Opening acts for the Think Mutual Bank 2017 Down by the RIverside Free Concert Series revealed!

Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser.

DBTR-17-banner

Opening acts for the Think Mutual Bank 2017 Down by the Riverside Free Concert Series revealed!


DBTR 2017 Openers

Down by the Riverside has been a major force, for the last 26 years, in getting local musicians in front of large audiences and in support of some pretty big names. It has been, and will continue to be, a policy of the series to showcase local bands (from the 11 county Southeastern Minnesota region which includes Rochester) for the free outdoor concert series.

This summer is no different with the likes of local favs like County Line Drive, MM Jr., and Nite Shift. While The Morning Kings, Early Eyes, and The Heavy Set are bands based out of the Twin Cities, they each have band members who reside in Southeastern Minnesota. The Morning Kings currently have band members that grew up in Rochester, attended high school at Century and John Marshall and still live in Rochester. You might remember Henry James Patterson (from Red Wing) of Early Eyes from his solo performance as opener for the rained out Lucius show of 2015. The Heavy Set have members who have all lived in Rochester and some who currently live in Winona.


Local musicians opening up for the likes of Spin Doctors, Dessa, Cassadee Pope, Living Colour, Pert Near Sandstone, and Burton Cummings, the singer/songwriter of the hits of The Guess Who.


THE COMPLETE OPENING ACT SCHEDULE FOR DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE...


Morning Kings Photo

The Morning Kings will open for Spin Doctors- Sunday, July 9 (Week #1) at 7PM in Mayo Park. The Morning Kings (TMK) are a band from Minnesota and was established in 2010. The Morning Kings are known throughout the region for having a layered, energetic full band sound with influences of funk, rock, and organized jam. TMK pushes the envelope to create and innovate music that can get a crowd moving while invoking a true connection to the music. In 2012 TMK did a self release 5 song EP called Sunrise and toured the past two years throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. Currently the band is in the studio working on their 2nd EP and will have a tour to follow! Media Sponsor: MINNESOTA 97.5 THE HITS


Early Eyes

Early Eyes will open for Dessa - Sunday, July 16 (Week 2) at 7PM in Mayo Park. Early Eyes  became a band on October 3rd, 2016, as a temporary pop-up ensemble, before exploding on the internet and garnering a sizable local following almost instantly.  Drawing from all sorts of musical backgrounds, their songwriting abilities were worthy of winning The National Endowment of The Arts Songwriting Challenge.They are currently in the process of recording their official debut EP, “Minutes,"   splitting time between The Institute of Production and Recording in downtown Minneapolis and their dorm rooms in Middlebrook Hall. Early Eyes focus on community building, socially aware event organization and are gaining a lot of traction in The Midwest. In a recent interview with 89.3 The Current, Early Eyes said that they wanted their music to sound “Honest”  and that is exactly what they are, down to earth, talented, and honest. Media Sponsor: THE CURRENT


County Line Drive Photo

County Line Drive will open for Cassadee Pope - Sunday, July 23 (Week #3) at 7PM in Mayo Park. Since their formation in late 2011, County Line Drive has been the pinnacle of live, non-stop action country music. This four-piece band, consisting of Brandon Stanek on lead vocals and guitar, Ryan Utterback on drums, Nick Danielson on guitar, and Blake Bonde and Drew Medin sharing bass responsibilities, has made a lot of noise in the midwest country music scene. With their thunderous rhythm section, lightning guitar work, and tight harmonies, each member brings their own flair to CLD's brand of country music. From sharing the stage with Grand Ole Opry member Craig Morgan at Harvest Jam, rockin' the stage at Country Fest, or playing town street dances, county fairs, and bars, County Line Drive is committed to bringing their audience the best country music every time they hit the stage.Media Sponsor: 102.5 THE FOX


MM JR. Photo

MM Jr. will open for Living Colour - Sunday, July 30 (Week #4) at 7PM in Mayo Park. Blending elements of pop punk, and rock, the band fuses energetic, punchy riffs and beats with catchy, fun, and memorable vocals to create a sound that gets people having fun. Media Sponsor: MINNESOTA 97.5 THE HITS


The Heasvy Set Photo

The Heavy Set will open for Pert Near Sandstone - Sunday, August 6 (Week #5) at 7PM in Mayo Park. The Heavy Set is a rock band out of Minneapolis whose latest studio release “Everybody’s Got A Mountain” has been met with local and regional acclaim.  Just their first full-length album, “Mountain” was recorded at Real Phonic Studios, with local legend Erik Koskinen producing and engineering, and also has Kevin Bowe credited with engineering a track at IPR.  Their single “River” was featured on The Current’s Local Show, and was placed twice on their annual Top 89 Polls (Top 89 Songs and Top 89 Local Songs).  No strangers to the road, the band just finished a midwest tour in support of the album, and also landed a Daytrotter session, regional press and radio in-studios.  Their debut studio release, the self-titled "Jake Ilika & The Heavy Set EP" was released in March of 2014. Media Sponsor: THE CURRENT


NIte Shift Photo

Nite Shift will open for Burton Cummings: singer/songwriter of the hits of THE GUESS WHO - Sunday, August 13 (Week #6) at 7PM in Mayo Park. Since forming in early 2008, Nite Shift has delivered a series of high-energy, fun-filled performances, rocking the Southeast Minnesota music scene. Nite Shift specializes in their own renditions of the best rock n' roll songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, and today's current hits. With both male and female lead power vocals, and the musicians' ability to play multiple instruments, Nite Shift covers a wide variety of music most bands are afraid to touch. Media Sponsor: LASER 101.7


Think Mutual Bank

We would like to thank Think Mutual Bank, the title sponsor of the Down by the Riverside Free Summer Concert Series. Without community minded businesses like Think Mutual Bank, we would be unable to produce a concert series of this magnitude, and would certainly not be able to offer it to the public for free. Thank you, Think!

City of Rochester

And a special thank you to the City of Rochester, the Rochester City Council, and YOU...the citizens of Southeastern Minnesota.


Down by the Riverside Aerial View
Photo by Mike Pruett of MLT Group