The Squeaky Curd is prepping for Summerfest 2019 by previewing a few hand-selected musical acts our readers should not miss. For the day by day recommendation breakdowns, make sure to check back here each Monday of June leading up until the festival on the 26th. And follow along with our curated Youtube Playlist, found right here.
We’re less than two weeks out from Summerfest 2019! We’re ready to add another 3 days to our ongoing preview of lesser-known free stage acts you should definitely put on your itinerary. Days 6-8 coming in hot:
Day 6: Tuesday, July 2
We’re big CVRCHES fans, and between Chaka Khan and Lionel Richie you can’t go wrong. But make sure these are on your list as well:
Black Pumas (8:00 PM @ Johnson Controls World Stage)
Sometimes you need to pull up a spot on the bleachers under the roof at the JCI stage and just jam to some old-fashioned soul music. Black Pumas is here to breathe some young life into the classic genre.
Jacob Latimore (8:00 PM @ U.S. Cellular Connection Stage)
When he’s not acting on the big and small screens, Jacob Latimore is moonlighting as the second-coming of Usher. His smooth, early-00’s style of R&B is going to convert an unsuspecting Summerfest crowd into followers.
COIN (8:00 PM @ Uline Warehouse Stage)
Sometimes you just want to bop your head to a pop beat and dance on the bleachers at the (newly-revamped) Uline Warehouse, and COIN is going to give you that opportunity with their own brands of radio-ready party tunes.
REYNA (7:00 PM @ Miller Lite Oasis Stage)
As Milwaukeeans we’re spoiled in our access to local power-pop sisters REYNA, but that doesn’t mean you should miss their Big Gig show.
Day 7: Wednesday, July 3
J-freakin’-Lo, that is all (oh, and The Roots and Switchfoot). But if you’re still Jenny from the block yourself, these cheap-seat acts will make you feel like a million bucks:
Velvet Starlings (6:45 PM @ Johnson Controls World Stage)
Velvet Starlings is bringing indie-folk to the next generation, but their Americana-rock sound will be pleasing to those of us raised on Dispatch and Mumford as well.
YUNGBLUD (8:30 PM @ Miller Lite Oasis Stage)
Don’t let this Brit’s rough demeanor fool you, YUNGBLUD knows what he’s doing. He deftly moves between Top-40 pop-punk back to garage-rock roots, keeping us all literally and figuratively on our toes.
Nora Collins (6:00 PM @ U.S. Cellular Connection Stage)
Brookfield-native Nora Collins may have grown out of playing at her local Potbelly’s, but she’s bringing back to town her Nashville-honed pop-country sound. Should be a boot-stomping reunion.
Day 8: Thursday, July 4
Celebrate the birth of our nation by getting red, white, and blown-away by these Summerfest free stagers:
Courtney Barnett (10:00 PM @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard)
You either love or hate Courtney Barnett’s nonchalant, atypical singing style and her unapologetic indie sound. Regardless, artists as polarizing and undeniably talented as her deserve a listen.
Common Kings (8:00 PM @ Harley-Davidson Roadhouse)
Hopefully by July 4th warm weather will have finally decided to visit Milwaukee, but regardless Common Kings will be bringing the endless summer vibes of SoCal to the shores of Lake Michigan.
Brett Newski and The No Tomorrow (8:00 PM @ Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard)
No one should ever miss a Newski show if you can catch it. The globe-trotting Milwaukeean (New Berlinite, actually) is keeping 90s alternative and folk alive and evolving. Plus, you could stay in his AirBnB before his show.
Eddie Eberle and the Getaway (4:15 PM @ Johnson Controls World Stage)
I like this kid, I don’t know why. His easy-going rock style is palatable across preferences. He’s got something to say. Worth a mid-afternoon listen, fo sho.
We’re a mere week away, folks. Final Days 9-11 coming next week. Find Days 1-3 here and Days 4-5 here.