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Solid Gold

One of the best things about summer in Minnesota is the plethora of options we have to watch live music outdoors. St. Paul is no exception – we’ve got the weekly Music in Mears music-and-movies event in Mears Park, the Latin-flavored music-and-movies series District del Sol in Castillo Park, 9 Nights of Music at Minnesota History Center, and the upcoming State Fair shows at their Grandstand.

Image of PJ Harvey and John Parish at the Zoo by Jon Behm

But it’s easy to argue that the Minnesota Zoo’s Music in the Zoo series (located in St. Paul suburb Apple Valley) tops them all. After arriving at the Zoo’s main entrance, concert-goers get to take a lovely little walk through the Zoo’s surrounding foliage and ponds to get to the outdoor Amphitheater. Grab a Summit (brewed in St. Paul, natch) and head down to the wood benches that line the theater. No matter where you’re sitting, you’ll get a great view of the pond behind the stage, and the sunset as the headlining act takes the stage. I was lucky enough to get into the PJ Harvey and John Parish show there earlier this summer, and it was one of the most magical concert experiences of the year.

Jeremy Messersmith

This weekend’s all-local line-up featuring Solid Gold, Jeremy Messersmith and The Pines should be another memorable one. (Local publication Vita.mn seems to think so – they’re giving away 50 passes to get into the show, along with a bus ride there and back on the “Vitabus.”) Electro-infused rockers Solid Gold are the hottest local band of the moment, getting a ton of airplay on 89.3 The Current, and a headlining spot at this year’s Rock the Garden, as well as a ton of attention across the pond (they recently played live on the BBC). They share the unlikely-paired bill with critically-lauded songsmith Jeremy Messersmith, who happens to be a good pal – and fan – of the band. Acclaimed old-timey folk band The Pines should bridge the gap between the two groups.

Kick off the night right at Red Stag for happy hour specials beginning at 5 p.m. and an after party featuring Solid Gold DJs at 11 p.m. (with more happy hour food and drink specials ‘til close).

Check out the remaining acts booked at the Zoo through the summer:

August 1: Gear Daddies
August 3: Paolo Nutini, Erin McCarley + Matt Hires
August 8: Alejandro Escovedo + Romantica
August 11: Reel Big Fish + The English Beat
August 14: Beer, Bears & Music: G. B. Leighton
August 15: Yonder Mountain String Band
August 18: Pat Green
August 21: Dar Williams, Haley Bonar, Stephen Kellogg + The Sixers
August 28: Gaelic Storm

(All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley. Visit www.mnzoo.org for more info.)