10 Things To Look Forward To at Mile 10 – by Nick Lauer

Hey, Milers! Here’s a fun article from Nick Lauer about the 10 things he’s most looking forward to about Mile 10. We invite you to share with us your quick list of the 10 things you are most looking forward to (feel free to “cheat” like Nick did and give more than 10…😊

10 Things I’m Looking Forward to at Mile 10

Mile 10 is two weeks away and the anticipation is building. I, Nick Lauer (member of the extended Mile team), am going to share with my fellow original music lovers the ten things I am most looking forward to at Mile 10. We would love to see your list of 10 things as well. Feel free to either email it to the Mile team or tag Mile of Music on social media. To quote Super Mario, “Here we go!”

1. Watching The End of America (TEOA) at Lawrence Memorial Chapel

This was my favorite set of Mile 9 last year and I couldn’t be more excited for the encore. Listening to the soaring harmonies and beautiful music of these gentlemen from Philadelphia put me in an almost altered state. It was all-absorbing and an almost transcendental experience. This may be the closest I have ever come to replicating what the Buddha found under the Bodhi tree and it was all due to an exquisite musical experience.

2. The Return of the Mile Bus

It’s back! OK, quick confession time. I have never actually been on the Mile Bus and there’s a good chance I won’t ride it once again this year due to a schedule that is fuller than the Tanner family’s San Francisco house in the 90s. That being said, you don’t have to necessarily ride the bus to get enjoyment from its presence. Not only will it be like seeing an old friend once again, but it also signals the full return to normalcy for our beloved festival after three crazy years.

3. Finding My Next Favorite Band

Every single Mile has opened my eyes to a new artist/band that instantly climbs the ranks of my most listened to tracks on my iPod (don’t make fun of this old man, but please pass the Geritol). These days, the artists I most often find myself coming back to are primarily Mile alumni. Hat tip to Ian Thomson for once again curating a stellar lineup. Sometimes I have a good idea going into the festival which artists are going to make a huge impression and other times it’s a big surprise. This year, my best guess is HAPPY LANDING.

4. The Music Makers Lounge

August in Wisconsin consistently delivers the heat. After putting many Mile miles on the sneakers, nothing beats popping into the Music Makers lounge for a quick air condition-fueled decompression session. Whether it’s the Stone Arch root beer or the many tasty snacks from Festival Foods, the lounge always delivers the perfect pick-me-up to dive back into the magic of the Mile. There are a crazy number of perks that come along with the Music Makers subscription, but this one might be my favorite.

5. Jordan Caiola’s First Mile Solo Performances

One of my all-time favorite Mile bands (and bands period, see point #3), is Mo Lowda and the Humble. I fell in love with them back in 2018 when they performed at a Mile of Music Presents show at Tanner’s and have been following them closely ever since. I was delighted back in 2020 (sorry for bringing that year up) when lead singer Jordan Caiola released an album of solo tracks under the name Caiola. It’s an amazing album and I’m pumped to see him perform those songs in an intimate setting.

6. Good Vibes Love Fest

This is not a fresh take by any means, but these days it seems like there is more and more divisiveness in the world with people grouping themselves into opposing factions. Perhaps the greatest component of Mile of Music is that for one weekend all that nonsense is set aside and individuals from all walks of life come together under the shared umbrella of love for original music. I absolutely love seeing the sidewalks and businesses of downtown Appleton packed with smiling people gamboling about in the quest to experience live music.

7. Fantastic Cat at Jones Park

This should be a great set from an intriguing band on a beautiful stage, but the part of it I’m most anticipating is who will watch this show with me. Every year I like to have my kids join me for at least one set during the weekend and this is the one we picked this year. A significant selling point was the band’s cat theme for my daughter who is a big-time cat lover (sometimes she even thinks she’s a cat, which could lead to a future conversation straight out of Step Brothers). It’s always a joy to let my kids take part in the event that means so much to me. In my mind, there are few things better than music to bond with the little ones at home.

8. The Venues

One of the more underrated aspects of Mile of Music is the diversity of venues. I can’t imagine there are many other festivals that feature the big-time stage feel of a place like Jones Park all the way to the house concert vibes of a place like the Hilton Paper Valley listening rooms. It’s always interesting to see how different an artist’s set can be solely based on where they performed it. Plus, it’s always fun to check out the new venues for the new Mile.

