World's Largest Music Festival Is No Place to See a Show

I wasn’t forced to pay $162 for a pair of obstructed view tickets that were sixty-six rows from the Marcus Amphitheater stage. I did that voluntarily. No, the tickets were not officially labeled “obstructed view.” That fact came to light when I sat down and noticed that a large iron beam cut my view of the stage down by half.  On top of that, the usher standing next to the beam took out another 20% of our view.  At times, she was joined by a second usher who managed to block the entire stage.  The band that I paid $162 to see walked on the stage and the show started. It was still light out, and 1/3 of the seats were still empty. I was at the “world’s largest music festival,” and not having fun.  It was hot, the bleachers were hard, people were talking over the music, the band looked like dots, and then it hit me. Was anyone really having fun?
Is anyone making a connection with the artists? How can they?  You can’t make a connection when what you are looking at is so far away that you cannot see facial expressions.  I’m not surrounded by people that are part of a loving collective.  They are texting, talking, eating, drinking, dancing, bumping knees to backs, sweating, and pretty much feeling what I feel. Is this it? Are we having a good time? This can’t happen from 150 yards away.  There is no connection.
When the singer of the band says something about “Milwaukee,” the crowd cheers wildly. It’s to be expected.  When the singer says something like “This is off of our new album,” the crowd starts to head for the bathrooms and beer stands. The headline act gets the best sound, lights, etc.  The opening band has to struggle even harder to get your attention. It’s an uphill battle.  Some people try to time their arrival to coincide with the opening notes to the headline band’s first song. Who was the opening act?  They might not even know.
I can’t help it.  I see too much of all that is not important at a live show, at a venue that holds 18,000 people.
For a time, I wondered if there was something wrong with me.  Why didn’t I enjoy the evening? It sure looked like everyone else did.  Well, at least it seemed like the majority of the people at this event were having fun.  After a time, I realized that I just don’t feel anything when I’m at shows of this size.  There is no intimate connection, and I shouldn’t expect one.  I would rather spend my money at a small club or theater show.  At least I would have a chance to get something out of it.  All I can say is that I was there.  No more.

Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper Headline Summerfest 2012

With the announcement of Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper at Summerfest, I had to take a dive into the history books. Both of these bands have been around for a very long time. Do they compliment each other on this bill? Yes they do. Will each band get serious stage time, or will Iron Maiden keep Alice Cooper from putting on a full show? I'm getting ahead of myself, so I'll just have to wait until July 4, when both bands hit the Marcus Amphitheater stage. For now, my Summerfest tickets will have to sit in a drawer.

Iron Maiden is now 37 years young. You know what they say, thirty-seven is the new twenty-seven. Actually, they don't say that, and there is a huge difference between those two ages. Iron Maiden is probably one of the best known Metal bands in history. Their album sales are nearing the 90 million mark, and they have performed an average of 54 shows per year since they started. Those are some serious numbers. "What are their hits?" you say. My reply would be their soulful number titled The Number of the Beast. They penned that happy tune back in 1982. Their last serious hit song came in 1988, but nobody likes an aged band's current material so it just doesn't matter if they haven't kept up with the times. Bring on the oldies! (I'm kidding, they actually have some great newer material.)

As for Alice Cooper, I would have to mark their starting point at the time when the band moved to L.A. and dropped the name Nazz. That happened in 1968. Lead singer, Vince Furnier took a look around at all the "rock-gods" of that time, and thought that a rock "villain" would be more successful. He was right. I was just four years old when the band started, so by the time that I was old enough to know better, Alice Cooper had been going strong for nearly eight years. Yes, Mr. Furnier is a great golfer, and he owns a restaurant. He's apolitical, and I like that. When he got sober, his music still kicked butt. I like that even more. Alice Cooper made it into to the Rock and Roll hall of fame just last year. They deserve that honor for their style and theatrics alone. It's even better to know that "School's Out" will live on forever. As for Iron Maiden, they are recognized as one of the most famous metal bands in the world.

