Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009

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In Music

By OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers

Published May 31, 2009 at 7:04 a.m.

Tags: summerfest, bon jovi, keith urban, stevie wonder, kiss, chicago, bob dylan, no doubt, george strait, kenny chesney, the fray, kid rock

Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, Stevie Wonder, Kiss, Chicago, Bob Dylan, No Doubt, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, The Fray, Kid Rock. Do any of those names get you fired up? If so, you're in luck, because these are the headlining acts that will perform at the Marcus Amphitheater during Summerfest 2009, June 25-July 5.

The smaller venues announced most of the scheduled acts, too, including Elvis Costello (9 p.m., July 5, Classic Rock Stage), Dropkick Murphys (9:30 p.m., June 26, Harley Stage) and Guster (10 p.m., July 2, Miller Lite Stage.)

What are your thoughts about this year's Summerfest line-up? Too many '80s and '90s acts or a smart mix of genres that will attract the most people to the Big Gig? Sound off, Milwaukee, about your thoughts on Summerfest's music offerings.

What a heap of garbage. Whitesnake? Lita Ford? Barenaked Ladies? Who listens to this crap anymore? Summerfest used to be a premier music festival, but now it's a joke next to real outdoor music venues like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. The inflated beer prices and B-list bands are not the least bit appealing to me and, consequently, I will bag the Big Gig this year.

A decent mix of talent. You can't please everyone, and I think Summerfest did a great job finding bands that will appeal to the most festgoers. Every year, people complain about the music at Summerfest, but every year, the festival draws thousands and thousands of people. I think folks would complain about the line-up no matter what.

18 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by FunkyBrewster on June 3, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. (report)

IS THE KINGS GO FORTH SUMMERFEST SHOW STILL ON? I CAN'T FIND IT LISTED ANYMORE!? Am I High? Pre-Recorded Music Slots for 4 hrs. to me is a pathetic waste and an 'EPIC FAILURE' on the part of those in charge of summerfest. There has to be a line a mile long of talent that could fill that time. This reminds me of the year when I witnessed a mob of hundreds of black people loitering around doing nothing listening to nothing while nearby some guy in a red summerfest t-shirt sat on a big stage and was playing bon jovi and radio hits to a completely empty sea of benches. Can't you find a DJ to play some break beats - I'll do the Running Man - it'll be fun. Something. Anything exept that pre-recorded "summerfest dj" crap that is worse than just turning on the radio. Shows I want to see and easily recommend include... The Celebrated Workingman, Canyons of Static, John the Savage, Natty Nation, Joan Jett, Billy Squire, THE RED BULL BEAT THING w/ WHY B, The Glamour, John Hawley, also Judas Priest, Femi Kuti(I just don't get sick of dancing drunk on tables to this), Rusty P's, Terrior Bute and a few others. I know milwaukee is luvin' it but it bugs me to see The Toys, The Boogiemen and the Love Monkeys headlining. It also bugs me to see the same bands over and over like Matisyahu, Bodeans, Puddle of Mudd etc. Too much damn country is the main problem this year... this isn't Branson Missouri for gawds sakes! Not enough music for young people and black people. Show me some Creativity. Summerfest before Don Smiley :) Summerfest after Don Smiley :| Summerfest 2009 if you don't like country :( PLEASE WHO EVER IS BOOKING FOR SUMMERFEST! QUIT PLAYING IT SO SAFE STOP THE REPEAT BOOKINGS YEAR AFTER YEAR! I KNOW ITS SAFE AND EASY TO JUST BOOK THE SAME POPULAR ACTS OVER AND OVER BUT WE DESERVE BETTER! ITS CALLED VARIETY! SUMMERFEST SHOULD BE ABOUT TURNING PEOPLE ON TO THINGS NOT CATERING TO CLOSE MINDED OLD PEOPLE WITH FAT WALLETS. THAT YOU ARE GOOD AT! DON SMILEY IS A MASTER AT CATERING TO OLD CLOSE MINDED PEOPLE WITH LOTS OF MONEY TO SPEND. Summefest's new symbol for 2010 $$

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Posted by CoolerKing on June 2, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. (report)

I'm not a fan of what the festival has turned into from the music to the obnoxious stage sponsoring, but I'll admit I do like this year's lineup in some regards. Normally there's only one day I'd go to see a band that is a diamond in the rough of Summerfest's bookings (Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros, Rev. Horton Heat), but this year there seems to be a bit more worthwhile on the sidestages versus lame cover bands. The amphitheater doesn't interest me at all, but that's all about getting butts in the seats which I'm sure they'll accomplish. Natemarq: When I was a kid, pre-Marcus Amphitheater, the Summerfest main stage headliners were Grand Funk Railroad, Humble Pie and George Carlin. Back then I'd definitely not consider those acts Mainstream Milwaukee.

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Posted by devidia on June 1, 2009 at 12:31 p.m. (report)

...And "something for everyone?"...what if you're into Himalayan throat singing? My God, WHERE'S THE HIMALAYAN THROAT SINGING????!!!!!...

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Posted by devidia on June 1, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. (report)

I won't go as far as to say that it totally sucks, but Don Smiley and company still need to work on the diversity. I still don't see much jazz or reggae. And I hope they run some decent admission specials, too.

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Posted by mrjohn08 on June 1, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. (report)

I'm likin' the lineup this year. Something for everybody. For those of you complaining that there are not enough indie/edgie bands.. i have two words for you: WARPED TOUR. BTW, went to Warped last year for the first time. My favorite concert experience in years. Loved that as well.

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