Bret Michaels Headlines Bend of the River Festival
Stephen Pearcy and Great White fire up hard-rock summer show at Vetter Stone Amphitheater!
Image: Instagram
Rock icon Bret Michaels is set to headline Mankato’s Bend of the River music festival on Saturday, September 13, at the Vetter Stone Amphitheater. In a recent Instagram post (https://www.instagram.com/p/DK22MEbzJg/), Michaels teased fans with a graphic announcing special guests Stephen Pearcy of RATT and ’80s hard-rockers Great White for “a night of smash hits.” Tickets and VIP packages are available now at botrfest.com—promising a summer night that melds classic rock nostalgia with festival energy.
Artist Lineup
Stephen Pearcy, best known as the founding lead vocalist of RATT, brings his signature snarling delivery and anthems such as “Round and Round” to Mankato. Joining him will be Great White, the California quartet behind their chart-topping remake “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.” Together, these acts complement Michaels’s own catalog, which ranges from Poison classics like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” to solo hits.
Festival Details
Bend of the River takes place at the scenic Vetter Stone Amphitheater, nestled on the banks of the Minnesota River. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with opening sets kicking off at 6:30 p.m. General admission, reserved seating, and VIP meet-and-greet packages are on sale at botrfest.com. Early-bird pricing applies through August, and festival organizers recommend booking in advance as past events have sold out.
Rock Legacy
Bret Michaels, born Raymond Sabo in 1963, rose to fame as frontman of Poison in the mid-1980s. With more than 50 million records sold worldwide, his career spans multi-platinum albums, sold-out arena tours, and a television presence on reality series such as Rock of Love. Stephen Pearcy’s RATT was a mainstay on MTV during hair-metal’s heyday, while Great White’s blend of bluesy riffs and hard rock earned them a gold-certified breakout in 1989.
Tour Highlights
This Minnesota date comes on the heels of a summer tour that has seen Michaels bring his party-rock show to venues from Hollywood Casino in Grantville, Pennsylvania, to Ocean City, Maryland. On June 14, Michaels offered VIP fans in Grantville exclusive meet-and-greet experiences and side-stage seating packages, a model he’s replicating for Mankato attendees. His Instagram feed (@bretmichaelsofficial) has chronicled behind-the-scenes moments—from backstage jam sessions to on-stage harmonica solos—offering fans a front-row glimpse ahead of the September performance.
An evening under the riverbank lights promises more than just nostalgic sing-alongs. Expect festival food vendors, local craft beer, and a light show synchronized to rock anthems. With three decades of chart success and two supporting headliners who helped define ’80s rock, this is shaping up as one of the summer’s must-see events.
Whether you’re a die-hard Poison fan or chasing the golden age of hard rock, Mankato’s Bend of the River mega-party delivers. Reserve your spot now, and get ready to rock by the water this September 13.
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