KISS, Stone Temple Pilots and 3 Doors Down are set to headline the 20th Anniversary of Moondance Jam which takes place on July 14th, 15th and 16th in Walker, Mn. Paul Rodgers, 38 Special, Eddie Money, Great White, Fuel, The Outlaws, Burton Cummings, Candlebox and Cracker are also among the 40 plus acts at this year's festival.
"This is going to be huge. We have all three headliners bringing in their own full stage setups. Video boards, lights, lasers, smoke, pyro... you name it. KISS alone is bringing in 350 pounds of dry ice for fog," says Jon Bieloh. "It is going to be a lot of fun."
Moondance will be opening their camping gates a day early at noon on Wednesday, July 13 for early camping and the Pre Jam Party. Anyone who wants to setup camp a day early and avoid the longer lines on Thursday can upgrade their camping at the gate for $25 per person. The Pre Jam Party is expanding this year to full lineups in the Saloon and on the main stage starting at 5pm with 80s tribute rockers Hairball headling the main stage.
Thursday, July 14th is the first "official" full day of Moondance Jam and will feature bands with hits spanning over last three decades. Kicking off the day will be the 90s alt-rock group, Cracker followed by Candlebox. Then the day goes back to the 80s with Great White and legendary southern rockers, 38 Special. Capping off the night is 3 Doors Down who have spent the past decade putting up big hits in nearly all of the Billboard rock and pop charts.
The traditional classic rock feel of Moondance Jam will shine on Friday starting off with The Belfast Cowboys, a Van Morrison tribute band, who will surely get everyone smiling when they sing "Moondance". The dueling guitars of the classic southern rock band The Outlaws will then hit the main stage followed by 80s hit maker, Eddie Money. As the sun sets on Moondance, the stars get bigger with Paul Rodgers, one of classic rock's greatest lead singers, taking the stage. Rodgers brings a huge catalog of hits from his solo career and from his days fronting Free, The Firm and the supergroup, Bad Company. Closing Friday night will be KISS, probably the most anticipated band to ever play Moondance Jam.
Moondance will also have a Friday night JumboTron tribute celebrating the life of Moondance founder Bill Bieloh who passed away unexpectedly last fall. Bill's wife and Moondance owner, Kathy Bieloh said, "Jammin Country Fest went so well a few weeks ago and the tribute to Bill made it extra special. It is hard to describe what it is like sharing that moment with thousands of friends and family, but I look forward to doing it one more time with the rest of our Moondance family." Kathy also wanted to make sure that everyone comes out to the annual tribute to the troops on Saturday night, "This year we are doing a personalized tribute on the JumboTron. Fans have been sending in photos of their loved ones who are serving or have served in the military. It is a way for fans to see the faces and names of the many heroes who sacrificed for our freedom."
Saturday will get started with the hard rockin', all-female AC/DC tribute, ThundHerStruck followed by Canadian Music Hall of Famer and former Guess Who frontman, Burton Cummings with his 26 Billboard Top 100 hits. After that mainstream rockers, Fuel, will warm up the crowd for one of the most iconic women in rock history and her band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. After Jammers wear out their voices singing "I Love Rock 'N' Roll", they will be treated to another legendary band still in the making. Stone Temple Pilots will finish of the festival rocking the Moondance grounds with their blend of modern, alternative and hard rock hits from the past two decades.
Wednesday, July 13 Pre Jam Party (free for all ticket holders)
10:30 p.m. - Hairball
9:00 p.m. - Mountain Ash
7:30 p.m. - Cain
6:00 p.m. - The Bad Animals: A Tribute to heart
Thursday, July 14
11:00 p.m. - 3 Doors Down
9:00 p.m. - 38 Special
7:00 p.m. - Great White
5:00 p.m. - Candlebox
3:00 p.m. - Cracker
Friday, July 15
11:00 p.m. - KISS
9:00 p.m. - Paul Rodgers
7:00 p.m. - Eddie Money
5:00 p.m. - Outlaws
3:00 p.m. - Belfast Cowboys: Van Morrison Tribute
Saturday, July 16
11:00 p.m. - Stone Temple Pilots
9:00 p.m. - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
7:00 p.m. - Fuel
5:00 p.m. - Burton Cummings
3:00 p.m. - Thundherstruck: Tribute to AC/DC
*Schedule and lineup are subject to change without notice.
Many other great regional and tribute bands will play throughout the festival on the Moondance Saloon regional stage and the Lazy Moon Backstage Bar acoustic stage. Regional schedules and all band bios can be found online at www.moondancejam.com.
