POLL: What Does Summerfest Need Most?

James R Hoffa June 30, 2012 at 05:29 pm

Who doesn't love this guy?!?!

Angela June 30, 2012 at 05:56 pm

I love Ravinia! Much, much better than Summerfest! You've got me on that one, Bob! But I feel no need to apologize. I have a feeling you aren't frequenting Summerfest either.

Annie June 30, 2012 at 06:37 pm

Atleast a few Carnival Rides would be nice because that's what always gives some spice to a festival. I'm definetly a kid at heart and I certainly look forward to that part of festivals.

Dick at SCORE June 30, 2012 at 06:55 pm

Ditto, Jim Z. Didn't the symphony used to play on the fourth just before the fireworks?
Also for the holiday a guest US Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine band would be great! And remember when the Miller Oasis was the Miller Jazz Oasis? I also remember seeing great comedy standup at Summerfest. I saw Phil Collins's big band. Spirogyra. Pat Metheny. Roy Orbison. Whitney Houston. Jimmy Buffet. Even Henny Youngman! Yep. Now it's just another rock concert. Long on crowds, short on talent.

jack ryan June 30, 2012 at 07:07 pm

Have not gone in years so no input.

Bob McBride June 30, 2012 at 07:42 pm

I'll get down there once during the daytime for awhile. I enjoy the fact that not everyone dresses like they shop at Fayes or Simon Oliver or whatever. I can see that any day, all day in numerous locations on the NS if I so choose. As for the rest of it, it's geared towards people who enjoy all those other things and, if we're being honest, Angela, there was a time in life when we both looked forward to many of those things that now seem unappealing to us. There was a lot less asphalt in those days. Personally, I think it's an upgrade from mud.

Bren June 30, 2012 at 08:34 pm

I go to Summerfest when I get free tickets and VIP parking. Some years back I attended a bluegrass festival in Oxford, England and it has become my gold standard for what a music festival could be. There were recognized acts, emerging groups, all on parkland. The atmosphere was relaxed and music-centric. What I also found appealing was that the festival also attracted buskers. We rush past these individuals every day in the Tube and the streets, and quite a few are astonishingly talented. It was wonderful to see some of these individuals have the opportunity to perform at the festival, even in the pursuit of their vocation, and see people appreciate their musicianship. It also added a lot more music to the event program! When I go to Summerfest I get nostalgic for the best music festival I ever attended, but Summerfest has its own magic, too, especially at twilight when the sun recedes and the tar cools, and excitement for the big musical acts energizes the crowds.

Bob McBride June 30, 2012 at 09:13 pm

Why am I almost always reminded of this when you post, Bren?....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTJj4wbmAhk

James R Hoffa June 30, 2012 at 09:27 pm

Nothing worse than a lazy chestnut :-)

Greg June 30, 2012 at 09:51 pm

Ditto on the above, and Wayne Newton.

Kirsten Lee June 30, 2012 at 11:43 pm

Bring back the comedy stage. Put on more popular groups at earlier times. Vary the times so not all the crowds move at end of a performance. I would love to see Three Dog Night but am not willing to fight the drunks at midnight to get home. I remember when you could see popular groups at 8:00 and 9:00.

Cricket July 1, 2012 at 01:29 am

Everything in Wisconsin seems to have to have the alcohol component to it which is such a shame. I don't think people realize what an embarrassment it is. On that note, better parking, perhaps satellite parking with free trollies.

Karen July 1, 2012 at 11:40 am

I continue to enjoy Summerfest and have adjusted to most of the changes. I attended opening day in the afternoon and will make one or two more trips this week. I think the improvements to the grounds are appreciated by most. Food is ample and there is a nice variety, especially if you visit the ethnic village area. Whether it is healthy...I guess it's up to you. I have seen fruit bowls and salads available but not being ordered by too many festival goers. Certainly not worse than State Fair's fried food. Have never had problems with the bathrooms and they certainly have increased the number that are available from even ten years ago. I agree with wanting to see some better performers at an earlier time slot. It is too late to watch a 10:00 performance, navigate the crowds to the exits at closing time, get home after fighting traffic, and still wake up early the next day. Festivals seem to breed a culture of overserved, slobbering drunks. Can't understand why people can spend so much money on the drinks served at SF, Miller Park, and other outdoor celebrations...but they keep doing it.

