Last year, JJ, a talent buyer/promoter, announced that the legendary X-Ray Arcade would host a two-day music festival called “Burn Bright MKE.” The festival sold out and was a smashing success. So, obviously, the question after that was: What would happen next year? Just like any major festival, people were in high anticipation of whether it would return and who would perform. Seven months after that weekend last February, an image was posted on the Burn Bright’s Instagram page, hinting that news would be coming very soon! Sure enough, on October 24, 2024, we got the full lineup. With the lineup revealed, tickets went on sale shortly after and it didn’t take too long for it to sell out. The entire weekend was sold out in less than two months. 

JJ Kaiser really does it all in Milwaukee. Recently, he’s started branching out and worked alongside The Pabst Theatre group to book shows at their venues. He still hosts shows in his basement, which has been named JJ’s Bar and Grill. Spoiler alert: there is no bar or grill. In fact, those shows are entirely drug-and-alcohol-free environments. You are more than welcome to bring snacks and drinks, just nothing with alcohol or drugs in them. Seriously, I’ve lost track on how many venues he’s booked shows with at this point. A big round of applause for the man who does it all in the Milwaukee—and beyond—music scene.

Anyways, the music, the weekend. I was there last year and was very excited for the return of the festival. Fourteen bands, two days, one stage—let’s go! I was probably more exhausted this year due to double shifts at work. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, I worked, then headed to party at the X-Ray from 3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. It was a long weekend, but it was definitely worth the exhaustion. 

Each date had a different lineup, and the musical acts ranged from Midwest emo to hardcore. I had familiarity with some of the lineup, but for the acts unknown to me, everything was pure perfection. 

Saturday’s headliner was Harrison Gordon. I had seen them perform previously in JJ’s basement. They’re a blast to watch, and based on their crowd from that one night, I knewtheir set would be rowdy. The openers that day were Garden Home, Palette Knife, Red Sun, Combat, Slow Joy, and Your Arms Are My Cocoon. In case you haven’t read my other reviews here on TCC, I’m going to tell you again, I am a BIG FAN of Slow Joy. Go see him! I’ll end my rave there so I don’t take away too much from the overall fest review, but I do want to mention he is dropping a new single THIS FRIDAY. Check out Slow Joy! Anyways, out of Saturday’s lineup, I really enjoyed Combat and Red Sun the most. The energy level, the stage presence, so good. Not that there was anything wrong with the other opening acts—they were all fantastic.

The mosh pit was open from the start of Garden Home and raged on throughout the entire day. It’s all a bit of a blur, so I don’t quite remember when the first stage dive happened, but it just kept coming after that, one after another. I even heard someone in the crowd groaning when someone dove during the first song of one of the acts. I personally do not stage dive or crowd surf—it’s not my thing—but if you’re going to be up front, it’s bound to happen in this music scene. If you don’t want to deal with it, don’t be up front. I get it, the view is better than in the back, but people are going to mosh and crowd surf—it’s their joy and part of the experience. Enough said. 

My only critique is that Your Arms Are My Cocoon took long tuning breaks between songs. While I understand that is required, it can be a little awkward from the viewer’s stand point, especially if there’s no one on stage talking to pass the time. I’m used to at least one of the band members chit-chatting to keep the crowd engaged during those breaks. Nonetheless, Your Arms Are My Cocoon had stellar outfits that kept attention, these guys were totally different and props to that. I did, in fact, love the saxophone too; it was great.

Saturday was a very long day, and by the time I found the energy to ponder over how I’d make it through Sunday, I was already leaving work and arriving at the venue doors for Day 2. Thank goodness they sell cold brew there; I needed it, and remained caffeinated right up from the start. The headliner for day two was Sincere Engineer. Now, if you’re not familiar with this band, they have a song named “Corn Dog Sonnet No. 7,” which is my favorite. There was a special menu item that weekend for corn dog nuggets with a side of fries or tots. Yes, I am allowed and taking full credit for it being on the menu. I confirmed with JJ—it’s all me, you’re welcome, haha!

Honestly, I just wanted to make sure Sincere Engineer got their corndog mosh-pit moment for this specific track. Unfortunately, there was only one corn dog in the pit, and I’m not sure it was even a real one; there was an attendee I saw with a little felt corn dog in their pocket. Props to you—though I forgot your name, I’m sorry!

The openers for day two were Moosecreek Park, Muted Color, Summerbruise, EMWAY? (Excuse Me, Who Are You?), Frail Body, and Michael Cera Palin. I was only familiar with Summerbruise and EMWAY?, as I had seen them both perform before. I was very excited to see them perform again. You could tell the crowd was feeling the effects of day one, as the energy level was a little softer and slower at the beginning. One person did kick off a pit during Moosecreek Park, and I ended up in it briefly by accident. Oops! But no one else seemed to vibe, so it died pretty quickly.

While single-day tickets were available, many attendees who bought them also ended up getting both Saturday and Sunday passes, as the two-day passes are limited. I was grateful for a little bit of a quieter day, however EMWAY? was not about to let the crowd stay comfortable being mellow. I knew that if any band on that lineup could get the crowd awake, it was them—I was correct. As soon as vocalist Kyle took the stage with the band, it was a frenzy of stage divers, mosh pits, and good ‘ol two-stepping. It was like watching dominos just topple off the stage with the number of stage divers. Unfortunately, they did struggle with some sound technical difficulties throughout the set, but that did not slow them down. 100% go see them. 

Frail Body, the metal band on the lineup, was very good. The lighting, however, was not. They had just two or three measly little lights, each stationed in front of each band member, and nothing else. It was pitch black. From a photographer’s perspective, it was not ideal and pretty rough to work with since I don’t usually use flash at concerts. But I get it—it’s part of the scene. The crowd was awake by then so the mosh pit grew and people were kicking it, I don’t think as many people stage dove, offering a reprieve for the front row. 

The last opener was Michael Cera Palin, a band my husband was looking forward to seeing. They were great. By then, I was honestly just ready for Sincere Engineer to close out the weekend so I could go home and get some sleep. Fourteen bands in two days is a lot to take in. This all being said, Sincere Engineer, of course, was amazing; I expected nothing less. I managed to snag the setlist and get it signed by Deanna while grabbing some merch. 10/10 will attend it next year—but I might not photograph it, I don’t know. I’m saying this now, but I’ll probably bring my camera next year because I’m insane about my love for concert photography.

Until next year, can’t wait to see who JJ books for us. Keep burning bright Milwaukee!