Music in the Zoo is one of the iconic summer concert series in the Twin Cities. Produced locally by esteemed promoter Sue McLean and Associates (SMA), the series features 25+ outdoor concerts from June through August on the Sue McLean stage in the Weesner Family Amphitheater at the Minnesota Zoo.

The 2018 Music in the Zoo series, once again delivers a celebrated mix of fan favorites, national headliners, iconic and up-and-coming bands. The intimate outdoor venue enhances the experience and the music will provide an unforgettable soundtrack to your summer. 2018 also marks the 26th year of this Minnesota summer tradition!

The first band to grace the stage for this year’s concert series was San Angelo, Texas natives, Los Lonely Boys. Most recognizable for their 2004 hit “Heaven,” the American Chicano rock power trio play a style of music they call “Texican Rock n’ Roll,” combining elements of rock and roll, Texas blues, brown-eyed soul, country, and Tejano.

Performing for over an hour and a half, Los Lonely Boys showcased that they are certainly more than the “One Hit Wonders” that many of us in the Midwest may think they are. With a setlist comprised of songs both old and new, they even threw in some familiar cover songs such as Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Suzie Q” & “Born On The Bayou” as well as a roughly minute-long improvized medley of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”

While it was clear that this may not have been the setlist they were used to performing, the band did a very good job of reading the audience and giving the nearly sold-out crowd exactly what they wanted from a fun Saturday outing. Above everything else, it appeared that three members, Henry, Jojo, and Ringo, who are also brothers, were legitimately having fun, something that can’t be said for every band who’s been touring for over twenty years.

It was a fun and entertaining way to kick off what is sure to be another incredibly successful year for the Music In The Zoo concert series. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Jonny Lang, Buddy Guy, Chaka Kahn, and a few others will all grace this stage in June alone. The full lineup of shows can be found here.