Knoxville's celebrated free outdoor concert series, Sundown in the City, will return to Market Square in downtown Knoxville opening on Thursday, April 21 with a concert by rock legend Steve Winwood. Knoxville's own Hector Qirko Band will open the show.

Sundown in the City began on Market Square in 1997 with a single concert and has grown over the years to a weekly event that attracts thousands of people to Knoxville's center city. The series has been cited as one of the major catalysts in helping to spark Knoxville's growing downtown revitalization.

Last year's concerts drew capacity crowds estimated at 8,000 - 10,000 people every Thursday evening.

"Sundown's an exciting event, and we're especially proud of it," says Ashley Capps, President of A. C. Entertainment, which created and produces the series. "It's not just a concert, but a community celebration. It's helped to demonstrate the tremendous spirit and vitality of our city - and that spirit has been contagious. Plus, it's a lot of fun."

This year, Sundown in the City will once again run for 12 weeks, every Thursday night beginning at 6:00 p.m. from April 21 through July 7.

The shows in the twelve-week series are:

April 21
Steve Winwood
with Hector Qirko Band

April 28
Buddy Miller
with Lonesome Coyotes 

May 5
Matt Hall & the Banana Hammocks
with Ari Hest 
Cancelled due to weather

May 12
Blue Merle & 
with Will Hoge 
 
May 19
Victor Wooten Band
with Dishwater Blonde
May 26
Drive-By Truckers
with Carbon Leaf 

June 2
Rilo Kiley
with Dixie Dirt 

June 9
My Morning Jacket 
with Josh Ritter 

June 16
The Neville Brothers 
with Mofro 

June 23
Xavier Rudd 
with Mic Harrison

June 30
Sleater-Kinney 
with the Tim Lee Band 

July 7
Cross Canadian Ragweed 
with Garage Deluxe 


Sundown in the City is presented by the Regal Entertainment Group, along with the generous support of Budweiser, Hardee's, WOKI-FM, The Knoxville News Sentinel, Metro Pulse, WBIR-TV, WDVX and Lamar. "Regal Entertainment Group is thrilled to be the Presenting Sponsor for a third consecutive year," stated Dick Westerling, Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Advertising for Regal Entertainment Group. "Sundown in the City is a tremendous success attracting thousands of people to enjoy and experience the renaissance of downtown Knoxville."