The Third Coast Daily Recap

Summerfest is upon us, and TCD is here to give you a glimpse into the Big Gig. For the next 11 days of Summerfest, we’ll be updating this post with concert reviews, photo galleries and miscellaneous reports from the grounds. So keep checking here throughout the next two weeks – we’ll be posting each update on top of the others, in reverse chronological order – and feel free to include your own Summerfest 2013 memories in the comments below. We’ll look forward to seeing you!

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Photo Recap, Pt. 2

Thursday, July 4

Barenaked Ladies

The Barenaked Ladies played for a packed BMO Harris Ampatheater on Thursday, which they deemed “their only performance completely devoid of Rush fans.” This show was equal parts music and stand up comedy, as they joked about Canadians playing a show on America’s Independence Day, how they’ve been a band for 25 years, and how they were genuinely surprised anyone came to their show when there were so many other performers to see.

They played a few of their most popular songs such as “The Old Apartment” and “One Week,” as well as newer material and even a song from their children’s album Snacktime!. I can honestly say that I have never seen a crowd so excited to see a band before. I have been listening to BLN since I was little, but I never realized they had such serious and devoted fans. BNL is currently touring with Ben Folds Five and Guster, another Summerfest performer.

The members of BNL are some of the most versatile musicians I’ve seen at Summerfest so far, as they switched instruments and singers for practically every song. Drummer Tyler Stewart opened the show by saying “Summer fun at Summerfest. Some are singers, some are drummers,” which explained their frequent instrument switching and their love of play on words. At the end of the show, BLN sang an a capella mashup of a few dozen Top 40 hits and rapped a goodbye about how much they enjoyed visiting Milwaukee. I’m not sure I am accurately reflecting how much energy and intelligence this band has nor how entertaining they were live. I’ve heard skepticism about BNL because the subject matter of their songs is often a little ridiculous  However, the size and exuberance of the crowd spoke to how great a band they really are. Don’t believe me? Check out their new album Grinning Streak for yourself.

— Hannah McCarthy

Tuesday, July 2

Youngblood Hawke

Even though Youngblood Hawke was not a headliner, the stands of the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse were filled to the back wall with devoted fans Tuesday night. The indie pop band, based out of Los Angeles, rose to fame with their hit single “We Come Running,” off their self-titled EP, and just released their first album, Wake Up.

The band played songs from both, much to the delight of the youthful crowd surrounding them. Youngblood has a dance-oriented sound that runs underneath their collected works thus far, and their fans took full advantage of it. Space may have been tight, but that didn’t stop them from dancing to those undeniably energetic beats.

— Tess Fortune

Monday, July 1

Photo Recap, Pt. 1

No Summerfest this afternoon, but don’t feel blue: we’ve still got coverage for you. Take a look at our photo gallery from the first half of the fest, and get pumped for the six days yet to come.

Sunday, June 30

Social Distortion

Social Distortion took the Harley Davidson Roadhouse Sunday night, flanked by iconic HD motorcycles stacked like jewel boxes and played among streetwise props decorating the stage: a traffic light, cardboard cop cut-out, a No Parking sign, and one that read “Inmates Stand Here.”

Social Distortion hails from southern California, stalwarts who grew out of the LA punk scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. If you didn’t know they were Orange County dudes, you could believe they were Irish for frontman Mike Ness’s melodic but mournful, world-weary intonation. Their songs are often old and wise, and full of pain and and an unvarnished view of the world and its relationships.

The show opened well with “So Far Away,” but the sound and cohesion of the musicians became richer and even more tightly woven deeper into the evening. Old songs and stories were pulled out, as Ness recounted the music scene circa 1980, their first single, and the record distribution system back in the day: “you sold it out of the trunk of your car.”

Plenty of newer tunes made the set, including “Machine Gun Blues” and “Gimme the Sweet and Low Down.” A classic number, “Ball and Chain,” was played as a slower, dirge-like lament. By that time, it was getting late and the largely older crowd still swayed in time, some more unsteady than others as the entire audience stood on the metal bleachers.

