Sad Summer Festival Milwaukee 2024

The Sad Summer Festival is gearing up for a momentous celebration as it marks its 5th anniversary in 2024. What began in 2019 as a response to the conclusion of the beloved Vans Warped Tour has blossomed into a cornerstone event for the alternative and emo music community. This year, the festival will be hosted at The Rave / Eagles Club in Milwaukee on July 19, 2024, featuring an impressive lineup that promises to make this anniversary one to remember.

A Legacy of Togetherness and Music

Originally conceived by artists and industry insiders who were mourning the end of the Vans Warped Tour, the Sad Summer Festival quickly became a beacon for the community. It offered a much-needed space for fans to congregate, celebrate their shared love for music, and keep the spirit of the scene alive. Over the past four years, the festival has grown significantly, solidifying its place as a staple event and contributing to the re-emergence of the emo and alternative music scene.

Sad Summer Festival 2024 Lineup

This year’s festival features a robust lineup that includes:

• Mayday Parade
• The Maine
• The Wonder Years
• We The Kings
• Real Friends
• Knuckle Puck
• Daisy Grenade

In addition to these headliners, the festival will see performances from The Summer Set, Hot Milk, Diva Bleach, Daisy Grenade, and Like Roses on select dates.

Reflections from the Artists

Alex Garcia of Mayday Parade shares his deep connection with the festival:
“For most of my adult life, I’ve associated the summer with music festivals; their open-air venues, the mix of tour bus exhaust and heat radiating off asphalt, and, of course, hearing my favorite music at twilight, lit by the flicker of fireflies – Sad Summer epitomizes this experience. It also serves as a unifying force in our music scene, a place for every emo kid to gather around, connect with fellow fans, and truly be themselves. With this in mind, it is a deep honor to close Sad Summer; the music we’ve poured our hearts and souls into becoming an indelible part of those warm summer nights, where friends and memories are made.”

John O’Callaghan of The Maine reflects on the journey and the joy of performing:
“A lot can change in four summers. And for me, a lot has. But a constant throughout the peaks and valleys of the last four summers has been my love for playing music loudly, seeing old faces and making new amigos. This marks the 5th anniversary of the Sad Summer Festival, and I couldn’t dream up a better place to rip gigs and see smiling people lose their heads. But the real question at hand is…Corn dogs or nah?”

A Milestone Event

As the Sad Summer Festival celebrates its fifth year, it continues to honor its roots while embracing growth and change. This milestone event in Milwaukee promises to be a remarkable convergence of music, memories, and community. Fans can expect to experience the electric atmosphere that has defined the festival from the beginning, making new memories while cherishing the old.

Conclusion

The 5th Annual Sad Summer Festival in Milwaukee is more than just a concert; it’s a celebration of a community that thrives on shared experiences and a deep love for music. Mark your calendars for July 19, 2024, and join the festivities at The Rave / Eagles Club. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the scene, this festival is sure to be a highlight of your summer.