Summer Music Preview 2022

Northwoods Blues Festival

WORDS BY PARKER REED • PHOTOS BY SCOTIFY + TY HELBACH + BRANDEN NALL + MARK OLIVER + MARCIE PANNELL + DON TOLIN + TAYLOR SMITH

Blue Ox MUSIC FESTIVAL

WHEN: JUNE 23-25

WHERE: WHISPERING PINES CAMPGROUND, EAU CLAIRE TICKETS: $80-$215

One of the most unique festivals in the Chippewa Valley, in terms of both setting and lineup, is the Blue Ox Music Festival. The event takes place at Whispering Pines Campground, where pine trees and sunsets create a perfectly idyllic setting for an eclectic collection of the finest country and bluegrass performers. Performers stopping by the welcoming Whispering Pines Campground this year include favorities Pert Near Sandstone, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bela Fleck My Bluegrass Heart, Railroad Earth, and the Sam Bush Band. Rounding out this year’s lineup will be Punch Brothers, Paul Cauthen, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Cedric Burnside, Daniel Donato, and local favorites Them Coulee Boys, among others.

In addition to the toe tappin’ sets, Blue Ox offers other activities to enjoy like a soothing Soul Sanctu ary, instrument workshops, late-night performances on the Backwoods Stage, art installations, and fam ily friendly entertainment for the kiddos. For more information visit blueoxmusicfestival.com.

Country Fest

WHEN: JUNE 23-25

WHERE: FESTIVAL GROUNDS, CADOTT

TICKETS: $95-$595

Year after year after year (in fact it’s more like 30+ years), Cadott staple Country Fest has brought tons of seriously huge names in country music to our fair Valley, and there’s no sign it will stop anytime soon. This year’s all about sunshine and good times with a killer lineup of country stars including Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Lee Brice, Chase Rice, Gabby Barrett, Locash, Dylan Scott, Mitchell Tenpenny, Sara Evans, Michael Ray, Rodney Atkins, and dozens more of country’s biggest acts. Throughout the festival there will be music on four different stages, including a local stage featuring Branded, among others. There will be a Wednesday night kickoff event for three-day ticket holders as well featuring an exclusive headline performance by Phil Vassar.

Throughout the country-fried festival, there will also be games, hammocks, and other things to keep you entertained all week end long. For more information visit countryfest.com.

Jimmie Allen AT COUNTRY FEST 2019

Sam Bush

LATE NIGHT Campground Stage

BLUE OX 2017

Rock Fest

WHEN: JULY 13-16

WHERE: FESTIVAL GROUNDS, CADOTT TICKETS: $95-$575

Many years ago, the rock gods blessed a patch of land in central Wisconsin, saw that it was good, and every year since, Rock Fest has brought undeni able rock ’n’ roll legends to the Chippewa Valley for four days worth of headbangin’ anthems. This year is no exception as Rock Fest and its widespread community of rock fans welcome the likes of Disturbed, Shinedown, Eva nescence, Mudvayne, Halestorm, Lamb of God, Jelly Roll, Skillet, Nothing More, From Ashes to New, Spiritbox, Black Veil Brides, Warrant, Firehouse, and Otherwise to continue the legend. Add to that a few killer tribute bands, tattoo parlors aplenty, local acts like Motherwind, and even a chapel of love, and you’ll get it: Rock Fest is not to be missed. Oh, and if you buy a threeday ticket, you’ll get to enjoy their Wednesday night Bonus Bash featuring Islander, Lita Ford, and nearly a dozen other acts.

And when you’re taking a break from the bangers, enjoy live profession al wresting, giant games, relaxation stations, and tons of other attrac tions. For more information visit rock-fest.com.

ROCK FEST 2021

Tommy Vext AT ROCK FEST 2021

Country Jam

WHEN: JULY 21-23

WHERE: COUNTRY JAM USA FAIRGROUNDS, EAU CLAIRE

TICKETS: $99-$4,000

For the annual celebration of all things country – from the cowboy boots to the beer – Jam is a country lover’s dream, and it’s just a couple of miles outside Eau Claire. For 2022, Country Jam continues its legacy of garnering huge names in country music to celebrate summer in our own backyard. This year they’ve got Cody Johnson, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, Scotty McCreery, Clay Walker, Jordan Davis, Dia mond Rio, Larry Fleet, Eric Chesser, Jimmie Allen, Elvie Shane, Chris Lane, Tracy Byrd, Ashley Cooke, and local celebrity (and The Voice alumnus) Chris Kroeze stopping by the friendly Chippewa Valley festival.

