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.
Another week closer to Summerfest 2019, and we’re excited to add another 2 days to our ongoing preview of which lesser-known free stage acts you definitely should put on your own itinerary. Below, days 4-5:
Day 4: Saturday, June 29
Bon Iver trades the northwoods of “Eaux Claires” for the AmFam Amp on Saturday night, but you should trade the pay seats for these free stages:
Cory Wong of Vulfpeck (10:00 PM @ Johnson Controls World Stage)
If you’re not listening to Minnesota’s Vulfpeck, you need to be. And their unbelievable lead guitarman Cory Wong is taking his own brand of weird and radical on the road (after recent gigs with other bands, like Ben Rector). Listen to a great musician do great things.
Jocelyn and Chris Arndt (8:00 PM @ Johnson Controls World Stage)
Unknown whether Jocelyn’s voice or her brother Chris’ guitar outputs blues and rock better, but the duel between the two is reason enough to see this show.
Walker Hayes (6:30 PM @ Miller Lite Oasis Stage)
Sure, Walker Hayes hit it big with “You Broke Up With Me”, but this country crooner is more than just a pop-song writer and pretty face (though he’s definitely both of those things). We’re a little surprised he’s on so early, so make sure you see him with the sun-up while you still can.
The Zach Pietrini Band (5:00 PM @ Miller Lite Oasis Stage)
Locals The Zach Pietrini Band are constantly playing gigs around town, but their unique mix of southern rock and north-woods folk is not to be missed on the Big Gig stage.
Day 5: Sunday, June 30
If you need to stop by 3 Doors Down and Los Lonely Boys for one or two hit songs, we won’t blame you, but set up shop at these smaller acts first:
Adia Victoria (8:30 PM @ Miller Lite Oasis Stage)
Adia Victoria is changing perceptions of who can sing contemporary blues music, and the genre and listeners are that much better for it. Get ready to feel it in your bones.
Lake Street Dive (9:30 PM @ Uline Warehouse Stage)
There may be no more powerful voice coming to the Big Gig this year than Lake Street Dive’s Rachael Price, and the rest of the band only adds to the goodness coming through the speakers. They may have been around for a while now, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be your new favorite.
Upstate (8:00 PM @ Uline Warehouse Stage)
Nah, I’d never heard of ’em either, but I can’t get Upstate’s female harmonies out of my head. Get ready for some old-timey Americana, made new.
Ariana and the Rose (4:15 PM @ Johnson Controls World Stage)
Like grown-up power-pop, I can’t decide if Ariana and the Rose would be more likely played on KISS FM or some underground-hour of 91.7 WMSE. Either way, she should be getting played.
Day X: Monday, June 1
Summerfest is always closed on Monday. No one goes. Don’t be that guy.
And don’t forget to come back next week with a preview for Days 6-8. Find Days 1-3 here.