Pinestock 2000-2010
On April 29, Breaker, Breaker, Battle of the Bands winner, opened Pinestock 2000. “Backdoor Boys” provided a segue to the next act which was Dixie and the Cannibals (a band originally from St. Cloud), who played soulful tunes that highlighted Dixie’s warm vocals. The band Train was one of the double-billed headliners with the Marvelous 3, who closed the concert in a rock ‘n’ roll style.
On May 12, 2001, Breaker, Breaker opened for Pinestock again. The headliner was Ben Harper, with other acts being Jack Johnson and Wookiefoot. At Pinestock 2002, Br. Willie’s Brass Band opened. The other bands were Soul Asylum, Iffy, The Jayhawks Special Acoustic Show, Red Light Go, and Better Than Ezra. There were also inflatable attractions, food and beverage, and music merchandise vendors.
Fred Savage and the Unbeatables (FSU) won Battle of the Bands and opened for Pinestock on 26, 2003. Around 1,800 students gather on Watab for the 24th Annual Pinestock. Everclear and hip-hop group De La Soul headlined the event. Former Johnnie band, Panoramic Blue also played as did the Exies. At the time, it was unclear if Pinestock would happen the next year due to funding concerns and the JEC being pressured by the Senate to charge $25 per ticket.
On April 24, 2004, the 25th Pinestock concert occurred. D.O.C.T.R.I.N.E, which stands for Demonstration of Creative Thought Revealed in Natural Elements won Battle of the Bands and opened for featured performer Ben Folds. Epic Hero, Bottle of Justus, and Heiruspecs also played.
On April 23, 2005, the headliner was Guster. FSU won the Battle of the Bands and opened. Big Wu and Guster’s tour partner The Zambonis also played. There were free henna tattoos and caricatures. FSU won the Battle of the Bands again and opened for O.A.R. (Of A Revolution) on April 29, 2006. This was FSU’s third opening act at Pinestock, the other band was Army of Me. At the 27th Pinestock, the beer garden returned for the first time since 2001.
On May 28, 2007, there was still a beer garden. There was a minor incident, in which a St. Cloud student got past security and climbed the stage scaffolding but other than that, it was fine. Cake headlined with student band The Wagon Wheels opening for them. The JEC was able to find room in the budget to have four bands play, so The Driveback and The Wildbirds also performed.
On March 28, 2008, Hokahey! won the Battle of the Bands. They opened for the headliner, Jack’s Mannequin. Other performers were Ludo, Trampled by Turtles, and The Fates. On March 27, 2009, Mister was named the winner of the Battle of the Bands. On April 25th, 30 years of Pinestock was celebrated with headliner Motion City Soundtrack and Unicycle Loves You. On April 24, 2010, Mason Jennings headlined, and Corey Chisel and the Wandering Sons performed.