2011 Sturgis Concert Guide
No matter your musical stylings, there is something in this year’s Sturgis concert line-up for everyone. There are concerts nightly during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which is held during the first full week in August, at various locations around town. Below are some of the big events on tap for the 2011 rally.
Buffalo Chip Campground
The Buffalo Chip plays host to concerts at the Wolfman Jack Main Stage. The party begins with the Miss Buffalo Chip bikini contest. A variety of rock and roll artists take the stage each night. August 6 begins the concert line-up with Alice Cooper and Pop Evil. Pop Evil began the radio circuit in 2008 as the iTunes’ top new artist of the year. They join Alice Cooper, a classic rock and roller with an evil twist, for the first big concert during the rally.
Sunday night, the 7th, brings fan favorites, Bachman & Turner (of Bachman-Turner Overdrive fame!) who will unite for the first time in 20 years for the event. Tesla will join rock legends Def Leppard for Monday night’s party. Tesla is a crowd favorite that began its musical journey in 1985. They are a multi-platinum selling rock band joining Def Leppard, the uber-successful British hair metal band.
Tuesday night’s offering brings in some of the best darn country music around as Toby Keith fills up the Buffalo Chip stage. Toby is an accomplished singer with dozens of hit songs to get the crowd doing a little two-stepping. George Thorogood and Leon Russell will close out the concert series on Saturday night, the 13th. Russell is one of the most accomplished musicians in rock and roll. Thorogood and his band shred the blues as good as any band alive, a sound that will make for a great closing night. There are many other performers, both big and small, that will perform throughout the week, including rock icons like Gregg Allman, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Fogerty, and Stevie Nicks!
Full Throttle Saloon
The Full Throttle Saloon is also a hot spot in the Sturgis concert guide. The party begins Sunday night, August 7th with Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Kenny has been playing since he was seven, and pleasing audiences ever since. He plays a variety of rock and blues. Rev Payton Big Damn Band will join them on Sunday, and appear each night through Thursday. Monday, August 8th features Big Guns, a band that is a tribute to AC/DC. Ted Nugent rocks the stage on Tuesday night, a guitar legend in his own right. He has played with some great bands such as Amboy Dukes and Damn Yankee.
Jackyl promises to put on the “biggest, baddest” concert of the whole darn Sturgis festival as they fill the bill for the Full Throttle’s Thursday night. Friday night ends the series with the Marshall Tucker Band, who play Southern Rock like it was meant to be played.
Other Concerts
Although Buffalo Chip and Full Throttle host some of the biggest names in rock, there are still some good concerts around town. If you can’t hit the big stages, try some of the smaller stages featuring talent from across America. Glencoe Campground will soon be releasing their line-up for the 2011 rally which will also feature some huge names in music.