The beating heart of Milwaukee’s Summerfest is the music. The event opened with a sonic bang from June 18-20 for its first weekend at Henry Maier Festival Park, and with it came over 100 live performances across its 10 stages. Big headliners, up-and-coming musicians and local artists created a genre-spanning soundtrack that permeated the bustling atmosphere.
However, some performances stood out– a tough feat among the wealth of talent on the grounds– enough to elicit a post-show elation, enhanced by that festival feeling in the air. Paired with fried food, a ferris wheel ride and Lake Michigan views, these shows made the Big Gig’s first weekend absolutely sublime.
Thursday, June 18
The Dream Syndicate
For their first Summerfest performance since 1984– a whopping 42 years– these rockers performed at Generac Power Stage at 5:30 P.M. Off the bat, there was a jangle of guitar riffs and an air of fuzzy distortion that could only come from a 1980s Paisley Underground band. The live sound was reminiscent of Lou Reed’s vocal style– a rhythmic spoken-word type– with instrumentals crossing into psychedelic and post-punk territory. The guitars zinged through the air with a sharp cohesiveness that reflected decades of practice and collaboration.
They stuck to some recognizable original songs, but did not shy away from lengthy jam sessions. Rings of distortion permeated sternums– it’s the kind of sound that can be felt in the physical chest as much as the metaphorical heart. Though loud and moving, it was more of a head-bop-and-nod show, rather than a get-up-and-jump event. The crowd mostly consisted of a middle-aged demographic waiting to see the next performers coming to Generac, Modern English and Echo & the Bunnymen. The Dream Syndicate was not only a perfect precursor to these shows, but a fun trip into master instrumentals on its own.
Modern English
Most of this crowd appeared while their most well-known song, “Melt With You,” played toward the end of their 7:30 P.M. Generac Power set. People ran toward the stage at the first recognizable beat, and couples swayed hand-in-hand to the lovey-dovey lyrics. While that was definitely the highlight of the show, and when the crowd was most into it, they did a great job creating an atmosphere of new wave and post-punk, transporting an audience at 2026 Summerfest back in time to their 1980s prime. However, it didn’t seem like there was an air of boredom during the lesser-known songs, but rather a content sway and enjoyment of Robbie Grey’s well-preserved vocals.
Passion Pit
It’s indie, electronic and the definition of the 2010s. Performing hits like “Carried Away,” “Take a Walk” and “Sleepyhead,” the set felt like a soundtrack of synth-enhanced millennial optimism. The crowd was a mix, as teens to older adults alike filled the T-Mobile Stage at 10:15 P.M. The bleachers were subject to very little sitting– people stood, stomped, danced and jumped as the hits from albums “Manners” and “Gossamer” permeated the air. The synthesizers were working overtime, and the lead singer’s almost guttural high notes only hyped up the crowd more. Yet-to-be-released songs definitely fell flat, as most of the show’s fun relied on the ability of the audience to sing along. However, emotional stories in-between and an energetic stage presence made up for these blips in crowd interest.
Friday, June 19
Panic Shack
These rockers are absolutely bringing a revived riot grrrl style– experiencing their performance was like seeing a modern day Bikini Kill or Lunachicks with choreographed dance moves. On the Miller Lite Stage at 6:30 P.M., armed with curse words and colorful outfits, they brought a perfect mix of kitsch, punk and political critique. It was a 1990s-esque show in theory, with riot grrrl’s unpolished and raw vocal style, but it took on a sense of relevance that applied the values to present day female liberation. It’s safe to say that everyone headbanged, jumped or grooved in some manner.
Amyl and The Sniffers
This was absolutely electrifying, to say the least. Lead singer Amy Taylor knows how to fill a stage with presence– strutting, screaming, jumping, laughing, laying, spinning. Starting at 10:30 P.M., the bleachers of the Miller Lite Stage were standing room only, with spillout of fans and interested passerby into the surrounding grounds. Clad in a tiny, metallic matching set, Taylor used the spirit of punk rock to lead the crowd in chants and dances, as those in the pit moshed and the bleachers rumbled with excited stomps. It was distorted and loud and fast– quite near perfect.
Saturday, June 20
Braid
Braid played their only U.S. show of the year at 8:30 P.M. on the Miller Lite Stage, and it did not disappoint. With their iconic status in the emo genre and a legendary album– “Frame & Canvas”— under their belt, Summerfest booked a gem. As a band that now influences hordes of current day alternative outfits, it was a dreamscape of the second wave emo genre. They performed their on-theme song, “Milwaukee Sky Rocket,” as well as hits from the 90s like “Never Will Come For Us” and “First Day Back,” with the same vocal inflections and guitar buildups. It had the vibe of a chill show during talking segments, but the frantic energy releases that characterize their iconic emo ballads were as present as ever. The band made it fun for even the random passerby among the die-hard emo fans, shredding guitars overhead and on the ground, as well as dancing around the stage together.
Flipturn
By 9:30 P.M., the Generac Power Stage was already packed in anticipation of this indie rock band, and for good reason. With a daunting vocal style and fun guitar riffs, a nice juxtaposition exists in the music, especially when live: emotional, yet dance-able. The show gave people a space to feel and rock out simultaneously. With hits like “August” and “Glistening,” the crowd erupted into cheers, dances and phone flashlights. The performance felt complete and intimate, as the band made sure to thank the audience, explain their journey to Summerfest and create an upbeat atmosphere for the last few songs.
This story was written by Jane Patterson. She can be reached at [email protected].