While all the music is chugging along, you’ll also have access to plentiful food and drink options, including some of the finest alcoholic beverages this side of Leinenkugel’s. And don’t you worry, the best party is always in the camp ground, with spots available right now. For the pure Wiscon sinite inside you, there’s nothing quite like Country Jam. For more information visit countryjamwi.com.

COUNTRY JAM 2019

Toby Keith AT COUNTRY JAM 2019

Blues on the Chippewa

WHEN: AUGUST 4-6

WHERE: DOWNTOWN DURAND

TICKETS: FREE

One of the area’s bluesiest annual festivals is back with one its most impressive lineups to date. This year Durand is bringing blues artists Pokey Lafarge, Malina Moye, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, Cros, Left Wing Bourbon, and local legends Howard Luedtke & Blue Max, among others.

A unique aspect of of the festival is it is free for all to attend, with organizers urging fans to make donations throughout the weekend to support various charities. In the past, they’ve supported the Durand Food Pantry, Pepin County Humane Society, senior citizens programs, and the Pepin County Historical Society. It’s shaping up to be another memorable year for the bolstering event. For more information visit bluesonthechippewa.com.

One Fest

WHEN: JULY 29-31

WHERE: N. WIS. FAIRGROUNDS, C.F.

TICKETS: $35-$80

This family-friendly Christian music festival brings some big names in con temporary Christian music to perform alongside local acts. Taking place at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in Chippewa Falls, this praisewor thy festival is bringing Crowder, Sidewalk Prophets, Maddie Rey, Matthew West, Mac Powell, Tasha Layton, Austin French, Eagle Brook Music, One Way North, and others to the Chippewa Valley. There will also be a slew of family friendly options available for kiddos as well. For more information visit one-fest.com.

Ashley for the Arts

WHEN: AUGUST 11-13

WHERE: MEMORIAL PARK, ARCADIA

TICKETS: $15

Every year, Ashley Furniture throws a huge three-day party and gives tons of money to nonprofits to celebrate their success in their hometown of Arcadia. Ashley

For The Arts always sports one of the most interesting lineup of musical headliners in the Valley, and 2022 continues that trend with acts including Brantley Gil bert, Train, Morgan Wade, Night Ranger, Cole Swindell, Brooks & Dunn, Danielle Bradbery, and Phillip Phillips. They’ve even got some hot local artists on tap as well, including Arch Allies, Tuned Up, and Wisconsin’s own The Voice alumnus, Chris Kroeze.

See some awesome music, run the 5K, check out the car show, ride in a hot-air balloon, and bring the whole fam ily for a family-friendly weekend of appreciation for the arts. For more information visit ashleyforthearts.com.

Front Row views

ASHLEY FOR THE ARTS 2019

BLUES

BUILDING 429 AT ONE FEST 2019

Lady A AT ASHLEY FOR THE ARTS 2019

out Music Festivals

WORTH THE DRIVE

1. SummerFest

June 23-25, June 30-July 2, July 7-9 • Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee • summerfest.com • Billed as the “World’s Largest Music Festival,” the iconic Summerfest boasts an incredible lineup of top-notch headliners featuring Jason Aldean, Justin Bieber, Machine Gun Kelly, Disturbed, and many, many more.

2. Rock the Garden

June 11 • Walker Arts Center, Minneapolis • walkerart.org • Held at the beauti ful and newly renovated Walker Arts Center, this one-day festival has a killer lineup with performances by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and Sleater-Kinney.

3. Pitchfork

July 15-17• Union Park, Chicago • pitchforkmusicfestival.com • A music festival in Chicago hosted by the Pitchfork music publication. Includes performances by The National, Mitski, Japanese Breakfast, The Roots, and many more.

