LIVE AT THE MYTH!

MEGADEATH After a brief hiatus early in the 2000’s, Dave Mustaine triumphantly returned with a comeback album, a heavy metal festival called Gigantour and a new display of prodigious musicians to back him. The band’s legacy continues with 2009’s critically acclaimed “Endgame”, which debuted at #9 on the Billboard charts and 2010’s multi-platinum “The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria” featuring the “Big Four” of 1980’s thrash metal — Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. Megadeth’s 13th studio album, “TH1RT3EN” was released on November 1, 2011 debuting at position #1 on The Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart and #11 on the Billboard 200. The album was recorded at Vic’s Garage studio in San Marcos, California with producer Johnny K.

Motörhead have never JUST been the best rock’n‘roll band in the world. They’ve never JUST been the loudest. Or the hardest. Or the toughest. Or the bad-ass-est. No…Motörhead are also a lifestyle. Motörhead are a mindset, a belief, a way to live your life, a way to both survive and beat a society that sometimes seems intent on grinding you down.That is why Motörhead have chosen now, in what might be some of the most tense times in recent global history, to release a hell-raising, rebel-rousing rock’n‘roll statement known as The Wörld is Yours.

Volbeat  A Danish metal band begun by former Dominus leader Michael Poulsen in October of 2001, became a dominant force not only in Danish metal, but in Danish rock as a whole, charting albums and singles on a regular basis. Poulsen’s earlier group, Dominus, was a giant in Danish metal, releasing four albums in ten years, and making a lasting impression on the scene. Poulsen felt it was time to start over, and his concept of giving straight-up heavy metal a more trad rock flourish (Poulsen was a big Elvis fan, if that is any indication) was at the heart of Volbeat. Bringing together members Franz Gottschalk on guitar (he would be replaced by Thomas Bredahl in 2006), Jon Larsen on drums, and Anders Kjølholm on bass, vocalist and guitarist Poulsen was able to release the band’s first demo, Volbeat, in 2002. Reception was lukewarm to the initial release, but the group’s second demo, Beat the Meat, was an instant success, getting airplay on European radio. Volbeat consolidated this early win with a semifinal appearance on the Danish talent show competition Live Contest. From then on, Volbeat began an almost constant work schedule, including performances with Europe and America’s biggest metal acts, as well as winning a number of genre and industry awards for their music. Fast Forward to 2010, Volbeat released Above Heaven/Beyond Hell with guest appearances from Mercyful Fate/King Diamond guitarist Michael Denner, Napalm Death’s Mark “Barney” Greenway, Kreator’s Mille Petrozza, and Jacob Øelund of rockabilly crew Taggy Tones.

Lacuna Coil Andrea Ferro and Marco Coti Zelati formed a band in 1995 under the name of Sleep of Right. Andre played vocalist of the band, while Marco was its keyboardist. Then, they recruited Raffaele Zagaria and Michaelangelo as guitarist and drummer respectively. Unfortunately, Michaelangelo decided to leave the band and gave the other members no choice other than recruiting new members. Claudio Leo joined as the band’s second guitarist, and Leonardo Forti filled in Michaelangelo’s shoes. Realizing that they also needed a backing vocalist to support Andrea, they asked Cristina Scabbia to be the backing vocalist, which then led her officially joining Sleep of Right. In 1997, this alternative metal band changed their name to Ethereal, and lucky for them because shortly after that, they were signed to Century Media. However, the new name had already been used by a Greek band, and so they had to change their name once again, this time they agreed to pick up the name Lacuna Coil, which means empty spiral. A year later, they released a self-titled mini album “Lacuna Coil [EP]” right before Raffael, Claudio, and Leonardo left the band. After the the mini album’s release, they signed Cristiano Migliore and Cristiano Mozzati as their guitarist and drummer respectively. Along with the new members and fellow band Moonspell, they went on a tour.  When their tour was wrapped up, this band were back to the studio and crafted new songs for their first full-length studio album “In a Reverie”. They dropped the record in 1999 and re-released it with a new artwork in 2005. Following “In a Reverie”, the band worked on another mini album “Unleashed Memories”. Later in 2002, they released their second full-length studio album “Comalies”. While working on their next project, this band continued performing in major events, one of which was Ozzfest.Lacuna Coil’s next effort titled “Karmacode” was dropped in 2006. First single off the record, “Our Truth”, was included in the soundtrack album of movie “Underworld: Evolution”. The album landed at number 28 on Billboard Hot 200 and peaked at number 1 on Top Independent Albums chart. This band recorded a follow up to “Karmacode” and drop it in America on April 21, 2009. They work with acclaimed producer Don Gilmore, who has worked with Avril Lavigne, Linkin Park and Pearl Jam. They cook up “the perfect mixture between [their] old European sound and something more modern” for the album’s materials.

