After a month’s worth of tantalizing announcement ceremonies, the Summerfest brass finally finished naming the music festival’s multitude of headliners Thursday. Many of them are named in a piece I penned for the June issue of Milwaukee Magazine (out May 23). For those recommendations, be sure to pick up a copy… or do as I do and read it at Walgreen’s until a clerk asks you to leave.
In the meantime, here are some others notable acts that were either announced after my deadline or that didn’t adhere to the word count.
Alkaline Trio – July 9 at U.S. Cellular Connection Stage
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| Alkaline Trio. Photo courtesy of Epitaph Records. |
A teenage me would’ve torn my regrettable Pacific Sunwear novelty T-shirt off in excitement of an Alkaline Trio show at Summerfest. I should know; I basically did so when the band was festing in 2002. Of course, that was at the end of the band’s run of great albums (if not a few years after). But call me nostalgic, I’ll be on hand to see what’s left of one of the most formative bands in my life while praying they play a set heavy in material from Goddammit, Maybe I’ll Catch Fire and B-sides from s/t.
Wiz Khalifa – July 7 at Harley-Davidson Roadhouse
Although not even half over, 2011 has already been a year to end all years for Pittsburgh-based rapper Wiz Khalifa. Probably most famous for having his “Black And Yellow” get a more Packers-friendly treatment by Lil Wayne before the Super Bowl, the young emcee seems only a couple years and few hits away from a spot as a headliner at the Marcus Amphitheater.
Panic! at the Disco – June 30 at U.S. Cellular Connection Stage
I have a confession. Just before a road trip a few years back, I spotted a copy of Panic!’s breakout album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out in the CD section of a Goodwill. I snatched it up with the intention to torture my friends on a car ride. Just as I planned, my evil plan worked. What I didn’t plan on, however, was growing to kind of like the album. Try as I do to stave of my compulsion to belt out wordy and alliterative melodies alongside 16-year-olds and their ashamed parents, there’s a small chance you’ll spot yours truly taking in the show in a dimly lit corner. I sure hope not.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – July 7 at U.S. Cellular Connection Stage
On the more current and respectable side of indie rock, you’ll find Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Formed not even five years ago, the band has seen a staggering launch into mainstream acclaim — from music snobs, ad executives and TV producers alike — in a very short time. But behind its debut record, Up From Below, it’s easy to understand what all the fuss is about.
Peter Frampton – July 6 at M&I Classic Rock Stage
This one goes out to my father and noted Music Notes non-reader, Brian Maas, and vocal effect enthusiasts everywhere. Peter Frampton may not be a spring chicken, but seeing him dust off his hits is well worth the cost of FREE. Tip: Be polite when the long-tenured rock legend inevitably asks, “Do you feel like I do?” Saying, “I don’t know, do you feel like you wish you could be seeing The Black Keys right now instead of Frampton?” though honest, is not an appropriate response.
The Flaming Lips – July 9 at Harley-Davidson Roadhouse
Although employing their matchless brand of innovative rock since the early ’80s, The Flaming Lips have only recently gotten their due consideration in the early aughts in the form of Grammy awards and major festival headlining gigs. The psychedelic band is known for its live shows, which often involve costumes, video integration and, of course, a front man being passed around the crowd inside a giant bubble. You know, the normal stuff.
Scarlet Escape – July 7 at Cascio Interstate Music Stage
Last but least in these highlights, a band directly connected to the tight-knit Music Notes family, Scarlet Escape, will reunite for a chance to play “the big gig.” There, our own Kevin Kosterman will set the strings of his ax aflame as I look on in intoxicated astonishment. They (some of my favorite people and musicians) will be followed by Appleton rock band Sunday Flood (more of my favorite people and musicians) for a rare Milwaukee show.
