Summerfest 2011 review

I generally get to Summerfest a few days every year. There was no one there this year that I just absolutely had to see OHMYGODICAN'TMISSTHISCONCERT! but there were still a few acts that seemed like they would be a good time. This is my review of those shows.

Third Eye Blind Delivers The Hits; Somehow Still Underwhelms

Friday, July 1 – Briggs And Stratton Big Backyard, 10PM

Call it heightened expectations: Third Eye Blind's self-titled debut is one of my favorite albums from the 90s, yet I'd never seen them live before. There was nothing wrong with the set list, nor was there anything wrong with the sufficiently lubricated crowd.

Third Eye Blind opened up with easily my favorite song of theirs, “Motorcycle Drive By.” This was perhaps a microcosm of why I was underwhelmed by the set as a whole. On record the song starts as a gentle acoustic song which then explodes into a full-band rockout about halfway through; live, it started out as a full band song right away. It sounded less like the powerful moment it should have been and more like soundcheck run-through.

The set wasn't a disappointment though. The band ran through their catalog of hits from the first album, and some lesser hits from subsequent discs. “Never Let You Go,” from their second album Blue, sounded particularly good. The large crowd danced throughout, many beers were consumed, and a good time was had by all. However, Third Eye Blind were never anything more tonight than what they always were – a solid pop-rock band from the late 90s. This was enough to deliver a decent show, but it's nothing I would describe as mind-blowing or amazing.

Standout song(s): “Never Let You Go,” “Graduate”

Should've played, but didn't: N/A

Fitz and the Tantrums A Good Match For Summerfest

Saturday, July 2 – Miller Oasis, 8PM

Probably 99% of the overflow crowd at the Oasis wasn't there to see Fitz and the Tantrums – that honor would fall to headliners Maroon 5. But after their hour-long set, I think they might have won some new fans.

The neo-soul of Fitz and the Tantrums is reminiscent of Motown and Stax, with a 21^st century polish. They have a clean, tight sound that just sounded good. Lead singer Michael Fitzpatrick danced and sang like no one was looking. Co-vocalist Noelle Scaggs implored the crowd several times to get it going, and by the end of the set many were eating out of the palm of her hand.

The set list drew heavily from their new album “Pickin' Up the Pieces,” but they did throw in a couple of terrific covers: The Eurythmics' “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” and The Raconteurs' “Steady, As She Goes.” The album tracks were mostly straight-ahead readings, but the band did jam on a couple of songs, such as the funky “L.O.V.”

By the time they closed their set with the hit single “MoneyGrabber,” a few more asses were shaking, a few more people were clapping along. It's true that the people weren't really there for Fitz & Co., but the band did a damn good job of making it seem like they were.

Standout song(s): “MoneyGrabber,” “Pickin' Up The Pieces”

Should've played, but didn't: N/A

Country Legend Doesn't Disappoint

Saturday July 2 – M&I Classic Rock Stage, 10PM

I can't say I knew many, if any, songs that “First Lady of Country Music” Loretta Lynn played to a medium-sized crowd on Saturday night, but this being a classic country artist I was instantly familiar with the subject matter: a steady diet of heartbreak and loss, defiance and pride.

And make no mistake about it, this show was classic country through and through.

The show started 15 minutes late, with her son coming out and singing – a dead ringer for Larry the Cable Guy, vocally – Toby Keith's “As Good As I Once Was” and one other song before giving way to Lynn's daughters who sang a few more numbers. Finally, at maybe 10:35 or so, Loretta strolled onto the stage in a ridiculously sparkly dress and opened with a couple of country standards: “They Don't Make 'Em Like Daddy Anymore” and “You're Lookin' At Country.”

Other highlights included “Don't Come Home A'Drinkin' (“With Lovin' On Your Mind”) and a wonderful medley of Patsy Cline songs. But what set Lynn apart from her peers – aside from writing a lot of her own songs – is that some of those tunes took an at least slightly feminist look at things, which was unheard of back in the 1960s. “Dear Uncle Sam” was her look at the price of war, while “The Pill” examines sexual liberation. She sang those songs and more with class and with a voice that defied her 79 years.

It was an excellent set, and a fascinating look at one of country music's all-time legends.

Standout song(s): The Patsy Cline Medley, “You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)”

Should've played, but didn't: N/A

The Get Up Kids Transport Me Back to College

Saturday, July 9 – Miller Oasis, 8PM

It's been seven years since a proper full-length album, so no one can really begrudge them for wanting to play the new stuff for their fans. However, it was evident from the get-go that the fans didn't want to hear it. Unfortunately the set was structured – at least for the first half – new song/old song/new song/old song, so as soon as the Kids kicked into an old favorite like the anthemic “I'm A Loner Dottie, A Rebel” the crowd woke up, only to have that momentum sucked out by a new tune right after.