Join us Friday, February 17th at Beer Bellyz for the Rock Fest 2012 Line up announcement party at Beer Bellyz! There'll be drink specials, and all kinds of prizes! Including tickets to Rock Fest! We'll be there broadcasting LIVE from 5-7pm. See you there.

The Verizon Center welcomes singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins to Mankato, for one very special performance on February 23.

Kenny Logins has been many things to many people over the past three decades – “a moving target” as he put it. In his time, Loggins has been a guitar-slinger with a psychedelic rock band, a hot young songwriter, half of a legendary county-rock duo, a massively successful and accomplished solo artist, a rocker, as well as an enduring recording artist and live performer whose most recent works have spoken deeply to both young audiences and decidedly adult and worldly concerns. At the heart of it all, there remains a brilliant singer-songwriter and guitarist with a lifelong passion for exploring the power of song.

Martin Zellar is a Minnesota based singer-songwriter best known as frontman of the Gear Daddies. While still in high school, Zellar formed his first band, Fallout, with childhood friend and bassist Nick Ciola. Zellar and Ciola have played together for more than 30 years. Upon graduation, Zellar moved to the Twin Cities and in 1984 joined Ciola, guitaurist Randy Broughton, and drummer and fellow songwriter James "Billy" Dankert as the Gear Daddies. The band enjoyed much local and some national success, and released three albums. They officially broke up in 1992, but began playing enthusiastically attended reunion shows a few years later. In 1994 the prolific songwriter began making albums and touring with a band that would become known as Martin Zellar and The Hardways.  In the late '90s, Zellar began performing with a Neil Diamond tribute band that remains popular into the present. Martin Zellar continues to play an active schedule of gigs with the Gear Daddies, the Hardways, Neil!, and solo acoustic, and has announced a new studio album Roosters Crow.  This is the CD RELEASE PARTY for this CD!

2011’s 'Welcome to Minnesota’ tour sold out for Minneapolis-bred hip-hop group, Atmosphere. With returns to midwest cities, including Rochester, this year’s tour looks to be another sellout. Atmosphere’s seventh studio release, The FamilySign (Rhymesayers Entertainment) harnesses front man Slug’s (Sean Daley) unparalleled prose and is considered the group’s most personal collection. For over 20 years, Atmosphere has been the Twin Cities’ hip-hope scene driving force.

In Milwaukee at The Rave/Eagles Club.  Fresh off the hugely successful first leg of dates in support of their recently released album The Path of Totality, Korn are returning to the road for the second leg of the Path of Totality Tour. The new batch of dates kick off on February 23 in Detroit, running through the Midwest before heading back West and wrapping up on March 3 in San Francisco. Kill the Noise will provide support on certain dates, while Korn's own Jonathan Davis will also debut his brand new DJ set as his J Devil alter ego.

The Path of Totality is another experimental chapter in Korn's rich canon and history. The album found the band shifting gears, taking a bit of a creative left turn (something they've been known to do throughout the course of their two decade career) and exploring thrilling new territory with some of the hottest emerging producers and talent in the burgeoning electronic scene. The album debuted Top 10 on the Billboard charts and was met with universal critical applause, thanks to the band' s ability to remain fresh and relevant while collaborating with electronic producers Skrillex, 12th Planet, Kill the Noise, Excision, Flinch, Noisia, Datsik, Downlink, Feed Me and more. 

