Wikipedia

Basilica Block Party

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.

Basilica Block Party
2008 Logo
GenreRock, pop
Dates02–03 August 2024 (currently)
Location(s)United States
Years active1995–2019, 2021, 2024-
Organised byBasilica of Saint Mary, Cities 97
Websitebasilicablockparty.org

The event is in its third decade, with past headlining artists including Ryan Adams, Weezer, Imagine Dragons, Ray LaMontagne, Panic! at the Disco, Trampled by Turtles, Spoon, Ziggy Marley and The Wallflowers.

The party is a fundraiser to help pay for the structural restoration of the Basilica.

History

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The event serves to raise money toward the ongoing restoration of the Basilica of St. Mary.[2] The event is in its 24th summer and draws approximately 25,000 attendees to downtown Minneapolis every summer.[3]

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.[4][5] Five percent of the proceeds from the event go toward the St. Vincent de Paul outreach program, which provides services to those in need.[6][7]

In its opening year, it drew more than 15,000 people, raising over $100,000.[8]

In 1995, the majority of the bands were local.[9] Since then, the roster has evolved, with past performers including Semisonic, The Wallflowers, The Avett Brothers, Weezer, AWOLNATION, and Ryan Adams.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota the block party was cancelled in 2020.[10] The 2021 event happened on September 10–11.[11] The 2021 event required either a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination. Shortly before the event, scheduled headliners, the Avett Brothers were forced to withdraw because of exposure to COVID.[12] Attendance for the 2021 event was roughly half of a typical successful event for the Basilica Block Party.[13] It was cancelled in 2022 and 2023.[14]

On February 15, 2024, it was announced the event would come back for the summer of 2024. Due to construction nearby on the festival's typical grounds at the Basilica of Saint Mary, the festival was instead hosted at Boom Island Park in 2024.[15][16] Boom Island Park is a larger space than the Basilica's usual ground and organizers are considering using Boom Island Park for future Basilica Block Parties.[14]

Lineups

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2019

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Friday July 12

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Saturday July 13

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2018

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Friday July 6

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Saturday July 7

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2017

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Friday July 7

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Saturday July 8

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2016

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Friday July 8

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Saturday July 9

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2015

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Friday July 10

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Saturday July 11

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2014

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Friday, July 11

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Saturday July 12

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2013

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Friday July 12

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Saturday July 13

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2012

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Friday, July 6

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Saturday, July 7

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2011

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2010

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References

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  1. ^ Boller, Jay. ""Basilica Block Party to rise again: Here's the '18 lineup"". City Pages.
  2. ^ Karen, Zamora. "Two decades later, Basilica Block Party rocks on". The Star Tribune.
  3. ^ Raihala, Ross (5 April 2018). "Jason Isbell, Cake, Andy Grammer and Fitz and the Tantrums to play Basilica Block Party". Pioneer Press.
  4. ^ "Star Tribune, July 19, 1996". Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  5. ^ Espeland, Pamela (6 April 2018). "Basilica Block Party lineup announced". MinnPost.
  6. ^ Erickson, David (23 June 2015). "The History of the Basilica Block Party". Twin Cities Minnesota Blog.
  7. ^ "Effie Awards Application" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  8. ^ "The Basilica Landmark -- The Building of Hope | Cities 97 Basilica Block Party 2015 Presented by Bud Light | Cities 97". Retrieved 2016-07-11.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ Poling, Les (5 April 2018). "Basilica Block Party Announces 2018 Lineup". MSP Mag.
  10. ^ Desaire, Mae (April 30, 2021). "Block Party 2020 Update". www.mary.org. The Basilica of Saint Mary. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  11. ^ Turtinen, Melissa (June 17, 2021). "Lineup for this fall's Basilica Block Party is revealed". Bring Me The News. Bring Me The News LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  12. ^ Riemenschneider, Chris (September 9, 2021). "Basilica Block Party headliners Avett Brothers cancel due to COVID exposure". Star Tribune. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  13. ^ Riemenschneider, Chris (September 10, 2021). "Basilica Block Party returns with strong vaccine rules but a much-needed party". Star Tribune. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  14. ^ a b Hughes, Elliot (3 August 2024). "Boom Island Park proves to be a hit with fans of the Basilica Block Party, back after a two-year hiatus". Star Tribune. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  15. ^ Salguero, Sabrina Del Cid (15 February 2024). "Basilica Block Party is back this summer with a new location". KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  16. ^ Riemenschneider, Chris (February 15, 2024). "Basilica Block Party is returning in 2024, but moving to a new site and weekend". Star Tribune. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
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