The Best Twin Cities Outdoor Concerts to See This Summer
It’s finally summer in the Twin Cities, and what better way to celebrate than listening to live music under the sun and stars? Almost every day of the week from now until early September, there are outdoor concerts including freebies in the Minneapolis parks, rap and rock festivals, big-ticket shows like Toby Keith and Billy Joel, and, of course, the State Fair’s lineup. Check out the list below and start saving the dates.
Grand Old Day
Local and national bands such as 4ontheFloor and Charlie Parr play on seven outdoor stages along Grand Avenue from Dale to Prior.
Minnesota Orchestra
The beer makers joining forces with a few members of the Minnesota Orchestra might seem an unlikely pairing, but we find that free suds go quite well with classical brass.
Willie Nelson and Family
You know Willie. What you might not know is that the 84-year-old is touring behind his acclaimed 61st album, God’s Problem Child.
Dat Brass Doe
Head out of the city for Champlin’s Father Hennepin Festival to see the parade and a performance by KDWB’s Dave Ryan and his brass band, which is comprised of loyal listeners.
Twin Cities Jazz Festival
Join more than 40,000 jazz fans who flock every year in this Lowertown park. This year’s lineup includes headliners McCoy Tyner, Joshua Redman, and Terence Blanchard, among many other greats.
Mason Jennings
The folk-pop singer-songwriter now tours nationally but began his music career in a Minnesota cabin. Jennings just finished his his 13th album and world tour with Jack Johnson, but you can catch him locally at Music in the Zoo.
Ziggy Marley
He’s best known as Bob Marley’s son, but Ziggy has talents all his own and eight Grammys to his name. Plus, nothing says summer like reggae in an amphitheater.
Journey
Don’t stop believin’ that you’ll be hearing this song at karaoke all summer, so you might as well hear it done on-key.
Go Fest ‘17
Party outside the Cabooze with Bleachers, Mutemath, the Naked and Famous, and more.
Basilica Block Party
Praise the Loud, The Basilica Block Party returns for its 22nd year with 19 bands on three stages over two days, including the Shins, Brandi Carlile, Walk the Moon, and AWOLNATION.
Hippo Campus, Polica, Low
Sure, it’s a trek from the Cities, but we’d be remiss not to mention this stacked bill of Minnesota favorites.
Weezer
Sing along to “Buddy Holly,” “Hash Pipe,” and “Beverly Hills,” outdoors at The Island, with Cold War Kids supporting.
Rock the Garden
Thankfully, after a year hiatus due to construction, The Current’s Rock the Garden returns to the actual garden (the Walker Art Center’s Minneapolis Sculpture Garden) this year. Bon Iver headlines, with The Revolution, Benjamin Booker, Car Seat Headrest, and Margaret Glaspy supporting.
Dr. Dog
The next concert collaboration between First Avenue and Surly Brewing is this off-the-wall indie rock group, which recently toured with My Morning Jacket.
Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton
Two classic rock icons join forces for a night that dads will love.
Billy Joel
Probably the most-talked about outdoor concert of the summer among the 40-and-up set belongs to Joel, who will perform for his largest Twin Cities crowd to date.
Backstreet Boys, Nelly, Florida Georgia Line
It’s like an Elvis sandwich (peanut butter, bacon, and banana). You wouldn’t expect the three ingredients to work, but put them together and you’ve got something special (maybe).
Steve Earle and The Dukes
Steve Earle has been around the block and then some during his 30-plus year career, playing country, rock, folk, and, most recently, the blues.
WE Fest
Dust off your cowboy boots, pack the cooler, and head northwest to one of the biggest country parties in the nation. This year, the 35th-annual WE Fest includes headliners Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, and Lady Antebellum.
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
Four-time Grammy winner Benatar takes the stage with guitarist Giraldo, her partner in music and life, to belt out big hits like “Love Is a Battlefield” and “Hit Me with Your Best Shot.”
Los Lonely Boys
Brothers Henry, Ringo, and Jojo Garza bring their “Texican Rock”-- combining rock, blues, soul, country, and Tejano -- to the zoo.
BoDeans
Known primarily as the band that produced the theme song to Party of Five, the Bodeans are known for their high-energy alt-rock performances.
Father John Misty
Singer-songwriter Josh Tillman brings his unpredictable, over-the-top showmanship to Surly Field.
Tour de Fat
The Record Company headlines this early evening of Fat Tire beer, circus performers, comedy, and more.
Nickelback and Daughtry
What better way to enjoy some oversized food on a stick than with the multi-platinum, Canadian rockers?
Five for Fighting
In the State of Hockey, you have to appreciate an act named after the sport’s major penalty. Head to the Zoo to catch singer-songwriter John Ondrasik play his hits “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” and “100 Years” backed by a string quartet.
Brad Paisley
Paisley playing outdoors will feature a steady flow of alcohol at The Island. Bring your straw cowboy hat and make sure to hydrate.
Toby Keith
It’s a shame Keith’s I Love This Bar in St. Louis Park shut down a couple years ago, but at least he’s back to take the stage at the State Fair with opener 3 Doors Down.
John Mellencamp
The ‘Camp coming to the Fair is a pairing so good it hurts.
Usher
Yeah! Try to mimic Usher’s dance moves to burn some calories in the stands after you’ve eaten all that fried food.
Sam Hunt
The former college quarterback closes the fair with his slew of recent country hits, like 2017’s “Body Like a Back Road.”
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Jenna Bennett is a writer for Thrillist who will definitely be at Basilica Block Party this summer. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @jennasbennett.