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Expert in a Dying Field (2022) by The Beths

Summerfest has been a yearly tradition in my household. What started as a 10 day festival has turned into a three weekend affair. I was able to squeeze in a few days this year. I caught a few days of the last weekend and I'm sure glad I did.

July 2nd, I went with my sister and her granddaughter. The Ocean Blue kicked things off. Needed to get to the Fest by 3:30 for this. Pulling tracks from most of their releases in an hour set was an amazing feat. Adding Brian Tighe of The Hang Ups on sax, keyboards, and back up vocals was an extra treat. Closing their set with "Between Something and Nothing" was a crowd highlight.

Next up, Sunflower Bean. I saw them at Summerfest many years ago, I think when they first hit the scene. A rockin' three piece that didn't disappoint. Lead singer Julia Cumming dedicated her set to her mother who recently passed away. She shared about how her mother was from Wisconsin and how she sang in a 50s cover band during the 70s.

Blondshell, the biggest surprise to me, was next. Excellent harmonies that gave me a "Stevie Nicks with a kick" vibe.

The Beths were the other reason I wanted to go this day. Speaking of harmonies, how about four part harmonies?? They rocked through tracks mostly from their latest album, but pulled many from their catalogue. I have to admit, when the new album came out, I wasn't too impressed. But man, hearing these tracks live made me a firm believer.

July 3rd, I went with my other sister and my son. Milwaukee's greatest New Wave cover band, Radio Radio, blew me away. Joy Division's "Transmission," Echo & The Bunnymen's "The Cutter," A Flock Of Seagulls' "Modern Love Is Automatic," and The Cure's "A Forest" are just a few of the hits from their hourlong set. What I liked most about their covers was that they made them their own, not just trying to mimic the originals.

The other highlight of the day was seeing The Heavy Heavy. I caught them a few years ago in Oshkosh as an opening act, but this was a lot better. Ten jamming songs in roughly an hour that included two new songs according to lead singer Georgie Fuller. Continuing the great vocals theme, more four part harmonies that blew us away.