Another year has wrapped for the Summer Set Music & Camping Festival. It was another great year and good vibes all around. The 6th installment of the annual festival, held at the Somerset Amphitheater in Somerset, Wisconsin, was nothing short of a funktastic, face melting experience. The event offered an eclectic mix of EDM, hip-hop, and funk acts with a little bit of Midwest love sprinkled in.
Over the years this festival had a number of factors that were playing against its success. The location is snuggled in the corner of the upper Midwest, making it a trek for many not from the area. There were also two huge competing festivals – Shambhala and Moonrise – that both took place on the same weekend. With those two major hurdles, the groups of Minnesota’s SIMshows, Chicago’s react presents and Madison’s Majestic have consistently delivered a festival that has grown in popularity, reach and size.
This year’s festival didn’t pack the knockout headliner punch that previous years did by bringing in big names like Bassnectar, Kaskade, or Skrillex. Instead, it took you through all 12 rounds with body blows to deliver the most solid packaged lineup yet. The crowd had a chance to see amazing music the entire weekend with headliners Zed’s Dead, Zedd, and Griz, as well as an undercard of Seven Lions, Slushii, Malaa, Ghastly, Zomboy, RL Grime, Ookay, Big Wild, Whethan, Die Antwoord, Post Malone, Datsik, Snails, Destructo, and more.
Seriously, read that list again and tell me you’re not interested.
One of the biggest highlights of this year’s festival was Zed’s Dead Friday headlining set. These guys brought the house down. Faces were on the floor, melted from the grimey bass these two hit us with. Not to be outdone, the production and stage set up Saturday’s Zedd performance were some of the most beautiful the festival has ever hosted.
Away from the mainstage and down in The Grove, Ookay absolutely destroyed everyone’s Sunday afternoon. He successfully turned the crowd into a riotous mosh pit no less than 8 times. It was total insanity and we loved every minute of it. Later that night, Snails slimed The Grove with some of the gnarliest dub we’ve ever heard. It was gross and amazing all at once.
This year, SSMF added some pop-up stages as well. These were a great addition to surprise festivalgoers with unexpected performances and a nice replacement after taking down the perennial Big Top dance stage we had grown accustomed to. The pop-up stage hit hard with an intimate performance from Manic Focus and an All Good Records takeover on Sunday which included an appearance from GriZ himself.
The festival has become one that the upper Midwest has grown to love. It’s not just because it puts us on the map, but because it reminds us why we love this music and these people. Almost everybody at this fest puts a vibe in the air that radiates positivity and acceptance. Which is what this music is all about. If you’re up for an adventure and looking for something to cap off your summer and festival season with your closest friends, then definitely consider Summer Set. Good Vibes.
