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| Photo courtesy of HallandOates.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!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29
12:30 p.m.: Will Phalen and the Stereo Addicts at U.S. Cellular Connection Stage
After swinging by the SportsZone for a little noon Zumba, why not start your fest off with a little upbeat local folk. It should be the perfect complement to the (hopefully) sunny, warm afternoon weather. And hey, at least you’re not at work!
1:30 p.m.: Mark Hayward – Cool Yo Yo Guy at Northwestern Mutual Children’s Theater
What’s in a name? Why don’t you ask Mark Hayward – Cool Yo Yo Guy. He knows the score.
2:30 p.m.: Dianna Jones at Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
Maybe covers of Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt and Patti Smyth might not sound like your cup of tea, but you’d be amazed how good it will sound cranking through the air while you’re sitting at a picnic table with a cold beer in one hand and alligator-on-a-stick in the other.
4 p.m.: Animation – A Tribute to Rush at M&I Classic Rock Stage
Tribute bands are always a sketchy proposition. Most are really over the top with elaborate outfits, stage setups and drawn out versions of your all-time favorites. But I guess that’s kind of what Rush was in the first place, so maybe this will work. And besides, if you’re like Tyler you’ll want to stake out a good spot for the Hall & Oates show later tonight on this stage.
5:30 p.m.: Chamberlin at U.S. Cellular Connection Stage
You’ll probably need to give your arms a little down time after air drumming along to “Subdivisions,” and Chamberlin offers the perfect respite. The Vermont-based roots rock outfit should do well to calm the blood as you watch the suckers who had to work all day start to stream into the festival.
7 p.m.: Worrier at Cascio Interstate Music Groove Stage
Milwaukee’s own Worrier offers up an eclectic bit of minimalist noise rock. Don’t understand what that means? Maybe you should see it live for yourself.
8 p.m.: All-Star Superband at Potowatomi Bingo Casino Stage
Call me a sucker for a good marketing pitch, but I’m all about checking out a group named All-Star Superband. How could a band with a name like that possibly disappoint? But if you have tickets to see Peter Gabriel, by all means go to that!
10:15 p.m.: Daryl Hall & John Oates at M&I Classic Rock Stage
Though the Max Weinberg Experience and Meat Loaf shows intrigue me, this one is really a no-brainer. My only recommendation is to head for higher ground when they start playing “Private Eyes.” You don’t want to be at the heart of thousands of drunk folks trying to figure out how to hold onto their beers and clap along at the same time.
