BoDeans
2008.06.28 Brigg's Stage, Summerfest • Milwaukee, WI

Sam Llanas, Kurt Neumann, Bukka Allen, Eric Holden, Noah Levy

Saturday June 28, 2008
Brigg's Big Backyard, Summerfest - Milwaukee, WI

Ahh, Summerfest.

Lots can be said for Summerfest. Some of it probably shouldn't be posted, but Kurt's "drunken debauchery" comment in that Journal Sentinel video pretty much covers a normal day at summerfest for the BoDivas. :)

We arrived as noon. Staked out our spots up front, sat around drinking beer and listening to cover bands all day (was I dancing? - drink!). Unfortunately got caught in an afternoon rain shower, and of course rejoiced when the sun reappeared. Made sure we made sure we had the traditional pockets full of nuts, and then watched in disbelief as Reed Kailing signed his guitar and passed it over to a fellow BoDiva in the middle of his set. Somehow found myself wearing panties over my capri's, kept a keen eye out for security because you can't have an orange on the stage and even threw a quarter in just to see what happens. In the end we toasted to friends present, friends missing, to good music, good weather, the summer of us, and even to a few Ole's! Just another typical day at summerfest, really.

By the time the BoDeans took the stage, Brigg's little backyard was filled with people, and the energy that can only be found at Summerfest was running through the crowd. From there on, the guys proceeded to give us a show that can't be beat, because seeing the BoDeans perform at Summerfest for the hometown crowd, is like no other show.

Setlist:
1.Idaho - Always such a feel good song. No better way to start a set than with one of the crowd favorites.
2.Texas Ride Song - yup, jumping and bleachers are a difficult combination. But that still didn't stop us.
3. First Time - "always gonna be that first time"
4. Good Work w/Batman - Everything about this song just makes me smile. Kurt's driving guitar, Bukka's killer keys and the energy that it all brings to a show is unreal.
5. Still The Night w/Hey Pretty Girl - Speedy ending as always, although it seemed they cut it a bit shorter than in the past...or maybe all those beers in me made it all blur together?
6. Naked - funny how a quiet slow song can get such a big reaction from the crowd. They sure do love that one! (we do too!)
7. Everyday - wished a few more newer songs would have made it into the set, but glad this was one of them.
8. Feed The Fire w/Light My Fire - after Kurt's killer solo, Sam called out "Kurt Robert Neumann....Guitar Hero!".
9. Makes U - We were DEFINITELY happy! What a complete surprise to have this thrown back in the set. Feels like it's been forever since we hear this live.
10. Runaway - Sam was saying how he's from Waukesha, and that told us that "before Thelma and Louise, there was Mary..."
11. Lucille - she's always "a real good dancer" - hope Kurt doesn't mind a few models in the front row dancing along (albeit fully clothed of course) :)
12. Fadeaway - unbelievable as always. Definitely a set-highlight for me personally. What those guys do with their guitars takes my breath away.
13. Closer to Free - Must have been some bad timing, or awkward positioning of the harmonica since Sam looked pretty surprised when the roadie ran out with the harmonica. Next round he just took the harmonica from him. Unfortunately I missed the big over the head/backward throw of the harmonica back to Ethan though, but I bet it was a funny sight to see! And then of course you gotta watch out for those flying beach balls - might learn something from them too!
- encore-
14. Far Far Away From My Heart - Sam was telling us how Kurt wasn't sure they should do this song because it's such a quiet one. As Sam's saying this Kurt's on the other side of the stage looking perplexed and jokingly mouthing the words 'who me? I didn't say that'.
15. You Don't Get Much - another surprise to hear...so much so I didn't even realize what I was hearing at first! ha!...But the song sounded absolutely fantastic. That stripped down/slower/quiet part in the middle just gives me goosebumps! If I could, I'd love to hit repeat and just keep listening to that part over and over again!
16. Good Things - sad to see the show coming to a close, but you can't help but enjoy every last ounce of energy that was running through the crowd during this one.

All in all a fantastic show! The energy on those side stages is simply unreal. It's great to see the guys having so much fun as well. Lots of smiles and laughter, Eric taking picture between songs, Sam with a big smile on his face as he kicked the beach ball into the crowd on more than one occasion, and Kurt joking with the BoDives in the beginning "hey I know you!". Its all those things that makes sitting out on those bleachers for 10 hours worth it!

And you know what, I'd do it all over again in a heart beat!