Korn were recently profiled in the New York Times' Sunday section, celebrated for their ability to embrace dubstep, which some have deemed "the new punk." The Path of Totality has garnered incredible praise and buzz, while being featured in NME, SPIN, Electronic Musician, Rollingstone.com, Hype Machine, and even being named "Album of the Year" by Revolver Magazine. LA Weekly raved about Korn's recent record release show, while calling it as "unique a show as I've ever seen."

Is there anyone better to tell it like it is than one's kid? In January 2008, when Uncle Kracker began to write the songs that appear on his new album Happy Hour, it was his eight year-old daughter who suggested that he try writing something a little less downbeat than usual. "She said to me, 'I can't really dance to any of your songs,'" the father of three says with a laugh. "Not that I needed to make a dance record, but it dawned on me that I tend to write a lot of acoustic ballads and mid-tempo type tunes. And I thought, 'It's pretty bad when your own kids won't listen to your records. Your own kids!' At the end of the day, people want to have fun more than they want to cry. I realized that it was time for something a little more upbeat and positive and that's what I ended up with on Happy Hour."

 2011 CMA Award winning and multi-platinum selling group Lady Antebellum will bring their OWN THE NIGHT 2012 WORLD TOUR to Minneapolis at Target Center on March 11, 2012. The tour, sponsored by GAC, will feature Darius Rucker and special guest Thompson Square.

Inspiration for the SONGS & STORIES TOUR came as Trace released his 10th studio album. These intimate evenings of powerful performances will incorporate stories, both humorous and meaningful, that pay homage to Adkins’ working-man roots and rich musical heritage. "I've had many narrow escapes and blessings in my life. The right song at the right time has been my saving grace and that’s something I have in common with the audience. Sharing meaningful songs, stories and some laughs 'around the campfire’ is the Country music tradition and I’m looking forward to it.”Fans can share their own stories, questions and the songs that have inspired or shaped their lives on the Songs & Stories page at www.TraceAdkins.com .From humble beginnings as a small-town Louisiana roughneck, to a Country super star with a twenty year career of hits, to his recent roles as outspoken author and actor, Adkins’ life parallels the songs he sings. His albums showcase a range of earnest tributes and party anthems with humor and depth – the Songs & Stories Tour promises to offer the same.

"We chose to play as many of the great theaters that we could find because we wanted to immerse the audience in a unique experience unlike any they have ever seen at a rock show," frontman Perry Farrell said.

Tickets for this tour have already started to go on sale, as of YET, NOT for this particular date.

LIVE AT THE BRICK IN MINNEAPOLIS.

It turns out that the Brick is a new Minneapolis rock club owned by concert promoter AEG Live which is opening in March in the former Christian oriented venue Club 3 Degrees on 5th Street (directly across from Epic). The capacity of the club is said to be around 2,000, but other than the Jane's show, no other events have yet to be announced for the forthcoming new space. ---( CITY PAGES )

From the beginning, JANE’S ADDICTION has thrown the most unique parties in rock, mixing a fierce musicality with theatrical flair onstage.  2012 sees the band--who’ve always outrageously combined electricity, and danger--return in support of their acclaimed album THE GREAT ESCAPE ARTIST (Capitol Records)

Starting February 22, this special run of North American shows—called“Theatre of the Escapists”--will bring the band to intimate venues, most of which are classic theatres. The alternative rock pioneers--frontman Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro and drummer Stephen Perkins, along with Chris Chaney on bass—are poised to deliver an immersive theatrical experience as only they can.

Don't miss this unprecedented opportunity to experience a living legend in the intimacy of the Autumn Ridge Church performing arts center in Rochester!

Smith has sold more than 13 million total albums including fourteen gold albums, five platinum albums and and is also an American Music Award recipient.  He is best known for his crossover hit " Place in this World ".  

With Black Box Revelation in Milwaukee at the Rave/ Eagles Club.