There were some very youthful members in attendance, and the stage show took an rather strange turn when a handful of kids were brought up on the stage, introduced as the next generation of fans. There’s something to be said about passing the torch of musical influence, and the kids maybe found it novel, but the overtone of indoctrination was somewhat weird. Another bizarre moment came with Ness’s banter about heath care reform, his words and tone noncommittal enough to vacillate between sarcasm and praise. Politics are difficult enough to navigate after family dinner, much less before thousands of beer-soaked and smoking festival goers.

The night wrapped up with their rousing cover of “Ring of Fire.” Ness quipped that he was looking forward to the following day off in Milwaukee, anticipating a bit of relaxation and coffee. I’m sure many of his fans were wishing for the same on their Monday morning.

— Kat Murrell

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound

It seems as if JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound have been on tour consistently since they formed in 2007 playing club gigs and all over the summer festival circuit. The quintet is currently on the road in support of their third album, Howl, released in May this year.This album exposes a mature sound with the band comfortably showing their unique spin on soul music, with aspects of punk and new wave.

These musicians hail from Chicago and never forget their roots, paying homage to the great soul singers from the area like Jackie Wilson and The Staple Singers, to more contemporary Chicago bands like Wilco. In fact, it was a cover of Wilco’s “I am Trying to Break Your Heart” that introduced the group many radio stations and new fans.

The Uptown Sound performed many new songs from the album at Summerfest, but also played many songs that introduced us to this great soulful Midwestern act. If you’re a fan of the throw-back soul sound and haven’t seen them live yet, it is highly recommended.

—Angela Morgan

The Wailers

Since the death of Bob Marley in 1981, the remaining members of The Wailers have joined forces with additional Jamaican session musicians keeping the music and message of Marley alive. Throughout the years there have been several incarnations of the band, but the strength of the reggae music keeps this act touring.

They have put out four studio albums without Bob, but most of their live performances consist of playing from his back catalog – the songs we all know and love. The Wailers concert at Summerfest was a Caribbean dance party. Though playing on a chiller than usual night for the fest, the band transported the audience to another place and time, more specifically another mind-set of love and peace. Something we could all use a dose of now and again.

The Wailers in concert never disappoint. It would be nice to take a trip to the Caribbean, but until then the admission price to the festival was much more budget friendly for a one night escape to a tropical paradise.

— Angela Morgan

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Friday, June 28

P.O.S.

“I don’t wanna think about it–I just wanna get down!” rapper P.O.S. proclaimed to the crowd while performing one of his hits “Get Down” during his set at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse on Friday evening. The crowd wanted to get down, too, and they didn’t care that the rain fell fast and heavy halfway through the show. I stood on the metal benches, hands in the air, getting down as my blazer and denim shorts were soaked through. But I couldn’t leave–and no one else wanted to, either–because P.O.S. was just plain great. He’s part of the Minneapolis-based music label Rhymesayers who took over the Harley-Davidson stage on the 28th. (Fellow rapper Brother Ali took over after P.O.S.’s set.) As the rain continued to pour, P.O.S. (real name, Stefon Alexander) became worried that someone might fall and bust their head on the benches. Enthralled by his performance, we obeyed and politely repositioned ourselves on the ground. Then P.O.S. moved onto another crowd favorite, “F*ck Your Stuff.” “I want to make sure I get paid after this show,” he said. “So I can’t swear too much.” That was OK for the audience, though, as we gladly supplied the curse words that comprise the song’s chorus. And we continued to get down.

— Christina Wright

Switchfoot

Despite the rain, Switchfoot fans were out in full force. Their show felt like a family reunion, as this band has taken some time off and left their record label since releasing their last album Vice Versus in 2011. As a long time fan, I was happy to hear that they chose songs spanning their entire eight album career instead of playing all the newer stuff, as bands often do. Switchfoot also played aTom Petty cover and Beatsie Boys’ Sabotage in remembrance of Adam Yauch who died last year.

Personally, seeing Switchfoot was like seeing an old friend. However, they also put on a great show for the casual passerby, with killer accompany lights and consistent praise of the music scene in Milwaukee in between songs. Lead singer Jon Foreman has a very stereotypical San Diego stage presence and personality, so his chatting with the crowd was just as entertaining as the music itself.

