Magnificent Mile: 700 Live Sets at Appleton Music Festival

Some people like to consume things in modest quantities at a leisurely pace, while others favor a more intense, concentrated experience. If you prefer your music like a shot of 100-proof whiskey, the Mile of Music may be the festival for you.

The annual event features over 700 sets performed by more than 200 acts at 40 venues on and around College Avenue in downtown Appleton. This is its 12th installment of the four-day festival, with things getting underway on Thursday and running through the Sunday.

The Drink Wisconsinbly Week in Review has not had a chance to evaluate and rank the artists on the bill as we are still processing the loss of Ozzy Osbourne. Since playing his catalog on heavy rotation in the newsroom is the form our grief has taken, and there’s time for little else on the sound system. But with that many performers, we’re confident that all but the snobbiest of music snobs will find something to enjoy based purely on sheer numbers.

If there wasn’t enough music happening already, attendees are encouraged to make their own at one of several hands-on music events such as songwriting workshops and drum circles. There’s no word on whether there’s any place for regular people to actually sing. But there is beer available should you need to conquer a bout of stage fright.

The event runs from July 31st until August 3rd. At press time, the forecast appears to be favorable. (And what’s more reliable than a long-range forecast?!) You can learn more about the performers, check out a map, and find answers to many of your most pressing questions at the event website.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have to get back to staring wistfully into the middle distance while listening to Blizzard of Ozz.