Summerfest Headliners

[Patrick425]

So far, not very impressive. Seems like groups way past their prime like Iron Maiden and the Beach Boys used to be reserved for the side stages. Now they are headliners? I'm waiting for them to announce Three Dog Night as a headliner. It appears that Summerfest may have lost it's pull as far as current big name acts go.

[brettac1]

If that's the Beach Boys with Brian Wilson, that's a headliner.

[chadomac]

Yep, it's with Brian Wilson for the first time in years - and that's why they're a headliner now.

[patrickgpe]

that had one show last year that i would see (black keys and florence and the machine). The thing with Summerfest is that they have to appease everyone. I am sure every music lover will find one show that they would see. Neil Diamond appeases an older crown and they took care of country lovers with Lady Antabellum and Zach Brown.

 

Personally i have only once been to the Amphitheater for a summerfest show (STP reunion show). I find it more fun to go on a night where a band you like to be playing a side stage and spending the evening before they go on eating, having a few beers, and people watching.

[brettac1]

The side stages are where the value is. Most years there is one day when a side stage has a bunch of bands I want to see playing it.

[Oldcity]

I can't believe Iron Maiden has enough of a following to still be a headliner.

 

Black Keys/Florence was the only headliner I've seen in years. Sidestage 10:00 bands are often as big as headliners (Flaming Lips last year comes to mind).

[Patrick425]

If that's the Beach Boys with Brian Wilson, that's a headliner.

 

Ok, yeah, I guess that makes some sense. By the way, anyone see them on the Grammys? Brian Wilson sure seemed to make a b-line off the stage when they finished.

 

edit: felt I needed to change grammies to Grammys..didn't want anyone to interpret that incorrectly.

[chadomac]

I think Wilson has some anxiety/mental issues and that might've had something to do with his quick exit.

 

I haven't been to Summerfest in years. I get anxiety myself about all the crowds and can't stand not being able to take two steps without having to move around someone. Guess I'm just getting older and less tolerant of that stuff. I'm also used to seeing bands in tiny venues and I prefer that to the big shows, especially the Ampitheater. The band I'd most like to see again live is the Arcade Fire and if they played the Ampitheater I probably wouldn't even go. That venue isn't worth it to me unless you're willing to spend the big bucks to sit up front. I saw the Foo Fighters from the lawn, I think that's the last show I saw there.

[RockCoCougars]

I didn't think that it could get any worse than last year (yes, I am old). There wasn't one act on the main stage or side stages that were worth the hassle to me. Over the past several years, there were usually a half dozen. I thought that the main stages skewed too young.... ironically, this year, it seems to be skewing too old with the Beach Boys and Neil Diamond. I enjoyed both Maiden and Alice Cooper back in the day, but would agree that they are side stage material. Was hoping for Van Halen, but their ticket prices probably wouldn't allow them to play Summerfest (don't they have a price cap?)

[RockCoCougars]

I think Wilson has some anxiety/mental issues and that might've had something to do with his quick exit.

 

I believe that Wilson spent a good chunk of the 70's in his bedroom. Some wacko therapist took over on him after that. Was conducting therapy sessions in a huge sandbox, etc.

 

Personally, I have my doubts whether Wilson will complete the tour..... primarily if the ticket sales don't meet expectations. However, he has done at least one solo tour in the past few years. I'm pretty sure that he played Milwaukee, because I was considering going.

[patrickgpe]

I can't believe Iron Maiden has enough of a following to still be a headliner.

 

Black Keys/Florence was the only headliner I've seen in years. Sidestage 10:00 bands are often as big as headliners (Flaming Lips last year comes to mind).

flaming lips were awesome last year, i guess you are paying for a guaranteed seat and not having to deal with the large crowds in a small space.

[homer]

I can't believe Iron Maiden has enough of a following to still be a headliner.

 

.

 

I saw a documentary on IM just a year or two ago and they were selling out stadiums all over the world. I think they have a dedicated following that will travel all over the place to see them. Based on the live concert footage I saw, they still put on a heckuva show and Bruce can still hit the high notes.

