Madison bands to improve Summerfest experience
Jah Boogie of Natty Nation shares some Madison-style smiles with cranky ol' MIlwaukee.
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Summerfest, "America's favorite music festival that takes place right next to an overpass," certainly has its ups and downs, though headliners this year do include such highlights as Elvis Costello (July 5) and Meat Puppets (June 25). Still, even if you're not being dragged along by your buddy who wants to see Puddle Of Mudd (also June 25), any given day at Summerfest can prove to be a long day at Summerfest. Don't do what Decider did last year and get caught listening to some cover band butcher Gnarls Barkley tunes between stuff you actually want to see: Keep your eyes on the schedule for some of the Madison acts playing afternoon and early-evening slots on various stages. That's right, Milwaukee: You bring the buses weirdly passing overhead, we'll bring some musical relief.
Though part of Sleeping In The Aviary's (June 27, Cascio stage, 6:30 p.m.) membership has moved to the Twin Cities, they're still a Madison favorite, and we can still lay claim to the lovely, sparse sounds of Time Since Western (June 29, Cascio, 6:30 p.m.), though it's divided between here and Milwaukee. A set from reggae group Natty Nation (June 30, Miller Lite stage, 5 p.m.) should help tide over those waiting for The Wailers' set later that evening. Catch not-quite-back-to-back sets from National Beekeepers Society (July 1, Cascio, 6:30 p.m.) and Blueheels (July 1, Cascio, 8:30 p.m.) in one day, or at least see how the fun bass-drums-theremin attack of Dick The Bruiser (July 2, Cascio, 5:30 p.m.) goes over in such a setting.
In the odd-juxtaposition department, always-excellent locals The United Sons Of Toil will play their noisy screeds against exploitation and manifest destiny on July 4 (Cascio, 5:30 p.m.), and the accomplished award-obtainers of the Lucas Cates Band are slated to play a set of bro-pop (June 25, Harley-Davidson stage, 2:30 p.m.) mere hours before Riverboat Gamblers, Rancid, and Rise Against take the same stage. There's also blooze-y local power trio Atomic Blue (June 26, Cascio, 6:30 p.m.), 20 Reasons Taken (June 27, Harley, 4 p.m.), The Rowdy Prairie Dogs (June 30, Briggs & Stratton stage, 12 p.m.), Archie Powell And The Exports (July 1, U.S. Cellular stage 3 p.m.) and Roots Collective (July 2, Briggs, 2 p.m.).
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