Summerfest sequel stars Lainey Wilson’s country, Billy Corgan’s Machines and Spyro Gyra’s 50th

Photos by Andy Argyrakis and Deanna Glatczak

Coming off the momentum of an extraordinary start, Summerfest entered its second weekend stretching June 26-28 with the star power and vast array of styles picking up precisely where it left off.

That’s because country megastar-in-the-making Lainey Wilson brought her “Country’s Cool Again” Tour to the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, where she lived up to her “Hillbilly Hippie” reputation in the most extraordinary and original way imaginable.

It turns out the support acts were just as strong, including her personal pick Lukas Nelson, son of Willie and an emerging troubadour in his own right, along with the next night’s indie rockers Cold War Kids, now 20 years deep into its eclectic outpouring.

Props are also in order for pioneering smooth jazz fusion troupe Spyro Gyra, led by founding saxophonist Jay Beckenstein, who marked a momentous 50th anniversary “Jubilee” that culminated in the classics “Shaker Song,” “Catching The Sun” and “Morning Dance.”

The 1980s earned an encore, this time featuring the iconically quirky likes of “Whip It” originators Devo, “Love My Way” from The Psychedelic Furs, “Mirror In The Bathroom” ska/reggae men The English Beat, the brooding post-punk of the Chameleons and new wave-informed power poppers The Producers.

The 1990s came right around the corner, including Chicago’s own Billy Corgan And The Machines Of God focusing on The Smashing Pumpkins’ experimental “Machina” era and the landmark “Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness,” in honor of their respective 25th and 30th anniversaries, plus fellow Windy City natives/post-grunge powerhouses Local H being “Lifers” and all over the map alternative rockers Cake going “The Distance.”

Various shades of pop/punk/emo/indie rock of the 2000s were aptly represented by beloved locals Plain White T’s and Showoff, in addition to “How To Save A Life” hitmakers The Fray, “Superposition” players Young The Giant and Smallpools revisiting ten years of the insanely appealing “Lovetap!” album.

Dumpstaphunk jammed through funk, jazz, blues, gospel and rock, alternative country fans found a favorite in Tex-Mex veterans The Mavericks, Allison Russell switched the dial towards soulful Americana/folk expressions, Molly Tuttle added bluegrass to the equation and Jo Dee Messina’s more commercially-minded solo smashes or covers appeared ageless.

Given the non-stop stream of sets, it all flew by in a flash, but thankfully, there’s still a Summerfest finale in store from July 3-5, and based on the caliber of its Independence Day-centered line-up, is definitely destined to go out with a bang.