MOONDANCE JAM: Final Lineup Announced

April 27, 2009

The Moondance Jam, Minnesota's pre-eminent classic rock festival, has announced the final lineup for this year's event. 15 bands, including headliners JOURNEY, JUDAS PRIEST and YES, will all appear at the festival, slated for July 15-18 at the festival grounds in Walker, Minnesota.

The festival kicks off with a party headlined by '80s revivalists HAIRBALL and local favorites MOUNTAIN ASH in the saloon on Wednesday, July 15, before activity shifts to the main stage for the rest of the weekend.

Thursday's strong bill includes melodic rock giants JOURNEY, singer/songwriter SHERYL CROW, progressive rockers KANSAS, boogie specialists FOGHAT and an opening set by Midwestern rockers SHOOTING STAR. JOURNEY makes its third Jam appearance and first with new singer Arnel Pineda. CROW and SHOOTING STAR will be making their debuts in Walker, while both KANSAS and FOGHAT return to celebrate past glories at the festival.

Ear plugs and neck braces will be the order of the day on Friday, as metal gods JUDAS PRIEST celebrate the 30th anniversary of its classic "British Steel" album while playing that entire record plus many other favorites during its first ever performance at the Jam. Blues rock greats WHITESNAKE makes a triumphant return after a storming set in 2005, while guitar god LITA FORD and blues rockers THE SPIN DOCTORS appear at the Jam for the first time. LED ZEPPELIN tribute band ZED LEPPELIN opens Friday's show.

Saturday will celebrate music of the '70s and '80s as progressive giants YES return to headline the final night of this year's show. Steve Howe will do double duty in YES and ASIA on Saturday, as the band appears for the first time ever in Walker. Guitar-based rockers THIN LIZZY appear here for the first time as well, and will join GRAND FUNK RAILROAD (a festival favorite) and all-girl AC/DC tribute band THUNDHERSTRUCK to make up the bill for the festival's last day.

Tickets are now available in a variety of packages. Concert goers can purchase Rockstar All Access, three-day VIP, three-day general admission, weekend packages and single day admission, as well as camping sites and parking passes by contacting the Jam office in Walker.

The Moondance Jam has been held at the same location in Walker since 1992. This year marks the 18th edition of the festival, which was started by resident Bill Bieloh. The Moondance Jam and its sister festival, Moondance Jamming Country Fest, help bring thousands of music fans to the Walker area every summer. Its bucolic location, situated near a huge lake on a site located three hours northwest of Minneapolis, houses thousands of camping sites during the festivals, and has been cited by many as to why they return year after year to Walker for the shows.

Tickets are available now at www.moondancejam.com or by calling 1-877-MOONJAM.

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