ZROCK & Premier Artist Productions Present:  

MY DARKEST DAYS & THE VEER UNION

LIVE AT THE WICKED MOOSE!

  www.wickedmoosebarandgrill.com

MY DARKEST DAYS

 My Darkest Days burst onto the scene with their mega-hit “Porn Star Dancing” which features Chad Kroeger of Nickelback and Zakk Wilde of BLS and Ozzy Osbourne. The single spent 26 weeks on the Billboard Rock chart and also peaked at #1 on the Active Rock chart for mainstream radio. From Ontario, Canada, the band has toured with Three Days Grace, Hinder, Theory of a Deadman, Papa Roach, and many more. The band will be hitting a limited amount of club shows before they go out on a nationwide arena tour with Nickelback, Bush, and Seether. Additional hit singles include, “Move Your Body,” “Every Lie,” and “Casual Sex.”

 www.mydarkestdays.com   www.facebook.com/mydarkestdays

THE VEER UNION

 The Veer Union made their mark in 2009 with the top 10 hit single “Seasons” off their debut album Against The Grain, which peaked at #7 and was the longest charting rock song for a new artist all year. It became the theme song for the 2009 Stanley Cup winning Pittsburgh Penguins and was also featured during the MLB postseason, NFL, Nascar, ESPN, WWE, and more. Their sophomore album, “Divide the Blackened Sky” will be released in 2012. The band previously played at the Mayo Civic Center in 2009 with Hinder and Theory of a Deadman.

 www.theveerunion.com   http://www.facebook.com/theveerunion

DORY DRIVE

A band from Nashville,Dory: Do.ry n. pl. do-ries.A small boat used for various purposes such as patrolling a harbor or transporting people from a larger vessel to the shore – Fishing boat: A small, narrow, flat bottom fishing boat with high sides…

Drive: (dr v) v. drove (dr v) driv-en (dr v n), driv-ing, drives. Control movement of a vehicle: to operate a vehicle controlling its speed and direction, or be operated in this way – travel or convey in vehicle: to travel somewhere in a vehicle – provided power for something: to supply the power that makes something work.

http://www.reverbnation.com/dorydrive 

https://www.facebook.com/dorydrivemusic

Live at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. “America’s Favorite Little Big Band” is back to knock your socks off! The multi-platinum, high-voltage group of seven just released its eighth album, How Big Can You Get? A Tribute to Cab Calloway. Vintage flavor mixes with modern-day punch, as Calloway’s music is “unbelievably poignant to our time,” according to lead vocalist Scotty Morris. Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this program.

At the Rave in Milwaukee.Shinedown is heading out on The Avalanche Tour this Spring and offering a special presale with two awesome VIP packages.  To ensure that their core fans have the first opportunity to buy the best tickets, Shinedown Nation – the official fan club of Shinedown - will have ticket presales beginning this Tuesday, January 31 at 10am local venue time!  You must be a member in order to take advantage of these presales and get your tickets before the general public. CLICK HERE and sign up today!

Live at  Station 4 in St. Paul.

Schoolgirls Mercedes Lander (drums) and Fallon Bowman (guitar) met in gym class and said, "Let's play together!" And thus, Kittie was born. At least, that's how legend has it, and it's not that far from the truth..

Blackguard--If ever there was a test case proving that hard work, tenacity, a healthy amount suffering, and word of mouth pays off, Blackguard is it. Formed in 2001 by guitarist Terry Roadcase and drummer Justine "Juice" a straight ahead black metal outfit . A Montreal-based sextet .

La Crosse Center brings you TSO!  On a late night in the spring of 1827 the city of Vienna is experiencing the largest lightning storm in its long history. Within a large disheveled room, Ludwig Von Beethoven is slumped over his piano and on the piano sits the just completed manuscript for his Tenth Symphony. It is his final, and he is certain, his greatest work. As the clock strikes midnight, Mephistopheles appears to collect the great composer's soul. Looking into the abyss of eternity Beethoven is horrified but the devil has an offer and the bargaining begins. 

So begins TSO's live performance of "Beethoven's Last Night" in its entirety. Come experience the tale of Beethoven's last night on earth. Combining what happened with what might have happened, the story revolves around the tough choice that the composer must make with what will be his life's legacy.

World Vision presents the Come to the Well tour with Grammy winners Casting Crowns, along with Grammy Nominee Matthew West, Royal Tailor and Lindsay McCaul on stage at Target Center in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday, April 21st. Don’t miss out on this power packed concert! The tour takes its name from Casting Crowns’ newest studio project, Come To The Well, (released October 18, its first new studio album in two years).

