Have your flip-flops and Ray-Ban sunglasses ready. Summer weather is just around the corner and that means shorts, the lake and a boatload of outdoor concerts to savor. Here are my top picks for this year’s summer concerts:
Soundset Festival
Canterbury Park, in Shakopee, Minn., will host the music marathon Soundset this year on Sunday, May 26. Gates open at 11 a.m. and 40 artists will perform until 8:30 p.m. when the sun sets over the Shakopee water tower. Headliners include Atmosphere, Snoop Dogg, Mac Miller and Brother Ali. 
Stages will be on the grass this year (good news for our butts), which will enhance the hippie-summer vibe. General admission is $49, which is rather inexpensive for an entire day of phenomenal music.
And, get this, set times for the shows will not be announced until the day of the concert. I know some people may find this aggravating and difficult when it comes to planning but for me, it’s a chance to listen to new artists that I may have never seen otherwise. Plus, the anticipation of waiting for Atmosphere to perform will keep you amped all day long.
Music in the Zoo
How could you overlook an event held at the best outdoor concert venue in the Twin Cities? Mpls. St. Paul Magazine named Weesner Family Amphitheater at the Minnesota Zoo the top concert locale of 2012. This year they’ll host a day of tunes unlike any other. Music and animals, what could be better?
The series will feature artists starting June 6 and finishing up on June 21. Each concert starts at 7:30 p.m., but the amphitheater will open at 7 p.m. for seating. If you arrive early, revel in some pre-show grub at Grizzly Coast Café or World Tacos.
Headliners spanning throughout the summer include: Eric Hutchinson, Los Lobos/Los Lonely Boys, The Wanted and Carly Rae Jepsen. If you’re heading out to any of these concerts in June, call me maybe? 
Basilica Block Party
What began as a fundraiser to support the structural restoration of The Basilica of Saint Mary has now become an annual celebration. This year marks the 19th anniversary of the two-day shindig at the church located in downtown Minneapolis.
Although I’ve never been, photo galleries showing off last year’s sets have convinced me that I cannot miss it again.
With a medley of local artists, it’s the perfect opportunity to check out the local talent and enjoy tasty food, good music and a fun-filled atmosphere. July 12 will feature Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Matt Nathanson, ZZ Ward and Mayer Hawthrone, to name a few. July 13 will showcase Matchbox Twenty, the Goo Goo Dolls, Walk the Moon and Cloud Cult.
WE Fest: “Livin’ the Dream in 2013”
Since it began in 1983, WE Fest has been a music extravaganza and one of the leading country music festivals in the nation. It’s a weekend of feel-good tunes set in an authentic outback environment. This back-country bash is held at the Soo Pass Ranch located in Detroit Lakes, Minn., Aug. 1-3. Ready, set, giddyup!
This year, big names will rock the ranch grounds: Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Eric Church and Darius Rucker to name a few. Bring your cowboy hat and boots-with-the-spurs and rock ‘n’ roll country-style for three-straight days.
Plan to camp out to get the full WE Fest experience, or just come for the music and a guaranteed good time. It’s time for a hoedown, Minnesota style.
Nicole Soyka can be reached at soyk9466@stthomas.edu.