The Basilica Block Party may have a new location for its 2024 comeback, but its newly announced lineup looks straight out of 2004, if not 1994.
Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows headline the two-night festival, which will take place Aug. 2 and 3 at Boom Island Park near downtown Minneapolis.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. March 22 via basilicablockparty.org. Prices start at $159 for two days and $89 for one. “Fanzone” tickets are $299 and $169 and include pit tickets and exclusive bars and bathrooms, while the $599 and $349 VIP packages feature front row access, free food, two drink tickets and access to an air-conditioned tent.
This year’s festival features two stages, down from three at its typical location in a parking lot outside the Basilica of St. Mary that’s unavailable this summer due to an Xcel Energy construction project.
John Rzeznik, left, and Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls perform during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
First night headliners Goo Goo Dolls emerged from New York in 1986 with a sound clearly influenced by Minneapolis’ own the Replacements. After smoothing out their approach, the group first charted with 1995’s “Name” and earned their biggest hit with the 1998 ballad “Iris.” In the years since, they’ve established themselves as an outdoor summertime draw with shows at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, Mystic Lake Casino Amphitheater, Wayzata Beach Bash and the 2013 Basilica Block Party.
Light rockers the Fray, locals Yam Haus and newcomers Dean Lewis and Red Clay Strays are also on the bill for Aug. 2.
San Francisco’s Counting Crows hit the ground running in 1993 when their first two singles, “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here,” landed in the Top 10. They’ve since maintained a steady presence on adult alternative radio with a string of hits including “American Girls,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Accidentally in Love,” “You Can’t Count on Me,” “Come Around” and “Elevator Boots.” They previously played the Basilica Block Party in 2004 and 2009.
Christian rockers NeedToBreathe and Judah and the Lion head up the rest of the Aug. 3 lineup, which also includes 2012 “American Idol” champ Phillip Phillips, singer/songwriter Ingrid Andress and Minneapolis newcomers Guytano.
Local stage
The second stage features all local acts. Run Westy Run tops the night one bill, which also includes Black Widows, the Ocean Blue, Whiskey Rock ‘n’ Roll Club, Parishes and Cindy Lawson.
St. Paul and the Minneapolis Funk All Stars — a group packed with Prince-approved musicians like St. Paul Peterson, Jellybean Johnson, Dr. Fink, Kirk Johnson and Elisa Fiorillo — close things out Aug. 3 with help from Nur-D, the Mary Jane Alm Band, She’s Green and the Muatas.
Founded in 1995 as a fundraiser to help pay for structural restoration of the historic downtown Basilica, the Basilica Block Party was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2021, the event moved from its typical mid-July dates to September. But the day before the event began, Saturday night headliners the Avett Brothers canceled due to COVID-19 exposure. Ticket sales suffered and the festival drew about half its pre-pandemic attendance. Organizers canceled the festival in 2022 and 2023.
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