Easily one of the greatest all-time female rock icons, Melissa Etheridge is also a mother and a cancer survivor. She is an outspoken cultural, political and human rights activist, a thought-provoker and a longtime truth-seeker.  With Fearless Love,   her latest album which came out April 27th, 2010 on Island Records, she is at the top of her game.   She plays the showroom at Mystic Lake Casino.

State Theatre/ Minneapolis. Snow Patrol will head out on a rare U.S. tour in anticipation of the release of their upcoming album Fallen Empires. The new album is available now and features the smash single “Called Out In The Dark.” The Irish/Scottish five-piece have sold over 11 million albums and have been responsible for several era-defining singles, including "Run," "Chocolate," and "Chasing Cars." Their albums have been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, Grammys and MTV Europe Music Awards.

SOCIAL DISTORTION - Here's how you know you've made it in the music business: You've stayed strong for three decades on your own terms, on your own time, by your own rules, and over that time your influence has only grown. Each of your albums has been stronger than your last. You've been brought onstage by Bruce Springsteen, because he wanted to play one of your songs. You've seen high times and low ones, good days and tragic days, but every night you give 100%, and every morning you wake up still swinging. This is the short version of the Social Distortion bio — the long version could be a 10-part mini-series. But over the past 30 years, the punk godfathers in the band have all but trademarked their sound, a brand of hard rockabilly/punk that's cut with the melodic, road-tested lyrics of frontman Mike Ness. Their searing guitars and a locomotive rhythm section sound as alive today as they did in '82, as do Ness' hard-luck tales of love, loss and lessons learned. "The most common thing I hear is, 'Man, your music got me through some hard times,'" Ness says. "And I just say, 'Me too.'"

TOADIES - “There’s a certain uneasiness to the Toadies,” says Vaden Todd Lewis, succinctly and accurately describing his band—quite a trick. The Texas band is, at its core, just a raw, commanding rock band. Imagine an ebony sphere with a corona that radiates impossibly darker, and a brilliant circular sliver of light around that. It’s nebulous, but strangely distinct—and, shall we say incorrect. Or, as Lewis says, “wrong.” “Things are done a little askew [in the Toadies],” he says, searching for the right words.

LINDI ORTEGA - Toronto-based singer-songwriter Lindi Ortega continues to receive praise for her debut full-length, Little Red Boots, available now on Last Gang Records. Ortega, who recently concluded an extended stay in Nashville, has partnered with CMT.com and CMT Mobile to premiere her latest music video for the song “Black Fly”. 

38 special   38 38 383338 Special takes the stage at Jackpot Junction Casino & Hotel in Morton, MN.

 38 Special takes the stage at Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton, MN on Friday, April 27th.

MUST BE 18+ TO ATTEND NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES GRANDSTAND NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE End of dialog content   

38

Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel
Morton, MN

Fri, Apr 27, 2012 08:00 PM  

This show is in Mankato at the Verizon Wireless Center.

THEORY OF A DEADMAN, POP EVIL AND STELLAR REVIVAL PLOT 2012 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

Get your rock hats on (granted there are such items as “rock hats”) because Canadian hard rock band Theory of a Deadman have announced their latest headlining U.S. tour, and they’re taking Michigan’s Pop Evil and Miami’s Stellar Revival along for the ride. The jaunt is scheduled to kick off April 9 in Florida and run through May 11 in Illinois.

Theory of a Deadman’s  frontman Tyler Connolly says it’s typical for Theory to have songs that hit two extremes. “We have two different sides,” Connolly previously told Audio Ink. “Some are fun songs about relationship breakups, like ‘Bad Girlfriend’ and ‘Hate My Life.’ Then, there are some beautiful ballads about falling in love.

“I have two brains when it comes to lyrical writing: one is just trying to write a beautiful song that means a lot to me, and the other is writing a song that’s like a punch. It’s like, ‘Geez. That guy really says what he feels.’”

BOTH BANDS HAVE PLAYED IN ROCHESTER!!!!!! 

With a career-defining sophomore album in their arsenal, Pop Evil are primed and ready to take their rightful place in the hard rock pantheon amongst their contemporaries and heroes. "We want to be known as a band with great music and a great live show," bass player Matt DiRito says.

