The Big Gig, “The World’s Largest Music Festival”, Summerfest – it’s finally here. Here is Volume 1:1 of the weekend previews I will be putting together, complete with some personal advice to elevate your experience.
Ava Maybee – 4:00 PM @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
Miss Ava Maybee is riding on the coattails of a genre that is absolutely red hot right now (Think Olivia Rodrigo or Chappell Roan) . A certain flavor of music for the moody and sassy, yet fully self-assured (or crazy) teen girls out there. Or if you’re just feeling yourself, this music will work for you too.
Expect an afternoon show that gets the party started early on the first day of the festival. The glammed-out fits and pissed off guitar playing will be a big factor here. Regardless of if she plays her pop songs, sad songs, or slightly emo songs, the crowd will be feeling that “emotional in your room at night” type of energy at the Big Backyard stage.
FYI, Ava Maybee is the daughter of Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. No case of nepotism here, Ava is talented in her own right and you should see it for yourself.
Shonn Hinton – 6:30 PM @ Miller Lite Oasis Stage
Mike Jones – 6:30 PM @ US Cellular Connection Stage
Great, you got past your first show. Or maybe you started earlier than 4, kudos to you. Now comes the time where the fester must pick his/her poison. Whatever 6:30 show you choose, it will set your tone for the rest of the night.
Your first option is The Shonn Hinton Experience. Milwaukee local Shonn Hinton will be bringing the grounds a great R&B performance. His lyricism touches on the importance of being present and intimate, while making sure to never take a moment for granted. I am also interested to see what his backing band will look like, but just know, they are going to sound fantastic live.
The aforementioned show is a great choice to enjoy some slow jams with your partner. I cannot say the same for the Mike Jones experience, though – this show is your time to turn up.
For one, I will be going hard all show for that dirty south sound; Jones’ signature deep voice, some excessive scratching, and the drop to “Still Tippin” will keep me going.
Joy Oladokun – 8:30 PM Miller Lite Oasis, Ginuwine – 8:15 PM US Cellular Connection Stage
This timeslot signifies what music festivals are all about. In the matter of an hour or two, you can go from straight trap music to a folk singer on the complete other end of the spectrum. Joy Oladokun has a beautiful energy to her. The obvious way to know this is through her singing, but her commentary in between songs shows this too. I cannot wait for summerfest to experience the gift that is Joy Oladokun.
I don’t have as many kind sentiments for the R&B act Ginuwine, but here’s what I will say: beware of some people fainting at this show. Not quite the Micheal Jackson effect, but Ginuwine has got an unmatched smoothness and sexiness to him. That could go for his looks or the music – it’s up to you what you go to the show for.
Natasha Bedingfield – 10 PM @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard
Arguably the best pop act of the festival, the Natasha Bedingfield show will be so much fun. She is sure to be a prominent figure on stage with some commanding vocals to go with it. And dammit, there better be fireworks at some point.
Isley Brothers – 10 PM @ BMO Pavilion
Yeah, the Isley boys may have aged a bit, but so has their following that has grown along with them. I am talking about all of the old heads that listen to these jams on a Sunday afternoon sitting on the porch, just letting the time pass. I am not ashamed, as a 20 year old college kid, to identify myself with this group of elder fans, since I am just as enthralled by the brothers’ style as they are.
Why? Because the Isley Brothers have provided samples for over 900 rap songs (Billboard), with names like Biggie, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay-Z rapping over their songs. For a younger ear like mine, the Isley Brothers’ sound meets at the perfect intersection of past soul/funk influences with a modern sound that was ahead of its time. Those in attendance at BMO Pavilion on Thursday night will be in the presence of legends, who are respectfully, still kicking it.
Gary Clark Jr. – 10:15 PM @ Miller Lite Oasis Stage
That’s a guitarist’s name if I’ve ever heard one. Unsurprisingly, the guy with the name of Gary Clark Jr. lives up to the hype. Blues rock is his forte, and you are sure to hear Gary’s jams all night long.
Another note, I saw Gary Clark Jr. in March and while I obviously remembered all of his great solo moments, his musical counterparts excelled in their roles as well. Both the backup singers and side guitarist have an important job in elevating Gary’s performance throughout the show. This is a difficult task and it certainly deserves some of the spotlight. With that, my advice to the audience is to simply observe, admire, and respect the tremendous musicianship that is on display.
Stay tuned for even more from Summerfest on Breaking And Entering.