Summer Means Outdoor Music: Here’s When and Where to Hear It

previewing the Chippewa Valley’s numerous concert series

James Johonnott, photos by Andrea Paulseth

TUESDAY? BLUES DAY! Tuesday Night Blues at the Owen Park Bandshell in Eau Claire. (Photo by Andrea Paulseth)
TUESDAY? BLUES DAY! Tuesday Night Blues at the Owen Park Bandshell in Eau Claire.

Sounds Like Summer Concert Series

Thursdays at 6pm • Phoenix Park • Eau Claire

Volume One’s annual downtown Eau Claire concerts draw a couple thousand music-loving locals to Phoenix Park for the best in original local music, community, and pretty dang good sunsets, too.

Jun 2: TeawhYB + Miles Blvd + westkorea

Jun 9: The Nunnery + Songa + Hana Fleur

Jun 16: Nick Anderson & the Skinny Lovers + Parker Reed and the Lucid Dreamers + Emily Watkins w/Maggie Sills

Jun 23: Jesse Stratton Band + The Driftless Revelers + Wyatt Thomson

Jun 30: Pit Wagon + Brian Bethke + Dylan Martinson

Jul 7: We’re Wolves + Noah Estrada + Fathom

Jul 14: Dave’s Manual + Matt Caflisch + Wildcat Hawkins

Jul 21: Sad House Guest + Hemma + Spencer Douglas

Jul 28: Asparagus + Orchid Eaton + Sarah Ohr

Aug 4: Jerrika Mighelle + The Woodland Spring + Sean Jordan

Aug 11: Orenda Fugue + Motherwind + DJ Harm

Aug 18: Irie Sol + Dames + Vicky Yang

Aug 25: FM Down + The Over Unders + Emma West


Tuesday Night Blues

Tuesdays at 6:30pm • Owen Park • Eau Claire

During Eau Claire summers, every Tuesday is blues day. Tons of locals gather in shady Owen Park along the Chippewa River to take in all the blues goodness that emanates from the bandshell. Learn more online from the Chippewa Valley Blues Society.

May 31: 7 Swings The Blues

Jun 7: Joyann Parker

Jun 14: Paul Tweed Band

Jun 21: Bridget Kelly Band

Jun 28: Tommy Bentz Band

Jul 5: Ross William Perry

Jul 12: Jay Stulo Band

Jul 19: Howard “Guitar” Luedtke & Blue Max

Jul 26: Whyte Orfield Band

Aug 2: Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal

Aug 9: Stefan Geisinger Band

Aug 16: Avey Grouws Band

Aug 23: Mark Cameron Band

Aug 30: Mojo Lemon


Music Over Menomin

Thursdays at 7pm • Menomonie Public Library • Menomonie

The Menomonie Public Library hosts this awesome annual concert series which brings together tons of music fans and artists to Menomonie for a celebration of the rich Chippewa Valley music scene.

Jun 9: Mojo Lemon Blues Band

Jun 16: Home Grown Tomatoes

Jun 23: Sue Orfield Band

Jun 30: Dawn Marie

Jul 7: Patchouli & Terra Guitarra

Jul 14: The Cutaways

Jul 21: Old Soul Society

Jul 28: Take2Day

Aug 4: Cathy Reitz & the 7Swing

Aug 11: North of Dixie


Rock’n on the River Summer Concert Series

Wednesdays at 6:30pm • River Prairie Park • Altoona

This series at the River Prairie Park amphitheater in Altoona focuses on rock music, whether originals or some near-and-dear classic favorites from yesteryear. Learn more online.

Jun 15: The Thundermen

Jun 22: Outland

Jun 29: HGT Band

Jul 6: The Raddies

Jul 13: Margaritville

Jul 20: Big Deeks

Jul 27: 40 Fingers

Aug 3: 2nd Time Around

Aug 10: City Limits

Aug 17: Sage

Aug 24: Divided Highway

Aug 31: The Thundermen


Kickin’ It Country Summer Concert Series

Mondays at 6:30pm • River Prairie Park • Altoona

This River Prairie concert series puts country in the spotlight right on the Eau Claire River. Find out more online.

Jun 20: Golden Band

Jun 27: Raquel & The Wildflowers

Jul 11: Brady Luke Band

Jul 18: Bear Creek Band

Jul 25: Eclectic Barn Boys

Aug 1: Kid Kactus & The Tumbleweeds

Aug 8: Buffalo Ridge

Aug 15: North of Dixie

Aug 22: Ranger Rudy & The Swingin’ Wingtips

Aug 29: Southern Serenade


Sunday Summer Concert Series at Riverfront Park

Sundays at 6pm • Riverfront Park • Chippewa Falls

Check out the local favorites in this series hosted on the amphitheater at Chippewa Falls’ scenic downtown Riverfront Park. Find out more on Facebook.

Jun 12: The Cragars

Jun 19: JFT Party band

Jun 26: Drift revelers

Jul 2: Bear creek band/mark croft

Jul 10: Raquel and the wildflowers

Jul 17: Stefan Geisinger Band

Jul 24: Kyle Renfro Trio

Jul 31: The big deeks

Aug 7: Home Grown Tomatoes 

Aug 12: All In


Colfax Music in the Park

Thursdays at 7pm • Tower Park • Colfax

For an eclectic mix of folk music stylings, look no further than the beautiful Colfax Music in the Park which this year features bluegrass, folk, country, barbershop, rock ’n’ roll, and more.

Jun 23: The Otterson’s Blue Grass Round Up

Jun 30: Rich Schroeder

Jul 7: Red Cedar Sounds Sweet Adelines + Dunn County Northern Lights Barbershoppers

Jul 13: Poppa Bear Norton

Jul 21: White Pine Ramblers

Jul 28: Ukulele Club of Eau Claire

Aug 4: The Utphall/Degollier Duo

Aug 11: Maple Ridge Band

Aug 18: Jim Herrick and Friends


Durand Music in the Park

Every fourth Wednesday at 6:30pm • Memorial Park • Durand

Don’t miss your three chances to see some awesome live music in the bandshell at Memorial Park in Durand.

Jun 22: Homegrown Tomatoes

Jul 27: TBA

AUG 24: Whitesidewalls


Eau Claire Municipal Band

Wednesdays at 7:30pm • Owen Park • Eau Claire

Experience the Eau Claire Municipal Band and its Sousa marches, gorgeous melodies, and contemporary compositions every Wednesday in June and July. Learn more on their website.


Ludington Guard Band

Tuesdays June 7 to Aug. 9 at 7:30pm • Wilson Park • Menomonie

A community concert band that was officially organized in 1888 with roots going back to 1877. They play a variety of classical band music, marches, overtures, show tunes and novelty pieces. Learn more on Facebook.

Summer Music Preview is sponsored by:

Summer Music Preview is sponsored by: