Perhaps it goes without saying that as a filmmaker and “sometimes video artist” I have a deep fondness for images. Actually it’s beyond fondness. It’s an ongoing love affair. Add to that my undying devotion to music, and it’s easy to understand why I was giddy to see this year’s Summerfest opening headliner, Peter Gabriel.

No stranger to the arts himself, Gabriel puts on one hell of an immersive experience! Not only was he in top form, but his latest collaboration with arranger John Metcalfe and the New Blood Orchestra was beautifully choreographed to stunning video visuals. Some of Gabriel’s pop hits were missing from the set, but the amazing interpretations of his work and a few covers by the New Blood Orchestra more than made up for it.  In fact, members of what I’m assuming were Milwaukee’s own symphony made up part of the ensemble. 

Wednesday’s concert was the final show of Gabriel’s current tour. There were a lot of congratulations to musicians and crew alike. Gabriel and the orchestra took a brief intermission during this year’s opening fireworks display, which if you’re going to stop your show for anything, it may as well be fireworks! It was a great night and one I’ll remember as a favorite among my many Summerfest memories.