ROCKONSIN State Finals Hit the Summerfest Stage, Featuring Krusher

The 2025 ROCKONSIN State Finals will be conducted on June 26 & June 27 at Summerfest from 12:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. each day on the Aurora Pavilion Stage.
Ten statewide garage bands, representing musicians/bands from 52 Wisconsin high schools and middle schools that applied, have been selected by three music industry judges, with 30+ years of experience each, to perform 20-minute showcases at the ROCKONSIN State Finals.
Performance times and band listings are subject to change.
AURORA PAVILION STAGE
Thursday, June 26

• 12:15 p.m. – 12:35 p.m. Krusher (Metal)
Campbellsport High School
• 12:45 p.m. – 1:05 p.m. The Lightways (Rock)
Sussex Hamilton, Germantown & Brookfield East High Schools
• 1:15 p.m. – 1:35 p.m. Greater Than Human (Metal)
Flambeau High School
• 1:45 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. Extra (Rock)
Brookfield East, Wauwatosa West, Mukwonago & Waterford Union High Schools
• 2:15 p.m. – 2:35 p.m. Blonde (Indie)
Wauwatosa East & West High Schools
Friday, June 27
• 12:15 p.m. – 12:35 p.m. Mania (Indie)
DePere High School
• 12:45 p.m. – 1:05 p.m. Exchange (Rock)
McFarland Indian Mound Middle School
• 1:15 p.m. – 1:35 p.m. Moon Pool (Rock)
Plymouth High School & Plymouth Riverview Middle School and Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah High School
• 1:45 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. Take Back The Sun (Rock)
Edgerton & Fort Atkinson High Schools; Cambridge Koshkonong Trails School
• 2:15 p.m. – 2:35 p.m. No Limit (Rock)
Monona Grove & Columbus High Schools
The 2025 winning & runner-up bands will be announced on Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m. on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @rockonsin and on the website www.rockonsin.org.
Each of the 10 bands will perform 20-minute showcases on the Aurora Pavilion Stage and will be evaluated by a different set of three music industry judges for the State Finals on expression/creativity/technique, rhythm/vocals, primary beats/blend/time, synergy and a summary of each musician knowing their role and how the band jells as one musical unit. Each band, after their Summerfest performance, will receive a private verbal critique from one of the judges.
“ROCKONSIN celebrates its 21st year of this only program of its kind in the nation by shining the spotlight on 10 outstanding 7th – 12th grade Wisconsin garage bands of any musical genre that will rock the Aurora Pavilion Stage at Summerfest – The Big Gig. Join us in checking out the cool tunes and musicianship of these very talented young Badger State bands whose next gig is performing in the spotlight at The World’s Largest Music Festival,” said ROCKONSIN Founder and Producer Dennis Graham.
The 2025 ROCKONSIN winning and runner-up bands will each perform a second-prize-winning, 45-minute showcase set at The Big Gig on the Aurora Pavilion Stage on July 3 with the runner-up hitting the stage at 12:45 p.m. followed by the winning band at 2 p.m. The winner and runner-up each win a professional recording session at Madison’s Blast House Studios (Winner: 12 hours; Runner-up: 8 hours). Each of the 10 State Finalist bands receive two Shure microphones (one vocal and one instrument with cords). The winning band will also receive a Shure wireless vocal microphone system, and each winning band member will receive a ROCKONSIN award. In addition, one ROCKONSIN State Finalist band will perform a one-hour showcase set at 1 p.m. on August 8 at the Waukesha Rotary BluesFest at Naga-Waukee Park in Delafield.
ROCKONSIN, which is brought to you by the Nicholas Family Foundation, is made possible with the support of sponsor partners that have a passion for providing opportunities to recognize and showcase the talents of these young bands. Supporting partners include Tilt Media, MAMA (Madison Area Music Association), Shure, Nicholas Family Foundation, The HOG 102.9 FM, FOX 6 Milwaukee and Summerfest. This program is produced by Dennis Graham Associates, which founded the statewide competition in 2005.
For more information on ROCKONSIN, including band application information, up-to-date news, to run off a free band application poster and more, go to www.rockonsin.org. Follow us on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram @rockonsin.