playzone: "Andre Returns", noon; Jerry Frasier Magic and Comedy, 12:45 p.m.; A Friendship Adventure with Ronald McDonald, 1:30 p.m.; Kenny Ahern: To LAUGH is to Live!, 2:15 p.m.; Wayne & WingNut - "Crazy Puppets", 3:15 p.m.; Discovery World: Kitchen of Chemistry, 4 p.m.; On Stage Magic with Jerry Frasier, 4:45 p.m.; North Shore Dance Studio, 5:30 p.m.; Kenny Ahern: Physical Comedian, 6:30 p.m.; David Seebach's Wonders of Magic, 7:30 p.m.