If you look at the just-announced lineup for the June 19 Rock the Garden party from the vantage point of a public radio station trying to attract new members and broaden its demographics, the bill makes pretty terrific sense. You have headliners MGMT to reinforce the Current/89.3 core hipster crowd; Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings to attract older and/or more classic-leaning music fans who might otherwise skip RTG for a Minnesota Zoo show; then there's Chicagoans OK Go to maybe bring in some younger MTV2-watching, Vans-wearing fans; and Retribution Gospel Choir is there to keep local music writers and record-store clerks from complaining about the lineup.

If you look at this year's Rock the Garden party as a concertgoer, though, it leaves a little to be desired. MGMT's previous shows in town pretty universally earned them a reputation as a disengaged, lackluster live act. On top of that, their new album is quite different and somewhat more downbeat compared to the first one. Jones & the Dap Kings are inarguably one of the best live bands out there -- their SXSW sets last month were among the best yet that I've seen -- which is why I personally worry about RTG crowd giving them a proper reception. There'd be nothing worse than seeing Jones up on stage singing and dancing her tail off to a sea of uninterested indie-rock fans texting on their iPhones, which sort of happened during Calexico's gorgeous sunset set last year. And I can't imagine anyone getting too excited about OK Go, who are fun in a Weezer-y way... but they're no Weezer!

Speaking of Weezer, you'd probably have to declare the Basilica Block Party the clear winner this year in what appears to be a growing battle between the Cities 97-backed Basilica and the Current's Rock the Garden -- especially if Broken Bells indeed winds up being added to the July 9-10 Basilica lineup. The Basilica bash also has two Current favorites who are renowned for strong live shows, Spoon and the Avett Brothers. Plus Weezer! Of course, the Basilica party comes with more corporate backing and Miller Lite vs. Summit beer stands, which is to say nothing of the obvious difference in the size and variety of the respective play lists at each of the event's sponsoring stations. No matter what, though, both events have built-in audiences that know they're a good time. And hey, let's not forget that both shows also benefit not-for-profit institutions that help make the Cities great (the Walker, Basilica and Minnesota Public Radio).

Now, let's just wait for the Taste of Minnesota lineup announcement before we officially declare any of these the coolest rock parties of the summer. I'm crossing my fingers for Smash Mouth and the return of Dennis DeYoung at that one.

(Sharon Jones photo from SXSW by Tony Nelson)