“I want those kids that go to Soundset to appreciate what it is that they’re seeing – that hip-hop is this tree that has grown all these different branches, but that they are all united.”
- Soundset 2012 host Brother Ali, speaking with METRO about his hosting debut at the May 27 festival
The lineup for the 2012 Soundset Festival has been announced, and we think you’re going to like what the fine folks at Rhymesayers have put together.
Now in its fifth year, the festival will feature a host of hip-hop’s best talents, including Atmosphere, Lupe Fiasco, Ghostface Killah & Raekwon, Aesop Rock, I Self Devine, Prof, Astronautalis, and P.O.S. Brother Ali, MaLLY, and J Pratt will serve as the hosts of the show.
The acts will be spread across three stages on May 27 at Shakoppe’s Canterbury Park. General admission tickets are $41 and go on sale March 10 at 11 a.m. VIP tickets are $90.
Also planned: a DJ tent, a live painting exhibit, skateboarding demonstration area, custom car show, and a special “Last of the Record Buyers live production.”
Preach it brother.
Brother Ali’s new video, shot at Heidi’s. Download the full EP for free here.
METRO’s Best Concerts of 2012
- Ryan Adams at the State Theatre, Dec. 13. Shaggy hair and black t-shirt notwithstanding, Ryan Adams isn’t the brooding guy-with-guitar from his Gold record days anymore.
- Wilco at the State Theatre, Dec. 6-7. After bypassing the Twin Cities for years, Jeff Tweedy came to Minneapolis for a two-night stay. We hope he comes back again soon.
- Wild Flag at the Varsity Theater, Oct. 3. A new band and a new tourfor the queens of indie rock.
- Brother Ali’s Day of Dignity, Oct. 1. Part concert, part community outreach, this North Minneapolis concert reminded us why we’re proud to call Brother Ali our friend and neighbor.
- Stevie Nicks at Mystic Amphitheater, Aug. 24. The best thing about Stevie Nicks is that she knows she’s a rockstar and she’s not afraid to say it.
- Adele and Wanda Jackson at Xcel Energy Center, Aug. 24. Wanda Jackson is a little bit country, a little bit rock ’n’ roll and, at age 73, is still a whole lot of sweet, nasty fun.
- Bill Callahan at the Cedar Cultural Center, July 9. Dry stage banter and an unceremonious encore, left no question that Callahan is a true professional.
- My Morning Jacket at the Walker Art Center (Rock The Garden), June 18. Kentuckians My Morning Jacket salvaged this year’s Rock the Garden from the dreary weather and less-than-engaging earlier sets. making the 9th year of the festival one of the best yet.
- Honorable mention: Low at the Cedar Cultural Center, The Besnard Lakes at the Triple Rock Social Club, Biffy Clyro at the 7th Street Entry, St. Vincent at the Walker Art Center, Phantogram at First Avenue, Foo Fighters at the Xcel Energy Center.
See more of our favorite music — including the best local and non-local albums — from 2011 here.
It’s not a benefit. I’m trying to get away from that word. That’s one of the biggest problems I’m having with inviting people. They’re like, “Cool, I’ll bring some canned goods.” And I’m like, “No, you don’t have to bring anything!” You literally just show up. If people want to donate money they can. If people want to volunteer they can. If people want to—I don’t know if we’re necessarily accepting donations of like canned goods or coats or anything right on that particular day, but if people want to get involved they can. But you don’t have to. That’s not what this particular event really is. It’s more about, will you come out and, you know, see the people that were affected by the tornado and party together.
