Somerset Amphitheater hopes to have a busy summer

• PHOTO: Matt Mithun

Somerset Amphitheater owner Matt Mithun stands near the backside of the new permanent stage, which is just one of the many improvements to the grounds since last year.

Talk about it

If all goes as planned, the Somerset Amphitheater will be a busy place this summer.

Most of last summer was spent making improvements and adding onto the amphitheater grounds after Matt Mithun purchased the property.

The look of the amphitheater isn’t the only thing that’s different this year. Mithun says he’s trying to draw in events that aren’t just music oriented.

The first of those is the Tough Mudder, slated for May 19-20.

Mithun expects the 12-mile obstacle course event will draw in more than 15,000 people over the course of the weekend.

An event that cannot be discussed yet is planned for the end of June. Mithun said he’s also thinking about doing some type of fireworks and music event at the amphitheater the weekend before the Fourth of July.

“It would give a lot of the tubers that are here anyway something to do at night,” he said.

The second annual SoundTown Music and Camping Festival is set for July 27-28.

“That’s going to be camping all weekend with a kickoff Thursday night, and music all day Friday and all day Saturday. We’ll probably wind down with a little bit of music on Sunday too,” Mithun said.

Some of the well-known artists in the lineup include Jane’s Addition, Florence & the Machine and Weezer.

Mithun hopes the music festival will draw in between 15,000 and 20,000 people each day.

Mithun said he’s had a busy couple months booking shows.

“We have a few shows that we can’t quite announce yet. August 10 a national touring act with a couple supporting bands will be here. And then there are three other shows in the works for August and September,” he said.

Mithun said there will be plenty of variety in the genres of music at the amphitheater this year.

“Over the past 20 years countless musicians have played here, but for a lot of these musicians, it will be their first time playing here this summer,” he said. “I think people are going to have a lot of fun no matter what show they attend.”

Mithun said a lot has changed at the amphitheater since last year.

In addition to adding about 2,000 VIP and general admission camp sites, there is now a permanent stage and permanent bathrooms around the amphitheater “bowl.”

Mithun said he’s looking forward to this year.

Mithun said the company is working on events internally as well as working with outside promoters to bring in new events and acts.

One possible internal event is a Beer Festival, though Mithun is unsure when the event would take place, if at all.

“The outside produced shows I can’t say or don’t know right now, but I think there will probably be pretty good crowds. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s all coming together nicely,” he said.

For more information about concerts and events at the amphitheater, go to

www.somersetamphitheater.com.

Tags: communities, entertainment, celebrations, wisconsin, somerset