Of course, when old songs were played the crowd ate up every second of it, and naturally the band fed off of that energy. “Shorty” and “Don't Hate Me,” from debut album Four Minute Mile drew good reactions, and set closer “Ten Minutes” may have had the best pop of the night. Overall, the band seemed to be having a good time on stage, joking with each other and the crowd. Not being the headliner (they were supposed to headline at The Rave before being moved to Summerfest) didn't seem to bother them in the least, nor did the crowd's lack of reaction to new material.

Even though I disagreed with their insistence on playing new music, that isn't all I'll take away from the show.

I got into The Get Up Kids in college perhaps a little late in the game – emo classic Something To Write Home About came out my junior year of high school – so the music certainly took me back to those years in my life. The lyrics might be a tad on the whiny side – though not as overwrought as headliners Dashboard Confessional – but they did speak to me in a way that few bands had up until that point.

It may have been weird, ironic even, to hold hands with my fiancee while they sang lines like “As much as I'd like to, I can't put my hands all over you,” but that was at the heart of what The Get Up Kids meant to us, or what any band means to anyone. Music has this uncanny knack for bringing people together, whether its because of shared pain, loneliness, pleasure, anger, or what-have-you. New songs aside, The Get Up Kids succeeded in that regard.

Standout song(s): “Ten Minutes,” “Shorty”

Should've played, but didn't: “How Long Is Too Long” and “Michelle With One 'L'”

Dark-Humored Alkaline Trio In Good Spirits on First Day of Tour

Saturday, July 9 – US Cellular Connection Stage, 10PM

Alkaline Trio warned the crowd early that this was the first show of the tour, so there might be some mistakes. They did make a few – a flubbed line here, a false start there – but that didn't prevent the band from having a great time and delivering a 90-minute set of mostly early material.

I can admit that I was lukewarm at first about seeing Alkaline Trio because I haven't really liked any of their new material since 2005's Crimson, and even that record wasn't quite up to snuff. After opening with a song from 2008's Agony & Irony (“In Vein”) all fears were allayed when they kicked into “Snake Oil Tanker” and proceeded to play songs from their first few albums.

Alkaline Trio charged through 20 of their particular brand of dark pop punk, including “My Friend Peter,” “Cooking Wine,” and apparently the first Alk3 song he wrote, “'97” from the self-titled EP collection. They also visited their first LP with “Clavicle” and “Nose Over Tail.” Pretty much everything went over well, even the jokey “Olde English 800,” which singer Matt Skiba claims he actually sent in as a jingle for the famous malt liquor.

I went in with limited expectations and left with them met and even exceeded. They sent the crowd off into the hot July night with their traditional closer, “Radio.” If they're going to play a bunch of old songs about drinking and girls – the songs that got me into the band in the first place – they are more than welcome to play in our fair city any night... even if they pandered to the Chicago members of the crowd.

Standout song(s): “Bleeder,” “My Friend Peter”

Should've played but didn't: “This Is Getting Over You,” “You've Got So Far To Go”

Summerfest concert(s) review

So, Summerfest is over for another year and this time around I made my way to a few more shows than usual. I know, I know, I'm a little late to the party as usual and you've already read reviews of the shows or heard how "amazing" they were from your friends, but I am going to review them anyway.

The Hold Steady - US Cellular Stage 7/1

The Hold Steady are one of indie rock's biggest names, but the size of the crowd did not show this. Out of all the headliners I saw, this was the most sparsely attended. Thankfully, this did not dissuade lead singer Craig Finn and his band from having a great time. Bespectacled and decked out in Old Navy's finest plaid button-down shirt, Finn sing-spoke, danced, and gesticulated wildly through the entire set.

"Let's build something, Milwaukee!" he said as the band kicked into all-too-appropriate opener "Constructive Summer" from 2008's Stay Positive. The Hold Steady mostly didn't let up for all of 1 hour and 40 minutes. However, I was struck by the crowd's lack of participation. I'm not sure if it was because The Hold Steady attracts the arms-folded serious indie crowd or because people were just curious because of the hype. This was not for lack of effort on THS's part; their music is particularly fitting for a summer festival, full of hooks and singalong choruses. It took until near the end of the set during "Massive Nights" for the biggest reaction thus far -- the 'Whoa-oh-oh-oh!" refrain -- but from then on the crowd was completely engaged.

They played a nice selection of songs from all of their albums: "Chips Ahoy!" from their breakout Boys and Girls in America, "Your Little Hoodrat Friend" from Separation Sunday and "Hurricane J" from their latest record Heaven is Whenever. Overall, the band sounded great. Finn's enjoyment in particular came across rather well -- "This is awesome!" he said, three songs in -- and The Hold Steady's first Summerfest performance as a whole was a success. Here's to many more.

