The second weekend of Milwaukee’s Summerfest was stacked yet again with A-listers and throwbacks representing practically every style, resulting in swelling crowds and seemingly increased acceptance of COVID-19 protocols calling for proof of vaccination or a negative test.

It certainly didn’t hurt that country forerunners the Zac Brown Band were paired with “American Idol” favorite/future superstar Gabby Barrett, resulting in a slam dunk of a sell out at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, filled with “Chicken Fried” favorites and previews of “The Comeback.”

At more than a half-century with no signs of slowing down, it was “A Celebration” and then some as ZZ Top co-founders Billy Gibbons (guitar/vocals) and Frank Beard (drums) with newcomer Elwood Francis (bass) paid tribute to the late Dusty Hill, sounding seamless from the guns-a-blazin’ “Got Me Under Pressure” and Sam & Dave’s “I Thank You” through all the boogie/bluesy staples.

Goo Goo Dolls proved to be as popular as ever with a packed set stacked with so many smashes it was easy to loose count (“Slide,” “Here Is Gone,” “Black Balloon,” “Name”), along with a chance to continue unveiling the pandemic-sidelined “Miracle Pill” project, though the John Rzeznik and Robby Takac-led group since released the acoustic “EP 21” and the retrospective “Rarities.”

The award for having the most lit crowd unequivocally went to Kesha, who despite specifically forbidding all press photography, was undeniably connective with an inclusive, eye-popping party and stable of contagious pop bangers (“Cannibal” and “We R Who We R” for starters) that continues throughout last year’s finally performed “High Road.”

Technically speaking, 2020 marked 311’s third decade together, but it was better late than never when the groove-saturated alternative rockers finally got to unpack “All Mixed Up” and so many other cross-pollinated jams filled with funk, rap and reggae that found the fellas at their midpoint prime.

Hard rockers Hinder also had to sit out the official 15th anniversary of the triple platinum “Extreme Behavior,” but that didn’t stop the guys from coming out swinging at Summerfest with the mega ballad “Lips Of An Angel” and the ballsy “Get Stoned.”

Going back even further, “Bad To The Bone” blues rockers George Thorogood And The Destroyers turned 45 and continue to be dependable as they come, especially its axe-slinging namesake who’s grown all that much more seasoned.

Relative newcomer by comparison, Quinn XCII, is well on his way thanks to instantly relatable songwriting and an affable blend of pop, hip-hop and EDM, perhaps most fully realized throughout his latest long player “Change of Scenery II,” while Illinois’ own Alexander 23 packed nothing but promise as a solo singer/songwriter/guitarist, especially after collaborating with Selena Gomez and Olivia Rodrigo.

Rapper Nelly bridged generations of anyone raring to dance with a stream of sing-a-longs such as “Over And Over,” “Hot In Herre,” “Dilemma” and “Just A Dream,” representing a few of his many chart-toppers in pop, R&B, hip-hop and even country.

Progressive rock/metal fans got their fists up to a full-throttled throw down from conceptual masterminds Coheed And Cambria, while Manchester Orchestra scratched the indie rock itch with the epic “The Million Masks Of God” and beyond as clock ticked towards midnight and the marathon pressed paused until its final stretch spans September 16-18.

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Click here for more photos of Zac Brown Band and more from Summerfest at Henry Maier Festival Park.

For additional information on Zac Brown Band, visit ZacBrownBand.com.

For a list of upcoming concerts at Summerfest, visit Summerfest.com.