The 2024 Harley Homecoming festival at Veterans Park wrapped up on Saturday night. While Friday featured a pair of up-and-coming acts, Saturday's grand finale was headlined by the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers, alongside a lineup of iconic performers.
Cypress Hill at Harley Homecoming 2024
Kicking off the evening were hip-hop legends Cypress Hill, who acknowledged their lengthy career yet showed no signs of slowing down, delivering hit after hit. Frontmen B-Real and Sen Dog energized the crowd, while percussionist Eric Bobo and DJ Muggs showcased their talents with impressive jam sessions and rapid-fire turntablism. The set concluded with a Wisconsin-pleasing cover of House of Pain’s “Jump Around,” igniting the entire crowd.
The Offspring at Harley Homecoming 2024
Next on the main stage were The Offspring, making their third Milwaukee appearance in as many years. They brought a high-octane performance, featuring their biggest hits and a fresh energy from their recent single “Make It All Right.” Fan favorites from “Americana” and “Smash” received the biggest reactions. Despite a tight hour-long set, they included a cover of The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” and snippets of 80’s metal classics, thrilling the audience.
Red Hot Chili Peppers at Harley Homecoming 2024
As the sun set, the Red Hot Chili Peppers took to the Willie G. Davidson stage, following a brief introduction by Willie G. Davidson himself. The band began with an orchestral overture, signaling an epic performance ahead. Amidst strobing lights and trippy graphics, they delivered a set that catered to their core fans, featuring extended, technical jams and a bass-heavy mix. Despite Anthony Kiedis playing through injuries, the band’s energy never waned.
The latter half of their performance included crowd-pleasers like “Tell Me Baby,” “Californication,” and “By The Way,” with “Black Summer” from their 2022 album. For the encore, they revisited their “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” era with “Sir Psycho Sexy” and “They’re Red Hot,” ending with the fan-favorite “Give It Away.” The band expressed their gratitude to the Milwaukee crowd, who enthusiastically appreciated the 90-minute set filled with the Chili Peppers' signature flair.
As a final treat, the video board announced the dates for the 2025 Harley Homecoming, set for July 10-13, promising another unforgettable celebration.