Summerfest Picks: Julie Lawrence

For some people, Summerfest is an option -- an added seasonal bonus that is there for the taking if you want it or easily avoided if not.

For me, and the rest of the OnMilwaukee.com editorial staff, Summerfest is an assignment. That's not to say it's not a fun assignment, but our attendance is mandatory nonetheless.

That said, I've scoured the lineup to make the most of my 11-day journey. Here are my music picks for Summerfest 2009.

June 25 -- It's opening night and although the former emo in me wouldn't mind catching Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard at 10 p.m. and the former teenager in me would have fun at Rancid (Harley-Davidson Roadhouse, 8 p.m.), I'll be at the Marcus Amphitheater reviewing the 7: 30 p.m. Bon Jovi concert. I hear he puts on a hell of a live show.

June 26 -- Day two doesn't look too shabby. I love the Counting Crows, but seeing them at the Amp tonight means enduring a Keith Urban set, and I'm not prepared to do that. Of course, The Offspring at the Miller Lite Oasis (10 p.m.) caught my attention because I hadn't heard that name since "Pretty Fly For a White Guy," but I think I'll go the Reflection Eternal route and check out hip-hop duo Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek at the Briggs & Stratton stage at 10 p.m.

June 27 -- For me, the evening will begin at the Cascio Interstate Music Groove Garage (Am I the only one who hates saying "Groove Garage out loud?) at 6:30 p.m. for Madison's Sleeping in the Aviary. I'll stick around for Milwaukee's smoothest indie band, Fable and the World Flat at 8: 30 p.m., and probably round out the night with Chicago's Death Ships, who play at 9: 30 p.m.

June 28 -- Stevie Wonder and John Legend are set to take over the Marcus Amphitheater tonight at 7 p.m. Last year Wonder spent a lot of his time talking about Obama, and it's no secret that Legend is an avid supporter, so if that's not your deal, you might want to make other plans.

June 29 -- This will be a crowded evening, as Lupe Fiasco headlines the Miller Lite Oasis at the same time (10 p.m.) as Spoon takes the stage at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse. Kudos to Summerfest on tonight's lineup.

June 30 -- Yikes. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at the M&I Classic Rock Stage at 9:30 p.m.? Maybe. Buddy Guy at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse at 10 p.m.? We'll see.

July 1 -- As the youngest member of the OnMilwaukee.com concert review crew, I knew there was no way I'd be able to snag the Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson concert at the Amp tonight, but I recommend you all try to get to it nonetheless.

July 2 -- I'll be re-living my glorious 'tween years at No Doubt tonight (Marcus Amphitheater, 7 p.m.), but if I weren't, I might check out Chester French at the Miller Lite Oasis (7 p.m.) or the good dudes in The Felix Culpa (U.S. Cellular Connection Stage, 5:30 p.m.)

July 3 -- Today is a big day for Milwaukee bands at the Big Gig. If you're into fun, block out an eight-hour chunk of your day and plant yourself at the Cascio Interstate Groove Garage from 1:30 to 10: 30 p.m. Who you'll see: Absolutely, White Problems, Jonathan Burke, Party by the Slice, Curb, Terrior Bute, Cougar Den, Red Knife Lottery and Father Phoenix.

July 4 -- Andy Tarnoff made plans to see Huey Lewis and the News tonight at 10 p.m. at the M&I Classic Rock Stage (Is Huey classic rock already?). I'll be the one wishing I dated Michael J. Fox in the '80s. Other than that, I'm enjoying the Fourth with the fam.

July 5 -- And it goes out with a bang! Two words: Elvis Costello. And three more: And the Imposters. It all goes down at 9 p.m. at the M&I Classic Rock Stage.