Guitar legend Eric Clapton means different things to different generations. Along with Roger Daltrey, former front man of The Who, Clapton plays the Marcus Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. on Monday.
For a festival that too often gets criticized for its predictability, Summerfest certainly surprised with its booking of No Doubt -- the initial shocker being that a pop-ska band from the early '90s could fill the Marcus Amphitheater, and the second being that, wait!, No Doubt is still a thing?
Before Gwen Stefani and No Doubt make their much buzzed about performance in Milwaukee at the Marcus Amphitheater on July 2, a rising musical sensation from Toronto plans to shake up the sonic hemispheres from its first note.
Aside from some thank yous and an introduction of his band, George Strait had little to say Monday night when he headlined at the Marcus Amphitheater. And that was OK with his fans, who didn't mind his disinterest in small talk. They paid to see an old-fashioned country music show, and that's exactly what they got from the 57-year-old star.
As soon as the folks at Summerfest announced that KISS was headlining the first Saturday night at the Big Gig, we knew who we wanted to cover it for us. Our friend Kevin Brandt, better known as "KB" from the "Dave and Carole Morning Show" on WKLH (96.5 FM), is a longtime ally of the KISS Army, has seen a number of the group's shows and use Twitter to transmit updates throughout the show.
As mentioned in yesterday's preview, Bon Jovi should really be credited for much more than its ability to make dudes rock out with its anthems, women swoon with its odes to endless love and power ballad compilations rich with its nostalgic offerings.
Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan kicked off their summer tour at Summerfest's Marcus Amphitheater Wednesday night, and although they performed many fan favorites, the lack of video screens or an encore featuring both performers left some feeling lukewarm about the concert.
It was no surprise that four days after the world learned of the death of Michael Jackson, that news was fresh in the mind of Stevie Wonder, who headlined the Marcus Amphitheater on the first Sunday of Summerfest 2009. After all, Wonder was the first child star at Motown, paving the way for Jackson. But the way in which Wonder chose to pay tribute to Jackson ranged from touching to unusual to downright odd.
With the Big Gig in full swing, we thought it would be fun to send senior editor Drew Olson into another "shift switch" assignment -- this time as a bartender at Summerfest. After spending 25 years in front of the various bars on the grounds, Olson stepped into a beer stand near the rock stage and poured beers for thirsty patrons. He left with sore legs and hips, a little tip money in his pocket and a new appreciation for the people who pour.