Booking Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Luke Bryan And More: How The 2014 Lineup Came Together

After years of second guessing concerts armchair bookers, Marcus Amphitheater Summerfest lineup this year is silencing critics.

The 47th edition of Summerfest begins June 25 with the Super Bowl this year’s star Bruno Mars halftime on opening night, and the only U.S. summer program Usher in the closing night. In between, there's everything from the country's king to lead Luke Bryan sparking pop star Lady Gaga, raised from hip -hop duo Outkast to Milwaukee last concert of Motley Crue. Even loyal Dave Matthews Alpine Valley Band is skipping Amphitheater East Troy and playing the big concert this summer.

Is stronger roster Summerfest main stage of this ever?

"It's a very strong line. There are a lot of acts of extreme heat there, “said Gary Bongiovanni, editor of Pollstar national publication of concerts.” Bruno Mars is having a great year. Outkast is everywhere. Dave Matthews Alpine usually played to 40,000 and 50,000 people. And I'm not sure how they managed to get only date Usher, but that's quite a coup of State. "

With new single “Good Kisser , " Usher, the R & B superstar with 46 million albums sold , and a judge of the singing smash NBC "The Voice" , is expected to drop an album and went on the road soon. His fans Summerfest should receive a preview of his new material and stage show before the rest of the country does.

Looking for a warm concert - Usher has not toured the U.S. since 2011 - his agent " thought it made sense to put that date here," said Bob Babisch , entertainment Summerfest VP in charge of booking Summerfest . “(Usher) stayed here before and had done well.”

Such provision would only Summerfest 2014 an outstanding year. In combination with the aforementioned A-listers - and Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band, a Fall Out Boy and Paramore double program, just announced on Wednesday OneRepublic - Summerfest and assured undoubtedly the most important roster Marcus Amphitheater in lately.

“People have complained (alignment of Summerfest ) is too classic rock - . Centered course you cannot say that this year, “Said Kerry Wolfe, director of program for six radio stations from Clear Channel in Milwaukee including the top -rated station in the city, country channel WMIL -FM (106.1).”It's one of the best lineups I've ever seen, and I've been in this market for 25 years. "

The favorable combination of routing, Summerfest extensive history and reputation, and a booming concert played a role.