Posts Tagged ‘Milwaukee’
Summerfest Shines In Its 50th Year
Summerfest delighted fans from far and wide in its golden year over an eleven day span.
Buzzing with excited anticipation that had been building up for months on end, Milwaukee’s highlight kicked off its festivities on Wednesday June 28th.
Despite some rain and severe storms, the festival partied on, not dampening acts like popstars Misterwives, or Red Hot Chili Peppers in the slightest.
With extremely reasonably priced tickets, giveaways, and promotions, the festival grounds were virtually packed each and every single day. Starting off admissions was a can drive – “stomp out hunger”, trading non-perishables for those in need for tickets… Next up, throwback Thursday the 29th turned back the clock with half off drink prices, and classic bands from decades abound like Foghat, The Church, Fishbone, and many more. The festival also celebrated evening two with beautiful fireworks, set back a day due to the relentless storms. Other spotlight days celebrated seniors, veterans, families, purchases at Goodwill, and even Mountain Dew.
America’s birthday found fans across the festival grounds decked out in red, white and blue ensembles of all kinds.
American Family Insurance Amphitheater, the festival’s main stage, presented a wide variety from acts like legendary Paul Simon, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, country giant Luke Bryan, and powerful gal P!nk (to name a few). Ground stages presented up and coming artists, and well established acts from the festival’s hometown of Milwaukee, as well as abroad.
Areas were set up to celebrate and commemorate the festival’s 50th year, as well as a beautiful book on stands with photographs from over the years – 50 Years Of Smiles.
The festival had a little bit of fun for everybody, and folks of all ages. Special areas were set up for kids to play, get their faces painted, and even create unique tie dye. A sportszone highlighted everything from wrestling to BMX, while the Kohl’s captivation station kept imaginations and explorations no further than fingertips away. Food of all varieties was plentiful at both stands and little shops, providing delicious tastes for just about any pallet – ice cream, BBQ, noodles, pretzels, and even a Wendy’s.
Both a ferris wheel and skyglider provided high-flying views of the grounds.
Despite the first day of storms, overall, the weather was pristine with only one exceedingly hot day. An ever-flowing fountain provided cool relief, as did multiple beverage stops all around.
The festival wrapped up its final day on July 9th with bands like The Shins, The Spinners, and Walk Off The Earth.
Milwaukee’s shining star certainly did not disappoint and brought a party for the record books in celebration of its 50th year. With an ever-growing array of variety and fun for fans, the sky’s the limit for Summerfest’s future. Here’s looking forward to Summerfest 2018!
Words and photos by: Tiffany Cuthrell
AWOLNATION Sail Into Summerfest With Stellar Set
Powerhouse rock band, AWOLNATION came full force with an incredible showing to this year’s edition of Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI. The band started their set off strong at 10 PM on Thursday July 6th.
Lead singer, Aaron Bruno commented on the vast array of audience members that had turned up to fill the seats around the Uline Warehouse Stage. He remarked what a wonderful event Summerfest is, bringing together fans from all over to unite over the love of music.
The band made sure to engage and acknowledge the excited crowd throughout their set.
AWOL included hits such as “Kill Your Heroes” and “Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)”, and closed out the night with their massive smash, “Sail”.
AWOL debuted their sophomore album, “Run” in 2015 and have been back in the studio working on a third LP.
Tremendous singles, “Woman Woman”, “Not Your Fault” and “Sail” have still been burning up the airwaves throughout 2017.
AWOLNATION has got upcoming dates in both Iowa and Minneapolis.
Here’s hoping more tour dates and new music are soon to follow.
Setlist:
1.Run (Beautiful Things)
2.Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)
3.People
4.Not Your Fault
5.Thiskidsnotalright
6.Kill Your Heroes
7.Soul Wars
8.Woman Woman
9.Burn It Down
10.I’m On Fire
11.Sail
Words and photos by: Tiffany Cuthrell
Peter Frampton – Summerfest Loves Your Way!
Music legend Peter Frampton made a memorable stop at Summerfest’s 50th installment in Milwaukee on Sunday July 2nd.
The incredible musician took to the stage at 9:30 PM to a deafening cheer from the crowd, who rose to their feet in delight.
The celebrated and famed guitarist was inducted into the Musicians Hall Of Fame in 2014, and is touring behind his latest album, “Acoustic Classics”. The album includes eleven unplugged versions from Frampton’s massive catalog.
Accompanied on stage by four other musicians to round out his sound, Frampton presented a collection of nine songs for the night. Starting off the evening was 1976’s “Something’s Happening”. The track was originally released on Frampton’s “Frampton Comes Alive” album, which remains one of the best selling live album’s in the United States.
Second on the setlist was 1986’s “Lying”, followed by “Lines On My Face”.
The crowd truly came to life, getting to their feet and pulling their recording devices out to capture a precious moment of Peter Frampton’s smash hit, “Show Me The Way”.
The rocker kept variety alive by including a fitting tribute to Soundgarden late great, Chris Cornell with a magnificent cover of “Black Hole Sun” around mid set.
Frampton closed out the night with one of his most recognizable “talking guitar” tracks, infamous talk box great, “Do You Feel Like We Do”.
Peter Frampton will be touring throughout the US with Steve Miller Band through July and into August, ending in Murphys, CA.
Setlist:
1. Something’s Happening
2. Lying
3. Lines on My Face
4. Show Me the Way
5. I Wanna Go to the Sun
6. Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
7. (I’ll Give You) Money
8. Baby I Love Your Way
9. Do You Feel Like We Do
Words and photos by: Tiffany Cuthrell
Festival Local GGOOLLDD Dazzles At Summerfest
Milwaukee electropop heroes GGOOLLDD put in another impressive showing at this year’s Summerfest in their hometown.
Exuberant fans turned out in droves to support the band for their Thursday June 29th set at the Johnson Controls World Sound Stage.
GGOOLLDD played both old and new tracks as lead singer, Margaret Butler was dressed beautifully head to toe in the band’s namesake color. Even her hair was a golden hue, changing from her brown locks of 2016’s set.
Further on in their performance, Butler helped on stage a young boy and girl. The young gentleman displayed an impressive drum solo, with the crowd cheering heartily. The young lady sang along to every word of the in motion song, taking the microphone, and accepting a few hugs from her vocalist hero.
GGOOLLDD got the crowd dancing, and turned in a remarkably animated set displaying all of the band members’ talents.
The Milwaukee band will be touring extensively throughout the US and into Canada throughout 2017, and into January of next year.
Words and photos by: Tiffany Cuthrell