MY GUIDE TO THE 2022 BIG GIG
There’s a cycle that you go through as a fan of live music / creatives / musicians / concerts; however you want to identify your desired fun; if you’re a concert goer; even if only as a casual; in this town; there’s a rising action period where your excited that SUMMERFEST, the self proclaimed (possibly supported by hard data also) largest music festival in the world is right around the corner. The weather is starting to break; the sports world is transitioning from NBA Playoffs into the heart of tailgating and baseball season; bbq fumes take over the air; school is out. Summer is here. And each year I get my hopes up for what I feel would be the perfect rubix cube combination of artists and acts that fit my personal palette and wish list. And the reality of it is; for a number of reasons, Summerfest is not that festival for me. But they do a damn good job of running a logistical masterpiece and by pure chance they book some acts that I definitely would like to see. So in honor of Summerfest 2022 kicking off today; here are a list of acts that you may or may not see me checking out this year:
BIG BOI - June 23rd @ Briggs & Straton Big Backyard Stage | 10pm
I think we all would rather see him accompanied by his longtime partner in rhyme Andre3K and they perform as OUTKAST; but Big Boi is a legend and pioneer as a solo act in his own right. Bring on the energy and live instrumentation; not a bad way to kick off the festival at all.
DJ GEMINI GILLY - June 23rd @ Johnson Controls World Stage | 9:30pm
The homie. Gilly has been on a rampage over the past year+ and is showing no signs of slowing down. If you really from the city you already know this one is a non-negotiable.
LIL WAYNE / WIZ KHALIFA / WU-TANG CLAN - June 25th @ American Family Amphitheater | 7:30pm
Summerfest has outdone themselves with this one. 3 different generations of Rap Superstardom all under one stage on the same night. I can’t wait. Something like this has never been done at Summerfest and I am definitely here for it.
ANTHONY HAMILTON - June 30th @ BMO Harris Pavilion | 9:30pm
It’s already cookout season. Only one thing is missing is that game of dominos, a sprinkle of loud and unnecessary shit talking and yup you guessed it…Anthony MF Hamilton blasting loud as ever as you make you way back to your lawn chair after your second plate and forth beer.
2CHAINZ - July 1st @ US Cellular | 10pm
I know we throw that “real” word around alot. But Chainz not only championed the term a few years back through his TRU (The REAL University) campaign; he is someone who I genuinely want to see win and continue to root for regardless of what his latest project sounds like. Even though I prefer the B sides / trap storytelling side of Chainz; it is more his commercial / crossover success that makes him one of the better bookings Summerfest has made this cycle.
CORINNE BAILEY RAE - July 7th @ Uline Warehouse Stage | 7:30pm
Before I knew exactly who Corinne Bailey Rae was I used to jam out to some of her music when I worked at the Lady Footlocker at my local mall in high school. She got some hits for sure and an even better voice.
BOYS II MEN - July 7th @ Uline Warehouse Stage | 9:30pm
Legends in the flesh. I know ya’ll heard that SOULFOOD Soundtrack. The crowd at this stage will definitely be fun. Nothing like feel good music live and old guys serenading ladies who probably had their poster in the inside of their middle school lockers.
CORDAE - July 8th @ Miller Oasis Stage | 10:15pm
Cordae is a young emcee that is rather refreshing; he just shows up as a genuinely good kid that is a student of the game. You can tell he studies his craft; a historian of the culture in rapper form. From his appreciation of NAS, to his recent collaboration with Stevie Wonder on his latest ‘From A Birds Eye View’ LP; I’ll be there to see how he controls a festival sized crowd. Hoping for an appearance from superstar girlfriend and mogul Naomi Osaka.
FRENCH MONTANA - July 9th @ BMO Harris Pavilion | 9:30
Honestly, not the biggest French fan; but I’ll admit he has a keen knack for finding himself on a BIG record. For that reason alone I’m sure his set will have you feeling as if his contributions to hip-hop are a bit underrated. Either way; I’m here for one of the ad-lib goats and this booking in itself is a stretch by normal Summerfest standards so I gotta’ show up and hope for more similarly “risky” bookings in the future.