GRRRL PRTY takes Stage 1 at 3pm. This will be their last performance as a group. (Photo courtesy of WAC)
Rock the Garden 2016 takes over Boom Island Saturday
Provided by Walker Art Center (Photos courtesy of WAC)
Summer starts with a boom. One day, two stages, eight bands. This year your kickoff to summer heads out of the garden and over to Boom Island Park in Northeast Minneapolis, along the mighty Mississippi with a view of the city skyline. Bounce from stage to stage, hit up the food trucks and beer tent, and soak up some sun while indie icons and buzz-worthy bands soundtrack the perfect summer day. Gates open at 1 pm and the music starts at 2:30 pm.
Lineup
Stage 1
- GRRRL PRTY, 3pm
- Hippo Campus, 4:30pm
- Poliça, 6:30pm
- The Flaming Lips, 8:45pm
Stage 2
- Plague Vendor, 2:30pm
- Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, 3:45pm
- M. Ward, 5:30pm
- Chance The Rapper, 7:30pm
Rock the Garden 2016 opens with a blast of LA punk rock abandon when Plague Vendor hits the stage. With a frontman who channels Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Sid Vicious, their no-holds-barred power punk is frenetic, reckless, and super fun. GRRRL PRTY brings a celebration of femininity, hip-hop, and unsheathed swagger, featuring the spitfire poetess Sophia Eris, percussive hellion Manchita, DJ Shannon Blowtorch, and Southern-born Northern star Lizzo. Their sound is undeniably unique, gritty, and unapologetic. Rock the Garden 2016 will be GRRRL PRTY’s final performance as a group.
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are revered nationally for their raucous hard times/good times live shows. These swaggering soul sensations channel greats like Otis Redding and Sam & Dave and practically explode with deep, primal, and ecstatic soulfulness. Hammond, horns, funk, and vintage R&B add up to amazing live performances for a band best known for their gold record Stax single and viral hit “S.O.B” called “that flawless, once-in-a-blue-moon melding of supercharged summer rave-up, audience singalong” (Los Angeles Times). Next up is Hippo Campus, four young Twin Cities musicians whose bright and jangly rock has catapulted them to the national stage, with stops at Lollapalooza, SXSW, and Conan along the way. “Wildly energetic” (A.V. Club).
The festival continues with the blues-inspired indie folk of Portland’s M. Ward. The singer/guitarist “is the best sort of traditionalist: one that blurs time. The vibe is retro, but the spirit is eternal” (Rolling Stone). Minneapolis’ synthpop heroes Poliça take the stage for their only Twin Cities summer show. A collaboration between producer Ryan Olson (GAYNGS) and chanteuse Channy Leaneagh, the band just released their most ambitious album to date and will head off on a European tour this fall.
At only 23, Chance The Rapper’s fans include Kanye West and Pitchfork, who called his recently released 2016 mixtape album Coloring Book“one of the strongest rap albums released this year, an uplifting mix of spiritual and grounded that even an atheist can catch the Spirit to.” Rolling Stone also celebrated his work as “the richest hip-hop album of 2016 so far.”
Psychedelic art rock surrealists the Flaming Lips headline Rock the Garden’s island party. Catch this must-see spectacle/freak-out, complete with frontman Wayne Coyne’s signature man-sized plastic bubble and beloved songs from a 30-year catalogue of alternative hits. Expect confetti.
Food Vendors
There are several great options to satiate your hunger: Anchor Fish & Chips, Best Way Gyros, Cheese Curds, Chef Shack, Chipotle, Foxy Falafel, 4 Bells, Fro Yo Soul, Green + The Grain, Gorkha Palace, Hot Indian Foods, Mid-Nord Empanada, Que Viet, Stanley’s Barroom, Taulelle Fries & Dogs, West Indies Soul Food, Wild Earth Pizza, and Wyn 65. All vendors accept cash; some will accept cards.
Free hydration
Bring your empty water bottle and enjoy refreshing cold water throughout the Rock the Garden concert grounds provided by Tap Minneapolis.
Tickets
General admission is $64 and includes access to both stages and food/beverage vendors. See walkerart.org.
See related: All Music News on MinnyApple.com
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