Garden Rocks Concert Series Debuting at Epcot This Year

A new wave of entertainment is coming to this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which runs March 4 through May 17, 2015.
The springtime event’s concert series, originally entitled Flower Power, has a new name - Garden Rocks - and a whole new sound. “The new name has given us a chance to refresh the lineup,” said Booking Director Brad Ross, who has booked talent for Flower Power, and now Garden Rocks, since 2000.

The concert series has evolved over Brad’s 15 years with the event. The series morphed from seven days per week to weekends only in 2009, concentrating the entertainment on the days with the most Guests in attendance. Ross and his team have also brought in new bands, shifting away from the “Flower Power” of the 1960s and focusing on the 1970s through 1990s to keep the offering fresh.

No matter which bands are in the lineup, Brad said they have similar positive experiences playing at Walt Disney World.

“When a new artist comes in, they always make a comment on stage about playing three sets a day, which is not a typical concert format,” Brad said. “But over time, the bands can’t wait to come back, and they say it’s their favorite venue. It’s a rare opportunity to work and play at the same time.”

Here is this year’s Garden Rocks concert series lineup (dates and band lineup subject to change):

• March 6 - 8: Gin Blossoms (“Hey Jealousy”)
• March 13 - 15: Pablo Cruise (“Love Will Find a Way”)
• March 20 - 22: En Vogue (“Free Your Mind”)
• March 27 - 29: Starship (“We Built This City”)
• April 3 - 5: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO (“Evil Woman”)
• April 10 - 12: Village People (“Y.M.C.A.”)
• April 17 - 19: Jon Secada (“Just Another Day”)
• April 24 - 26: The Guess Who (“These Eyes”)
• May 1 - 3: Taylor Dayne (“Tell It to My Heart”)
• May 8 - 10: Little River Band (“Reminiscing”)
• May 15 - 17: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (“I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”)

Performances are at the America Gardens Theatre at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the event. As every year, the event is included with park admission.