Pop Evil is no fly-by-night, fair-weather band. War Of Angels is just one more giant leap in a career that has been built on a solid foundation and is intended to continue onward.

Frontman Leigh Kakaty concludes, "at the end of the day, we want our fans to know that we've sacrificed our personal lives for them. We want the people who listen to our music to know that they've become our new family. That's why weʼve given up so much to do this. They are loved. Music is Love! T  Note: If your city is missing from the lineup, don’t freak out, because Theory promise to announce more dates soon.

Rammstein, the Berlin-based band known for their incendiary live performances, will bring their brand new live production to Target Center on May 8.  Rammstein first stormed America in 1998, touring with a set based on their Grammy-nominated breakthrough second release, Sehnsucht, featuring Du hast, the song that brought the world’s attention to the band. During their 1998 Family Values tour, praise was high, as well as indignation: band members were jailed in the US on indecency charges due to the highly provocative live show.

The Black Keys will bring their 2012 Spring Tour in support of their new album El Camino toTarget Center on May 15 with special guests Arctic Monkeys!  El Camino features the smash hit single (and viral video sensation) “Lonely Boy.”

B.B. King is a living legend on guitar and vocals and is universally hailed as the reigning “King of the Blues.”  He returns to the State Theatre in Minneapolis by popular demand!

Hailing from the blues-rich Mississippi Delta, B.B. King is the single most important electric guitarist of the last half century and his innovative bent notes and staccato picking style have influenced generations of blues and rock guitarists. He and his guitar "Lucille" have thrilled audiences with countless hits including "Sweet Sixteen” and "Every Day I Have The Blues," helping to give the blues its special place in the American musical tradition. 

One of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed rock groups of the 1970s, Lynyrd Skynyrd is live at Treasure Island on Saturday, May 19. Inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, Lynyrd Skynyrd is the epitome of Southern rock. Their distinctive songwriting, knack for lyrical detail and a down-to-earth honesty, along with triple-lead guitars made songsFreebird and Sweet Home AlabamaAmerican anthems and radio staples.  After over 30 years and 30 million records sold worldwide, they are still going strong. Millions of fans still buy the records, flock to the concerts, feel the songs and understand the power. Don’t miss this hard-living, hard-driving rock n’ roll band live at Treasure Island!

THE TOUR BEGINS on February 18.  Kool & The Gang will join Van Halen for select tour dates. Van Halen confirmed their new album, A Different Kind Of Truth, will be released in the U.S. by Interscope Records on February 7.

Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductees and one of the most important and influential rock bands of all time Van Halen, with special guest Kool & The Gang, will return to the live stage with an extraordinary 2012 North American tour. They will make a stop at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Fans can expect Van Halen to perform selections from "A Different Kind Of Truth" alongside songs from their arsenal of epic hits that include: "Eruption," "Running with the Devil," "Jamie's Cryin'," "You Really Got Me," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love,” "Everybody Wants Some," "Unchained," "And The Cradle Will Rock,” "Beautiful Girls,” "Mean Street," "Somebody Get Me A Doctor,” "Jump," “Panama," "Hot For Teacher," "I'll Wait," and more from their classic albums "Van Halen," "Van Halen II," "Women and Children First," "Fair Warning," "Diver Down" and "1984."

Van Halen – who the Los Angeles Times recently called “a force of nature” and “one of the flat-out greatest rock bands on the planet” – was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in March of 2007. Formed in Los Angeles in 1974, Van Halen changed the rock and roll landscape forever with the release of their self-titled, 1978 debut album displaying unparalleled stage presence, revolutionary musicianship, and extraordinary songwriting abilities. With more than 75 million albums sold worldwide, the band's record of achievement is hard to top. Among a long list of awards, recognition and accolades, Van Halen joins an elite short list of two-time Diamond Award honorees in the history of the music industry. Presented with two Diamond Award RIAA Certified Status for their albums "Van Halen" and "1984," the band has produced a repertoire of hits that remain some of the strongest and most influential rock songs ever written that fans will admire for decades to come.

