This last week I had the chance to take part in one heck of an opportunity. More than six months ago a friend and I decided we needed to do something big this summer. Something to remember and worth talking about for a long time. When it came to brainstorming ideas, it was a quick and easy choice that it was going to involve a concert of some degree. The ticket search began, and while Kansas City has a killer music scene, we wanted something a bit bigger. Search after search nothing quite stood out then there it was, the perfect show. Summerfest 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is where I’m writing this article now.
It was easy to be drawn to the show by names well known in each of their respected genres. Maybe you like country, alternative, classic rock, punk, or even the sounds of the native Andes Mountains (No joke, check it out sometime) Summerfest has it all. There was though a very particular aspect of the festival that drew me in at first and got me completely hooked while I was here. New and hopeful musicians. All day long sounds of new bands and new music fill the air leading up to phenomenal headliners. Through their voice and music, you can hear something different than what a lot of the successful big names present. The sound, emotions, and lyrics present a love and passion sometimes lost within success. In their riffs and choruses, you hear a dream and an ambition. It is motivating and hands down addicting. It may be easy to look past the new guys, but remember that even your favorite stadium-sellout band had to find their start in the survival of the fittest world that is music.
Every day, new artists are emerging and hoping for that chance or that one big break to make a name for themselves. To be known. To have a shot. Garage concerts, sidewalk shows, and playing for any amount of money to be thrown their way. Soon enough they start piecing a direction to follow and obtainable short term goals for the bigger dream. They upgrade from their garage solos to gigs at a local bar or being a cover band for some 12-year old’s birthday party. That’s where it begins. Gig after gig they push for their break and Summerfest creates that amazing opportunity on scale almost unmatched among any other festival. The unique aspect is not only are they performing in front of thousands, they are rubbing shoulders with their idols, the ones who have made it. Only here will you sit down to listen to a Band pushing each day Like Orange County based band, The Brevet, and be sitting next to World Touring band, Young the Giant. Because here, the musicians are pushing one another and guiding each other through and through. In their eyes, success doesn’t belong to one person for them to decide who gets a piece and who doesn’t, but it is to shared and given to anyone willing to strive and push to obtain it. How do they get that success? It’s not just through great song writing or the ability to write great lyrics. The greatest determining factor isn’t even anything established within their ability. It’s all on us. The Listeners. Imagine this, the musicality, lyrics, and all around song-writing of Queen never being exposed because no one listened to it and began to spread them around. That is an idea that sends a chill and sadness through my spine.
As listeners we have a very special and powerful responsibility. We may not be aware of it, but that song we buy *cough buy it* doesn’t just go into our music library and that’s the end of it. No. We are chipping away a small piece of what could be a masterpiece of a career for musicians. When you find a great to new song or artist, tell everyone you can. 1 can become millions. Become a fan of the lesser known and support this emerging performers. Summerfest is one of those many ways you can. For almost 12 hours each of the three days I attended, it was new band after new band on the big stages and even better yet, as I walked around there were countless numbers of canopies, huts, pavilions, and ledges giving home to a performer and an open container slowly filling up with donations and tips. I even overheard a conversation while walking past a larger show and the group said that they started just like that, playing on the sidewalk or in an open space just hoping someone would give a dollar here or there so they knew they would have their rent paid or get to eat. Now they are going on world tours and living their dreams. We make a bigger difference than we know. We can make the dreams of others become a reality. All that has to happen is for us to give them the chance.
My first experience at Summerfest and hopefully not my last was more than I could have ever asked for. It was a weekend spent with a best friend taking part in the most powerful thing in life. Music. Some may argue that love holds that title but music is on a level all it’s own. The powerhouse bands inspire the breakout artists and these inspire the newly heard hopefuls. Milwaukee is doing its part to bring these names to the top for 49 years now and I hope they keep going for another 100 because they are changing the scene and paving a way for “I wish…” into “I did…” and in my book, that is really an awesome ability. To us as listeners, keep listening and sharing. Keep getting to shows early enough for the opener. Never avoid the festival. Always show your support in whatever way you can. The size of the steps doesn’t matter, it all in the fact that you’re still moving. It could be as simple as following them on Twitter or Instagram or buying an EP they hope will be a part of an eventual album. Support the emerging artist.
