Rock the Garden facts for kids

Rock the Garden is an exciting yearly outdoor music festival held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It's put on by the Walker Art Center, a famous art museum, and Minnesota Public Radio. The festival started way back in 1998. Since 2008, a radio station called 89.3 The Current has helped organize it, making it a popular event for indie rock music fans.

Rock the Garden has featured many well-known bands and artists from all over the country, like Wilco, Sonic Youth, and Bon Iver. It also gives a stage to talented local bands from Minnesota, such as Low, Doomtree, and Trampled By Turtles. It's a great way to enjoy music outdoors in the summer!

What is Rock the Garden?

Rock the Garden is a one-day or two-day music event that happens in the middle of June. It's known for its relaxed, outdoor setting, usually on the grounds of the Walker Art Center. People bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the music on the lawn. The festival brings together different kinds of music, but it mostly focuses on indie rock and alternative rock bands. It's a fun way for people of all ages to discover new music and see their favorite artists perform live.

A Brief History of the Festival

The very first Rock the Garden festival took place in 1998. It was created by the Walker Art Center to bring music and art together. After a few early festivals, it became a regular yearly event starting in 2008. That's when 89.3 The Current, a public radio station, joined as a co-sponsor. This partnership helped the festival grow and become even more popular, especially for fans of indie and alternative music.

Memorable Performances Over the Years

Over the years, Rock the Garden has hosted many amazing bands and artists. Each year's lineup brings a mix of big names and rising stars.

Early Years: 1998-2004

In its first few years, the festival featured a variety of sounds.

• In 1998, bands like the Hot Head Swing Band and The Jayhawks played.
• The year 2000 saw performances by Stereolab and the legendary Sonic Youth.
• Later, in 2003, Wilco was a big draw, and in 2004, the famous David Byrne performed.

Growing Popularity: 2008-2013

When The Current joined in 2008, the festival really started to take off.

• Bon Iver and Cloud Cult played in 2008.
• The Decemberists were a highlight in 2009.
• In 2010, fans enjoyed OK Go and MGMT.
• My Morning Jacket headlined in 2011.
• The 2012 festival featured local favorites Doomtree and Trampled by Turtles, along with The Hold Steady.
• In 2013, Metric and Silversun Pickups were among the performers.

Recent Highlights: 2014-2019

The festival continued to bring diverse and exciting acts.

• In 2014, the festival expanded to two days. It featured artists like Lizzo, De La Soul, and Spoon.
• Modest Mouse and Belle and Sebastian were big names in 2015.
• In 2016, due to construction, the festival moved to Boom Island Park. It featured Chance the Rapper and The Flaming Lips.
• The 2017 festival returned to the newly updated Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Bon Iver played again, along with The Revolution.
• In 2018, Father John Misty and Feist (singer) performed.
• The last festival, in 2019, included The National and Courtney Barnett.

Why the Festival Was Cancelled

Unfortunately, Rock the Garden was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it unsafe to hold large gatherings. Everyone hopes the festival will return soon!

Images for kids

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  The Rock the Garden stage in 2014, with a bright blue sky over a lawn filled with people enjoying the music.