Best of the Fest
MORE THAN 800 acts come to Summerfest each year. So, unless you’ve got a Time-Turner and don’t intend to sleep between June 27 and July 8, you’re going to have to pick and choose which ones you’ll see. Here are some recommendations from the MilMag staff.
“This year’s lineup looks great! I definitely
want to see The Flaming Lips, for the spectacle as well as the music. And I look
forward to rapping along with The Sugarhill Gang, old-school style.”
CAROLE NICKSIN,
PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
“I’ve probably listened to Benjamin Booker’s bluesy ballad ‘Witness’ 50 times since it came out last year – I’d love to hear it live. And I never get tired of Phantogram’s spacey, atmospheric brand of
electropop.”
LINDSEY ANDERSON,
CULTURE EDITOR
“I’m pumped for Janelle
Monáe. Her music proves that ‘politically relevant’ and ‘catchy as hell’ aren’t mutually exclusive. She’ll make you think and tap your
foot to the beat.”
KARISA LANGLO,
DIGITAL EDITOR
“Pixies. Kim Deal’s long gone from my first favorite band, and Black Francis’ squawks are a little less feral these days, but Joey Santiago’s guitar still writhes and squeals, and the seminal alt-rockers still spin sweet power-pop melodies.”
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
“The Pixies are definitely worth seeing in their current form. I saw them at The Rave a few years ago, after bassist Paz Lenchantin joined, and probably will again. And Sunflower Bean has a new album and sounds
very good.”
MATT HRODEY,
SENIOR EDITOR
“With names like J. Cole, Spoon and The Weeknd, Summerfest
has me frantically calculating my vacation time. Sprinkle in queens
like Kesha, Janelle Monáe and Halsey, and I’m wondering how many ‘sick days’ one can take before it’s not
believable.”
BROCK KAPLAN,
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
“Arcade Fire. A young fellow I used to sit across from at the Journal Sentinel turned me on to The Suburbs when I was looking for a present for one of my nieces, and I actually liked it and listened to it a lot.
And Bonnie Raitt, who is so damn soulful and is opening for James Taylor.”
TOM TOLAN, MANAGING EDITOR