More stadium shows than ever. More festivals than ever. More outdoor venues being put to use. And the Stones to boot. Our assessment of the 2015 summer concert season around the Twin Cities is there's simply too much. Here's a breakdown to help sort through it all.
10 concerts we're most excited about
Eaux Claires Festival: Justin Vernon's inaugural hometown fest is four Rock the Garden lineups crammed into two days, with room to camp. His band Bon Iver will return alongside Spoon, the National, Sufjan Stevens, Doomtree, Sturgill Simpson, Indigo Girls and more. July 17-18, Eau Claire, Wis., $135
Mavis Staples, Patty Griffin and Amy Helm: Three top-flight vocalists — including a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and the daughter of another — present an evening of spirited roots music. July 12, Minnesota Zoo, $52-$64.50
Rolling Stones: It's been 10 years since the world's oldest, richest and greatest band has played the Twin Cities. "Satisfaction" guaranteed. June 3, TCF Bank Stadium, $65-$395
Lisa Fischer: The backup singer extraordinaire is artful, organic and breathtaking in this intimate setting. Maybe her boss for the summer, Mr. Jagger, will show up to sing background vocals. May 31-June 1, Dakota Jazz Club, $50-$70
Soundset: One of the nation's biggest all-hip-hop fests has only one mainstream star this year (Ice Cube) but a wide variety of acts on the verge, including J. Cole, Big Sean, Vince Staples, Vic Mensa and Logic, plus reliable locals. May 24, Canterbury Park Festival Field, $68
Alabama Shakes and Father John Misty: Both of the hipster-beloved acts took ambitious turns on their new albums, but we're also eager to check out the unusual riverfront site. May 30, Hall's Island, northeast Mpls., sold out
Basilica Block Party: Weezer is back to headline Friday, and the Saturday lineup with Wilco, Jason Isbell and Jenny Lewis makes a holy trinity for lovers of Americana music. July 10-11, Basilica of St. Mary, $50/$90
The Kills: Alison Mosshart proved she's one of rock's great frontwomen with Jack White in the Dead Weather. She is finally back with Jamie Hince in their incomparably heavy duo. Aug. 3, First Avenue, $25
Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson and Sturgill Simpson: Two of country's greatest songwriters still have plenty of personality and gravitas at age 78, and impressive newcomer Simpson sounds like their kin. Sept. 7, State Fair grandstand, $35
Cécile McLorin Salvant: This unpretentious but exquisite jazz vocalist, 25, returns for her second Dakota engagement. Her debut, "WomanChild," was named DownBeat's album of the year in 2014. June 23-24, Dakota Jazz Club, $25-$40
For fans only
Shania Twain: The queen of country pop retired in 2004 because of voice issues. After returning in 2012 with a Las Vegas residency, she's undertaking a final arena tour and promises a new album next year. July 28, Target Center, $46-$136
Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line: Say what you want about bro country, but these hitmakers know how to entertain beer-drinking, truck-driving, tight-jeans-wearing crowds. June 20, TCF Bank Stadium, $45.50-$89.50
Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean: Chesney's timeshare at the Twins ballpark calls for two days this summer, and he's bringing bestseller Aldean along to set the table. July 18-19, Target Field, $46.25-$279.75
Idina Menzel: She's "wicked" and "frozen" but boasts a stratospheric voice. Aug. 13, Northrop, $75-$100
One Direction: England's boy wonders lost one of their hunkier members, Zayn Malik, and gave one of the duller boy-band performances we've ever seen last time. July 26, TCF Bank Stadium, $40-$123
New Kids on the Block with TLC and Nelly: After touring with Backstreet Boys last time, enduring boy band NKOTB is bringing another oldie acronym — TLC, of "Creep" and "Waterfalls" fame. May 20, Xcel Energy Center, $29.50-$96.50
Smashing Pumpkins: Launching a first-ever unplugged tour is one way for Billy Corgan to add interest to his long-unglued lineup. June 25, Pantages Theatre, sold out
Beach Boys: What's more American than having "Fun Fun Fun" and fireworks with America's first great rock band on Independence Day? Keep in mind that this is the Mike Love incarnation of this splintered family of harmonizers. July 4, Mystic Lake, $32-$69
Lindsey Stirling: The Yanni of the violin, she built a following via YouTube. Forbes magazine named her to its "30 Under 30 in Music." June 4, Northrop, $32.50-$55
Worth taking a chance on
Purity Ring: Like a bubble-gummy Beach House, the Canadian electro-pop duo is enjoying a breakout year and added a second, all-ages show due to local demand. June 9, First Avenue, $20
Rock the Garden: The Current's and Walker's garden party might look a bit too eclectic this year, but we expect Modest Mouse fans to be bowled over by Babes in Toyland and Seun Kuti, and Belle & Sebastian adorers to fall in love with Courtney Barnett. June 20-21, Walker Art Center, $64/$100
Meghan Trainor: This 21-year-old pop newcomer is about more than "All About That Bass," her body-image anthem. Her "Lips Are Movin' " and "Dear Future Husband" discuss what she won't tolerate in a man. Sept. 1, State Fair, $35
