Country Music Takes Over The 55th Summerfest

The opening weekend of the 55th annual Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI was nothing short of a spectacular display of music, food, and entertainment. With its beginnings dating back to 1968, Summerfest has since evolved into the largest music festival in the world, attracting people from all corners of the globe. As I arrived at the venue, the bustling crowds, colorful lights, and festive atmosphere immediately welcomed me into what was to be a memorable day. With an incredible lineup of performers, this festival did not disappoint music enthusiasts of all ages. This annual event is not just any festival but one that holds immense historical significance. It started way back in 1968 as an attempt to bridge the gap between the music genres in the country. And over time, it grew into an extraordinary platform that celebrates and brings together all kinds of music genres, ranging from country, hip hop, rock, reggae, and everything in between.

Kirstie Kraus: The Summerfest Icon

Kirstie Kraus took center stage and owned it. She may have been the only woman to grace the lineup on the Briggs & Stratton stage, but her sound and style proved that she could easily stand out among her male counterparts. Her energy and stage presence was incredible, and I was struck by how well she connected with the audience, giving shoutouts to the audience and engaging with them between each song. She even told the Summerfest crowd about her first concert. Growing up not far from Summerfest in WI, she traveled to Milwaukee when she was 7 and attended Leann Rimes at Summerfest. Now with a set of her own, it has come full circle. Kirstie Kraus proved that she is an icon at Summerfest. The country rock star was beyond electrifying as she gave an energetic performance that resonated with her loyal fan base and won the hearts of new fans alike.

Kidd G: The Young and Talented Artist

The 17-year-old Kidd G proved that he is indeed a prodigy and made a lasting impression with his smooth rap flow and excellent performance on stage. When KIDD G took the stage there was a rush of teenage kids all trying to get close to the stage for what I thought was an unbelievable performance. KIDD G was very authentic and his fans at times sang louder than him. The rising star impressed the audience with his distinct and unique sound, backed up by catchy hooks that captivated the audience. As he danced across the stage, Kidd G's set had everyone on their feet and hyped up, rapping along to the lyrics of his new unreleased tracks & some crowd favorites. Despite being one of the youngest performers on the bill, his style and lyrics were well beyond his years. His trap-inspired sound resonated with the younger crowd & had the teens in the audience bouncing up and down while being caught in the moment. His edgy persona and distinctive vocal style were a perfect counterpoint to Brett Eldridge's more traditional country sound, showing the range of genres that Summerfest celebrates. The young artist displayed immense potential, and it was apparent that he has a bright future in the industry.

Austin Snell: The Rock Virtuoso

Austin Snell took over after Kidd G, providing a great segue to a more rock-influenced sound. Austin Snell's smooth guitar licks coupled with his gritty voice were captivating and brought the songs to life. The young artist took everyone by surprise with his awe-inspiring talent, with a band to match. The guitar skills, & the beat of the drummer he brought with him were unmatched. His grunge rock style resonated with the crowd and brought back nostalgic feelings for those a little older than the KIDD G crowd. The blend of Austin's signature sound and his excellent performance captivated the audience, making them rock out along with Austin & his band. The whole band's presence on stage was infectious, with each member bringing their unique flavor to the table. The audience loved it, and the clapping hands and foot-tapping were hard to ignore. It was at this moment that I realized that Summerfest truly has something for everyone.

Brett Eldridge: The Country Crooner

The opening act, Brett Eldridge, took to the stage with an incredible energy that ignited the crowd from the get-go. As he sang some of his biggest hits like "Drunk on Your Love," his soulful voice, coupled with the blaring band in the background, transported me to another dimension.

"Oh, Milwaukee. I know you like to get drunk."

Eldridge was a master at engaging the audience and he knew exactly how to work the crowd to keep them on their feet, with his authentic country charm. His set was marked by powerful vocals and great energy that swept across the crowd. He belted out his famous hits like 'Lose My Mind' and 'Beat of the Music.' It was an extraordinary moment when Brett took a few moments to speak about his inspiration, his parents, who had instilled in him a passion for country music from an early age, as well as thanking them for teaching him about life and love. Brett’s parents were in attendance, celebrating 45 years of marriage, and he dedicated “The Long Way” to them. Brett had a full circle moment himself, as he mentioned the first time, he played Summerfest at 1 PM in the afternoon, now here he is headlining and drawing the biggest crowd of the day at the ground stages. Brett Eldridge certainly lived up to his expectations as the crowd went wild and sang along to his soulful melodies.

One of the most intriguing facts I learned about Summerfest was that it started off as a 10-day festival, but now has grown into an 11-day event, drawing over 700,000 visitors annually. In its 55-year history, Summerfest has hosted a variety of well-known artists, including Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Metallica, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Chesney, Aerosmith, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Usher and Dave Matthews Band.

Brett Eldridge Setlist

"Good Day"
"Don't Ya"
"Get Out of My House"
"Gabrielle"
"Love Someone"
"Cinnamon"
"Drunk on Your Love"
"Hideaway"
"The Long Way"
"Holy Water"
"I Feel Fine"
"Lose My Mind"
"The Reason"
"Wanna Be That Song"

Encore
"The One You Need"
"Beat of the Music"

Brett Eldridge Setlist

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