Justin Bieber Summerfest Marcus Amphitheater June 27th

Justin Bieber will perform his three popular songs on June 27th at Summerfest. This one has me wondering what the heck is going on with the booking of Marcus Amphitheater shows. I understood the two night Petty fest. I understand the three nights of country music, seeing that the Waukesha republicans need someone to see at Summerfest. Really? Justin Bieber as a headline act?

Dave Matthews Alpine Valley July 3rd and July 4th 2010

Dave Matthews is coming to Wisconsin. Dave Matthews Alpine Valley tickets are on sale now. He's too big for Summerfest. His band has one of the highest grossing tours in modern music. Dave Matthews Alpine Valley July 3 and July 4th shows will be sold out in a matter of hours. He couldn't fit his fans in the Marcus Amphitheater, the band needs Alpine Valley for two nights.

Bob Dylan to Play Summerfest

Bob Dylan, with Willie nelson will perform at the Marcus Amphitheater on July 1st. Both men bring with them an enormous catalog of music. How these two guys ended up on the same bill, I don't know. I like the mix though.

Willie Nelson has a voice that you just fall into. It's so easy to find yourself hanging on his every word. I don't call it hypnotic, it's more about his rasp. Who else has that rasp?

As for Bob Dylan, too much has already been written about him. I don't need to add my two cents to that massive mountain of musings. Let's just say that co-workers much younger than I really like this guy. His fan base is old, young, black, white, and they will come from far and wide.

Two headliner spots have yet to be announced. If I could make a suggestion, let it be a band that attracts a younger crowd. The same could be said for the side stages. Will we see some cutting edge musical acts this year, or the same old junk? Take a page from Bumbershoot Mr. Smiley.

Here are just a few bands booked for that Seattle Music festival.
Sheryl Crow, Modest Mouse, The All-American Rejects, Katy Perry, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Franz Ferdinand, Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, De La Soul, Raphael Saadiq, Brett Dennen, Os Mutantes.

Let's compare this to the headliners booked for Summerfest 2009.
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Robin Trower, The Offspring, Barenaked Ladies, Buddy Guy, Jason Aldean, Whitesnake, Kevin Rudolph.

George Strait plays Summerfest 2009

It was as if Summerfest had read my dumb blog. George Strait is the first concert announcement for Summerfest 2009. This long lasting country artists will perform on June 29th. George hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards for three years, twenty years ago.
He came back as a host in the mid 1990's.

This entertainer literally has too many awards to mention. He has broken too many attendance records to list here. He's just one huge star in the country music scene. He has sold 58 million albums to back that up.

His sponsors are a mix of Resistol Hats, Wrangler, Justin Boots and Chevrolet.
Summerfest tickets have not been released yet, it's months from spring, and now we have something to look forward to.

Dead of winter, but Marcus Amphitheater bookings to start

Yes, it's November. There is a layer of light snow on the Summerfest grounds. Marcus Amphitheater tickets from shows in the past are stuck to my cork board. By March of 2009, we might have our first Summerfest concert announcement. Tom Petty stated that he likes to work his tour around the Summerfest show. Usually we get a flavor of the day band, a few classic bands, a couple country acts, and a surprise act for the Summerfest run.

The announcements are spaced out through the spring, and some come as late as May.

Another Halloween Option

A friend tipped me off to a gig you may want to check out on November 1st at The Annex in Madison Wisconsin. Guido's Racecar performs with others that night. That same friend told me that Guido's Racecar has upped the harmonies, and tightened up their music since playing Summerfest this past season. Who knows, you may have to actually pony up the cash for a Marcus Amphitheater ticket to see Guido's Racecar.

You never know who will make it big someday. All the parts are in place for this band. Let's see what happens. If you do drive back from Madison that same night, take it easy and don't drink and drive. You wanna live to see another great Halloween.

Second tier bands in all their glory

Cruefest is this weekend. The Marcus Amphitheater will be "Rockin' so hard." Papa Roach with be there. So will be Buckcherry and Trapt. REO Speedwagon will be "Lovin' so hard" at the Wisconsin State Fair on July 31st. Queensryche will be "Rulin' so hard" on August 1st at the fair as well.

Speaking of old, Alice Cooper is creeping back into town on July 25th. He will be performing at the Riverside Theater. Continuing with the aged, The Police and Elvis Costello perform at the Marcus Amp. on July 25th.

