The Lagoon Summer Concert Series kicks off the 2018 season on the west lawn of Colorado State University’s Lory Student Center on Wednesday, June 13 at 6 p.m., with the popular Fort Collins band Pandas & People.
The eight-week series of free concerts is a community tradition enjoyed by northern Colorado music lovers of all ages. Produced by Mantooth Marketing Company, the musical lineup will feature a variety of genres every Wednesday, including country, indie-folk, rock, funk and more.
Back for another year as the opening act for each Lagoon concert is Little Kids Rock, a group of modern band performers from schools across the Poudre School District. Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit, has been helping kids across the country find their inner music makers since 2002 and making big waves in the modern band movement in schools. Learn more at www.littlekidsrock.org.
Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets, and enjoy the offerings of local food trucks that will be onsite each week. There will be no concert on July 4, and please be aware there is no parking allowed on Plum Drive.
The 2018 lineup includes:
Party on the Porch before the concert
A new addition to the Lagoon Summer Concert experience this year is Happy Hour on the New Belgium Porch at the on-campus stadium. The Porch will open every Wednesday, except July 4, 4-6 p.m., for concertgoers who wish to enjoy craft beer varieties from New Belgium Brewing before the concert.
In addition, the Ram Zone store at the stadium, just west of the New Belgium Porch, will be open on Wednesdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and the Iris & Michael Smith Alumni Center, just east of the Porch entrance, will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
June 13: Pandas & People
Formed in 2013, Pandas & People have quickly gained popularity across northern Colorado and beyond. This four-man band blends traditional folk with modern rock to create their signature sound of moving lyrics and edgy rhythms. Pandas & People have grabbed the attention of celebrated performers, including Twenty One Pilots and The Doobie Brothers, and have been named “Best Folk Band in Colorado” and “Best Americana Act” by Westword magazine.
June 20: Danielle Ate the Sandwich
A Lagoon favorite, Fort Collins native Danielle Ate the Sandwich gained popularity by posting simple YouTube videos that showcased her ukulele prowess, sweet vocals, thoughtful lyrics and unique personality. She has since wowed audiences across the world and has even recorded the Emmy-nominated soundtrack of the HBO documentary film, Packed in a Trunk: The Lost Art of Edith Lake Wilkinson.
June 27: Strange Americans
Calling themselves as the “Carhartt-wearing, hard-working, industrial beer-drinking” kind of band, Strange Americans gets straight to the point with raw, traditional rock ‘n’ roll. The five band members have been busy throughout the past decade, releasing three full-length records and a seven-inch vinyl that showcase their powerful sound.
July 11: Equally Challenged
Equally Challenged combines expert songcraft, vocal harmony and a pocket groove for a unique funk rock sound. Band members include Jesse Turner, Paul Maley, Dan Kozlowski, Garrett Evans and Ian Wurst, each of whom have contributed to the northern Colorado music scene individually before forming Equally Challenged.
July 18: Jake Gill
A celebrated Nashville country artist and third-round finalist on NBC’s The Voice, Jake Gill is passing through Fort Collins during his 2018 tour. Gill grew up listening to classic country music and strives to emulate the powerful songwriting styles he has always loved. He has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in country music, including Jake Owen, Easton Corbin and Chris Cagle, and has even performed for more than 50,000 people when opening for Jason Aldean.
July 25: Edison
Although this indie-rock trio hails from Colorado, Edison has captured the hearts of fans across the nation. The band includes singer and guitarist Sarah Slaton, multi-instrumentalist Dustin Morris, and Grammy-nominated guitarist Maxwell Hughes (formerly of The Lumineers). This trio has toured for over a year and has performed at major music festivals, including SXSW, CMJ Music Marathon and Folk Alliance International.
Aug. 1: The Jakarta Band
Based in Denver, The Jakarta Band boasts an old-school funk, disco and R&B sound. Led by frontman Isaac Points, the nine-member band knows just which grooves will get audiences up and dancing. Points brings more than 35 years of experience to the stage and has played with national legends, including Chuck Berry and Tony Bennett.
Aug. 8: The Wendy Woo Band
A celebrated northern Colorado artist, Wendy Woo lights up the stage with her energetic personality, musical skills and spirited songwriting. Her talent has earned her many honors, including Westword Music Awards “Singer/Songwriter of the Year” five times. She has also had the pleasure of performing with some of the nation’s most famous artists, including Brad Paisley, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Counting Crows and more.
About the Lagoon Concerts
The Lagoon Summer Concert Series is produced thanks the generous support of its many sponsors: Colorado State University, Kaiser Permanente, Dellenbach Motors, Big O Tires, Surgery Center of Fort Collins, The Youth Clinic, Women’s Clinic of Northern Colorado, The Human Bean, DaVinci Sign Systems, REMAX Advanced, Campus West Shops, Hand and Stone Massage & Facial Spa, Hixon Interiors, Outpost Sunsport, Gallegos Sanitation, Inc., Houska Automotive, The Rocky Mountain Collegian and Townsquare Media.
Visit www.lagoonseries.com to find frequently asked questions about the event, weather updates, band bios and more.
