We are so lucky to have Summerfest
Big Gig’s temporary absence makes the heart grow fonder
Around this time every year, Summerfest, the largest music festival in the United States, reveals some 200 headliners, sparking a wave of excitement, and some criticism, on social media.
Officials had a different announcement this week, one I doubt they imagined they’d ever have to make.
For the first time since it began 53 years ago, Milwaukee’s Summerfest is moving to September, now taking place across nine days instead of 11, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It could have been worse. We could have lost Summerfest altogether.
SXSW in Austin, Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Firefly in Delaware, even famed British festival Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary bash — none of them will happen in 2020.
And let’s be honest: If social gatherings must be scrapped in the interest of public safety deep into the summer, there’s a chance we won’t have a Summerfest in 2020 after all.
Nothing like realizing you might lose something to make you appreciate how great it is.
Granted, Summerfest is hardly great all the time. When you book 800 bands a year, some of the performances are going to be subpar. The heat at times can be oppressive. Downpours are downers.
It would have been nice, that one time, if a drunk woman with dirty feet hadn’t jumped on a picnic table and hovered over my family’s chicken strips and mozzarella sticks — and if she hadn’t yelled at us when we asked her politely to get down while we ate. Another obnoxious (inebriated) woman took great offense that my wife wasn’t on her feet dancing to the mellow rock sway of the Fray. The lady shook her butt right in front of my wife’s face.
What was irritating then makes for some pretty funny stories now. And looking back at Summerfest during this strange week, most of my memories are glowing ones, like when a full amphitheater fell into an awed hush for Paul Simon’s “The Sound of Silence,” or when 20,000 voices united as one to sweetly sing “Hey Jude” with Paul McCartney.
Janelle Monáe’s Summerfest dance party for equality, Pink’s high-flying return to the stage, the Rolling Stones’ explosive Summerfest set — these are some of the greatest concerts I’ve ever seen. I’m sure many would say the same about shows I didn’t see, like when Prince and Whitney Houston played the Big Gig. And watching local bands show off their talent for thousands each year, or crowds euphorically discovering their new favorite band — those experiences are magical.
I have too many fond memories from Summerfest to share, and probably just as many I’ve forgotten. And so do millions of people who’ve visited Summerfest across those 53 years, of all ages, and all backgrounds.
We might complain about those benches and the beer prices, the lineup and the packed crowds. But in Summerfest Milwaukee has something incredibly special. In terms of a festival experience, I’d argue it’s as good as it gets.
Its mission when it started in 1968 was to unite a city in pain, where racial tensions had escalated into riots. There was a “Salute to African Americans” event, a “youth fest” on the lakefront, Walt Whitman poetry readings, an Up with People concert. It offered something for everyone.
There are still incredible problems in our city, but each year at least, Summerfest can be a celebration for all. There are more styles of music than practically every festival in existence, bands that appeal to 8-year-olds and 80-year-olds alike.
And to see most of the bands on the Summerfest grounds will set you back $23 for a day — at most. Each year, there are at least a dozen ways you can get in for free or at a discount.
After months of isolation for the greater good, a Summerfest celebration, even if it’s in September or 2021, is going to be extra special.
Who knows? Maybe Summerfest’s more intoxicated revelers will have greater respect for personal space after all this. And if they don’t, I’ll still be grateful for the music and the chicken strips.
Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
Piet also talks concerts, local music and more on “TAP’d In” with Jordan Lee. Hear it at 8 a.m. Thursdays on WYMS-FM (88.9), or wherever you get your podcasts.
We might complain about those benches and the beer prices, the lineup and the packed crowds. But in Summerfest Milwaukee has something incredibly special.