[TURBO]

I'm surprised that people think Iron Maiden is not a headliner...

 

They have a devoted following, and not only us 40 something guys. There are teenagers who get into their music. They are tried and true, and are BIG all over the world!

 

If Maiden was playing summerfest as a sidestage act, that would shock the heck out of me!

[TooLiveBrew]

Sidestage 10:00 bands are often as big as headliners (Flaming Lips last year comes to mind).

This, imo, is what makes Summerfest. I usually don't go to the Marcus Amp. shows (nothing against it, though). To me, it's all about the big acts that play the side stages. That's just an atmosphere you can't easily find elsewhere.

[burniebrewer]

I'm surprised that people think Iron Maiden is not a headliner.

 

Gotta remember the crowd around here is kinda hipster...I am stoked that Maiden was booked.

 

If Maiden played a side stage, it would be packed beyond the Priest show a few years back.

[RockCoCougars]

Considering that they are booked for the 4th (wasn't Summerfest closed last year on the holiday?), I think this bill will draw pretty well relatively speaking. It won't fill the Marcus, but it will draw pretty well with the beer drinking set. Either alone is probably side stage material, but both are legends. To me, this bill is more appealing than anything they had in the Marcus last year, but I won't be going because it's the 4th.

 

On another note, one of the posts above mentioned Priest. That begs the question, who is better, Maiden or Priest? I've got to go with JP.

[gypcasino]

If Maiden was playing summerfest as a sidestage act, that would shock the heck out of me!

 

And everybody else too since their summer tour is almost all sheds. They're not going to stop here and play a show at the Miller Lite Oasis in between amphiteahtre shows somewhere else.

http://www.ironmaiden.com/maiden-on-the-charge.html

[TURBO]

On another note, one of the posts above mentioned Priest. That begs the question, who is better, Maiden or Priest? I've got to go with JP.

 

Agreed, Priest is in my top 2 bands of all time! Maiden would crack my top 10 possibly, but Judas Priest, to me, is on a different level!

[BrewCrewForever]

Holding out hope for the Foo Fighters to play the Marcus. They have not been here in a few years and might be doing a tour this summer.

[Outlander]

Considering that they are booked for the 4th (wasn't Summerfest closed last year on the holiday?)

 

Yes, they closed on the 4th which was a Monday. They are closed Monday the 2nd this year.

[bork]

Actually, I think it's the first time in ages that all surviving Beach Boys are back together. Brian, Al, and Mike were all fighting and doing their own things for years. I actually might consider that. Prices aren't too bad.

 

But I already have my tickets for Zac Brown Band and my wife is going to see Lady Antebellum. Two of the hottest names in country music.

[RockCoCougars]

I'm surprised that people think Iron Maiden is not a headliner...

 

They have a devoted following, and not only us 40 something guys. There are teenagers who get into their music. They are tried and true, and are BIG all over the world!

 

If Maiden was playing summerfest as a sidestage act, that would shock the heck out of me!

 

No doubt Maiden is absolutely huge internationally, but they aren't mainstream in the U.S., although they have a strong and very devoted base here. I'm going to make a metal/sports analogy here....Maiden is kind of like Soccer in the U.S., while Sabbath/Ozzy are MLB/NFL. Metallica is like the NBA, the 'new kid', peaking in the 80's and downhill since.

[berniebrewer4life]

Holding out hope for the Foo Fighters to play the Marcus. They have not been here in a few years and might be doing a tour this summer.

 

I am holding out hope as well. If they don't happen, i'll see Zac Brown band instead.

[BradWI]

Nickelodeon "stars" claim another Amp slot:

 

http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/big-time-rush-to-headline-summerfest-july-6-ut4bm9r-140577373.html

[Glennron]

Well that would explain why I've never heard of Big Time Rush. I honestly just figured it was some country act or something.

 

Looking at Ticketmaster, it looks like lawn seats for The Beach Boys are only $10? I'm pretty sure if you buy them at the Marcus Box Office in person the fees are very minimal, if not non-existent. I can't imagine that not being worth it, even considering how old they appeared at The Grammy's.