After playing a few songs off their more recent albums, Foreman explained that the and his bandmates wanted nothing more than to play songs with messages of hope. He then announced that fans can expect a new album and movie soon which focus on the band’s love of music and their social activism. Foreman finished the show by inviting the entire crowd to join the band in California for their annual BroAm concert to support the homeless. As tempting an offer as that was, I’ll stick to Summerfest for my music festival needs for now. I can’t stay enough good things about Switchfoot’s show, though. It was everything a fan could have wanted.

— Hannah McCarthy

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Thursday, June 27

Capital Cities

Summerfest is always fun. Summerfest in the rain? I wasn’t so sure about that while I was hoofing it down to the grounds last night under a rusty old umbrella. But two intermittent showers later, in the crowd for Capital Cities, I was so, so glad I did.

I wasn’t sure what to make of the group at first, led by two lead singers (Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian) and a backing band in stark white letterman jackets. Until that first blaring trumpet note, a hallmark of their lead single “Safe and Sound” but not something I was sure they brought to the rest of their artistic arsenal. But they most certainly brought it, along with a killer ‘80s aesthetic. And synchronized dance moves. And Ray-Bans.

I love discovering an awesome new band at Summerfest almost as much (if not more) as seeing a band I’m already a huge fan of, but I can’t remember a time in recent memory when a new discovery has impressed me so much. I loved practically every song, from the brash if slightly repetitive “I Sold My Bed But Not My Stereo” to the catchy “Center Stage” to their awesome covers, reinventing selections from the Bee Gees, Prince and Madonna to sound as if they could have wrote the tunes themselves. By the time the threatening clouds rolled back in – appropriately, to the tune of “Safe and Sound” – the idea of missing such a masterful performance couldn’t have seem more preposterous.

— Matthew Reddin

Billy Idol

Billy Idol took the stage at the BMO Harris Pavilion with a fierce, fist-pumping “Ready Steady Go,” moving through that 1978 Generation X tune into his classic ’80s hit “Dancing with Myself.” It was a strong opening from the British-born rocker, who at age 57, shows no signs of letting up.

The approximately 90-minute set brought together songs from Idol’s long career, mixed with fresh tunes that are being worked in preparation for a new album this fall. The band was uniformly tight, as would be expected on the second-to-last date of their summer tour. Idol is an energetic and entertaining frontman, and guitarist Steve Stevens enjoyed many moments in the spotlight, favoring the crowed with an extended  guitar solo showing off his exceptional technique, flamenco riffs, and a couple of Jimmy Page/Led Zeppelin quotations.

Idol did not disappoint fans looking for his classic sound and character. Favorites such as “Rebel Yell” and “Eyes Without a Face” were especially crisp and true to their recorded versions. Other songs like “Flesh for Fantasy” extended their musical territory, giving space for seasoned solos ringing into the summer night. Idol’s cover of “L.A. Woman” was also part of the set, but the substitution of “Milwaukee woman” in the lyrics, while a predictable bit of stage banter, felt awkward. The evening wrapped up with an anthemic version of “White Wedding,” the crowd feeding on frenzied energy and ultimately leaving satisfied by the solid performances of classic tunes.

— Kat Murrell 

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Wednesday, June 26

Diplo

Over the last few years, DJ and Producer Wesley Pentz, aka Diplo, has made himself known as one of the most influential, trendsetting forces in the electronic/pop music scene culture of today.  Along with his wildly popular own solo material, he stands behind the success of numerous other pop sensations, producing magnetic beats for artists like Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Usher, Santigold, and Beyonce.  His upbeat electronic music is internationally looked upon as among the trendiest dance club music currently out there, attracting a distinct fan base of young party goers.

Diplo’s undisputedly young fan base was quite apparent last night as hundreds of fellow energy-hyped teens and young twenty-somethings packed into the Miller Lite Oasis Stadium to experience the aruguably wildest show of Wednesday night.  I’d best describe the scene as a huge frat party, minus the greek letters and invite only guest list. Skimpy clothes, glow sticks, neon lights, beers in fist, cannabis smelling summer air, booty shakin’, arm flailing, and body whirling were among the common themes at the giant outdoor dance party.  Diplo didn’t once let the rowdy crowd’s energy drop, as he smoothly transitioned from one hit to the next, playing plenty of material from his highly praised record label, Mad Decent, including hit “Express Yourself,” to other chart topping remixes from samples of Daft Punk and Riff Raff.  If you weren’t covered in sweat by the end of the show, you weren’t dancing how Diplo’s music suggests you to.

