Kris Kodrich has been going to Summerfest since the very first festival in 1968. Attending nearly every one of them since has shaped his entire life. You can read all about his decades of Big Gig devotion in our June issue feature “Growing Up and Growing Old at Summerfest.”
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We asked Kodrich to share to share the shows he’s most excited to catch at this year’s fest. Here’s what he had to say:
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
Spoon
JULY 3, 9:30 P.M. | GENERAC POWER STAGE
I’ve seen them several times, from Summerfest to the Mishawaka in Colorado, and they always put on a great show with their catchy tunes like “The Underdog.”
The Revivalists
JUNE 26, 9:30 P.M. | ULINE WAREHOUSE STAGE
With two drummers and a unique style of New Orleans rock ’n’ roll, what’s not to like?
Deer Tick
JUNE 19, 5:30 P.M. | GENERAC POWER STAGE
With an appropriate name for Wisconsin, this alternative rock-folk band sings of mafia lore on its new album Coin-O-Matic and has a new single, “Mary Singletary,” that speaks to good Catholics everywhere about teenage lust, confession and death. The early show should mean it will have its diehard fans there, instead of the annoying sparse crowd that was standing and talking when Deer Tick opened for the Avett Brothers at Summerfest in 2023.
St. Paul & the Broken Bones
JULY 3, 7:30 P.M. | ULINE WAREHOUSE STAGE
These guys are amazing live, and singer Paul Janeway is simply electrifying.
Soul Asylum
JULY 4, 5:30 P.M. | GENERAC POWER STAGE
This Minneapolis rock band had me with their big 1993 hit “Runaway Train” and their music doesn’t seem to get old.
Børns
JUNE 27, 10 P.M. | BRIGGS & STRATTON BIG BACKYARD
My daughters liked the 2014-15 viral hit “Electric Love” and hearing it now always takes me back to my kids’ youth.
Styx
JUNE 19, 9 P.M. | BMO PAVILION
Hearing “Lorelei” and “Lady” and Mr. Roboto” over the years at Summerfest always takes me back to my youth.
Father John Misty
JUNE 19, 9:30 P.M. | GENERAC POWER STAGE
I always hear his name tossed about by deejays so now’s my chance to see him live and listen to his music. Hey, if his music is good enough for Aubrey Plaza to star in one of his videos….
Gin Blossoms
JULY 2, 9:30 P.M. | ULINE WAREHOUSE STAGE
Who doesn’t like “Hey Jealousy”?
Jelly Roll
JULY 4, 5 P.M. | AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE AMPHITHEATER
He’s a country singer, but also a rapper and occasional wrestler, with a fascinating story to tell and not just about how he recently lost 300 pounds – so, he’ll be my only show at the Amphitheater this year.
Any since Kris Kodrich can’t limit himself to just 10 bands to see, here are some more of his top choices this year:
The Beths; Kim Gordon; Robert Randolph Band; Alejandro Escovedo; Kaleo; Tash Sultana; The Family Stone; 10,000 Maniacs; Muse; Blondshell; The Heavy Heavy; Halestorm; Little Feat; Mariachi Sol De Mexico; Lisa Loeb; The Temper Trap; Echo & the Bunnymen; Modern English; Passion Pit; Flipturn; Holly Humberstone; Jayhawks; Old 97s; KT Tunstall; Flo Rida; Freddy Jones Band; Third Eye Blind; Spin Doctors; David Lee Roth, Living Colour; Stephen Marley; Sudan Archives; Marcus King Band; BoDeans; Mindi Abair.
