03/18/2025
The Jayhawks to Headline Metro Jam 46!!
Metro Jam is proud to announce that Minneapolis-based alt-country/rock band The Jayhawks who became a driving force and inspiration behind the growing Americana movement in the early 1990s, will be headlining this year’s festival on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
The incredible harmonies and distinctive arrangements of The Jayhawks set them apart from the rest of the Minneapolis music scene that emerged in the 1980s. Over the course of almost 4 decades, 11 albums, countless memorable live shows and enough personal drama to fill a couple of “Behind the Music” episodes, this beloved band soared to heights few ever achieve while winning the hearts and minds of numerous critics, fans and peers in the process. After releasing two Indie albums in the 80s, The Jayhawks had become a driving force and inspiration behind the growing Americana movement in the early 1990s. Rolling Stone magazine claims that “The Jayhawks remain Americana's most underappreciated band…the unsung influence on early Nineties alt-country pioneers like Uncle Tupelo.”
Combining the talents of singer-songwriters Gary Louris and Mark Olson, The Jayhawks released their major label debut, the acclaimed Hollywood Town Hall (1992) on the Def American label. This was followed by Tomorrow the Green Grass (1995), which produced the alternative radio hit single “Blue”. When Olson left to pursue a solo career, Louris singularly took over the songwriting role in The Jayhawks creating the band’s enduring sound on some of their best selling and well received albums including Sound of Lies (1997), Smile (2000) and Rainy Day Music (2003).In July 2020 The Jayhawks released their latest album, XOXO that features songwriting and lead vocal contributions from all 4 core members.
The Jayhawks take the stage in Manitowoc’s Washington Park at 8:30pm on Saturday, June 21 topping off two days of the annual FREE admission music event scheduled for Friday and Saturday June 20 and 21.
