Summerfest 2024: Weekend 1 Recap - Opening Weekend Energy

7 Jul, 2024 John Kosiewicz Alternative, Blues, Concert Reviews, Country, Folk, Hip Hop, Indie, Metal, Pop, R&B, Rap, Rock, Soul

Brittany Howard - Photo credit: John Kosiewicz

56th Summerfest 2024 Weekend 1

Milwaukee’s Summerfest 2024 kicked off with a bang, delivering an eclectic mix of musical talent across three incredible days. I was able to attend two of these three days, Thursday and Saturday. From local Chicago bands and fiery indie acts to seasoned festival veterans, Weekend 1 set the tone with nonstop energy, diverse genres, and memorable performances. Despite stormy weather on June 22, the festival spirit remained strong, offering a photo-worthy start to the nine-day celebration.

Summerfest 2024 Headliners: Weekend 1

2024 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 2024 Weekend 1, the headliners included:

6/20: Kane Brown (with Kameron Marlowe & Nightly)
6/21: Mötley Crüe (with Seether & Buckcherry)
6/22: SZA (with Aminé)

🎶 Day 1 – June 20: Nonstop Music and New Discoveries

The festival launched under perfect weather—sunshine, great music, and thousands of eager fans. My first stop was Neptune’s Core (see gallery here), a rising Chicago-area band I’ve photographed twice before at Metro and most recently at Winnetka Music Festival the weekend prior. Their familiar presence and dynamic set made for the perfect start to my Summerfest experience.

From there, the day turned into a whirlwind of performances. Beauty School Dropout brought a surge of energy, keeping the crowd on their feet with their high-octane set. Over at the Tiki Hut, Whitney Rose delivered a soulful, intimate performance, while Julien Kozak showcased his artistry at the WAMI Stage.

The War and Treaty, a band I was eager to finally see live, did not disappoint. Their powerful vocals and emotional performance were a standout of the day. Also, I caught Brittany Howard, frontwoman of Alabama Shakes, whose commanding stage presence and soulful sound made a lasting impression.

The day wrapped with Mindi Abair, whose saxophone-driven jazz-rock fusion was a festival highlight. Having seen her twice before at Summerfest, I was thrilled to capture her and her band once again.

🌧️ Day 2 – June 22: Rain or Shine, the Music Played On

Despite a rain-delayed start, the festival moved forward in full swing. My first stop was at the Tiki Hut to see Brooklynn Marti, a rising artist I first photographed at Summerfest 2023. Her performance proved that small stages can hold big talent, making for a great opening set.

The day continued with familiar favorites and exciting new finds. I caught Here Come the Mummies for the third time, once again capturing their quirky funk-rock spectacle. The festival also gave me the chance to finally see Diet Lite, a Milwaukee local band I had been wanting to photograph for some time. Their set was packed with raw energy and local pride, making it worth the wait.

Before the evening took a stormy turn, I photographed Shovels & Rope, Little Stranger (whom I previously caught opening for Andy Frasco & The U.N.), and Happy Landing. Each act added its own flavor to the diverse lineup.

Unfortunately, around 8:00 PM, a severe storm rolled in, forcing attendees to take cover. With forecasts predicting hours of rain, I made the call to leave early and head back to Chicago. Ironically, the storm dissipated sooner than expected, allowing some artists to perform later.

📸 Weekend 1 Through the Lens

From sun-soaked performances to unexpected rain delays, Weekend 1 of Summerfest 2024 was packed with diverse artists, high-energy sets, and memorable photo moments. The festival’s signature mix of local talent and big-name acts made it an unforgettable start to the season.

🔗 Explore the Complete Summerfest 2024 Experience

Relive the entire journey with our comprehensive recaps:

🎶 Weekend 1 Recap: Opening Weekend Energy
🎤 Weekend 2 Recap: Mid-Festival Magic
🎵 Weekend 3 Recap: Closing Weekend Highlights