Soul Asylum and Hippo Campus to headline Grandma’s Marathon concerts

Entertainment Lineup 50th Grandmas Marathon

(Grandmas Marathon)

DULUTH, Minn. – Soul Asylum and Hippo Campus will headline concerts for Grandma’s Marathon weekend.

Ten Minnesota-based bands will take the stage at Bayfront Festival Park in June 2026 to help celebrate 50 years of Grandma’s Marathon.

“We were searching for acts that felt authentic to who we are and reflective of where we come from,” said Grandma’s Marathon. Marketing & Public Relations Director Zach Schneider. “Bringing several Minnesota-based bands with different but complementary styles will make for an energetic and welcoming lineup for participants across all generations.”

Saturday’s headliner, Soul Asylum, had big hits in the 1990s with “Runaway Train” and “Misery,” both hitting the top 20 on the US charts.  Their songs “Somebody to Shove” and “Black Gold” both were top 10 hits on the Alternative Rock charts.

Hippo Campus, the Friday evening headliner, is a Minneapolis-based indie band that’s earned national recognition for its modern, infectious, and genre-blending sound.

Speaking of Hippo Campus, Schneider said, “Their music resonates with all ages and fits perfectly into the celebratory nature of this year’s marathon, and they will be wonderful ‘stage setters’ for the excitement to follow on race day.”

Friday’s supporting act will be GB Leighton, known for its high-energy sound and captivating live performances.  “This was a no-brainer – GB Leighton is part of the fabric of Grandma’s Marathon,” Schneider said.

ROCK THE BAYFRONT – FRIDAY, JUNE 19
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – GB Leighton
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Hippo Campus

ROCK THE BAYFRONT – SATURDAY, JUNE 20
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Boxcar
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Not Fade Away: A Tribute to The Grateful Dead
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – The Slamming Doors
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Charlie Parr
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Mid Dream
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Emily Haavik & The 35s
8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – The Music of Prince (featuring former members of The New Power Generation)
10:30 p.m. – 11:45 p.m. – Soul Asylum