It’s the most anticipated day of the season.
No, not the first day of spring. Rather, it’s the day the lineup for Rochester’s Down by the Riverside summer concert series is announced.
Well, today’s that day, and you can now begin planning your Sunday nights from July 14 through Aug. 12. For six consecutive Sunday nights, the free concerts take over Mayo Park in downtown Rochester, attracting large crowds eager to enjoy the music, the weather and their neighbors.
So, without further delay, here is who’s playing this year:
• July 14: 10,000 Maniacs , whose folk-rock hits in the ’80s and ’90s included "These Are Days," "More Than This" and "Because the Night." Opening: Trapper Schoepp.
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• July 21: Mike Love , a Hawaii-based singer/songwriter who mixes rock, reggae, pop, soul, blues, flamenco and jazz. Opening: Stanton West .
• July 28: Lindsay Ell, a country music artist from Canada whose first album, "The Project," debuted at No. 1. Opening: Debbie Anthony .
• Aug. 4: Rare Earth , a Motown band that had hits in the early ’70s with "Get Ready," "(I Know) I’m Losing You" and "I Just Want to Celebrate." Opening: Lost Faculties with Ringer Starr, a Ringo Starr tribute artist.
• Aug. 11: Cloud Cult , a Minnesota favorite, with Sleeping Jesus opening.
• Aug. 18: The Revolution , the band that backed Prince on the "Purple Rain" album and other hits, with DJ Supafly opening.
This is the 28th season of Down by the Riverside concerts, which are organized by the city’s music department. The first concert, in 1992, featured Asleep at the Wheel.
Other artists who have performed Down by the Riverside over the years include Jefferson Starship, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, the Guess Who, Kansas, Tommy James & the Shondells, Johnny Winter, Eric Church, Dessa, Lucius and Margo Price.
The concerts are at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
