An Open Reply to My Friend, Bruce (Updated for Mile 6)

This is Bruce. Bruce is unique. 

Last year, my friend, Bruce, posted the following to Facebook:

“I'm considering trying to convince my wife that we should try Mile of Music in a few weeks. Anyone who has been, would you recommend and if so, any tips you wish you had been given?"

My head nearly exploded with responses and ideas. To me, the four days of Mile of Music is the most wonderful time of the year. This will be our fourth consecutive year of attending this unique and incredible festival. After our first (Mile 3), we instantly booked the following year’s accommodations and we did the same following Mile 4. I see no reason why we won’t do so again after Mile 6. This festival is an explosion of fantastic aural art and musical camaraderie. It’s the finest four days of the year.

So with that introduction and only 10 days to go until the festival starts, I give you -- in no particular order -- 30 things (tips) you should do, Bruce, at Mile of Music 6...

1. Download the app, start listening and discovering new artists now. I cannot emphasize this one enough. It’s hard to see a bad performer at Mile of Music, it really is. The artists performing here are pros. The only thing separating them and many bands you hear on the radio is that they either haven’t written that one mega-hit or, more likely, they’ve just haven’t caught a break from a radio station executive. My money's on the latter.
2. Buy something. A CD, bumper sticker, t-shirt, anything. Most of these artists are dedicated professionals, but that doesn’t mean they’re rolling in greenbacks. It cost them a lot to get here, so reward your favorites by buying some of their sounds or wares. I've even helped musicians move their gear in the few short minutes they've got to get on or off a stage. They've always been appreciative.
3. Discover your band. With 900 performances by 250-ish musicians in four days, there’s bound to be a band that you discover. That means none of your music-head buddies have ever heard of them (yet), but you'll become convinced that you’ve just seen the next big thing and you can’t wait to tell others. This may happen multiple times a day, but by festival’s end, there’s certain to be one band that you remain obsessed with. 
4. Do not yell Freebird. This is an original music festival. Freebird yellers will be removed from the festival and forced to spend the remainder of the weekend in Kaukauna. 
5. Compliment an artist when you see them on the street. This is one of my favorite pastimes at the mile. One hour you’ll see an amazing musician blowing your mind on stage and the next hour you’ll notice him/her next to you enjoying a beer. This is always so cool. I’ve met Lex Allen, Anna Vogelzang, Parker Gispert, my pals 1913 (Victor DeLorenzo and Janet Schiff) and Brother O’ Brother (Warner Swopes and Chris Banta), one of the guitarists from Sun Parade (Jeff Lewis, I think), Kate Tucker of Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden, Jay Matthes, and many, many more this way. One time we were admiring a huge poster of Milwaukee band GGOOLLDD at the exact same moment GGOOLDD passed by. Lots of guffawing and horsing around ensued. Take advantage of this unique opportunity. 
6. Arrange accommodations or transportation. Mile of Music isn’t the most kid-friendly event -- though there are plenty of performances in civic areas -- you’re going to enjoy a few adult beverages. Just make sure your accommodations are walking distance or arrange a ride. I’m not certain of the availability of Lyft or Uber in Appleton, but it’s a pretty progressive town. I’m sure they’re here. 
7. Do not let the fact that a band that hails from Oshkosh, Green Bay, or Neenah deter you. Seriously. Even though there are performers there from around the globe at Mile of Music, bands from the triangle of the Fox Valley to Madison to Milwaukee should not be disregarded. This region is proving to be fertile soil for amazing talent. Be sure to check them out. (The Traveling Suitcase immediately comes to mind.) 
8. Spot Graham Washatka. You can’t miss him. He’s a deft photographer who seems to be in more

   

   Play Mile of Music Bingo...
   Spot Graham. This is him!

    places than is possible for a single person. Nice guy and a friend of mine too. 
9. See Terra Lightfoot. This Canadian rocker blows me away with her powerful voice and chops on her Gibson SG. She toured the world since her last visit to the Mile. Her return is definitely a Mile 6 highlight for me. (See her
10. Have a beer from Appleton Beer Factory. They’re an official venue, so that makes it easy. Drink local. 
11. See a performance at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel; get goosebumps. This may or not be possible, many performances are restricted to Music Maker badge holders, but if you get the chance, see someone play here. It is awesome. 
12. Fly solo. Yep. You’ve got smartphones and your own interests. Don’t hesitate to split from your beloved for a bit and then reconnect elsewhere. We did this last year when my wife went to see Lily Winwood (Steve’s daughter) while I found something more suitable for my head-banging self. (I did catch Lily’s act another day at a different venue.) 
13. Contemplate living in Appleton. Whether you want to or not, this thought will likely pop into your head. It’s a vibrant city with lots of art and culture. During these four days, Appleton really comes alive! 
14. See Smooth Hound Smith. A husband and wife combo that blows minds with (what looks like) effortless playing and singing. 

