Stage: The US Cellular Stage(4/6) I would call this the best stage outside of the Marcus Amphitheater on the Summerfest grounds. A relatively clear sound system, beautiful lighting and a restricted number of people make for a much more enjoyable setting than the larger stages. However, it is also large enough to accommodate some of the more popular bands
Acts:
Ducky and the Vintage (3/6): Seeing on the fedora and vest, I expected a pretentious indie sound (witch is more prevalent in their recorded stuff) Instead it was something that more closely resembled alternative rock. Ducky and the Vintage had a lot of accidental noise in their instrumentation. I attribute this to their lack of coordination and utter lack of training on their instruments. Maybe I caught them on a bad day.
Don’t get me wrong; I don’t mind the lo-fi sound. I grew up on bands like Nirvana; I am quite acquainted with that style. Rather than the slurred, gravel of grunge, Ducky had muddy, sloppy vocals and imprecise guitar work. There was talent under there somewhere, but I feel that front man (dude) should either play or sing, not both. I have no doubt he could do either, but lacks the coordination to do both.
The set also had too many gaps in it, for an opening band that is a death sentence.
Ours (Flash warning!) (5/6): (shortened, as I was distracted during much of the performance)
Hello, dolly. Jimmy Gnecco has a young voice and a fresh face with stellar presence and confidence. I was shocked to learn this band had been around since the 90s as Gnecco looks so young. Carrying a distinctive voice and a confidant presence, it is no wonder Ours draws the number of fans it does. The instrumentation was polished and coordinated as well as being innovative.
Where they lose points is the lack of energy. While there was a lot of movement on stage they didn’t draw the crowd in particularly well.
Bush: (4/6)
Over this Summerfest, I have seen two genre defining legends—the foo fighters and bush. Front man Gavin Rossdale has wonderful presence and grace. His smile is infectious when it appears and utterly sincere. The show felt both intimate and expansive. With their deep roots in 90s grunge, Bush’s guitar work was art and the deep bass was palpable under the skin. While I can hear echoes of Nirvana in their earlier work, Bush has continued to be a powerhouse of post-grunge self-discovery. Rossdale also worked with the crowd like a true professional- constantly among the audience, playing directly to them, working with the crowd sings and gracious. I think that nearly losing his career really made him step up his game. It was an honor to hear them play.
Where I was most suppressed was that Bush is still talented a decade after their heyday. Rossdale has lost none of his talent, if anything age has made his voice more gravely lending itself further to the post grunge sound.
Chris Traynor and Rossdale had a surprisingly strong report considering that he is a newer member. They played together as though they were old friends.
Corey Britz’s bass work was magical and held together large portions of the set. Including a bass solo, not something that is common at all.
Their drummer was positively amazing and rounded out the pounding low end that makes grunge what it is.
I look forward to them making a comeback.
Acts:
Ducky and the Vintage (3/6): Seeing on the fedora and vest, I expected a pretentious indie sound (witch is more prevalent in their recorded stuff) Instead it was something that more closely resembled alternative rock. Ducky and the Vintage had a lot of accidental noise in their instrumentation. I attribute this to their lack of coordination and utter lack of training on their instruments. Maybe I caught them on a bad day.
Don’t get me wrong; I don’t mind the lo-fi sound. I grew up on bands like Nirvana; I am quite acquainted with that style. Rather than the slurred, gravel of grunge, Ducky had muddy, sloppy vocals and imprecise guitar work. There was talent under there somewhere, but I feel that front man (dude) should either play or sing, not both. I have no doubt he could do either, but lacks the coordination to do both.
The set also had too many gaps in it, for an opening band that is a death sentence.
Ours (Flash warning!) (5/6): (shortened, as I was distracted during much of the performance)
Hello, dolly. Jimmy Gnecco has a young voice and a fresh face with stellar presence and confidence. I was shocked to learn this band had been around since the 90s as Gnecco looks so young. Carrying a distinctive voice and a confidant presence, it is no wonder Ours draws the number of fans it does. The instrumentation was polished and coordinated as well as being innovative.
Where they lose points is the lack of energy. While there was a lot of movement on stage they didn’t draw the crowd in particularly well.
Bush: (4/6)
Over this Summerfest, I have seen two genre defining legends—the foo fighters and bush. Front man Gavin Rossdale has wonderful presence and grace. His smile is infectious when it appears and utterly sincere. The show felt both intimate and expansive. With their deep roots in 90s grunge, Bush’s guitar work was art and the deep bass was palpable under the skin. While I can hear echoes of Nirvana in their earlier work, Bush has continued to be a powerhouse of post-grunge self-discovery. Rossdale also worked with the crowd like a true professional- constantly among the audience, playing directly to them, working with the crowd sings and gracious. I think that nearly losing his career really made him step up his game. It was an honor to hear them play.
Where I was most suppressed was that Bush is still talented a decade after their heyday. Rossdale has lost none of his talent, if anything age has made his voice more gravely lending itself further to the post grunge sound.
Chris Traynor and Rossdale had a surprisingly strong report considering that he is a newer member. They played together as though they were old friends.
Corey Britz’s bass work was magical and held together large portions of the set. Including a bass solo, not something that is common at all.
Their drummer was positively amazing and rounded out the pounding low end that makes grunge what it is.
I look forward to them making a comeback.
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