Summerfest Wrap Up!

My Top Six of Summerfest 2021

When I think about what makes Summerfest it includes the energy exchange between the band and the audience, regardless of the size of the crowd or the genre of music. This list is in no particular ranked order because if I were to rank them they would all be at the top. 

Energy
Living Colour, Vixen, Jackie Venson, Kentucky Headhunters, Poi Dog Pondering, Jimmie Allen, Tower of Power, Buckcherry, Hinder, Night Ranger and Black Pumas really lit up their crowds as soon as they started performing. There was no warm-up needed, no testing out their respective sound on the audience while looking to see how they were being received, and their respective crowds embraced the energy and gave it back, which resulted in great shows. All of these performances had a good number of people unfamiliar with them, who became instant fans before the end of each respective performance. Many people who attended any of these performances are still talking about it a month later. 

Love
Blackberry Smoke and The Psychedelic Furs gave us their immediate warmth and lifted their respective crowd of loyal fans from there, and the bliss felt by fans was obvious because they were singing along. We all felt no matter what happens in life, we are all going to get through it with music.

Sensuality
Leon Bridges had the most sensual performance of the entire festival, provoking butterflies while sharing his soul. John Waite and his band still make his classic rock love songs sound fresh, while triggering great memories from decades ago, and his energy made time stand still.

Fun
Shaggy, Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Melle Mel & Scorpio Furious 5, Dirty Heads, The Grass Roots, Ohio Players, and The Flaming Lips made everything about their shows fun! It sure seemed obvious to me how much fun the respective audiences had during these shows. 

Favorite of Musicians
Living Colour received the most positive feedback from every local musician I know who attended their show.

New Artists/Bands/Lineups
Riley’s L.A. Guns, Neal Francis, Tai Verdes, The Moon City Masters, and Velvet Starlings are on my watch list to return to Milwaukee and I am following them on social media for their new music/album releases. I also bought vinyl from both Riley’s L.A. Guns and Neal Francis.  

Food
When I had time to really enjoy a meal my favorite was Mader’s schnitzel sandwich with fried pickles and potato salad. Mader’s also had freshly brewed iced tea and that is my caffeinated beverage of choice. Angelo’s pizza slices, a brat from Klement’s, or a delicious cheeseburger from Major Goolsby’s, and annual chocolate malt from Miss Katie’s have become consistent favorite Summerfest eats when running between stages. I also enjoy but need help eating the giant portion, the fried eggplant from Venice Club. When I am too hot and need something quick to cool off the Hawaiian Ice stands are my staple, especially since the fresh fruit stands were missing this time around.

Regrets
Not being able to cover REO Speedwagon and The Struts due to commitments with other bands on different stages at the same time.    

Suggestions for Summerfest 2022  
When ground stage bands have elaborate light shows it would be helpful to allow photographers the runway to the soundboards on both Generac Power Stage and UScellular Connection Stage.

Photo passes for Summerfest Credentialed Media for ground stages: once we are approved by Summerfest please consider that to be the only requirement for ground stage headliners. This way we are not having to interrupt the applicable stage managers each for silks or run back to will call, in addition to the hustle needed to obtain pre-approval from each band’s contact person for every headliner before Summerfest starts.