–Madeline Pieschel

Gavin DeGraw
Soulful pop-rock singer Gavin DeGraw returned to the fest for the sixth year on Wednesday. The New York native clearly loves performing here, saying that playing at Summerfest is “like coming home”. The audience at the BMO Harris Pavillion was surprisingly diverse, ranging all the way from families to college students to baby boomers. The show was a great mix of new and old songs. He made sure to go way back to “I Don’t Wanna Be” and even threw in a Marvin Gaye cover(which was requested by his “Dancing With the Stars” pal, Donald Driver). A true performer, DeGraw had the crowd at his fingertips, turning the mic to them to sing parts of his most popular songs. His newest single “Best I Ever Had” dropped on iTunes last week. Heavy on catchy melodies and driving drums, it’s the perfect summer jam. If you missed Gavin DeGraw’s performance this year, it’s almost a guarantee that he’ll be back next year.

— Sara Bill

Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots have had a huge year, with three songs on the Alternative Billboard and being named an “Artist to Watch” by MTV. The crowd last night at the U.S. Cellular Connection Stage was almost as entertaining as the band themselves. This two-man act has developed a hugely active fan base since being signed by Fueled By Ramen last year. Twenty One Pilots is constantly impressive because each song they play sounds different than the last. “House of Gold” is perfect for audience sing-a-longs and is complete with an electric ukulele; “Ode To Sleep” is overflowing with synth and darker rapped lyrics.

Tyler Joseph, the lead singer, fed off the crowd’s energy last night, much to the dismay of a security guard who had to prevent him from climbing the scaffolding on the side of the stage. Joseph is every part a performer, as he backflipped off his upright piano in time to a huge synth hit. For the last song of their set, Joseph and drummer Josh Dun took a drum onto a platform supported by the audience and simultaneous played them with all the bravado of a performing from Stomp.

Twenty One Pilots are known for the performative aspects of their shows, but I think the real talent lies within their lyrics. “Lean with it, rock with it/ When we gonna stop with it/Lyrics that mean nothing/We were gifted with thought/Is it time to move our feet/ To an introspective beat/It ain’t the speakers that bump hard/ It’s our hearts that make the beat.” As you can see, they are every bit about the music itself as they are about putting on an entertaining show. Joseph said they he wanted every member of the audience to feel like a band member last night. And with relatable lyrics like that, I think we all did.

– Hannah McCarthy

Naima Adedapo

Naima Adedapo is a down-to-Earth girl with a voice that’s larger than life. She’s a local Milwaukeean who hit the big time when she made it to the finals of American Idol’s 2011 season. Her set last evening on the new BMO Harris Bank stage was powerful and wonderful. She rocked out with her band on her high energy songs, moving around the stage in a black-and-white peplum top, black skinny jeans, and bright red high heels. “I’ve been going to Nashville a lot lately to write songs,” she told the audience. Those songwriting skills were certainly on display as she belted out an ode to Milwaukee called “Diary of a City Girl.” It’s the kind of song that is an instant favorite.

Then she owned Alicia Keys’ “Girl On Fire,” letting her voice be the star of the show. Everyone in attendance was singing and dancing along. I even got chills (and they weren’t from the cool Lake Michigan breeze). Adedapo loves Milwaukee and she is always looking to give back, so it was no surprise when she brought an eighth grader from Lincoln Center of the Arts (her own alma mater) on stage to sing Sarah Bareilles’ “King of Anything.” This middle schooler had quite a voice and the audience and Adedapo showed her lots of love. Overall Adedapo’s set was fantastic and I’ll be downloading her new songs right away. There’s one more chance to catch her at the festival: July 6, at 3 p.m. at the K-Nation/Cascio Interstate Music Stage. Don’t miss it.

—Christina Wright