Favorite songs: "Hot Soft Night," "Chips Ahoy!," and "Stay Positive."
Could've played but didn't: "Girls Like Status"

New Politics - US Cellular Stage 7/3

Because I am an idiot, I wrongfully assumed Modest Mouse was playing at the US Cellular stage so my girlfriend and I staked out spots to see them while these guys were playing. Fortunately, they weren't all that bad.

Steph said the lead singer was a spaz, and that wasn't far off. He breakdanced and did headstands and otherwise just freaked out for the entire 40 minute set. The lead singer split time between singing and spitting out rhymes sort of like Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine. (In sound only; the lyrics weren't nearly as incendiary.) New Politics hail from Brooklyn by way of Denmark, but their 80's-influenced pop rock managed to cross those borders. The crowd seemed pretty into it, particularly for radio single "Yeah Yeah Yeah"

Though I was not familiar at all with the band beforehand, I think I will be checking out their debut CD, due out July 13.

Favorite songs: "Yeah Yeah Yeah"
Could've played but didn't: N/A

Modest Mouse - Miller Lite Oasis 7/3

We made our way to the Oasis only to find an overflow crowd for indie superstars Modest Mouse. I was surprised by the distinct lack of hipsters, at least from my vantage point. Instead of the expected people decked out in Goodwill's finest, I saw plenty of girls all gussied up in sundresses and heels, and bros with t-shirts and backwards hats.

Sometimes spacey (opener "Dramamine"), sometimes hooky (smash hit "Float On"), and sometimes WTF? (sort of gothy Americana "Bury Me With It"), Modest Mouse has a sound all their own, but it is a sound that doesn't come across all that well in an outdoor festival setting. Singer/Guitarist Isaac Brock was sometimes lost in the din of the overpowering band, complete with two drummers. Admittedly, though it was pretty awesome to hear banjo, violin, and clarinet (oboe? other woodwind?) during the course of the set, the whole thing just kind of ran together.

I noted the lack of hipsters, but the people were into Modest Mouse beyond "Float On" which was a surprise. There were plenty of people dancing and enjoying the twisted tunes. To put an exclamation on my befuddlement, there was a small mosh pit formed in front of me for encore closer "The View." You read me right, a mosh pit at a Modest Mouse show. Truth is stranger than fiction.

I've been to two Modest Mouse shows now, and my impression of them live is that they are just okay. Maybe it's because they have such a wealth of material that I just don't get/am not familiar with some of their songs, but I much prefer listening to them at home with my headphones. Or maybe I just don't like people, I don't know.

Favorite songs: "Dramamine," "Float On," "The View."
Could've played but didn't: "Good Times are Killing Me," "Black Cadillacs," "Talking Shit About A Pretty Sunset."

Against Me! - US Cellular stage 7/4

I will admit that I arrived very late for Against Me!'s set. For all the talk from indie tastemakers and the punk rock Powers That Be about how much Against Me! sold out, the Summerfest crowd was having none of it. The place was packed to the hilt.

I only heard a few songs, but what I heard was great. Set-closer "Sink Florida Sink" and lone encore song "Baby, I'm an Anarchist" went over well, as was evidenced by the mosh pit and crowd surfing going on by the right side of the stage.

I'd very much like to see these guys headline a show at the Rave or a similar venue.

Could've played (but probably did because I suck and got there late): "Pints of Guinness Make You Strong," "Thrash Unreal."

Silversun Pickups - US Cellular Stage 7/4

An apt metaphor occured before LA's Silversun Pickups took the stage: A couple of inflatable blue balls with the Milwaukee's Alternative 102.1 logo were let loose and bounced around before the set. I say this because Silversun Pickups are experts at building and building a song... thankfully they also pull off the release full of guitar squall and hammering drums just as well.

I figured SP to be among the most likely of bands to have a mosh pit, but no such luck. No matter, though, as their fuzzed-out guitar atmospherics went over well with the crowd who bobbed their heads and danced along with the songs.

The lead singer/guitarist Brain Aubert and bassist Nikki Monninger appeared to be having a good time onstage, but the drummer Chris Guanlo was easily the most striking, bashing away at the kit without abandon.

They made their way through a set that comprised of songs from their two albums, and the standout from their debut EP Pikul, "Kissing Families," and it was good. I feel like this is a band that can move on to greater things, and their set only furthered that notion.

Favorite songs: "Well Thought Out Twinkles," "Little Lover's So Polite," "Future Foe Scenarios," "Lazy Eye"
Should've played but didn't: None, surprisingly.


Stray notes:

Maybe I have a shitty taste in music, or I wasn't in the right place, but the crowds seemed restrained. Where was all the dancing that Summerfest is supposed to be famous for? I am admittedly self-conscious, but I found something within myself to rock out to the bands I liked.

The sound overall was better than I've heard in a long time. Kudos to you, sound guys.

I was only carded once in about twenty attempts to buy beer, and it was on the last time I tried. I don't know whether to feel terrified or awesome that I'm finally a grown-up.