Kool & The Gang found a special sound at the unique intersection of jazz, R&B, funk and pop. Their music has been created by the same core of players for over thirty years: Robert "Kool" Bell, his brother Khalis Bayyan, their longtime friends Dennis "DT" Thomas and George "Funky" Brown.

This will be Van Halen's second visit to Xcel Energy Center. Their first performance was on July 22, 2004.

Nickelback, one of the biggest rock bands of the past decade known for their extraordinary live performances, have announced their first North American arena tour in two years. Special guests Bush, Seether and My Darkest Days join them on May 23rd at Target Center!

Roger Waters will bring his monumental "The Wall" Live tour back to Saint Paul on Sunday, June 3, 2012, at 8 p.m. prompt. Waters first performed "The Wall" Live to a sold out crowd at Xcel Energy Center on Oct. 27, 2010. The 2012 date will once again feature a full band and a mounted state-of-the-art production of Waters’ epochal masterpiece of alienation and transformation performed in its entirety.

Originally released in Nov. 1979, “The Wall” was America's top-selling album of 1980, is one of the top-selling double albums of all time, and is still in the U.S.’s top five best-selling albums of all time. “The Wall” was made into a metaphorical musical film, directed by Alan Parker with screenplay by Roger Waters, in 1982. One of the most profoundly influential albums in the history of recorded music, “The Wall” continues to affect pop culture while resonating with generations of music fans.

This will mark Roger Waters’ third visit to Xcel Energy Center – his second with "The Wall" Live tour. His first performance was on June 30, 2007 with his “Dark Side of the Moon” tour.

The 2012 event features numerous performers who have played at the event in the past, including Dierks Bentley, Sugarland, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, who were announced Friday as headliners for the annual summer music festival June 21-24 in rural Cadott.

"It's a lineup we're very proud of," Chippewa Valley Music Festivals general manager Wade Asher said. "Some are old, some are new, but they all have a ton of hits."

Bentley, known for songs like "What Was I Thinkin' " and "Come A Little Closer," will be playing his second consecutive year at Country Fest.

"We brought him back because he was so good last year," Asher said. "He was No. 1 in our polls, so we brought him back. People are pretty excited."

Joining Bentley on the Thursday, June 21, lineup are Sara Evans, Joe Nichols and the debuting Ashton Shepherd.

Sugarland, who last played at Country Fest in 2008, will headline the Friday, June 22, show. The band had a big year with the breakout, pop cross-over hit "Stuck Like Glue," as well as other hits such as "All I Want To Do," "Already Gone," and "It Happens."

Joining Sugarland on Friday will be Billy Currington, Easton Corbin, Phil Vassar and the debuting Brett Eldredge. Asher described Eldredge as an upcoming voice in country charts and one to watch.

Paisley last played at Country Fest in 2009. He is best known for songs such as "We Danced" and "Whiskey Lullaby." Joining Paisley on Saturday, June 23, will be Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, and Steve Holy. The Band Perry, with its current pop cross-over hit, "If I Die Young," is one of only four bands debuting at Country Fest in 2012.

Keith Urban, who last played at the fest in 2005, has garnered fame for hits "Making Memories of Us" and "You'll Think of Me." He closes out the festival on Sunday, June 24. A few slots on the Sunday lineup are still open, and Asher said he expects to have those performers locked in soon.

Milwaukee's 11-day music festival featuring everything from alternative to zydeco on 11 different stages.

In 2012, The “World’s Largest Music Festival” and Milwaukee’s cornerstone summer event will celebrate its 45th Anniversary. Since 1968, Summerfest has provided unforgettable live music experiences for fans from around the world. Summerfest attracts over 700 bands, including the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites and hosts a diverse selection of food and beverage vendors, marketplaces and interactive exhibits set against the Lake Michigan and downtown backdrops, creating a festival experience like no other.

A free summer concert series that takes place on Sunday nights at 7 PM during July & August in Mayo Park.

