Keying off the story in today's paper, Live Nation announced that it will produce a festival on St. Paul's Harriet Island June 23-24. Meanwhile, First Avenue recently earned approval to host its first festival July 20-21 in Minneapolis' Parade Athletic Fields (by the Sculpture Garden). Once the news got out on both events, music fans immediately started debating which bands are likely to play at them. So I thought I'd throw out my semi-educated guesses at possible candidates.
In the case of the St. Paul fest, it's especially hard to predict since Live Nation isn't even saying whether it'll be a rock or country show, or what – but comparisons to the Chicago-based Lollapalooza abound, so I'm going off that idea. First Ave's blowout is a lot easier to predict, although club staffers are stressing that they don't envision anything much bigger than a big block party, especially for their first year.
Remember, this is entirely hypothetical. First Ave hasn't even sent out offers to bands yet (that starts next week, I'm told), and Live Nation is reportedly just getting started, too. So here you go.
ST. PAUL FEST CANDIDATES
Assuming it will be a rock and hip-hop fest in the vein of Lollapalooza: the Red Hot Chili Peppers (touring all spring and summer, but no Twin Cities date announced yet); Radiohead (same thing); the Black Keys (same); the Foo Fighters (touring into 2012 and always do well in St. Paul); No Doubt (2012 reunion plans); Pearl Jam (is way overdue to play here, but rarely works with Live Nation), Adele (if she gets her voice back), the Roots (can do weekend fly-ins, and played Harriet Island once for River Rocks Fest in 2008); Florence + the Machine; or, if they want more of a geriatric approach, there are the Eagles, Tom Petty or the just-announced reunion Beach Boys lineup.
FIRST AVE FEST CANDIDATES
The Black Keys (might be out of First Ave's reach now, though); Bon Iver (if not at Rock the Garden); Wilco (has a long First Ave history and enjoys playing outdoors here); the Shins (also old faithfuls); the Roots; Feist; Death Cab for Cutie; Modest Mouse; the Hold Steady; Spoon; Doomtree; Polica and, of course, there's always First Ave g.m. Nate Kranz's favorite band, Guided by Voices (which also makes sense since it'll have a new album out).
