Festivus: Summerfest

posted in: Features

The official start of Summerfest, the self-promoted yet Guinness World Records-deemed “World’s Largest Music Festival” kicked off Thursday, June 24th. Also known as “The Big Gig”, the yearly fest is held at the Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Henry Maier first dreamed up the concept when he was mayor of Milwaukee back in the 1960s after visiting Germany’s Oktoberfest. Today, Summerfest runs for 11 days, features performances from over 700 bands on 11 different stages and attracts between 800,000 and 1 million people.

Since its inception, Summerfest has enjoyed a serious amount of respectable headliners, including The Doors (1972), Eric Clapton (1983), Paul Simon (1987), Metallica (1992), Nine Inch Nails (2002) and Bon Jovi (1993, 2009). This year the festival seems to be tipping its hat to the country scene that has been creeping its way to the main stage, awarding the headlining spot to country heavyweight Tim McGraw.

I wish I could list all of the big acts playing in the coming days at Summerfest. Instead, I’ll give you a heads up on the artists you shouldn’t miss if you’re lucky enough to be attending any of the remaining days in Milwaukee.

June 27th: Less Than Jake, Paper Tongues, Neon Trees, B.B. King

June 28th: Eric Clapton with Roger Daltrey, Gavin Rossdale, Hawthorne Heights, Blue Oyster Cult, Sean Emery”comic juggler (because we want to be “comic jugglers” when we grow up)

June 29th: STS9, Guster, Cypress Hill

June 30th: Usher, Umphree’s McGee, Chevelle, Cavo

July 1st: Santana with Steve Winwood, The Offspring, The Hold Steady, the B-52s, The Roots, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

July 2nd: N.E.R.D., The Bravery, Slightly Stoopid

July 3rd: An evening with RUSH, Modest Mouse, Counting Crows, The Dirty Heads, Peter Frampton

July 4th: Carrie Underwood, DEVO, Against Me!, Silversun Pickups

While it may seem like Summerfest is jam-packed with your favorite artists, you’ll have to sift through the noise of many unknowns to make it to the acts listed above. Then again, the festival is doing its job in giving up-and-coming bands the spotlight for a moment. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite band.