Get your fill of oldies, classics, rockers, and more. We have every genre you could ask for.
Seriously, the Wisconsin State Fair is more fun if you grab a cream puff, corn on the cob, ride the sky glider, giant slide, and a ferris wheel. The bands are a side note.

Summerfest and who's seeing what

My 20 year old nephew wants to see Gnarls Barkley on the Briggs stage. My favorite Milwaukee Bike Messenger is going to see Debbie Harry. My coworker Joe is going to see the Love Monkeys. I can't seem to talk him out of that. My best friend is going to see Zappa plays Zappa, but he will stop at the M and I stage to check out a few songs from Pat Benatar first.

Some of you should check out Guido's Racecar at the tent next to the Marcus entrance on the night of Tim McGraw. There is a problem with that tiny tent. They didn't match style for style. The cowboy hat wearing guys might find Guido's singer visually risible, but their music is a far cry from country. That's not to say that there has to be a match, but when you perform at a tent where the only traffic will be the people going into the Marcus Amp, it wouldn't hurt to play a style that closely matches the fan base. That tent show starts at 9:30, so most of the cowboys will already be in their seats. G.R. will have to pull in their own crowd. With the lineup of veteran Milwaukee talent in that band, Guido's Racecar is the best of the lot at the Cascio tent.

Another coworker wants to check out Mountain on July 4th. I think that they had another hit aside from Mississippi Queen. Before that show, he could check out the Summerfest Strongman Contest at the Sentry Sports Zone.

Playing their annual show is Jackyl. The chainsaw solo will be going strong on the Zippo stage yet again. Lastly, a very close friend said that they would like to see Cheap Trick before one of the members goes to the great beyond. She will have her chance on July 5th.

John Mellencamp gets the final Summerfest slot

John Mellencamp gets the last open Marcus Amphitheater date for the Summerfest run. June 28th, the hits like Little Pink Houses, Our Country, Hurts So Good, Jack and Dianne, Pink Houses, and Rain on the Scarecrow will waft over the lake and out towards Michigan. Factoids about Mellencamp include: He reportedly smoked 4 packs a day, he had a heart attack (no surprise,) he's a bit of a lefty, and in 1980 he said that some of his music could be considered to be "stupid little pop songs." He is sometimes considered a champion of the farmer. One must admit that his video "Jack and Dianne" was in heavy rotation, thanks to the desperate need for content on MTV.

I enjoyed watching the parody of him on SCTV back when I was a kid. Marcus Amphitheater tickets for the Mellencamp show go on sale at the end of this month. Stevie Wonder, John Mellencamp, and other established acts make up the headliners. The Jonas Brothers are young enough to be Mellencamp's sons, and they represent the emerging artist for 2008.

Summerfest in Milwaukee step by step.

I'm seeing some good bands lined up for the Summerfest side stages. Yes, you have to sit through what seem to be even more lousy local cover bands, but the headliners at the side stages are pretty good. Long ago Summerfest lost its respect when management decided to dumb down the side stage support acts. Now, it's best played like this: Work all day at your job since there is no point taking off of work to see bands like the Love Monkeys, go home, change, save yourself lots of money by eating dinner anywhere but the Summerfest grounds, bring your Summerfest tickets that you got free from your work, then hit the entrance about 7pm, grab a beer, and walk over to the side stage of your choice. Long gone are the days where you would spend the entire day at Summerfest seeing one national act after the other.

Counting Crows and Maroon 5 at Marcus Amphitheater

"Mr. Jones and Me", famously performed by Counting Crows will be wafting westward from the Marcus Amphitheater on August 23rd. We can dispense with the usual comments about dreadlocks on white guys. Counting Crows have a fan base that you cannot ignore. Hooking up with Maroon 5, another solid band with a younger base is a great idea. Will the fans cross over? Who cares. It's the Marcus Amphitheater, you sit in your seats for the band you like, and you walk up past the lawn seats for the other band you don't like as much. The Marcus Amphitheater is a great venue for getting comfortable up at the top of the hill. Order up a berry flavored beer, and watch the show from a voyeuristic angle. That's what I did for Trent Reznor. After I was done watching Bauhaus, I left my cozy seat in section 2, row x, and walked my way up to the top. Much better.

