Summer is only in its infancy and we're already more than eager for its end. Not only because we won't be sweating it out in a pizza oven writ large, but also because there are a few big outdoor concerts scheduled to take place, the most prominent of which was announced just this morning -- the Summer Ends Music Festival V.1.
And it's definitely going to be a big event, if for no other reason than the fact its lineup is loaded up with legendary bands, including alt-rock vanguards The Replacements, as well as Violent Femmes, Foster the People, and the punk icons Descendents.
The three-day concert festival -- which will take over Tempe Beach Park from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28 -- will also feature performances from neo-soul act Fitz and The Tantrums, emo rockers Taking Back Sunday, indie poppers Capital Cities, Something Corporate/Jack's Mannequin singer Andrew McMahon, soul musician Allen Stone, and alt-rock bands Luscious Jackson and Switchfoot.
Local standouts Kongos, who have rocketed to national prominence in recent months, are also included.
While there are plenty of names scheduled to appear at Summer Ends Music Festival that are worth gushing over, The Replacements are arguably the crown jewel of the entire lineup. The groundbreaking Minneapolis band, which helped shape rock 'n' roll and influenced hundreds of other acts and musicians, reunited in 2013 after a 22-year absence.
Last fall, original guitarists Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson performed to sold-out crowds in Toronto and at Chicago's Riot Fest before hitting various festivals across the country, including at this year's Coachella with Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong (a devoted fan of The Replacements) joined them onstage.
And although their headlining performance at Summer Ends in Tempe come September might not include a punk icon on guest vocals, its likely to be a memorable gig, particularly since The 'Mats haven't played Phoenix in eons and because music fans will finally get a chance to see a band that they've only heard (and heard about) live and in person.
Advanced tickets for the Summer Ends Music Festival go on sale starting tomorrow. Special weekend-long admission packages covering all three days will be available for $150 beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday through Thursday night. Single-day admission will go on sale on Friday morning at 10 a.m.
According to Luckyman Concerts, the promoter of the festival, additional bands will also be announced in the coming weeks. Currently, the schedule and lineup is as follows:
Friday, September 26: Capital Cities O.A.R. Andrew McMahon More Bands TBA
Saturday, September 27: The Replacements Descendents Taking Back Sunday Switchfoot Luscious Jackson Katastro More Bands TBA
Sunday, September 28: Foster the People Violent Femmes Fitz and the Tantrums Allen Stone Kitten Kongos More Bands TBA
Editor's Note: This blog was updated from its original posting
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