Machine Gun Kelly - Photo credit: Andy Argyrakis

Summerfest 2022

For the 54th edition of the World’s Largest Music Festival, Summerfest’s “Big Gig” returned to the June/July months in 2022.  After moving the festival to fall in 2021, Summerfest are back to early summer, while keepin the weekend format from the previous year.  In 2022, the three weekends (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays) took place June 23-25, June 30-July 2, and July 7-9.  As a result, there were two fewer days than the prior weeklong format. However, there was still plenty of music, food and fun, spanned throughout the 75-acre grounds on 12 different stages.

How I Selected the Days I Attended

Unfortunately, like most people in the world, work takes priority over pleasure.  Sadly, once again, I was unable to attend all nine days of Summerfest. In addition, the 100+ mile 2-hour one-way trip up north from the Chicago area needed to be considered with the cost of gasoline these days. With so many great artists performing each day, here’s what I helped me decide which days I was attending in 2022:

• My personal schedule, work, family, etc.
• Artists attending each day, trying to pick the days which had the most artists I wanted to see
• Weather forecasts, was it going to rain (although we know, weather can change so quickly)
• My friend’s availability to attend, as well at carpool

After careful consideration, I chose four days this year.  I selected two days from Summerfest Weekend 2: June 30 and July 2, along with two days from Summerfest Weekend 3: July 7 and July 9.

Summerfest 2022 Weekend 2 Headliners

2022 American Family Insurance Amphitheater Headliners:

Although a separate ticket is required for the headliners of the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, the artists are always a big draw for Summerfest. For Summerfest 2022 Weekend 2 the headliners included:

• 6/30: Disturbed with Lamb of God and Chevelle (Photo credit Ed Spinelli)
• 7/1: Machine Gun Kelly with Avril Lavigne (Photo credit Andy Argyrakis)
• 7/2: Halsey with Abby Roberts

Thursday, June 30, 2022

For me, Thursday was the first really hot day.  However, it was Throwback Thursday and fans who arrived between 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. took advantage of 50% off all beverages (excluding frozen drinks, specialty coffees, and smoothies). This was really helpful with staying hydrated.  Personally, I keep up with water, along with what I really look forward to each year, the ice cold fresh squeezed lemonade.  In addition, this particular Throwback Thursday included music throughout the decades featuring The FIXX, Tommy DeCarlo – Singer of Boston, Sir Mix-a-lot, Son Volt, and more.

Although I ran to 14 different stages Thursday, the main reason I selected Thursday, June 30th was because of three artists. First, Chicago’s very own, and personal friend, Nathan Graham with his band had a great crowd and performance at the Johnson Controls stage. The two other artists were performing back-to-back on the Generac Power Stage: Royal & the Serpent and GAYLE.  Not only are they both high energy alternative hip hop artists, but they have teamed up on the chart topping song, “ABCDEFU”. Would they perform together? Who’s set? Well, they did perform together late into GAYLE’s set.  However, at that point, I moved on to enjoy The Revivalists.

Other artists who highlighted the day were:

• Mindi Abair saxophonist and vocalist
• Motherfolk

Saturday, July2, 2022

An early Saturday performance by Here Come the Mummies had the crowd ready for some funk rock music.  For a 3:30 pm performance, the Generac Power Stage was packed with those who wanted to “bend their brain, and melt their face” by Here Come the Mummies.  The early crowd was rewarded with a fantastic performance.

Highlights of the day include:

• Folk artists, Houndmouth followed by Mt. Joy at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard stage
• Bodeans crowd overflowing out of the Johnson Controls World Stage
• Taking Back Sunday headlining Generac Power stage

Summerfest 2022 Weekend 2 – Conclusion

Summerfest 2022 Weekend 2 was extremely warm weather. However, I’d say the music that weekend was even hotter.  A big thank you goes out to my good concert photography friends, Ed Spinelli and Andy Argyrakis.  Not only was it great conversations carpooling back and forth to Summerfest, but these guys helped me out in a pinch covering artists performing on American Family Insurance Amphitheater stage.

Next up, Summerfest Weekend 3!

For more details, visit Summerfest.com, Facebook.com/summerfest or Twitter: @Summerfest.

Summerfest 2022 Weekend 2 – Photo Gallery