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| Photo courtesy of I’m Not A Pilot. |
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 1
3 p.m.: Half Empty at M&I Classic Rock Stage
Now, I’m not usually one for Summerfest cover bands. The early afternoon landscape can tend to be overly saturated with the sounds of hackneyed BoDeans tunes and brutal attempts at recreating AC/DC. Come on, folks, AC/DC couldn’t even make AC/DC sound good. What chance do you think you have? But with a WAMI-award under their belt for best cover band in the state, Half Empty is worth a look.
6 p.m.: The Original Hound Dog Band Reunion at Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage
Early ’70s Milwaukee Rockers The Hound Dog Band is getting the band back together. The group that made a name for itself as a bluesy, alt-country force (opening for national artists like John Lee Hooker, Canned Heat and Flo & Eddie) will be sharing the reunion show limelight with the original OX reunion. But you won’t be seeing that, because you’ll be off to…
8 p.m.: Dynasty Electric at Miller Lite Oasis
Dirty electro-synth pop with a badass female vocalist? That’s all well and good. But the true draw here is watching the horned up meathead fans of Your Villian, My Hero (the Top 40 dance cover band with two sultry female singers playing immediately before them) interact with the influx of hipsters that will undoubtedly follow. Summerfest: it’s people-watching nirvana!
9 p.m.: I’m Not A Pilot at Cascio Interstate Groove Stage
Do yourself a favor and stop by the Cascio stage. You will not regret taking to time to see one of Milwaukee’s most unique, multi-talented bands. I’m Not A Pilot employs piano, bass, drums and a classically-trained Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra cellist to create a truly moving experience.
10 p.m.: Anberlin at U.S. Cellular Connection Stage
Alright, decision time. Do you want to cap your day off with the shredding alt-punk sounds of Anberlin or the timeless synth-driven classic rockers of Styx? This is so hard! As much as I would love to rage to a little “Mr. Roboto,” I’m giving the nod to Anberlin, one of the most underrated rock bands of the last decade.
