Walker Art Center and 89.3 The Current Present Two-Day Rock the Garden June 21 & 22, Featuring Headliners De La Soul and Spoon

Apr 15, 2014

Why Rock the Garden for one day when you can rock it for two? The Twin Cities' favorite annual summer concert returns with the first two-day format in the event's history. The expanded event features some of the best music from our backyards and around the world including Jeremy Messersmith, Best Coast, Matt and Kim, and De La Soul (Saturday, June 21); Valerie June, Dessa, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Guided by Voices, and Spoon, (Sunday, June 22).

The 10-band festival starts off on Saturday with one of Minnesota's newest pop stars, Jeremy Messersmith, the beloved singer songwriter whose newest album Heart Murmurs showcases the most sophisticated arrangements of his signature mod-influenced style yet. Best Coast, a surf-pop duo from California, takes the stage next to keep the fun going; Bill Murray once called Best Coast his favorite band, and they've been wowing audiences with their energetic live shows on the festival circuit for years. Another group known for their energetic live shows, Matt & Kim, have been leaving audiences breathless with their frenetic, confetti-filled shows since they burst on the scene in 2006. Saturday headliners, pioneering hip hop act De La Soul, delivered a one-two punch to audiences this year by first releasing their entire discography for free online (including their classic hit "Stakes is High") along with critically acclaimed new material, their first full length recording in a decade. They'll be performing hits from their storied career with a 10-piece band, The Rhythm Roots All Stars.

Sunday's lineup kicks off with electric indie-blues sensation Valerie June, whose song "Working Woman Blues" dominated public radio playlists and took audiences by storm last year. Next up is the indie-rock guitar-based band Kurt Vile and the Violators, with their beautiful and spacious sound. Then, a favorite local act with a massive national following, Dessa, brings her powerful voice and catchy songs to the stage with her energetic and charismatic live band. Dessa paves the way for one of indie rocks most enduring bands, Guided by Voices, with their post-punk sound and Robert Pollard's "anything-can-happen" stage presence bringing the rock up a notch for the evening. Closing out Rock the Garden 2014 is Austin, Texas' Spoon, another long-standing favorite of the alt-rock word, known for their live shows that keep audiences dancing and singing along to some of their biggest hits like "I Turn My Camera on" and "The Underdog".

Tickets: Rock the Garden 2014 Tickets will go on sale to Walker Art Center and The Current/Minnesota Public Radio members at 11am, Thursday, April 17. Membership ID numbers for the Walker Art Center or Minnesota Public Radio will be required for all pre-sale purchases. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the public at 11 am, Saturday, April 19.

To purchase tickets follow the Etix link or visit www.etix.com. Please have your member number ready to participate in the member presale. Limit of 4 tickets per member ID during the presale. Children over five years old must have a ticket for entrance. No refunds; all ticket sales are final. All ticket orders must be made online. All tickets are print-at-home and will be received by e-mail. For online issues please call Etix customer support: 1.800.514.3849

General Admission Single Day: $59; Two-Day Pass: $100 Access to hillside and street vendors.

VIP Green Room Single Day: $100; Two-Day Pass: $175 VIP Green Room offers exclusive access to a private area in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Take a break from the action and avoid the lines with VIP-only food and beverage stations and restrooms. Free parking for your party in the Parade Lot, a voucher for a Rock the Garden T-shirt (up to $25 value), one drink ticket, and access to Green Room-only food and drink vendors are included. You'll also enjoy special activities such as the Garden Party, featuring lawn games and meet-and-greet opportunities with The Current hosts and other special guests.

VIP Skybox Single Day: $225; Two-Day Pass: $400

VIP Skybox offers exclusive access to the Walker's rooftop terraces (with new and improved sightlines of the stage), complimentary hors d'oeuvres from Modern Events by D'Amico, three free drink tickets, and complimentary water and soda. A voucher for a Rock the Garden T-shirt (up to $25 value), free parking for your party in the underground parking garage, entry to the VIP Green Room, the Grove on the ground level adjacent to the stage, and all general admission areas are also included.

Rock the Garden 2014 Schedule
Saturday, June 21
3:00 pm - Gates open
3:45 - 4:15 pm- Surprise Guest (Not the Replacements)
4:30 - 5:25 pm - Jeremy Messersmith
5:55 - 6:50 pm - Best Coast
7:20 - 8:20 pm - Matt and Kim
8:50 - 10 pm - De La Soul
10 pm - Music ends
10:30 pm - Gates close

Sunday, June 22
3:00 pm - Gates open
3:45 - 4:15 pm Valerie June
4:30 - 5:20 pm - Kurt Vile and the Violators
5:50 - 6:45 pm - Dessa
7:15 - 8:15 pm - Guided by Voices
8:45 - 10 pm - Spoon
10 pm - Music ends
10:30 pm - Gates close

Getting to Rock the Garden: Walk, Bike, Bus! If you live in the area, please walk, bike, or take public transportation: Bike racks bike with parking for 500+ bikes and a Nice Ride bike sharing station will be located on Hennepin Avenue Metro Transit bus lines: 4, 6, 12, and 25

Parking and Directions Paid event parking is available in the Dunwoody Institute lot. The Vineland Place underground ramp and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden lots are reserved for VIP ticket holders and are closed to the general public. Free Hydration Bring your empty water bottle and enjoy free, cold, refreshing water throughout the Rock the Garden concert grounds provided by Tap Minneapolis.

Food and beverages Food and beverages will be on sale from 3-10:15 pm. ID required to purchase alcohol.

Walker Hours on Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22 Due to preparation for Rock the Garden, the Walker galleries, Walker on the Green: Artist-Designed Mini Golf, and the Garden Cafe by D'Amico will be closed. Walker on the Green: Artist-Designed Mini Golf will also be closed on Friday, June 20, for event set-up.

Merchandise During the concert, stop by the merchandise tent for all the Rock the Garden and band merchandise.

Rock the Garden will be held rain or shine; however, staff reserves the right to cancel the event or part of the event due to severe weather. This event will be filmed, photographed, or recorded by the Walker and/or The Current. Ticket holders consent to appear in this documentation and its future use by the Walker and The Current. No outside food or beverages allowed in the event. No lawn furniture, coolers, or pets. No professional photography or audio recording equipment allowed. No outside soliciting. No guns allowed. All bags subject to search.