I was looking online at many of the local concert venues and was feeling a little “eh” about the upcoming shows – none of them really tickled my fancy. But then I realized… Duh, Summerfest! AKA: The start of the summer concert season! – Thankfully providing me with many concerts to write about. Hooray!
Now that I don’t have to scrounge for ideas, I’m going to dedicate (the majority) of this month’s recommendations to the first few days of Summerfest.
Since it’s dubbed the “world’s largest music festival,” I figured there has to be a plethora of good music coming to town. And you know what? There is! Naturally, Summerfest brings music that runs the gamut of classic rock and Zouk-pop to R&B and soul, and it’s all wrapped up with a big red smile.
My Mourning Bell, The Maze, On the Porch
Friday, June 20 at Shank Hall
Because I can, I’m plugging this show for my friends, The Maze, who are on the bill as openers for My Mourning Belle…
The music of My Mourning Belle, babe of Milwaukee-based, singer-songwriter Mark Allen, blends the lyrical and melodic sensibilities of a classic singer-songwriter with the passion and exuberance of authentic rock. The result is a sound that’s both uplifting and melancholic.
My Mourning Belle’s lyrics touch on all of the typical topics of life, death, love and relationships, but center around a romantic, yet cynical theme – doomed romanticism, if you will. Such relatable, aching themes continue to captivate local audiences. With haunting harmonies chalk full of soulful rock ‘n’ roll, Allen fuses misery, hope and fear into an ardent live performance that will find you instantly love struck and yearning for more.
$8 General Admission
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Stevie Wonder
Thursday, June 26 at the Marcus Amphitheater during Summerfest
We all know of Stevie Wonder or at least his vast catalog of funky R&B and jazzy sounds. This extensive repertoire of music is what proves that he deserves not only the decades of love he has received from fans and critics, but serves as a concurrent reminder of why Wonder remains one of the foremost musical innovators in history.
Stationed behind a keyboard or grand piano, Wonder will offer up many of his hits and landmark songs – “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Higher Ground,” “Superstition,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” – that’ll sound eerily as good as they did when they were first recorded. Wonder simply hasn’t lost the passion or progressive awareness that’s led him to be such a voice of social change over the years, which is why this legend is not to be missed.
$30 to $70 Reserved Seating
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They Might Be Giants
Thursday, June 26 at U.S. Cellular Connection Stage during Summerfest
Their show was sold out at Turner Hall in November if that’s any indication as to why you should check They Might Be Giants out at Summerfest.
Since their debut in 1982 as a duo, TMBG has developed a reputation as a “must see” live show. The band delivers a night of completely unadulterated fun as their short, odd songs engulf music venues with glorious melodies and quirky charm. Their catchy and witty songs form their vast repertoire of nonsense syllables and silly ideas will ensure you leave the show with bizarre childish anthems ringing in your ears and a warm feeling of child-like bliss.
Free with Summerfest admission
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Gnarls Barkley
Thursday, June 26 at Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard during Summerfest
A great live show is just the latest for Cee-Lo Green and Danger Mouse, who as the story goes, bonded over a mutual interest in trip-hop trailblazers Portishead, started collaborating, found a risk-ready label, and made an album adored by critics and featuring the summer smash “Crazy.”
The ever-changing costume clad duo (they have dressed as “A Clockwork Orange” characters, tennis players, gladiators, “Star Wars” characters, among others) are backed by an ensemble that includes drums, bass, guitar, three backup singers/percussionists, and a deft four-piece string section dubbed the “G-strings” to create strangely dense, chaotic beats that make up a vivid soundscape of music. Cee-Lo, however, is the sonic wizard of the group. He has the most palatable gift to come off as both cartoonishly exuberant – he sings like a man on fire – as well as, seriously grounded in music.
Aside from Gnarls Barkley’s blend of hip-hop, classic R&B, disco and anything else imaginable being a little frenetic for regular consumption, live you’ll experience something that’s simultaneously exciting, musical and spectacular.
Free with Summerfest admission
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Blondie
Saturday, June 28 at M&I Classic Rock Stage during Summerfest
The newly minted Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Blondie were once considered an “underground” band in the United States until their first U.S. hit “Heart of Glass” put them on the map.
To this day, blonde bombshell Debbie Harry commands the stage with sex appeal. Every hip thrust and shake of her blonde locks makes every guy in the audience drool and each girl long to be Debbie themselves.
Blondie is known not only for their striking stage persona and vocal performance, but also for incorporating elements in their work from numerous subgenres of pop music. They are known for reaching from their punk roots to embrace New Wave, disco, and hip-hop that exhibits a stylistic progression that’s unparalleled.
Free with Summerfest admission
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Steve Miller Band
Sunday, June 29 at the Marcus Amphitheater during Summerfest
Although his voice isn’t quite what it used to be, Steve Miller still exudes the same vigor, fervor and wit that one would expect from the creator of the phrase “pompitous of love.”
The Steve Miller band includes Kenny Lee Lewis, bassist Bill Peterson, drummer Gordy Knudson, keyboardist Joseph Wooten and harmonica legend Norton Buffalo, who has performed with Miller for over 30 years.
With riffing guitars, a rhythm section locked into a groove, upfront vocals saturated with laid-back humor, in the late 70s, the Steve Miller Band’s sound ruled the radio waves.
Be ready to take a musical trip back in time with sly rock hits such as “Fly Like and Eagle,” “Take the Money and Run” and “The Joker,” that are instantly appealing and almost maddeningly ineffaceable.
$45 Reserved Seating
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Ryan Shaw
Saturday, June 28 at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse during Summerfest
Anchored in the R&B sounds of the late 50s and 60s, Ryan Shaw covers songs by retro-soul greats – Wilson Pickett, Jackie Wilson, Bobby Womack – who died or slipped into obscurity long before his birth. Even Shaw’s original songs on his debut album sound much like forgotten 60s singles. In fact, if you’re not well versed in vintage soul, you might not be able to figure out which are the originals and which are the covers.
Shaw honed in on his musical skills while singing gospel in a Southern church for many years, just like so many soul singers before him. Now, Shaw is steadily gaining momentum probably due to his fascinating vintage sound or powerful and mature singing style, or his dynamic stage presence.
Free with Summerfest admission
There are many more shows coming to Milwaukee this month, especially during Summerfest. For a complete list of the Summerfest lineup, head over here.
For other concert information, take a look at the Rave, the Pabst, Riverside and Turner Hall, or any of the venues listed to the left under “Rock Out.” Or if you’re inclined, leave your recommendations in the comments section – I know that I’m always up for learning about new bands.
It's hard to believe that Summerfest is almost already upon us!
Posted by: Suzieq | June 05, 2008 at 10:50 AM
I think Blondie would be a fun show to see if Debbie Harry is still rockin' it like she was back in her prime!
Posted by: Amanda | June 05, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Great eclectic mix. Pretty sure it's not going to happen, but I would like to see them all.
I am also going to try to catch the show at the Cactus Club tomorrow 6/7 - Sleep Comes Down/Brief Candles, similar sound to Shiner/Autolux. It should be great. :)
Posted by: Scott | June 06, 2008 at 11:39 PM