Americana ace Jason Isbell and enduring alt-rockers Cake will headline the 24th annual Basilica Block Party fundraiser on July 6-7 at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.
A Basilica performer in 2015, Isbell was named Americana artist of the year in both 2014 and '15. His 2017 recording, "The Nashville Sound," earned a Grammy this year for best Americana album while his "If We Were Vampires" was named best American roots song. He now has four Grammys. He'll rock the BBP with his band, the 400 Unit.
Cake, known for such radio staples as "Sick of You" and "The Distance," has been kicking around since the early 1990s. The Sacramento band last played the BBP in 2012.
The two-day, three-stage church fundraiser also will feature the Revolution, Prince's band from his "Purple Rain" era; Los Angeles partiers and BBP vets Fitz and the Tantrums; "Honey, I'm Good" hitmaker Andy Grammer; rising indie rocker Borns, who packed the Palace Theater earlier this year; Aussie roots rockers the John Butler Trio, who have been popular at the Minnesota Zoo; North Carolina folk-rockers Delta Rae, and 1990s faves Third Eye Blind of "Semi-Charmed Life" fame.
Several local acts are booked including the Shackletons, Reina del Cid, Kid Dakota, Lady Lark and Easy Eyes.
The lineup was announced Thursday afternoon on Cities 97, the radio station that is the longtime sponsor of BBP even though only Grammer and Fitz and the Tantrums are likely to be heard on Cities airwaves these days.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at etix.com and basilicablockparty.org. The cost is $60 for one day, $110 for two days. Prices will increase on June 1. At the gate, tickets will go for $75 and $125.
Since 1995, the BBP has raised more than $9.5 million for the restoration of the Basilica of St. Mary and its outreach programs for needy people.