Jill July 1, 2012 at 01:49 pm

Wow, what a bunch of party animals. Summerfest isn't about going to see only the bands you know, it's about experiencing the music you don't normally listen to; Broaden your horizons a little. You may not have heard of most of the bands, but who cares, that certainly doesn't mean you won't enjoy them. I wish they had more choices for alcohol, not everyone is a beer lover. JoJo's Martini tent is a favorite, and their drinks are the best! If you aren't willing to go out, have a good time and bump into a few people, then stay home, it's not that difficult. Of course, then you'd have nothing to bitch about.

Michelle July 1, 2012 at 03:28 pm

Just turned 40 and still luv summerfest! It's about listening to music you otherwise would not! People watching and the beautiful view! Or live your life complaining about everything..... Life's too short!

Cindy July 1, 2012 at 04:27 pm

While the new BMO is a beautiful venue, why did they do what they did with needing tickets? Free or not, its not what Summerfest is about. Also, if you're in the blue seats, you have a great view. If you're in the bleachers and people are standing, its not that great. If you're behind the bleachers, its horrible. Also, the area leading up to the BMO is on an upswing so if there is a large crowd outside of the bleachers, those in back have no chance of seeing anything. We were there for the Scorpions and I felt bad for those in back - and there were a LOT of people in back - they couldn't see anything! We could barely see and we started on the back barrier and ended up getting into the bleachers at the end of the show. While it looks beautiful, they should have thought about the shows that pull in larger crowds and those people that can't see anything.....

Matt Schroeder (Editor) July 1, 2012 at 07:38 pm

I went Thursday to see Foo Fighters and came away with two observations. One, I was stunned at the lack of stupid, obnoxious drunks that night. When the show was over at 11:30 my wife and I walked from Marcus all the way to the North Game, and we both remarked later on how benign the crowd was. Two, the Marcus could really use some technological upgrades. Couldn't get an internet connection and the video boards are too small. Interacting with a show like that can enhance the whole experience — odd, I know, when you pay that kind of money to end up looking at your smartphone or a video board. But welcome to the modern era, I guess.

Johnny Paycheck July 2, 2012 at 03:13 am

Summerfest most needs a brothel.

MDS July 2, 2012 at 04:14 am

More variety of music. Jazz, bluegrass, world music. Then don't schedule the best or similar bands all at the same time. This year the B-52's and Squeeze are both playing at the same time. They are the only "new wave" bands from the '80's playing Summerfest, and they are at the same time!
As for the food. Just some simple burgers, brats, mac & cheese, fish fry, would be fine. I don't go to Summerfest (or State Fair) for the food, I save that for going out to a nice sit down restaurant

Walker July 2, 2012 at 11:37 am

The best thing they ever did was get rid of the midway & all the gangbanger wannabees causing trouble there, hanging out & not spending money. You want canivall rides go to state fair. This is the world's largest music festival.

jackie July 2, 2012 at 12:00 pm

As I read amongst all of the post, I see that drinking is the major change people wanted to see. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, Like that will ever happen in WISCONSIN.

Taoist Crocodile July 2, 2012 at 12:30 pm

Oh, please. Summerfest is what it is - a place for hairy Caucasian losers to get wasted and crash into each other. Once again, a few belligerent white people have to ruin a good thing for the rest of us.

Taoist Crocodile July 2, 2012 at 12:34 pm

And I can say that because I'm white, and because I'm trying to keep the WISN tool shed happy. They're always calling for people to speak out against members of their own race.

Matt Schroeder (Editor) July 2, 2012 at 01:18 pm

Well, Johnny, that would probably end the complaints about the music, beer, food, security and transportation.

James R Hoffa July 2, 2012 at 02:42 pm

@Taoist -
So in other words, you're a liberal elitist with some unresolved racial guilt - good for you!

Jill Lane July 2, 2012 at 06:13 pm

Who keeps hiring the TBA band to play year after year, stage after stage?

Buddy Musko July 3, 2012 at 01:38 pm

Isnt generation Y a larger segment? And I am super glad summerfest has stopped pulling the majority of their acts from the state and county fair circuit.

Bob McBride July 3, 2012 at 01:50 pm

I've never met anyone who has actually seen them there either....curious...

Buddy Musko July 3, 2012 at 01:51 pm

The orginizers book a wide variety of bands and continue to make improvements to the grounds. The vast majority of these complaints have more to do with demographics than with the festival itself.
What 'summerfest needs most' is for the state of WI to embrace the culture and artistry of its beer heritage, to create a type of pride around it that goes beyond beer bongs and flip cup.

Mike July 8, 2012 at 01:59 am

I would like to thank all of the security at Summerfest. Many of them are simply college kids who are trying their best. Instead they get harrassed by drunks ( many of whom are underage). Also, thank you to MPD for their constant presence. Job well done!!