'Golden' girl Kacey Musgraves tops Basilica Block Party 2019 lineup with Jason Mraz

Dawes, Chvrches, Hanson and Metric are also on the first Live Nation-helmed roster for the July 12-13 church bash.

February 12, 2019 at 2:00PM

The rest of the Basilica 2019 roster is a rather typical mixed congregation of folky rockers, '90s-retro names and a few modern hipster acts. Other acts on the bill are: Americana mainstays Dawes of "When the Tequila Runs Out" notoriety; "Mmm-Bop" sibling act Hanson; 89.3 the Current-branded synth-rock bands Metric and Chvrches; enduring Twin Cities music scene heroes the Jayhawks and Semisonic, the latter of whom purportedly have a new album coming by the end of the decade; Iowa-based soulful singer/songwriter Lissie; plus two other rootsy/semi-twangy tunesmiths, Anderson East and Ruston Kelly, the latter of whom was also seen a lot on Sunday's Grammys since he's Musgrave's husband.

Poppy young Hudson, Wis.-reared rockers Yam Haus and half-Minneapolitan boy/girl pop duo Flora Cash also earned opening slots. A half-dozen other local bands will be announced later for the Star Tribune-sponsored third stage.

General-admission tickets in 2019 will start at $60 per day or $110 for both days and go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. via BasilicaBlockParty.org.

After the Texas-born, Nashville-generated Musgraves won Sunday's Album of the Year Grammy for her glitzier third album, "Golden Hour," this could be a year where at least one of the nights (Friday) sells out far in advance. Musgraves was just in town the weekend before last for a very sold-out Palace Theatre gig that was high on charm and vibrant musically, if a bit corny and showy at times.

Per our preview report, this is the first year the booking duties for the BBP were handled by concert industry behemoth Live Nation – with input from Basilica and Cities 97 reps – after longtime local promotions company Sue McLean & Assoc. stepped aside. More than $9 million has been raised off the party's prior 24 years for restoration and upkeep of the historic Basilica of Saint Mary in downtown Minneapolis, where the music festival takes place.

Here's a look at who's playing when:

Friday, July 12

  • Great Clips Stage:
  • Kacey Musgraves
  • Dawes
  • Anderson East
  • Ruston Kelly
  • PreferredOne Stage:
  • Semisonic
  • The Jayhawks
  • Yam Haus

Saturday, July 13

  • Great Clips Stage:
  • Jason Mraz
  • Hanson
  • Johnnyswim
  • Lissie
  • PreferredOne Stage:
  • CHVRCHES
  • Metric
  • Flora Cash
about the writer

about the writer

Chris Riemenschneider

Critic / Reporter

Chris Riemenschneider has been covering the Twin Cities music scene since 2001, long enough for Prince to shout him out during "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)." The St. Paul native authored the book "First Avenue: Minnesota's Mainroom" and previously worked as a music critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas.

See More