9. Creating New Memories

Every Mile features new, fun moments that are shared with the group accompanying you throughout the weekend. Whether it’s simply hearing a new artist shoulder-to-shoulder with those dearest to you or the various serendipitous moments that spring up while spending countless hours together, Mile weekend creates new cherished memories at an astounding clip. These memories are the ones I personally find myself regularly revisiting particularly in the doldrums of the following Wisconsin winter.

10. Taking Part in All Four Days of the Festival

Mile of Music is like Christmas in the summer for me. So last year when I got COVID and had to tap out at the halfway point, it was like the Grinch stole Christmas. Did I imitate the Whos of Whoville and embrace this unexpected change of plans with a cheerful song of peace and goodwill? No. I sulked in my basement while quarantining, alternating between sleep and Stranger Things (season 4 was fantastic though). Needless to say, this year I am most excited to actually get to attend every day of the festival (knock on wood). I didn’t need the reminder per se, but there’s nothing like the absence of something you love to remind you how special it is. For that reason alone, this will be the best Mile yet!

As a bonus, here are five more things I’m looking forward to, in rapid fire fashion.

11. Chatting With the Artists Between Sets
12. The Motherfolk Side Project, MEOWBOYS
13. Checking Out the New Mile Merch
14. Danni Nichols in the Evergreen Listening Room
15. A Song Before We Go on Sunday Evening

10 Responses to 10 Things To Look Forward To at Mile 10 – by Nick Lauer

Helene Iverson says:

July 22, 2023 at 7:33 pm

Nick, as your former 4th grade teacher and 10 year Music Maker , I am tickled to meet you again as your Adult self.

Reply

• Mile of Music Festival says:

  July 24, 2023 at 10:21 am

  Love this! 🙂

  Reply

John Lauer says:

July 23, 2023 at 3:40 pm

Great blog post. It made me appreciate Mike of Music even more than I already did!

Reply

• Mile of Music Festival says:

  July 24, 2023 at 10:21 am

  We love that you two can enjoy it together!

  Reply

Ginger Denton says:

July 24, 2023 at 12:04 pm

The Mile is one of the best, relaxing, chaotic, enjoyable things I look forward to every year. I have taken vacation to go volunteer at this wonderful, Amazing event. I don’t even need to request off (which I do as we don’t want to take any chances) aw my work husband know and everyone else does, Yep its MoM time again;-) l

Reply

Nancy Biese says:

July 24, 2023 at 1:37 pm

1. Wearing my first ever Mile One T-Shirt
2. Hosting a band in my home
3. Feeling proud about being a Music Maker
4. Checking out previous bands and artists
5. Seeing new artists
6. Jones Park
7. The bus
8. Listening venues
9. Mile 10 Beer. Thank you Stone Arch!
10. Sharing this festival among friends

Reply

• Scott Peeples says:

  July 25, 2023 at 10:55 pm

  1.Seeing all 35 of the 35 artists I spent a couple weeks writing band reviews/recommendations on. Top three new bands on my list: Kristin Andreassen and Chris Eldridge, Fantastic Cat, May Erlewine
  2. The Music Maker Lounge. During the Mile, I have almost all my meals (washed down with Stone Arch rootbeer) here.
  3. Chatting and taking pictures with artists who now feel like old friends, like Beth Bombara, Claire Kelly and Luke Scheafer from Me Like Bees
  4. More listening rooms!
  5. Running into old friends on the street . . . only to tell them I’d love to talk more but I’m on the way to another show!
  6. Seeing the wonderful collaborations that will happen with the Decoda Chamber Music Festival and several Mile artists.
  6. Hanging out until the end every night to hear some of the more rockin’ bands at places like Gibson, Emmett’s, Chadwick’s and the Bent Keg.
  7. Discovering the next Swear and Shake.
  8. Buying about 10 CDs from the bands I’ll see (aforementioned 35) that I know I’ll listen to all year until Mile 11.
  9. Smiling broadly at Ian Thomson (along with Dave Willems and everyone connected to the Mile) everytime I run into them during the best four day vacation a person could ever have.
  10. Debriefing with my circle of music loving friends . . . for the next year!

  Reply
  • Ford Ginter says:

    July 27, 2023 at 9:24 am

    Hello Scott, Greetings from Mobile, AL. Looking forward to my 5th Mile (1, 7, 8, 9, & 10). Where can I read your full list of 35 band reviews/recommendations?

    Reply
    • Scott Peeples says:

      July 27, 2023 at 2:49 pm

      Email me at [email protected] and I will send it to you!

      Reply
      • Ford Ginter says:

        July 28, 2023 at 7:01 pm

        Thank you Scott. You are very kind. I will do that.