The Squeaky Curd is prepping for Summerfest 2019 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 Monday of June leading up until the festival on the 26th. And follow along with our curated Youtube Playlist, found right here.
Summerfest is Milwaukee’s summer. The World’s Largest Music Festival lasts only 11 days, but its effects on our city are felt throughout the year: still trying to get the buzz out of your ears in the fall, longing for its warm return in the winter, and anticipating (and then debating) the lineup reveal in the spring. Here we are, less than a month away from its glorious June 26th return for the 2019 summer, and I can’t wipe this big red smile off my face.
While The Squeaky Curd staff will only be attending 5 of the 11 nights this year (unlike our glorious all-11-day music expedition some years back), we’re going to be previewing each night of the festival with acts, both big and small, that we personally recommend to our readers.
Day 1: Wednesday, June 26
Day 1 is opening hot and heavy. I will see Hanson every time they come to Milwaukee. They are really that good. Other headliners Judah & The Lion and WALK THE MOON are suitable alternatives. But these earlier openers might have name recognition soon, too:
Taylor Phelan (4:15 PM @ Johnson Controls World Stage)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpi5Gdmr1Mo
His name might be familiar if you’re an avid watcher of The Voice. But now some years removed from the competition, Taylor Phelan’s falsettos shine through a bit more with the power-pop backing of his full band.
Matt Hoyles (5:30 PM @ Johnson Controls World Stage)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SX-mnmj0sg
Stick around at the JCI stage to catch Matt Hoyles. A little bluesy, a little groovy, all with a deeper story packaged neatly.
Weathers (6:30 PM @ Uline Warehouse Stage)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0OmW0GPumc
I can’t place Weathers: are they a teen rock band from the early 00’s? Or are they Gen Z’s new version of dance-pop? Either way, expect crop-tops and a party in the stands at the revamped Uline Warehouse.
Day 2: Thursday, June 27
Good on hometown hero Trapper Schoepp for snagging a spot in Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival at the AmFam Amphitheater this night. These fellow up-and-coming troubadours in the free stages could join him soon:
Lizzo (10:00 PM @ Harley-Davidson Roadhouse)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaCrQL_8eMY
Everyone and their mama is going to be at this Lizzo concert. It’s going to be all party, all positive energy and empowerment, and maybe a little not-so-veiled satire on today’s American culture.
St. Paul & The Broken Bones (9:30 PM @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHEPoG11EtE
St. Paul & The Broken Bones’ music sounds exactly like what you’d expect upon reading their name: soul, blues, and R&B all packaged in a gospel-like cadence.
Zed Kenzo (5:30 PM @ Johnson Controls World Stage)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfHHi_puDhM
Graduate of 88.9‘s Backline Program, Zed Kenzo is just getting started in Milwaukee’s dance and hip-hop scene. Support local music while supporting good music.
Day 3: Friday, June 28
The first Friday is an embarrassment of riches, causing us to leave Brandi Carlile, lovelytheband, and local ladies GGOOLLDD and Abby Jeane off this list. But go ahead and see them, in addition to these:
The Lonely Island (10:15 PM @ Miller Lite Oasis Stage)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avaSdC0QOUM
I didn’t think this was a real thing. Didn’t these guys start The Lonely Island as a joke? Don’t they have a ton of other acting / writing / performing gigs going on at the moment? Who cares; their songs are boss and hilarious and everyone ages 15 – 35 is going to be at this concert. Hopefully T-Pain sidles over from the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse.
flora cash (6:30 PM @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzjMmwki1Fs
They’re starting to get major airplay, so make sure to see this power-pop married duo flora cash on an early-evening free stage while you still can. And get ready to either feel deeply or dance hard or both simultaneously.
Sweet Crude (6:45 PM @ Johnson Controls World Stage)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeZF88iEhlA
I have no idea what Sweet Crude is saying in most of their songs, but that hardly seems to matter considering how deftly their emotion comes through and the melodies take you away. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see a real band sing real songs in Louisiana French.
Of course, don’t miss David Seebach’s Wonderful World of Magic while you’re there these days as well. We’ll be back next week with a preview for Days 4-6.