Ah, the summer festival road trip… pile yourself and five of your closest friends into your 1993 Mercury Tracer with a full tank of gas, the back window full of various munchie snacks and the iPod full of bands you will soon be indulging in under an open sky. But with gas prices gouging a painful hole in everyone’s back pocket again this summer, it might not be a bad idea to cut down on the accumulated mileage. I’ve even started walking to the end of my driveway to get the mail. And as unpleasant as it is to actually use my legs like a sucker, we all have to make sacrifices.
Lucky for us Milwaukeeans, there is never a lack of great outdoor music accessible with little more than a tank-full of gas. The summer is always chock full of festivals and concert series within our general vicinity, and this year is no different. Here’s a look at the summer’s “stay-stivals” (patent pending).
Jazz In The Park
When: Every Thursday night from June 2-Sept. 22
Where: Cathedral Square Park in Milwaukee
Why It’s Worth The Trip: The venerable granddaddy of the weekly summer concert series is now entering its 21st season. And though you can no longer bring your own alcohol to the park, there is still not a better spot to set up a tailgate chair and enjoy an admittedly mediocre lineup of midweek jams than smack dab in the heart of Downtown Milwaukee.
Who You Should See: Names that have piqued my interest this year include Valley of the Dolls (described as “a funky, all-woman jazz quartet”), De La Buena and Evan Christian.
Chill On The Hill
When: Every Tuesday night from June 7-Aug. 30
Where: Humboldt Park in Bay View
Why It’s Worth The Trip: Now in its seventh season, Bay View’s Chill On The Hill has become one of the summer’s quintessential weekly concert series and the most eclectic. This summer’s lineup ranges from polka to rockabilly to patriotic big band. And as the needlessly shirtless man on the blanket next to you cracking open his 30 pack of Natural Ice will attest, you can bring your own booze to this one!
Who You Should See: There’s really something for every taste here. Local artists Testa Rosa and Wisconsin ex-pat Anna Johnson appear to be the standouts. And how can you go wrong with the patriotic strains of the American Legion Band on the Fifth of July?
Rock Fest
When: July 14-17
Where: Cadott
Why It’s Worth The Trip: It’s really not when you think about it. Featuring three decades of really awful hard rock and metal history, this festival could at least earn you a roll in the hay with a Skillet groupie, who mistakes you for the bass player, or a punch in the face from some drunken townie. If that’s what you’re into.…
Who You Should See: Let’s see here… I guess Rob Zombie might be kind of interesting. Chevelle and Heart had their moments. Who am I kidding? Avoid this like the plague.
Pitchfork Music Festival
When: July 15-17
Where: Union Park in Chicago
Why It’s Worth The Trip: And on the other end of the spectrum, I give you the hipster event of the year. Put on by the gurus of hip, Pitchfork Media, this three-day “cool-fest” (patent pending) is sure to please even the most pretentious of music snobs. Or perhaps all of these bands, by agreeing to partake in a music festival, have sacrificed their credibility? Oh god, it’s a paradox!
Who You Should See: I love the lineup this year, featuring a really nice combination of alternative, rap, dance and everything in between. Standouts include Fleet Foxes, The Dismemberment Plan, TV On the Radio, Deerhunter and Animal Collective.
Summerfest
When: June 29-July 3 & July 5-10
Where: Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee
Why It’s Worth The Trip: If I need to explain this one…
Who You Should See: Although I am notoriously tough on the Summerfest booking department, I have to give credit where credit is due: They did manage to land Hall & Oates and Meat Loaf for opening night. Other highlights include The Black Keys, Florence & the Machine, Anberlin, Morris Day & the Time, The Flaming Lips and The Bravery.
Lollapalooza
When: August 5-7
Where: Grant Park in Chicago
Why It’s Worth The Trip: Perry Farrell’s grand experiment has had its ups and downs over the years, but it seems like the massive festival has righted itself. You may want to leave the car at home for this one and just hop on the Amtrak Hiawatha line. For just $22 ($44 round trip), you can ride in style down to the Windy City and enjoy as many $12 beers as your stomach can handle. And with ticket prices for the three-day event setting you back $215, you’re going to need to save every penny you can.
Who You Should See: It is really an impressive lineup this year. Aside from the obvious heavyweights Foo Fighters, Muse and A Perfect Circle, be sure to take the time to check out Explosions in the Sky, City and Colour, Death From Above 1979 and The Mountain Goats.
