Here are staff writer Molly Snyder Edler's music picks for the Big Gig 2008.

June 26 -- My kids are going to be really envious that I get to see They Might Be Giants considering their favorite CD right now is the group's kiddie release called "Here Come the 1,2,3's." Although I love their kid-flavored lyrics, it'll be refreshing -- and a blast from the past -- to hear some of their "adult" music when they take the U.S. Cellular Stage at 11 p.m. I really hope they dig deep into their repertoire. I would love to hear "Snowball In Hell."

June 27 -- The Response plays at 11 p.m. on the U.S. Cellular stage and I'm tempted to check out this local power pop quartet, mainly because they have a song called "I'm Lloyd Dobler." Fellow John Cusack fans know what I'm talking about.

June 28 -- As a hardcore Lucinda Williams' enthusiast, I'd like to see her open for John Mellencamp on the Marcus Amphitheater Stage. However, this conflicts with Northern Room playing at 6:30 p.m. on the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse. It's nice to have options.

June 29 -- More than a decade ago, reggae / hip-hoppers Michael Franti and Spearhead helped me cross over to the land of hip hop appreciation, so perhaps I'll swing by for their set at 10 p.m. on the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse and say thanks.

June 30 -- Surprisingly, I was completely blown away when Matisyahu played The Pabst last summer, so I'm super curious to see if he do it again on the Miller Lite Stage at 10 p.m. And by "it" I mean create a torrential frenzy of reggae with flaming, flying bits of spirituality.

July 1 -- One Drum plays the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage at 3:30 p.m. The music of One Drum is an Edler Family Value, so we'll be there.

July 2 -- If you are planning to see John Mayer on the Main Stage tonight, don't miss opening musician Brett Dennen. This skinny red-headed kid has the same soulful stuff that most famous folkies are made of -- and he writes great lyrics to boot.

July 3 -- In case I didn't see my girl Lucinda Williams open for Mellencamp, she's gigging on the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse at 10 p.m. I hope to make it there early enough to see Alejandro Escovedo play right before her at 8:30 p.m.

July 4 -- I usually don't do The Big Gig on the 4th, but this year, I might drag out my closeted Deadhead side and check out Phil Lesh and Friends playing at 8 p.m. on the Briggs and Stratton Stage. Local band jackraasch looks good, too. They're playing at 2:15 p.m. on the Cascio Interstate Music Groove Garage.

July 5 -- The Briggs and Stratton Stage is a nice mix of local and international music today. Clamnation plays at noon; De La Buena at 5 p.m. and Rodrigo y Gabriela at 10 p.m.

July 6 -- The Zippo Rock Stage has an interesting combination of bands tonight, and it totally works for me. One of my favorite local bands, Decibully, plays at 7:30 p.m., followed by former Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart at 9 p.m.