By Kevin Kosterman and Tyler Maas
The new BMO Harris Pavilion will be gracing Summerfest this year, making a worthy addition to the already impressive lineup of free stages on the grounds. Ask anyone who frequents the Big Gig, and they will have their favorites. Whether it’s the type of bands showcased, the access to food and beer (or bathrooms), or just the overall aesthetic, each free stage at the Fest exudes its own personality. Here’s our Music Notes roundup of what our favorite Summerfest free stages have to offer.
Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
Type of Music: This stage generally features some good ol’ fashioned rock ‘n roll. Blues, Americana and jam bands also make appearances from time to time.
Highlights This Year: Three Dog Night, The Head and the Heart, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and Eric Benet
Viewing Experience (4 out of 5): Part of last year’s south end renovations, the Big Backyard got a complete makeover in 2011, which created a more intimate concert setting. The stage is still rather large and has the requisite monster viewing screens, which, combined with the intimate vibe, make for one of the most enjoyable settings to watch a free Summerfest show.
Atmosphere (4 out of 5): Though the bench seating still holds plenty of hard-drinking rockers, the wooden fence and clever landscaping give the entire area a more distinct backyard type of feel. Located at the far south end of the grounds, the stage is set apart from other stages.
Amenities: (4 out of 5): Probably the nicest aspect of the 2011 renovation was the new food and beverage building at the stage, which are home to delicious food options offered up by Major Goolsby’s and Greek Village, among others – plus a plethora of alcoholic beverages.
Cascio Interstate Groove Stage
Type of Music: All things local.
Highlights This Year: Collections Of Colonies Of Bees, Sat. Nite Duets, Liar’s Trial, Elusive Parallelograms, Sunday Flood, Faux Fir, Altos and Worrier
Viewing Experience (4.5 out of 5): Those who like to stand right beside the stage and even engage in mid-show banter with performers will feel right at home here. You see, the stage’s completely local (Wisconsin) focus oftentimes means this stage is less populated than most when alluring out-of-towners are performing elsewhere. Behind the stage is an up-close view of the tree-lined waterfront and Lake Michigan itself. Partial points are lost for the occasional moments the sound of the nearby U.S. Cellular and Summerfest Rock stages overpowers the puny Cascio Stage P.A. system.
Atmosphere (4 out of 5): Like no other stage (with the possible except of the Northwest Mutual family stage, which I’ve never visited because why?), the Cascio stage is a calm oasis from the otherwise hectic, incessant ordeal that is Summerfest. Feel like sitting on an aluminum bleacher for once instead of standing atop it for 90-minute clips? This is your kind of stage.
Amenities (4 out of 5): Again, the Cascio stage benefits from the lack of big name artists. Attendees can take in a show from one of Milwaukee’s best homegrown acts, then cool off in the shade of the North Market before using one of the park’s least visited restrooms before barely waiting to grab a $36 Riverwest Stein to kickstart the process all over again.
Harley-Davidson Roadhouse
Type of Music: Classic rock, indie, mainstream hip-hop, whatever O.A.R. is considered.
Highlights This Year: The Promise Ring, Lupe Fiasco, ZZ Top, Eisley, Death Cab For Cutie, O.A.R. (lol), and Common
Viewing Experience (3 out of 5): Unlike most of the stages, what with their carved out niches of genre and clear-cut booking based on the sponsor’s demographics, the H-D Roadhouse is one of the more versatile venues on the festival grounds. But the attention put into sound quality doesn’t change with the genre.
Atmosphere (3 out of 5): Like its parent sponsor’s stake in the city, the Harley- Davidson stage is at the center of things. It’s bordered on either side by bathrooms, beer kiosks and food stands. The primary marketplace is also nearby for all your overpriced novelty shirt needs. With that, comes a cluster of foot traffic and space cadets to block your view. But there’s plenty of space to seek out a nook to see a great band (or O.A.R.) in relative peace.
Amenities (5 out of 5): See above. Food, drinks, bathroom – even the first aid station is within post-Wong’s Wok food poisoning crawl distance.
Miller Lite Oasis
Type of Music: One of the more eclectic collections of headliners of any free stage, the Miller Lite Oasis ranges from hard rock to hip hop to country and almost everything in between.
Highlights This Year: Fun., The Roots, Joe Walsh and Cake
Viewing Experience (3 out of 5): Though the stage is absolutely huge and features large screens on either side, the Oasis is not the most idyllic place to enjoy a show. A combination of bench seating and picnic tables (which everyone inevitably – and drunkenly – crowds on top of) can make spectating a contact sport.
Atmosphere (3 out of 5): I am generally a fan of many of the bands that play the Oasis stage, which can make up for a lot of aesthetic lacking (last year’s fireworks silhouetted performance by Rise Against was downright epic), but the viewing area can tend to feel a bit stale and packed compared to some of the better themed and laid out stages on the grounds.
Amenities (4 out of 5): Maybe not surprisingly at the Miller Lite Oasis, there are plenty of Miller products insanely accessible. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to go any direction without running into a beer stand. Just across the main thoroughfare from the stage is a solid collection of food options including some fine Cedar Crest ice cream for dessert.
Summerfest Rock Stage
Type of Music: Rock, metal, rock, alternative and more rock.
Highlights This Year: The Hives, Jaill, Red Hot Chilli Pipers
Viewing Experience (4 out of 5): The Rock Stage is unique in that it is primarily closed off from the surrounding areas with bench seating throughout the main area and bleachers lining either side. The result is a rather enjoyable concert experience with little to no competing noise from other stages and plenty of solid sight lines whether sitting or standing.
Atmosphere (4 out of 5): Though the northernmost stage on the grounds has undergone many identity crises through the years (Lazer 103 Rock Stage, Mountain Dew Rock Stage, etc), there is one thing that has not changed: Lake Michigan. With the gorgeous lake view as a backdrop and a timeless stage design, the Rock Stage is still the quintessential free stage. Add to it the cool factor of being able to hear the stage the entire anticipatory walk toward the north gate, and you’ve got yourself an iconic setup.
Amenities (2 out of 5): The downside of having a stage that’s completely closed off from the rest of the grounds is that you are also rather isolated from food, drinks and bathrooms. There are options for all three within a relatively close proximity, but not nearly as accessible as at other stages.
U.S. Cellular Connection Stage
Type of Music: Primarily rock (indie and radio rock) with a dash of hip-hop and a few seasoned local acts thrown in for good measure.
Highlights This Year: Nathaniel Rateliff, The Fatty Acids, The Walkmen, MUTEMATH, Chevelle, and Bush
Viewing Experience (3 out of 5): It loses points because it’s situated smack dab between three other stages, making it difficult to avoid passersby on their way to or from another show. Hope you enjoy constantly feeling like you’re in at least one person’s way at any given moment.
Atmosphere (3.5 out of 5): Though dwarfed by its Marcus, Potawatomi and BMO Harris-sponsored counterparts, The Cell isn’t exactly a side-stage either. It’s plenty spacious and doesn’t cut corners on sound and lighting. Whether taking in an afternoon set from Milwaukee’s own Canopies or amid the throngs of others on hand to see Bush close out festivities on the 11th night, you’ll feel like you’re at an arena-outfitted show at “I got an extra ticket from upgrading my Internet last month” price.
Amenities (4 out of 5): The stage offers plenty of bleachers to stand on (or sit on, in the case of earlier shows) and nearby bathrooms. Sometimes the texts people send to the stage-adjacent U.S. Cellular video board are kind of funny. Warning: They usually aren’t.
