Returning to St. Paul's Harriet Island after a three-year hiatus, Taste of Minnesota's July 3-6 music lineup boasts a lot of bands that could have played it 23 — or 33 — years ago.
Organizers announced their full 2014 music schedule Monday, and the July 4 lineup especially looks like something out of years past, with Starship of "We Built This City" notoriety, the Marshall Tucker Band, Joey Molland's Badfinger and New Orleans party band Cowboy Mouth.
That holiday blowout will be preceded by a day of local acts on July 3 with Soul Asylum, the newly reunited Tina & the B-Sides and Tim Mahoney. July 5 will be more of a hard-rock affair with powerhouse howler Lizzy Hale's namesake band Halestorm, Tom Keifer of the '80s hair band Cinderella and local vets Crow and Gypsy. The fest will end July 6 with a day of country acts including Joe Nichols, who had a hit with "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off."
Taste also confirmed its new admission policy. Attendees can get in free from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. People who show up after 3 p.m. must pay $10 but will receive $5 in food or drink tickets. More details on the event can be found at ATasteofMN.com.
During its heyday in the 1980s and '90s, Taste was always free. A $20-$30 ticket policy was instigated in 2010 after a new management team took over the festival, and the event wound up in bankruptcy. A new crew has taken over with the city's support, one that includes Linda Maddox, widow of Taste's co-founder and longtime driving force, Ron Maddox.
Chris Riemenschneider • 612-673-4658
On stage
The performers will be on two stages 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day:
Thursday, July 3: Soul Asylum, Tina & the B-Sides, Tim Mahoney, Corey Stevens, Chris Wyse's Owl, UnderGroove, Kill Code.
