Blondie, k.d. lang, the Jayhawks, Grace Potter, Home Free and kids' music favorite Laurie Berkner are among the first-timers announced for the 24th annual Minnesota Zoo concert series.
Of course, all of those artists have been around for years, but it will be their debuts at the 1,500-seat Weesner Family Amphitheater.
Overall, however, the lineup is heavy on zoo repeaters, including Shawn Colvin with Steve Earle (they have a duo album due in June and come to the zoo on Aug. 2), Los Lobos (June 19), the Mavericks (Aug. 9), Buddy Guy (June 24), Marc Cohn (July 29-30), Bruce Hornsby (July 2), Dark Star Orchestra (June 23), Ziggy Marley (June 13), George Thorogood (July 20), Guster (July 6), Trevor Hall (July 13), Trombone Shorty (July 21), Indigo Girls (July 25), Tower of Power (July 27), Five for Fighting (June 10) and Jerry Jeff Walker (Aug. 27).
The Jayhawks (July 1) head a list of zoo-bound locals, including Morris Day & the Time (June 30), Har Mar Superstar (Aug. 20) and Soul Asylum (June 18).
Blondie, those Rock and Roll Hall of Famers known for "Call Me" and "Rapture," will party at the zoo on June 11. Rocker Potter, who opened for the Rolling Stones at TCF Bank Stadium, will headline two nights at the zoo, Aug. 7-8.
Veteran chanteuse lang will team up with younger singers Neko Case and Laura Veirs on Aug. 10. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band brings some twang to Apple Valley on July 9, and Berkner brings her kids' stuff there on July 31. Home Free, the Minnesota-based a cappella champs, will deliver harmonies and humor on June 12.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. April 23 at suemclean.com/zoo, etix.com, 1-800-514-3849 and the Electric Fetus in Minneapolis. Additional zoo concerts will be announced later.
Twitter: @JonBream • 612-673-1719