4. Mile of Music

Aug. 4-7 • Appleton • mileofmusic.com • Appleton’s downtown music festi val includes 900 live musical sets, 70 venues, all in one mile of great music. There’s a whole mile of safe, walkable, no-cover charge events to explore. All original music from various genres like indie rock, country, soul, R&B, jazz, folk, and more. Plus check out craft shops, restaurants, and cafes.

5. Lollapalooza

July 28-31 • Grant Park, Chicago • lollapalooza.com • One of the country’s biggest music festivals, Lollapalooza has been serving up great talent since ’91. Performances by Metallica, Dua Lipa, Machine Gun Kelly, J. Cole, Big Sean, Green Day, Doja Cat, Jazmine Sullivan, Glass Animals, The Kid Laroi, Charli XCX, Royal Blood, Willow, Coin, Jane’s Addiction, and dozens more.

MEANS MUSIC

Music Over Menomin

JUN 29: HGT BAND

JUL 6: THE RADDIES

BY JAMES JOHONNOTT • PHOTOS BY SCOTIFY

Sounds Like Summer Concert Series

THURSDAYS AT 6PM

PHOENIX PARK • EAU CLAIRE

Volume

annual downtown

Tuesday Night Blues

TUESDAYS AT 6:30PM

OWEN PARK • EAU CLAIRE

THURSDAYS AT 7PM

MENOMONIE PUBLIC LIBRARY • MENOMONIE

The Menomonie Public Library hosts this awesome annual concert series which brings together tons of music fans and artists to Menomonie for a celebration of the rich Chippe wa Valley music scene.

JUN

MOJO LEMON BLUES BAND

JUL 13: MARGARITVILLE

JUL 20: BIG DEEKS

JUL 27: 40 FINGERS

AUG 3: 2ND TIME AROUND

AUG 10: CITY LIMITS

AUG 17: SAGE

AUG 24: DIVIDED HIGHWAY

AUG 31: THE THUNDERMEN

Claire

a couple thou sand music-loving

music,

JUN

THE BLUES

JOYANN PARKER

TWEED BAND

KELLY

BENTZ

WILLIAM PERRY

STULO BAND

LUEDTKE

& SOUL COLOSSAL

GEISINGER BAND

JUN

JUN

HOME GROWN TOMATOES

SUE ORFIELD BAND

JUN 30: DAWN MARIE

JUL 7:  PATCHOULI & TERRA GUITARRA

JUL 14:  THE CUTAWAYS

JUL 21: OLD SOUL SOCIETY

JUL 28: TAKE2DAY

AUG 4: CATHY REITZ & THE 7SWING

AUG 11: NORTH OF DIXIE

Rock 'N On The River Summer Concert Series

WEDNESDAYS AT 6:30PM

RIVER PRAIRIE PARK • ALTOONA

This new concert series comes to the River Prairie Park ampitheater in Altoona that focuses on rock music, whether originals or some near-anddear classic favorites from yesteryear.

JUN 15: THE THUNDERMEN

JUN

OUTLAND

kickin ' it country Summer Concert Series

MONDAYS AT 6:30PM

RIVER PRAIRIE PARK • ALTOONA

TUEDAY

Sunday Summer Concert Series at Riverfront Park

SUNDAYS AT 6PM

RIVERFRONT PARK

Check

JUN

CHIPPEWA

Durand Music In The Park

EVERY FOURTH

WEDNESDAY AT 6:30PM

MEMORIAL PARK • DURAND

Don’t

JUN

TOMATOES

Eau Claire Municipal Band

WEDNESDAYS AT 7:30PM

Colfax Music

In The Park

THURSDAYS AT 7PM

TOWER PARK • COLFAX

OWEN PARK • EAU CLAIRE

Witness the Eau Claire Municipal Band and it’s Sousa marches, gor geous melodies, and contemporary

every Wednesday in June and July.

Ludington Guard Band

TUESDAYS AT 7:30PM

WILSON PARK • MENOMONIE

A community concert band that was officially organized in 1888 with roots going back to 1877. They play a variety of classical band music, marches, over tures, show tunes and novelty pieces.

TUNES COMING SUMMER MEANS MUSIC

LISTINGS BY JAMES JOHONNOTT

MUSIC SERIES

Jazz at The Stones Throw Second Friday, Saturday from May. 13 to Feb. 29 2024, 6-11pm • Stones Throw, 304 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire • $5 • 21+ • thesoundofeauclaire.com/groove-mer chants The Groove Merchants Present Jazz; Every month the second Friday and Saturday.

Summer Wednesday Music Every Wednesday until Jul. 1, 6:30-8:30pm • 6th Avenue Cidery, 120 Sixth Avenue W, Menomonie • FREE • All Ages • (715) 578-9001 • facebook.com/6thAvenueCidery

Summer music every Wednesday night at 6th Avenue Cidery throughout the summer.

Live Music at Vino Cappuccino Friday & Saturday, 5:30-7:30pm • Vino Cappuccino, N5734 Hwy 12, Elk Mound • FREE • All Ages • (715) 879-4157 • vinocappuccinobistro.com Live music on the patio at Vino Cappuccino. Enjoy authentic wood-fired pizza, local wines & beers, coffee,

unique homemade desserts, and more.

Dixon’s Autumn Harvest Winery Saturdays, 1-4pm • 19947 County Hwy J, Chippewa Falls • fb.me/e/2dpXLsep0 Dixon’s Autumn Harvest Winery hosts musicians from 1-4pm on Saturadys with food trucks, wine & beer from 11am-8pm.

ONE-O FF CONCERTS

Two Rivers May. 19, 6-9pm; Jun. 16, 6-9pm; Jul. 7, 6-9pm; Aug. 18, 6-9pm; Sep. 15, 6-9pm; Oct. 27, 6-9pm; Dec. 15, 6-9pm • Foster’s Fireside, E10934 County Hwy HH, Osseo • FREE • All Ages • (715) 597-6605 • fostersfireside.com Sue Orfield, Randy Sinz, Gregg Wheeler & Tommy Wieseler, play some old country, some swing, some bluegrass, and some made-up-stuff. Enjoy

a tasty wood fired pizza and settle in for a cozy, quirky evening of music.

Chippewa Falls Springfest May 20-21 • North ern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 225 Edward St., Chippewa Falls • $5 GA, +$12-15 for headliner concert or VIP package • springfestchippewafalls. com Get your tickets to Madison County on Fri day and Boogie & the Yo-Yo’s on Saturday. Fair food, kids activities, petting zoo, and more music from Sue Orfield, The Monday’s, Dave BeBeau, the Jim Phillips Project, The Cragars.

Riverside Swing Band May. 20, 7-10pm • Lily dale, 6343 County Hwy N, Chippewa Falls, WI, Chippewa Falls • $20-$25 • lilydalewi.com/events. phtml Something for everyone with this full-size swing band: Swing, Foxtrot, Waltz, Two-Step, and the Cha-Cha; be sure to request a favorite.

Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra feat. Roxy Coss May. 20, 7:30pm • Pablo Center at the Confluence, 128 Graham Avenue, Eau Claire • $19 adv, $22 door, $5 youth • pablocenter.org Roxy Coss is widely considered to be one of the most important saxophone performers of her gen eration. Ms. Coss is a past winner of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer award.

92.9 The X Presents: VIA wsg: The Issue & Un-Broken May. 20, 9pm • Every Buddy’s Bar, 19 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls • $9.99 • More on Facebook VIA is a fresh taste of metal & rock ‘n roll. Gritty, dark, and overflowing with your favorite melodies.

Mabel’s Community Celebration May. 21, 2-10:30pm • Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, 205 Main St. E, Menomonie • FREE • mabeltaint er.org The Mabel’s annual community celebration. Featuring: Taiko Arts Midwest Drumming, CV Irish Dance, Em Menz, and Chris Kroeze.

Badfinger, with Contingency, Beisterfeldt, Uncle Brew, Pirate Charlie, Johnny Keyz May. 21, 3-8:30pm • Durand Brewing Company, N6649 State Highway 25, Durand • $30 • volumeonetick ets.org Badfinger is known for such hits as “Day After Day”, “Baby Blue”, “No Matter What”, and “Come and Get It”. Badfinger is universally rec ognized for their influence on the 1970’s “Power Pop” genre. Music starts at 3:30.

