07/14/2025
Lakes Jam is changing its format for 2026. Thursday will now be open to anything, as well as the rest of the weekend. We’re not saying goodbye to rock but it will no longer be the focus of any one day.
Back when Lakes Jam started, Classic Rock and Country were very compatible. And not that they still aren’t, but there aren’t enough classic rock acts still touring. If there are thirty solid acts still, this means they are all playing in MN every year. Between the festivals, casinos, fairs and so on. Add to the fact that the top level artists are out of our price range, it becomes even more difficult to keep the fans happy. This also leads to late signings which puts us behind the eight ball on marketing throughout the year. Often it is Jan and Feb before we can get a commitment. For comparison sake, we can generally have our entire country lineup done by October before even getting close on a rock headliner.
We have tried to move to newer rock, and while we have had some success, the options are still very limited. And it generally doesn’t mix well with country.
This doesn’t mean the end of rock at Lakes Jam. If the right band comes along and we can get them in the mix, we’ll do that. We’ll now have free reign to explore other genres. It is little known that we looked at Nelly for 2025. Who knows, maybe we’ll get crazy and add EDM…yeah there is a country EDM act or two out there.
Freeing Thursday up also allows us more routing opportunities. For those that don’t know, routing is key in booking artists economically. If an artist can play a show on Saturday in Iowa, another Friday in Wisconsin and then thursday in Minnesota, this is ideal for them. Generally the venues will pay a little less, but the artist will be more successful financially than playing two shows on a weekend. With Thursday now being available to us, it will open more doors.
We look forward to what the next year brings and will continue to evolve with the times.
🎸Lakes Jam Podcast - BIG CHANGES COMING 🚨
·
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2noAKWvy7dse602jpbjKGa?si=Kd6ilEW3SfecaA_-UWiHEg
·
Before we dive into today's show, let's give a HUGE round of applause for all of our Jammers who attended this year's Lakes Jam! You all made for the LARGEST 1-night crowd in Lakes Jam history 🤯 So, huge thank you 👏
·
Now... on to today's show, and really the future of Lakes Jam. First, Eryk Haapajoki aka Hopper stops by the show to discuss everything partnerships/sponsorships, as well as his favorite part of Lakes Jam each year.
·
Then... The news you have been hearing rumors about... GM Ken Lacy dives into the Format Changes beginning at Lakes Jam 2026!
·
Tune in now to hear all about it, and thanks again to all of our Lakes Jam Podcast listeners for another wonderful year!
·
Listen Local
BlazeAir Productions
Jacob Blaeser
North Woods Agent - Isaiah Moengen
