The Squeaky Curd is prepping for Summerfest 2018 by previewing a few hand-selected musical acts our readers should not miss. For the day by day recommendation breakdowns, make sure to check back here each Tuesday of June leading up until the festival on the 27th. If you’d rather let your ears do the choosing, follow along with our curated Youtube Playlist, found right here.
We’re less than two weeks out from Summerfest 2018! We’re ready to add another 3 days to our ongoing preview of lesser-known free stage acts you should definitely put on your itinerary. Days 7-9 coming in hot:
Day 7: Wednesday, July 4
I’d celebrate my Independence Day with some Gavin DeGraw every year if I could, but these supporting acts are going to be lighting fireworks as well:
ALL THE MILWAUKEE MUSIC
July 4th will be this year’s most expansive selection of great Milwaukee-area bands at Summerfest. Brett Newski, REYNA, The Listening Party, Rocket Paloma, Band of Dust, and Generation Z, just to name a few can’t-misses. There’s never been such local musical talent in one smiley-themed festival at one time.
Bay Ledges (8:00 PM @ U.S. Cellular Connection Stage)
The Bay Ledges duo is still flying under the radar, but their approachable brand of indie-pop, tinged with soul crooning and even a bit of SoCal beach vibe, is going to get a lot of folks migrating to their stage to see what all the toe-tapping is about.
Emily Hackett (5:30 PM @ Johnson Controls World Stage)
Emily Hackett has been around for a bit, proving her talents in story-telling, song-writing, and ballad-singing. Her newest music is leaning more towards country-inspired pop, but with a clever and deeper writing style generally lacking from the genre.
Day 8: Thursday, July 5
John Németh (6:00 PM @ BMO Harris Pavilion)
John Németh is signed to Memphis Grease Records, whose name should give you an idea what to expect. Dirty blues, soul singing, and plenty of harmonica solos jazz up the stage as much as the man himself.
Trampled by Turtles (9:30 PM @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard)
Hailing from our neighbor to the west, Trampled by Turtles has been bringing the upper Midwest quality bluegrass and neo-folk for years. Throw on some flannel and make some laid-back friends, but be ready for surprise fiddle or banjo duels.
Stephanie Erin Brill (6:00 PM @ Klement’s Sausage & Beer Garden Stage)
Milwaukee’s very own Stephanie Erin Brill will be headlining Milwaukee’s very own Klement’s Sausage & Beer Garden Stage, where brats and Leinies will pair perfectly with her piano-driven pop-rock, akin to Ben Folds or old Vanessa Carlton.
Day 9: Friday, July 6
Oh yeah I want to see Echosmith and Michael Franti & Spearhead, but these others are so tempting too:
Janelle Monae (9:45 PM @ BMO Harris Pavilion)
If you’re going to see one show this Summerfest, make it Janelle Monae. There’s no telling what’s going to happen when this prolific singer, rapper, model, and actor takes the stage. Her musical stylings cannot be pigeonholed, but expect a deep mix of catchy pop, hard-hitting rap, and deep cuts to societal issues.
Jukebox The Ghost (8:00 PM @ Harley-Davidson Roadhouse)
Jukebox The Ghost is fun, from name to music, and that’s what Summerfest musical acts should all be about. Infectious, big, boisterous. Their undeniable influences from Queen can’t hurt, either.
Judah & the Lion (8:00 PM @ Miller Lite Oasis Stage)
It’s hard to discern if Judah & the Lion wants to fit into R&B/hip-hop or folk, two generally dichotomous genres. But not for these guys, who’ve been bending the rules to the delight of our ears for years.
M A L O (8:00 PM @ Miller Lite Oasis Stage)
Adding an extra pick for this Friday night: M A L O is an intriguing Chicago musician perfect for Summerfest, with her unique but groovy vocals and head-bobbing back beats. Smooth as the Summer Shandy I’ll be drinking.
Summerfest starts Wednesday, June 27; we’ll finish with our last preview article next Tuesday to cover Days 10-11.