Lakefront Music Fest Rocks Prior Lake!
With over 2000 volunteers making it possible, the Prior Lake Rotary Club knocked it out of the park again for 2026! Raising thousands of dollars for hundreds of charitable organizations and clubs, Lakefront Music Fest since 2010 continued its stellar levels of rocking and rolling with gusto Friday night. Starting the double night action in 2012, Lakefront Music Fest is a double day of fun with one country and one rock themed night.
Headed down to Prior Lake with my little sister along for the fun, popped into the VFW and scored a free parking spot about a ten minute walk away from the festival gates. Not having to wait for a shuttle in the heat plus being near cheap beer before venue prices? Yes and yes. With many veterans in our family, felt right at home with the folks in the newly renovatted hangout. Seriously. We both were in shock. Probably the fanciest VFW in the Twin Cities that I’ve been to. Clean, an HVAC running like a well-seasoned marathon winner, and great service. Snagged a Foggy Geezer IPA and hung out for some fried food before making our way to the show.
Got into the gates pretty speedily, about half an hour before Jefferson Starship was set to start. Popped by the beer area to grab a few tickets for beer. $10 a ticket aka a beer. Not bad for a venue, also you have to remember it’s a fundraising event. Wasn’t hard to part with my clams based on those facts, cracked a frosty Modelo and put it in my free can koozie courtesy of a Diamond sponsor for the fest, Jeff Belzer. Those came in clutch, forgot to bring our own from home, cause it was HOT and HUMID. As Jefferson Starship started their set, the crowd was decently populated in the general admission areas, with VIP a bit more sparce but eventually was pretty full by the end of their set. Nestled myself in the front of general to make sure I could snag some cell phone snaps and hot vids.
This San Fran rock band has been playing tunes since 1974 with OG founder David Freiberg guiding the ship with style and their classic beloved sound. Opening up with “Find Your Way Back” was an excellent decision. Really got folks in the mood to dance and chillax. Hearing “We Built This City” in real life was surreal, of course myself and sister couldn’t help but sing along to almost every familiar tune. They did give us a little contemporary treat when Starship played one of their new songs “Jet Pack” which retained the same vibe and flavor of well-enjoyed signature sound. What surprised me the most was the variety of people in the crowd. Was expecting more of a baby boomer deluge, which of course makes sense with the lineup, but oddly tons of younger kids were swaying the night away alongside their more typical older fanbase. That’s what I like to see. After a quick but lovely seven song set, Jefferson Starship thanked the crowd and sent warm wishes to the other bands getting ready to sing and shred their best.
The thousand or so camping chairs stirred behind the standing crowd as George Thorogood And The Destroyers stirred the fest alive with pure rock and roll essence. Some nice fog machine action accompanied the legendary band’s attitude which helped creating some misty ambience during the steamy early evening set time. “Rock Party” cracked open the show followed by a cover of Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love?” to the crowd’s delight. Much scream-singing was offered up by the audience, the band seemed to react to it quite well. Hard to play these summer shows, but they didn’t miss a step musically.
George flirted and joked between songs, many eye brow raises and hip thrusts peppered between slick riffs and licks. Love seeing true legends on stage in whatever capacity, but The Destroyers showed that they are still the band advertised versus a mediocre shadow many other bands formed in the early 1970s unfortunately melt into. No slow in his step, George at 76 years old boogied his body to every tune and played magnificently the songs everyone wanted to hear. Ending their dozen song set with “Bad To The Bone” left the audience satisfied but definitely could have gobbled up more. Fantastic performance.
Time for some more legendary songs, last but never least, THE Billy Idol.
The stage was dark, the only color on stage to be seen being the pink vector effigy of Idol’s face on the drum set. Slowly the fog began to envelop the instruments, then a laser outline of Billy’s face appeared revealing more and more detail. Dressed in all black, complete with a spike-laden leather jacket, Billy Idol melted onto stage with “Still Dancing” to my personal ravishment. He doesn’t have a bad song, but happy it was one of my beloved favorites that doesn’t get the love it deserves.
The band mirrored Idol’s boisterous energy through the set, including his extremely talented pair of backup singers. Loved seeing him engage each bandmate on stage, making sure to walk the entire length of the space so no area of the audience was ignored as well. Betwixt “Cradle Of Love” and “Flesh For Fantasy,” he did a little cheeky outfit change in front of us all to admire. Turning away towards the drummer, he popped of his top and jacket to adorn a new fresh black silky dress shirt. Buttons thankfully open, turned back towards the crowd with a response of exuberant yells and elated screams. Not only did he sound and look fabulous, the rockstar seemed to be having a great time performing. As I turned around from the front rail, spied the thousands behind me bathed in red light having the best time. He truly can foster joy in his fans. He played more of his radio rhinos later in the baker’s dozen plus set including “Eyes Without A Face” and “Rebel Yell,” ending with “White Wedding” for the final encore song to monumental Minnesota cheers. What a blast.
Lakefront Music Fest rock night mirrored it’s weather in mood; Sunny, jovial, and red-hot.