    

    Smooth Hound Smith

15. Plan your day. The Mile’s app and website make it very possible to make a detailed plan to hear the maximum amount of music on a given day. The app lets you favorite (heart) artists you enjoy and then when you’re at the festival, it’s easy to see where and when those artists are to perform. 
16. Let the festival come to you. In other words, screw the previous tip and just find a comfortable place to enjoy the day. The schedule is tight and bands play one after another with only a short break in between. Appleton’s got a lot of comfortable bars to relax in to watch the more sedate bands, but Mill Creek is where you’re most likely to get the maximum power. Of course, Houdini Plaza or Washington Square will be good places to hang out like at any good Wisconsin festival. (Also The Alley Project) 
17. Look for cameos. Two years ago, Tommy Stinson (The Replacements, Bash & Pop, Guns 'n' Roses) showed up and jammed in a store. Who knows who’ll show up this year? The Mile’s on stars’ radars. 
18. The festival doesn’t end on Saturday. Interesting things happen on Sunday too. In fact, if you stick around until Sunday evening, you could find yourself invited to something unique like an artists-only party. It could happen. 
19. See Cory Chisel on the street. Not only is he a Grammy-nominated performer, excellent songwriter and singer, he’s an Appleton native and founder of this festival to channel money to music education programs. He is a fine Wisconsinite and seemly ubiquitous during the festival.
20. See Corey Chisel perform. He may be by himself or he may be with others. Keep your eyes open. 
21. See a band on the Mile of Music Bus. This is another must and a blast. The Mile of Music Bus is an

    

    Jay Matthes rocking the Mile of Music bus

     easy way to cover the great distance that may exist between some venues. Bonus: the Bus is a party. They, too, are a venue -- a rock and rolling (literally) venue! 
22. Make friends. It’s easy here. The people of the Fox Valley are friendly and interested in having a good time as much as you are. 
23. Have a Stone Arch Brewery beer. Another venue that’s off the College Avenue strip. It’s a short hike (or grab the bus), but it’s a cool business and fun to visit. 
24. Don’t worry about me. I hope to see you there, shake hands and have a beer together, but this is a festival of personal musical exploration. Spend it finding your thing. If we’re in sync, great, but otherwise, have a great time and we’ll discuss our experiences when the festival is over.
25. Catch a performance at Houdini Plaza. This can be the most vigorous and crowd-packed venue.

    

    Motherfolk at Houdini Plaza. Catch them first
    at Tosa Tonight, July 25th!

    With great weather on tap for early August, it can be a fun place to hang.
26. Sing in a shower. This is fun. Sponsored by Tundraland, there’s a shower in Paper Valley lobby that you can perform a song in. They’ve even got a guitar to use! 
27. Porky’s Groove Machine. Just go. Sofa King entertaining. 
28. Be a Music-Maker. This is the major individual sponsorship program. It gets you stuff that the ordinary fan doesn’t get. We did it last year and it was fun, but you don’t have to do it have a good time. (I think this is one of the big misunderstandings newbies have at the Mile I’ve heard more than one person exclaim that they thought they need this pass to enjoy the festival. You don’t need it, but it does get you into a few exclusive shows, but not enough to make it a must. I’d consider it, too, if I lived near Appleton, as one of its benefits is off-season access to shows.) 
29. Visit Appleton’s amazing farmers market on Saturday morning. This one’s a doozy, filled with produce, bakery, performing artists, and more. It’s worth the drive to Appleton even when the festival is not occurring! 
30. Ask the right questions. The right questions to ask regarding Mile of Music are “Who are you looking forward to seeing?” or “What band or artist do you recommend?” In the months leading up to Mile of Music the unfamiliar ask, “Who’s there this year?” like it’s Summerfest, Country Thunder, Eaux Claires, or Lollapalooza. This is not those fests and perhaps that’s why I like it so much. It’s personable, accessible, open, and an absolute blast. 

That’s my shot-from-the-hip list of my 30 things (tips) you should do at Mile of Music. I cannot recommend it enough. It’s well organized and the most four fun days of Wisconsin summer.

I hope to see you there, Bruce!

Your pal,

Mike

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The following lists are not complete; they are fluid and will be edited, but only by addition, not by subtraction.
  

Artists I'm definitely seeing: Terra Lightfoot (a rising star), Strange Americans (fun dudes), Sarah Potenzo, Lilly Hiatt (daughter of my songwriting idol, John Hiatt), Me Like Bees (huge fan), Abby Jeanne (Cosmic Beings is a HUGE Milwaukee hit), Motherfolk (always), Bishop Gunn (get ready to sweat), C2 & The Brothers Reed (a new fave), Lemon Sky (super talented prog rockers), Zach Pietrini, Ponce (had fun with these brothers last year), The Hawkeyes (we caught the last two songs of their smoldering set last year -- need to see a whole show this time), REYNA (we know them!), Al Scorch, The Priggs (I love their debut album -- so Sgt. Pepper-esque), Horace Green, Good Night Gold Dust, Calliope Musicals (OMG! OMG! OMG!), Listening Party,