Kelly Clarkson: The first "American Idol" champ has had a checkered career as recording artist and concert performer. (Remember, she canceled a State Fair show in 2010.) But she has a potent voice and enough hit songs to warrant another shot. Aug. 4, Xcel Energy Center, $29.50-$99.50
Salt-N-Pepa: "Push It" back to the '90s with "Shoop," "Whatta Man" and other hip-hop favorites. July 8, Minnesota Zoo, $55-$67.50
Charli XCX and Bleachers: We're not exactly gaga for the prefab British starlet Charli, but if her shtick doesn't stick in concert, then Bleachers (featuring Jack Antonoff of fun.) will at least provide breezy summer fun. Aug. 4, Cabooze Plaza, $30.50
James Bay: Unlike Charli, this elegantly voiced British folk-rocker won us over at Texas' South by Southwest. Aug. 4, Varsity Theater, $26.50
Morrissey: The notoriously ignitable and indignant Smiths singer canceled on us last time — three times for one show! — but can be great when he does show up (and he's in a good mood). July 13, Fitzgerald Theater, sold out
Worth the drive
Peter Frampton and Cheap Trick: Flash back to the late 1970s for some great guitar and indelible hits including "Show Me the Way" and "I Want You to Want Me." June 20, Treasure Island Casino, $55-$65
Summer Set: With two of the top draws in electronic dance music, Deadmau5 and Bassnectar, plus wild-eyed music-makers such as Die Antwoord, Tune-Yards and Action Bronson, the fourth installment of the psychedelic campout is going to require a lot of Red Bull. Aug. 14-16, Somerset Amphitheater, $150
Trampled by Turtles: The hairy hometown heroes are headed back for a third harbor-side summer pickathon at the No. 1 outdoor venue in the state. July 11, Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, $25
Milwaukee's Summerfest: More than 800 acts on 11 stages over 11 days, including Stevie Wonder, Keith Urban, Zac Brown Band, Ed Sheeran, Paris Hilton, Public Enemy, OK Go, Magic! and Buddy Guy. June 24-28 & June 30-July 5, $12-$19 for gate admission, various prices for headline shows
Old standbys
Winstock: The little country festival that could boasts Alabama, which hasn't played this close to the metro area since reuniting in 2011. June 12-13, Winsted, Minn.
Bette Midler: Has it really been a decade since the Divine Miss M has brought her inimitable shtick, Borscht Belt jokes and power ballads to the Twin Cities? June 7, Xcel Energy Center, $44.50-$209.50
Jeff Beck: The 70-year-old guitar god loves hot rods, his whammy bar and helmet hairdo. May 23, State Theatre, $57.50-$67.50
Tedeschi Trucks Band/Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings: Derek Trucks gives you guitar heroics, and Jones delivers world-class R&B with unstoppable energy and flair. A terrific doubleheader. June 19, State Theatre, $83-$129 (Note: show was moved from Somerset Amphitheater; ticketholders will need to exchange their seats on day of show.)
Brandi Carlile: Since this is her biggest market, the folk-soul powerhouse could have played a bigger venue, but she's opting for an urban outdoor setting, with Iron and Wine. Aug. 2, Cabooze Plaza, $56-$60
My Morning Jacket: Kentucky's anthemic indie-rock gurus will settle in for a two-nighter that should be the refurbished venue's most high-volume/high-velocity gigs yet. June 26-27, Northrop, $45
TV on the Radio: Its South by Southwest set left us breathless as usual, and the Brooklyn art-rockers go all out at this venue. July 30, First Avenue, $30
Foo Fighters: Dave Grohl's omnipresence and ho-hum latest record have tested his likability, but he charms big-time every time in concert. Aug. 22, Xcel Energy Center, $35-$75
Charles Lloyd: At 77, Lloyd remains a giant of the jazz saxophone. June 30-July 1, Dakota Jazz Club, $30-$50
Bang for the buck
Memory Lanes Block Party: Saturday's lineup with Tickle Torture and Rupert Angeleyes is for current hipsters, while Sunday's featuring "Surfin' Bird" legends the Trashmen and country harmonizers the Cactus Blossoms is for the timelessly cool. May 23-24, Memory Lanes, $5
Dr. John: The Rock Hall of Famer brings his New Orleans gumbo of R&B, jazz, soul, blues and voodoo for the first concert at the Saints ballpark, which kicks off the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. June 27, CHS Field, free
P.O.S.' [Bleepin'] Best Show Ever: After joining the block party fray last year, the Twin Cities rap hero has assembled a second lineup as uncategorizable as his Current radio show, topped off by Big Freedia. June 13, Familia Skate Park, $15
Lakefront Music Fest: The first night offers a one-two country punch of Dwight Yoakam and Rodney Atkins while the second has a hard-rock lineup featuring Daughtry, Night Ranger, Lita Ford and L.A. Guns. July 17-18, Prior Lake, $30 each day
See you in September
Hozier, Sept. 10, Roy Wilkins Auditorium; Brandon Flowers, Sept. 10, First Avenue; Taylor Swift, Sept. 11-13, Xcel Energy Center; Ed Sheeran, Sept. 15, Xcel Energy Center; Festival Palomino, Sept. 19, Canterbury Park; John Prine, Sept. 19, Orpheum Theatre; Stromae, Sept 22, Myth.
Chris Riemenschneider • 612-673-4658
Twitter: @JonBream • 612-673-1719