Joe Cocker and Steve Miller play at Summerfest Milwaukee

June 29th, the old school artists of Joe Cocker and Steve Miller come to Summerfest. All I can say is Huh? What? Did I read that right? Joe Cocker and Steve Miller. Joe Cocker's last top ten hit, was 25 years ago. Up Where We Belong was part of the soundtrack to the movie Officer And A Gentleman back in 1983. His only number 1 hit charted forty years ago!! As for Steve Miller, his last successful album charted back in 1982. That's not to say that these guys don't represent classic rock. It's just a surprise to me to see them on the big stage at Summerfest. That's the issue. Do we need more classic rock? When I find out about these concert announcements, I often wonder if anyone else is on tour? The side stages at Summerfest are host to any number of current artists that deserve to take a shot at the Marcus Amphitheater. If we are going to have Joe Cocker and Steve Miller play the Marcus Amphitheater, why not have them come at a time when Summerfest is over.

Stevie Wonder Summerfest

Stevie Wonder opens Summerfest 2008. I think that this is the sleeper show of the Summerfest lineup. Stevie Wonder has a fan base as broad as Tina Turner, or Elton John. The kicker is that Stevie Wonder hasn't played in Milwaukee for years. The Stevie Wonder appetite has not been satisfied. Other side stage shows have been announced as well. My future posts will comment on those shows. For now we leave you with Mr. Wonder. I remember an old clip I found on Youtube of Stevie Wonder playing the drums. He played a workmanlike job, but I prefer him on the keyboard and vocals.

Jonas Brothers announced for Summerfest

The last night of Summerfest, the Jonas Brothers hope to fill the Marcus Amphitheater. I'm not kidding when I say "hope to fill". Can the Jonas Brothers even fill half the venue? Are you freaking kidding me? The Jonas Brothers "perform" at Summerfest, and they aren't at a side stage? What is Summerfest thinking? Yes, they sold out the Rave, but that's what, 4000 tickets? The Marcus Amphitheater seats 23,000. Marcus Amphitheater tickets will be easy to come by on that night. What a poor way to end the Summerfest run.

The Police in Milwaukee at Marcus Amphitheater

July 25th The Police will perform at The Marcus Amphitheater in Milwaukee. The face value is pretty high for the good tickets. I don't know if would spend $200 per ticket just to see The Police. Granted, the venue is perfect. The night should be warm, and the Marcus Amp. has a cover, but $200 each?

Miller Park as a concert venue

I wonder why there aren't any Miller Park stadium shows? Perhaps it could be that there is no musical act that could fill Miller Park. The Police, which were just announced for the Marcus Amphitheater in July had a few stadium shows booked on their current tour. Miller Park as a venue for The Police, in Milwaukee no less, just wouldn't work. I would suppose some Milwaukee Brewers fans would be very upset if Miller Park would be tainted by a show that could possibly destroy the outfield. The world may never know.

Rush June 27th at Summerfest

Rush comes back to Milwaukee on June 27th at Summerfest. When rush came through last fall, there was an initial rush to get tickets. Near the end, the fans waited for a bargan before they bought their tickets. This time, one would suspect that there will be a contingent of "been there, done that" fans. It's just too soon for some fans, and who knows how many others will pull the trigger and go since this time the show is during Summerfest itself. I was at Summerfest the night Roger Waters played the Marcus Amphitheater, and the crowd was a mix of stoners and stuck-in-the-70's-for-life zombies. I think Rush brings in a crowd that is smarter.

Summerfest Milwaukee featuring Tom Petty

July 5th, Tom Petty and Steve Winwood will be part of the the Marcus Amphitheater at Summerfest line up for 2008. Tom petty will be the half time performer during the Superbowl on Sunday as well. He claims that the band will be playing "live" as opposed to the past performers who lip sync the event. Whether Tom Petty plays live at Superbowl 42 or not, he's going to be live at Summerfest on July 5th. Also annunced is Rascal Flatts on June 30th. I hope there is no Rascal fiasco this time.