MILWAUKEE — For the first time, a local band called Ladybird is playing the Big Gig.
It’s one of many hometown talents getting the opportunity at Summerfest.
Ladybird is a country-rock band made up of Pete McDermott, Sam Szymborski, Josh Rardin, Aidan Gouran and Will Hansen.
McDermott founded the band three years ago. He said 2024 has proven to be a record year for the group.
“We finished recording the record in November, and then all of the sudden we blinked, and the album is out in May, and we got Summerfest in July,” said McDermott, who has also booked Ladybird shows around the Midwest and on the East Coast.
Sam Szymborski is the lead guitarist and songwriter for Ladybird. He said playing at Summerfest is a huge marketing opportunity for the band.
“You have a bunch of people coming in from out of town, you have locals, you’ve got big records hanging out, just drinking beer,” said Szymborski. “You reach the masses with something like Summerfest.”
Szymborski said when he was a kid, he used to be in awe of the performers on stage. He said he never dreamed he’d be one of them someday.
“Summerfest has been a special thing for all of us growing up and it was a place for you to goof off when you were a kid and now, it’s a place of music,” said Szymborski.
McDermott said that the band doesn’t take this opportunity lightly, and is honored to be part of such a longstanding musical tradition.
“When you think about the list of bands that have come through, and even some of the bands that have played on the stage that we are going to play on, it’s really special to think about that. We are going to be doing the same thing,” said McDermott.
Ladybird performs on July 5 at 1 p.m. at the Miller Lite Oasis Stage.