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| Photo courtesy of MichelleBranch.com. |
The Big Gig is finally upon us, but now what? With more than 700 bands playing on 11 stages, it can be overwhelming to figure out what is worth seeing and what should be walked past briskly. That’s why you keep us around. Over the next two weeks, Music Notes will be providing you with a daily itinerary of can’t miss shows and tips on how to make the most out of the world’s largest music festival!
FRIDAY, JULY 8
12 p.m.: Cheap Rick at Miller Lite Oasis
Personally, I consider the best tribute to a legendary and accomplished band to NOT be playing cover songs at regional festivals. The Cheap Trick fanatics of Cheap Rick feel differently.
3 p.m.: Dana Alexandra at U.S. Cellular Connection Stage
York, Pa.’s own Dana Alexandra proves a solid mid-afternoon change of pace. Her velvet voice and undeniable hooks put her near the front of a growing line of soon to be household names. If only she could somehow incorporate funny juggling into her stage act…
6:45 p.m.: The Ragadors at U.S. Cellular Connection Stage
Playing a hometown show, The Ragadors are no strangers to Music Notes mention nor inclusion in the local festival circuit. Behind its disheveled brand of balls out rock ‘n’ roll captured in debut full-length blackinkyswells, the Milwaukee quartet has garnered modest local radio play, built an impressive area following, and has stolen a show or two along the way.
8 p.m.: Michelle Branch at Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
It’s hard to believe Michelle Branch just turned 28 a week ago. The starlet has been churning out hits for more than a decade. After sidestepping the mainstream for a while in country super group The Wreckers, Branch has triumphantly returned to her pop music roots with a highly sought Summerfest gig as honorary opener for—you guessed it!—The Gufs. Only in Milwaukee does Michelle Branch precede The Gufs.
10 p.m.: Goo Goo Dolls at Miller Lite Oasis
I bet you thought I was going to mention Dropkick Murphys here. Think again. File The Goo Goo Dolls squarely beside The Cardigans and Neil Diamond in my well-stocked cabinet of guilty pleasures. Instead of making mention of the band’s endless cache of lovelorn anthems, allow me to, instead, gripe about City of Angels, the film in which the band’s breakout hit song “Iris” was featured. You’d think that after Nicholas Cage’s character gave up eternity as an angel in heaven to spend, at best, 45 or so years as a mortal with Meg Ryan’s character in the movie that she’d be more careful when riding a bike downhill. Closing your eyes, tilting your head back and going no hands is never a good idea, and makes even less sense when you know there’s a former angel waiting at home for you. That’s just careless, Meg!
