APPLETON – This year marks the 11th Mile of Music festival, a four day free-attendance music festival along College Avenue between Lawrence Memorial Chapel and Spats in Appleton.
From Aug. 1 to 4, over 200 musical acts and 700 live music sets will perform across 40 venues and stages. The inclusive festival features music of all genres including rock, folk, country, rap and blues.
With over 200 artists, it’s almost impossible to highlight and detail every performance. While there’s a full line-up and schedule for each artist on the Mile of Music website, the following is a short guide of some new and returning artists to this year’s festival.
Who’s new to this year’s Mile of Music?
Allison Mahal is one of the closer-to-home artists performing this year. Coming from Milwaukee, Mahal’s folk-rock music has landed her performances at events like Summer Solstice Music Fest, Marquette Waterfront Fest and Gibson Music Hall. She’s been noticed by media like NPR, Under the Radar and Milwaukee Magazine. Allison Mahal will perform:
- Aug. 3, 5:25 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. at McFleshman’s Brewing Co.
- Aug. 4, 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. at Spats
Tommy Prine, son of the late John Prine, will make his debut at Mile of Music with his Americana sound. Coming from Nashville, Tennessee, Prine followed his father’s steps into the music industry with his debut album, which released last June. In 2023, Prine was named one of Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Artists to Watch. He is currently traveling the country performing at various shows and festivals. Tommy Prine will perform:
- Aug. 2, 5:55 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at Houdini Plaza
- Aug. 2, 9:40 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Jones Park Main Stage
- Aug. 3, 5:20 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. at Gibson Community Music Hall
- Aug. 3, 9:55 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. at Spats
Coming all the way from Melbourne, Australia, Anna Smyrk is described by Rolling Stone as having a “truly astonishing” voice. Her folk-rock music style has been showcased at SXSW and Folk Alliance International. She also began her first American tour this year. Anna Smyrk will perform:
- Aug. 1, 5 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. on the Mile of Music Bus
- Aug. 1, 7:40 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Copper Rock
- Aug. 2, 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. at Hilton Paper Valley Evergreen Room
- Aug. 2, 5 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. at Copper Rock
- Aug. 3, 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. at Dr. Jekyll’s
- Aug. 3, 7:20 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. at Stone Arch Brewpub North Lot Stage
A few other artists making their debut at the 2024 Mile of Music festival include Rainbow Girls from California, Bandits on the Run from New York, Kia Rap Princess from Milwaukee, Tall Tall Trees from North Carolina and Minor Gold from Australia.
What artists are returning to Mile of Music this year?
One highly anticipated performance returning to the festival this year is Wild Adriatics, a rock and roll band from Glens Falls, New York. After a five-year hiatus from Mile of Music, and a two-year hiatus from music, the band is ready to hit the stage again. Known for its signature blend of rock and roll, blues and soul, Wild Adriatics has toured with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marcus King, Sublime and others with appearances at Bonnaroo and Mountain Jam. The band’s signature sound has earned it acclaim from Rolling Stone, USA Today and Huffington Post. Wild Adriatics will perform:
- Aug. 1, 5:45 p.m. to 6:35 p.m. at Lawrence Lawn Main Stage
- Aug. 2, 10:10 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Houdini Plaza
- Aug. 3, 8:15 p.m. to 9:05 p.m. at Jones Park Main Stage
Christopher Gold, a folk artist from Kentucky, has performed at Mile of Music every year since it began in 2013. Gold has shared the stage with performers like Rodney Crowell, Chuck Ragan, Jamestown Revival and more. His blend of folk, country and rock and roll earned him two awards in 2015 from the Wisconsin Area Music Industry for singer/songwriter of the year and the folk/Celtic genre. Christopher Gold will perform:
- Aug. 1, 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. at Copper Rock
- Aug. 1, 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Hilton Paper Valley Empire Ballroom
- Aug. 2, 6 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. at Lawerence Harper Hall
- Aug. 3, 6 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. at The 513
- Aug. 4, 2:05 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. at Hilton Paper Valley Evergreen Room
Irish singer and songwriter Pat Byrne’s sound is described by Folk Alley as a combination of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. After migrating to Austin, Texas in 2017, Byrne launched his musical career, taking off in 2019 with performances at the 30A Festival, SXSW and AmericanaFest. His Americana style music is often displayed with storytelling lyrics. Pat Byrne will perform:
- Aug. 1, 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. at The 513
- Aug. 2, 2:35 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. at Hilton Paper Valley Empire Ballroom
- Aug. 2, 6:20 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. at OB’s Brau Haus
- Aug. 3, 5 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. at Copper Rock
- Aug. 3, 8:40 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Dr. Jekyll’s
Other artists returning to Mile of Music in 2024 include HAPPY LANDING from Tennessee, Illiterate Light from Virginia, Bascom Hill from Madison, Landon Conrath from Minnesota and Bella’s Bartok from Massachusetts.
For a more detailed list of artists and a map of the festival visit the Mile of Music website at mileofmusic.com/homepage.
Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-453-5107 or jburns1@gannett.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @burns_jelissa or on Instagram at burns_jelissa.
