Alas, the final weekend of Summerfest is upon us – alongside a scorching heat wave and a scattering of storms. My favorite combo!
All sarcasm aside, the weather’s been fairly cooperative with the Big Gig this year, so I shouldn’t complain. And you shouldn’t let the elements get in the way of your concert-hopping – because there’s still a solid lineup of acts to catch before the party’s over. Here’s who we’re itching to see.
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Experience an unforgettable evening celebrating great design!
Evan Musil, Arts and Culture Editor
Thursday, July 2:
Living Colour
5:30 P.M. | GENERAC POWER STAGE
These hard rock heroes and recent stalwarts of Summerfest still carry a lot of power and a devoted following. Their 1988 striking signature song “Cult of Personality” is commanding, and also one of my go-to tracks in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
Blondshell, The Beths
8 P.M., 10 P.M. | BRIGGS & STRATTON BIG BACKYARD
In my humble opinion, this is the doubleheader of the fest. My partner put me onto the barbed grunge of Blondshell, whose Sabrina Teitelbaum balances dry humor and bitter truths with emotional resonance and satisfying guitar riffs. Speaking of which, The Beths have those in spades, all drenched in sunshine and dashed with melancholy.
Ella Mai
9 P.M. | BMO PAVILION
This R&B singer has come a long way since her earworm “Boo’d Up” nestled in the heads of many in 2017. Her new album Do You Still Love Me? – produced by Mustard of “Not Like Us” fame – is a sleek, lovelorn suite, whose songs will bring a sweet touch to the fest.
Friday, July 3:
Hanna Simone
12:45 P.M. | T-MOBILE STAGE
If you’re searching for more R&B, this local singer has dug deeper into the genre with her EP Love Letter – more heartbreak, more slow jams. “Too Sweet” is a standout and more than ideal as a summertime bop.
Spoon
4 P.M. | AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE HOUSE STAGE
9:30 P.M. | GENERAC POWER STAGE
They’re hardly “The Underdog” anymore, with over 30 years under their belts and an everlasting vigor that keeps them near the top of “must-see bands.” The truth of the matter is they’re just a killer rock band.
Saturday, July 4:
Jerry Harrison’s 50 Years of Talking Heads
5:30 P.M. | ULINE WAREHOUSE STAGE
They might be able to tolerate being in the same room now, but let’s face it: Talking Heads are not reuniting, ever. But you can hear the hits from former band member and Shorewood native Jerry Harrison alongside frequent collaborator Adrian Belew.
Joywave
8:15 P.M. | T-MOBILE STAGE
Some bands live in your mind like time capsules, sealing away feelings from years ago until you open them again. I hadn’t listened to Joywave since seeing them live in 2016, and revisiting them now, their buoyant alt-rock is blasting me back to a (slightly) more optimistic time. They’re still making fun, groovy tunes, so come ready to dance.
Chris Drosner, Executive Editor
Saturday, July 4:
Soul Asylum, The Jayhawks
5:30 P.M., 7 P.M., GENERAC POWER STAGE
Of the twin Gen-X-heavy lineups this weekend (I see you, Sister Hazel-Spin Doctors-Gin Blossoms on Thursday), I’m leaning toward this as my pick. Soul Asylum is a Summerfest staple for a reason (get your pipes ready to sing along to “Runaway Train”), and The Jayhawks’ tender roots rock just sounds like the days of my youth. It might be a little too hot for flannel, though.
