Summer Fun and Arts 2021: Music

Ross Raihala, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
·5 min read

Jun. 13—Slowly but surely, live music is returning to the Twin Cities.

The metro's largest arenas and stadiums, however, won't have much to offer. Fans have two options: Green Day, Weezer and Fall Out Boy (Aug. 23; Target Field; $650-$134.50) and Daryl Hall and John Oates (Aug. 30; Xcel Energy Center; $575-$26.50).

Folks who enjoy outdoor shows and local and regional acts, however, have plenty of options. Several festivals are back as well. Here's a look at what's on tap.

Basilica Block Party

A longtime early July staple, the two-night Basilica Block Party has been pushed back to Sept. 10 and 11. Held outside the Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis, the festival is a fundraiser for structural restoration on the historic building. Organizers have yet to announce a lineup, but recent headliners have included the likes of Kacey Musgraves, Jason Mraz, Jason Isbell and Cake. See basilicablockparty.org for further details.

Twin Cities Summer Jam

With an oddball lineup featuring Aerosmith, Tim McGraw and Pitbull, the Twin Cities Summer Jam made a splashy debut in 2019 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee. Tickets for the 2020 follow-up were already on sale when the pandemic hit, but organizers are bringing back two of that year's would-be headliners in July. The full lineup includes Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kip Moore, Tim Montana and 32 Below on July 22; Carrie Underwood, Brett Young, Blanco Brown, Ian Munsick and Chris Kroeze on July 23; and Zac Brown Band, Ashley McBride, Niko Moon, Fabulous Armadillos and Shane Martin on July 24. Ticket prices range from $99 for a single day general admission to $1,200 for a three-day "gold VIP" pass. Camping options are also available and ticket prices are set to increase on June 22. For details, see tcsummerjam.com.

Minnesota State Fair Grandstand

Live music is set to return to the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand when Miranda Lambert performs on opening night, Aug. 26 ($65-$40). At press time, three other concerts were on the schedule: The Doobie Brothers featuring Michael McDonald (Aug. 31; $65-$50), Tim McGraw (Sept. 1; $88-$60) and Darci Lynne (Sept. 6; $25). See mnstatefair.org for further details.

Winstock Country Music Festival

Like the Basilica Block Party, the annual Winstock Country Music Festival is happening later than usual, on Aug. 20 and 21. Held at a site adjacent to the Winsted (Minn.) Airport, Winstock features two strong headliners in Sam Hunt (Aug. 20) and Luke Combs (Aug. 21). Chris Janson, Elvie Shane and Eric Chesser round out the first night's lineup, while night two also includes Brett Eldredge, Big and Rich with Cowboy Troy, Shenandoah, Phil Vassar and Bobby Vandell's Real Men of Country. Tickets are $150 for general admission and $200 for reserved seats. VIP tickets are sold out as are four of the six camping areas. For more details, see winstockfestival.com.

Twin Cities Jazz Festival

Tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi and his quartet and vocalist Kurt Elling are among the acts set to play a scaled-back version of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. It will feature four nights of live jazz — June 24 through 27 — at Crooners and the Dakota. Tickets are available for the Crooners shows and concerts will be streamed for free online. Ashley DuBose, the Jazz Women All-Stars, Andrew Walesch, Jamecia Bennett and the JazzMN Orchestra are also on the bill. Organizers are working on presenting a full-fledged, in-person festival Sept. 17 and 18 at its home base of St. Paul's Mears Park. See twincitiesjazzfestival.com for more info.

Mystic Lake Casino

Hootie and the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker headlines the Mystic Lake Casino Amphitheater on June 18 ($129-$59). John Fogerty plays the casino's outdoor stage on July 4 ($229-$49). The casino's indoor showroom has several summer shows booked: 3 Doors Down (Aug. 13; $255-$59), Bachman Cummings (Aug. 15; $59-$49) and Dwight Yoakam (Aug. 20; sold out).

Treasure Island Casino

The Treasure Island Casino Amphitheater reopens for business on July 2 with Foreigner ($250-$27.50). Other outdoor shows include The Rocket Man Show: Elton John Tribute (July 3; free general admission, $39 reserved seats) and comedian Gabriel Iglesias (July 31; $98-$59).

In the clubs

Clubs and venues across the Twin Cities are opening back up, or are already at full steam, for in-person live music. They include First Avenue, 7th Street Entry, Fine Line, Turf Club, Armory, Crooners Supper Club, Fillmore Minneapolis, Minnesota Music Cafe, Skyway Theatre, Amsterdam Bar and Hall, Surly Brewing Festival Field, Hook and Ladder, Cabooze and Icehouse. Highlights include:

— The Suburbs; July 2-3; 7th Street Entry; $75.

— Electric Six; July 7; Turf Club; $18.

— Dessa with Lady Midnight; July 8-9; Turf Club; $30.

— Parker McCollum; July 16; Fillmore Minneapolis; TBA.

— Tina and the B-Sides; July 17; Turf Club; $30.

— Kayzo; July 17; Fillmore Minneapolis; $30.

— Run Westy Run; July 30; Turf Club; $20.

— Bad Bad Hats; July 30-31; 7th Street Entry; $20.

— Martin Zellar; July 31; $25.

— Shooter Jennings; Aug. 6; Fine Line; $45-$27.

— Patti Smith; Aug. 7; Surly Brewing Festival Field; $50.

— Lindsey Stirling; Aug. 9; Armory; $189-$67.

— Dermot Kennedy; Aug. 11; Armory; $275-$37.

— Deftones; Aug. 12; Armory; $325-$195.

— Umphrey's McGee; Aug. 14; $39.50; First Avenue.

— Ween; Aug. 21; Surly Brewing Festival Field; $59.50.

— Between the Buried and Me; Aug. 21; Skyway Theatre; $20.

— Modest Mouse; Aug. 22; Armory; $150-$40.

— P.O.D.; Aug. 22; First Avenue; $35-$30.

— Beartooth; Aug. 27; Fillmore Minneapolis; $107.50-$27.50.

— Bully; Aug. 31; Fine Line; $40-$25.

— Modern English; Aug. 31; Turf Club; $28-$25.