Metal Music Night May. 21, 8pm • Every Bud dy’s Bar, 19 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls • $8 • 21+ Bands include Evil Incarnate, Dead Soul, and Symphony.

10th Annual Beatles on the Chippewa May. 22, noon-8:30pm • Corral Bar & Riverside Grill, 318 W. Main St., Durand • FREE • 21+ 50+ re gional musicians performing renditions of Beatles hits. Food, drink, raffles, auctions, and music.

I Won’t Forget: Memories and Music May. 23, 6:30-9pm • Pablo Center, Eau Claire • FREE (Advance tickets required) • pablocenter.org A fundraising concert for the Eau Claire ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center) and the Stand in the Light Memory Choir. Concert begins at 6:30 with doors at 4:30pm.

Dark Sun, Motherwind, Un-Broken Jun. 3, 8pm • Every Buddy’s Bar, 19 W. Central St., Chippewa

Falls • $10 • A night of hard rock.

Blacklite District: The 1990 Tour Jun. 10, 8pm

• Every Buddy’s Bar, 19 W. Central St., Chip pewa Falls • $10-15 • eventbrite.com Hardrock Blacklite District is joined by Divide the Fall & Evernoir.

Jason Dea West and Intuitive Compass Benefit for Homeless Children Jun. 11, 1-4pm • Wilson Park, Menomonie • FREE • All Ages • A benefit for homeless children featuring Jason Dea West and Intuitive Compass, playing unique western folk music.

Shotgun Johnson & the Mississippi Seven Jun. 11, 5-8pm • Valkyrie Brewing Company, 234 W Dallas Street, Dallas • FREE • Outdoor music by Shotgun Johnson & the Mississippi Seven. BYO lawn chair.

Uncommon Denominator Jun. 11, 9pm • The Mousetrap, 311 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire • FREE • themousetrapeauclaire.com A contemporary jazz, funk, and pop band playing covers.

Carson Park Experience Jun. 12, noon-5pm; Jul. 4, noon-5pm; Aug. 14, noon-5pm • Carson Park, 100 Carson Park Dr., Eau Claire • visiteau claire.com/carsonpark Summer fun and activities, museums, food trucks, music, beer gardens, Chippewa Valley Railroad, and Eau Claire Express games.

Choor - ArtsMidwest Jun. 17, 7:30pm • Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, 205 Main St. E, Menomonie • $22+ • mabeltainter.org Born on the vast Inner Mongolian plains, members of Choor present beautiful sounds of Morin Khuur, or horsehead fiddles, and world-famous khoomii throat singing.

The Swampers: Curvin’ Thru Irvine Aug. 10, noon; Aug. 11, 7:30pm • The Heyde Center for the Arts, 3 South High St., Chippewa Falls • $25 lunch/show, $13 show only, $6 youth show only • cvca.net A unique blend of swampgrass harmony to lead folks on a winding musical journey through the history of Irvine Park.

Cookout in the Country Fundraiser Aug. 16, 6pm • The Heyde Center for the Arts, 3 South High St., Chippewa Falls • $45 • cvca.net Held at the scenic White’s Wildwood Retreat. Featuring a charcoal chicken dinner from Karl’s BBQ Express, music, and beverages, to raise money for the Heyde Center.

Gemini Syndrome w/ Cultus Black & The Noc turnal Affair Aug. 24, 6pm • Every Buddy’s Bar, 19 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls • $25adv, $30 week of • 21+ • facebook.com Gemini Syndrome plays alternative metal. Cultus Black is a dramatic deathcore/Nu-metal crossover. Nocturnal Affair is an alternative/dark rock project.

Schuetzy’s Music Jubilee feat. Prince Live! and Adam Pearce Aug. 27, 1-11pm • Schuetzy’s, 18195 Highway J, Chippewa Falls • $25 adv, $30 door • volumeonetickets.org Featuring headliner Prince Live! and joined Adam Pearce, and The Gators. Beer tent and bar. Event will be held rain or shine. Bring your own chair. Parking across the street. Camping available.