After being bottled up inside during a cold, slow winter, Minnesotans will get a chance to defrost in the upcoming months thanks to a blistering summer music schedule.

With artists such as Stone Temple Pilots and Big Boi making their way to the Twin Cities, this summer is packed with a variety of talent.

‘The Big Four’

1. Moondance Jam

Walker, Minn., will host some of rock music’s biggest legends July 14-16 when KISS and Stone Temple Pilots headline back-to-back nights. Known more for their pyrotechnics than their music, KISS has put on the self-proclaimed “greatest show on earth” since 1973, while STP frontman Scott Weiland returns to the stage with his original band after departing from supergroup Velvet Revolver. Other acts include Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, 3 Doors Down and Eddie Money. Tickets are on sale for $150 until May 15.

2. Soundset

Rhymesayers’ one-day hip-hop extravaganza will be held in the Canterbury Park parking lot for the second consecutive year Sunday, May 29. Labelmates and Soundset staples Atmosphere, Brother Ali and Doomtree will headline with hip-hop pioneers De La Soul and Outkast’s Big Boi.  This year’s lineup also features Internet sensation Mac Miller. The Pittsburgh native released his “Best Day Ever” EP on Wiz Khalifa’s Rostrum Records in March, and the 19-year-old will be performing in Minnesota for the first time. General admission tickets are $38 and VIP tickets are $90 for those 18 and older.

3. WE Fest

“America’s best country music festival” returns to the Soo Pass Ranch August 4-6 in Detroit Lakes, Minn., with some of country music’s biggest draws. With headliners including Sugarland, Rascal Flatts and Brad Paisley, WE Fest combines a college party atmosphere with a variety of country music acts. Former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker will play a solo show, while Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd and country legend Willie Nelson play back-to-back sets. Tickets are $109, but that does not include camping and parking fees.

4. Rock Fest

93X’s Rock Fest is billing this year’s collection of artists as an “all-star” lineup as heavy metal and hard rock superstars return July 14-17 to Cadott, Wis. Headliners include rocker-turned-horror-director Rob Zombie, southern rock/hip-hop star Kid Rock, heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, and ‘80s royalty Def Leppard. Also making appearances are Three Days Grace, Hinder, Seether and Heart. Four-day tickets are $165, and one-day passes are $82.50. Camping and parking costs are not included.

Summer stinker: Basilica Block Party

Cities 97’s annual two-day block party is usually a must-see event, but this year’s lineup lacks the talent of past billings. Returning to the Twin Cities July 8-9 for its 17th year, the Basilica Block Party lineup features British singer-songwriter David Gray, reggae-infused hip-hop group Michael Franti and Spearhead, and Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs. While LaMontagne is a star-in-the-making, the rest of the lineup lacks mass audience appeal. G. Love, Amos Lee and Gomez will also perform, but it is disappointing the rumors of a Mumford and Sons appearance did not prove true. Two-night tickets are $70 and single-night passes cost $40.

Ryan Shaver can be reached at shav7005@stthomas.edu.