Rock and pop icon Neil Diamond will perform all of his classic favorites at Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday, July 11 at 8 p.m.
Diamond, a 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and 2011 Kennedy Center honoree, is ready to take his greatest hits on the road. In addition, Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings recently announced that he will release “The Very Best of Neil Diamond – The Original Studio Recordings” on Dec. 6. The album will feature 23 of the most popular hits and signature tracks from America's quintessential singer-songwriter. This is the first Neil Diamond collection to draw from the artist's complete studio discography and includes tracks such as "Forever In Blue Jeans," "Cherry, Cherry," "Sweet Caroline," "I'm A Believer," "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon," "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," "Red, Red Wine," "America" and many more.

A free summer concert series that takes place on Sunday nights at 7 PM during July & August in Mayo Park.

LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT Friday, February 17th at Beer Bellyz for the Rock Fest 2012

Line up announcement party at Beer Bellyz! There'll be drink specials, and all kinds of prizes!

Including tickets to Rock Fest! We'll be there broadcasting LIVE from 5-7pm. See you there. 

ROCHESTER'S OFFICIAL ROCKFEST STATION!!!  

ZROCK 1077 & 1039

A City of its own, Rock Fest is a true ROCK experience you can't miss. Featuring only the best of new and classic rock and legendary names in Rock Music, entertainment is first priority. Set on 320 acres in Central Wisconsin and home to over 8,000 campsites with major hotels nearby, there is literally something for every rock music fan. Experience it for yourself. And see why Rock Festers keep coming back ... and back ... and back ....

The biggest names...the outrageous fans...the legendary good times. They’re all set to tear the rockside apart for 4 HUGE days of music and fun - otherwise known as ROCK FEST 2012!

Whether you’re a first-timer or an old friend, a little advance planning can put your party in orbit!

A free summer concert series that takes place on Sunday nights at 7 PM during July & August in Mayo Park.

A free summer concert series that takes place on Sunday nights at 7 PM during July & August in Mayo Park.

A free summer concert series that takes place on Sunday nights at 7 PM during July & August in Mayo Park.

Coldplay's first North American tour in nearly three years will make a stop at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.
Coldplay – comprising Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin – has sold more than 50 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including seven Grammy® Awards, six Brit Awards and four MTV Video Music Awards. The band is touring in support of its new RIAA-certified Platinum record, “Mylo Xyloto,” which has scored the most No. 1 rankings of any album this year worldwide, topping the charts in 34 countries to date. “Mylo Xyloto’s” first two singles have received Grammy nominations – “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song, and the Gold-certified “Paradise” for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Coldplay is also nominated for a People’s Choice Award in the Favorite Band category.

A free summer concert series that takes place on Sunday nights at 7 PM during July & August in Mayo Park.

A free summer concert series that takes place on Sunday nights at 7 PM during July & August in Mayo Park.

George Thorogood and the Destroyers have released sixteen studio albums, including two that were certified Platinum and six that have been certified Gold. The band has sold fifteen million albums worldwide.

A free summer concert series that takes place on Sunday nights at 7 PM during July & August in Mayo Park.

Tickets on Sale Feb 27th at 10 am

Madonna is having a huge party and everyone’s invited. The Madonna 2012 World Tour will make a stop at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, November 3 at 8 p.m.

The announcement of Madonna’s 2012 World Tour follows an extraordinary week which included a monumental extravaganza of a performance at the Bridgestone Super Bowl Halftime which was seen in over 200 countries by over a billion people. Last week also saw the release of Madonna’s new single “Give Me All Your Luvin” from her highly anticipated new album MDNA scheduled to be released on March 26. The single’s video, directed by Megaforce which also stars Nicki Minaj and MIA, previewed on American Idol. Additionally, the Madonna directed Golden Globe Award winning film “W.E.” opened in NY and LA with other markets to follow later in the month.

In the course of her phenomenal career, Madonna has a record breaking 37 Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Chart along with a record breaking 40 Number 1’s on Billboard’s Dance/Club Play Song Charts. No other act has more Top 10’s on the Hot 100 or Number 1’s on the Club Chart. Madonna has sold over 300 million albums and holds the record for the most successful tour by a solo artist in history. She is a seven time Grammy winning singer, songwriter, producer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Madonna 2012 World Tour is the Material Girl’s 9th Tour. Her first tour was the l985 Virgin Tour.

US residents ordering tickets online to a US performance will receive their choice of a digital or physical copy of Madonna’s new MDNA album with every ticket purchased.