And the big outdoor summer rock shows just keep coming: Alabama Shakes and Father John Misty will co-headline a special one-night party May 30 on Minneapolis' historic Hall's Island, located under the refurbished Plymouth Avenue Bridge on the Mississippi River just north of downtown. Tickets go on sale Friday at 11 a.m. for $45 via eTix.com and First Avenue outlets.
After putting their proposed First Avenue Festival in Parade Stadium permanently on the backburner two summers ago, the club's bookers kept their eyes on other possible outdoor music ideas. They helped put together the Trampled by Turtles-led Festival Palomino with co-promoter Rose Presents at Canterbury Park last September (on again for this year), and they teamed with Chicago's Jam Productions for this special May 30 concert.
Hall's Island housed a popular bath house and park in the early 1900s before it was taken over by the Scherrer Bros. Lumber Co. The Minneapolis Parks Department recently took it back over and has been reshaping to be a part of the Above the Falls Regional Park.
In a press release Jam and First Ave put out on the concert, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said, "I'm extremely proud that they are bringing live music to our river front. I can't wait for this concert to happen in our city."
Gates to the show will open at 4:30 p.m., and local food offerings and craft beers are being promised along with the skyline-framed sunset (weather-permitting, of course).
Both Alabama Shakes and Father John Misty will be touring to tout their sophomore albums, following big breakout years that generated especially strong Twin Cities followings 2012-2013. FJM's April 4 show at First Ave sold out instantaneously. Alabama Shakes' last time in town was a sold-out outdoor show at Cabooze Plaza in July 2013, also a First Ave-promoted event.