Basilica Block Party

Cities 97 Basilica Block Party
2008 Logo
Genre Rock, Pop
Dates July 6–7, 2018 (currently)
Location(s)

United States

Years active 1995 - present (24 years)
Website Official website

The Basilica Block Party is an annual two-day music festival that takes place in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event is hosted by the Basilica of St. Mary and described by City Pages as "summertime's hottest church party".[1] The festival is the largest music festival held within the city of Minneapolis.

The event is in its third decade, with past headlining artists including Ryan Adams, Weezer, Imagine Dragons, Ray LaMontagne, Trampled by Turtles, Spoon, Ziggy Marley and The Wallflowers. While the Basilica serves as the space for the event, the only indication of the Catholic church's involvement is "the booth where attendees can snap pictures with a blessed cardboard cutout of His Holiness himself, Pope Francis."[2]

History

The event serves to raise money toward the ongoing restoration of the Basilica of St. Mary.[3] The event is in its 24th summer and draws approximately 25,000 attendees to downtown Minneapolis every summer.[4]

The event "started off with controversy" in 1995, according to The Star Tribune, as "people questioned using beer and rock music to raise money for a historic Catholic church." It began as a fundraiser to pay for a $9.5 million structural restoration of the Basilica of St Mary, the first basilica established in the United States of America.[5][6] Five percent of the proceeds from the event go toward the St. Vincent de Paul outreach program, which provides services to those in need.[7][8]

In its opening year, it drew more than 15,000 people, raising over $100,000.[9]

In 1995, the majority of the bands were local.[10] Since then, the roster has evolved, with past performers including Semisonic, The Wallflowers, The Avett Brothers, Weezer, AWOLNATION, and Ryan Adams.

Lineups

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

References

  1. Boller, Jay. ""Basilica Block Party to rise again: Here's the '18 lineup"". City Pages.
  2. Sauer, Lauren. ""CAKE, Jason Isbell headlining Basilica Block Party 2018"". The Growler.
  3. Karen, Zamora. "Two decades later, Basilica Block Party rocks on". The Star Tribune.
  4. Raihala, Ross. "Jason Isbell, Cake, Andy Grammer and Fitz and the Tantrums to play Basilica Block Party". Pioneer Press.
  5. "Star Tribune, July 19, 1996". Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  6. Espeland, Pamela. "Basilica Block Party lineup announced". MinnPost.
  7. Erickson, David. "The History of the Basilica Block Party". Twin Cities Minnesota Blog.
  8. "Effie Awards Application" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  9. "The Basilica Landmark -- The Building of Hope | Cities 97 Basilica Block Party 2015 Presented by Bud Light | Cities 97". Retrieved 2016-07-11.
  10. Poling, Les. "Basilica Block Party Announces 2018 Lineup". MSP Mag.
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