DULUTH — Duluth’s storied ore boat will once again transform into one of the most unique concert venues on Lake Superior.
The William A. Irvin, the historic freighter permanently docked in the heart of Canal Park, is preparing to host a four-week series of live performances on its spar deck beginning August 7. The event, dubbed “Music on The Ship,” offers free shows that pair eclectic music with sweeping views of the Aerial Lift Bridge — creating what organizers call an only-in-Duluth experience.
The series will feature local and regional musicians across multiple genres, from independent rock to Americana and a tribute to Bob Dylan. Concerts will be held each Thursday evening in August with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and music starting at 7.
This year’s lineup includes:
August 7: Flight of Stares (independent rock)
August 14: Slope City (blues and soul-inspired pop)
August 21: Cyr & the Cosmonauts (Americana)
August 28: Shelter from the Storm (celebrating Dylan’s music)
Attendance is capped at 140 people per show. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs — carried in bags only — to settle in on the ship’s deck for the evening. The concerts are family-friendly, but due to the vessel’s historic design, the Irvin is not handicap accessible.
A floating piece of Duluth history
Owned and operated by the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, the William A. Irvin serves as a floating museum and a prominent reminder of the city’s industrial heritage. Built in 1938 for U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Fleet, the 610-foot vessel once carried iron ore and coal across the Great Lakes before retiring in 1978. It opened to the public as a maritime attraction in 1986 and has since become a centerpiece of Duluth’s tourism scene.
The DECC itself, located steps from the Irvin, anchors a sprawling campus along the waterfront that includes convention halls, theaters, and the home ice of the UMD Bulldogs hockey teams. Together, they draw hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, boosting the local economy and spotlighting Duluth’s role as a shipping and recreation hub.
With the return of “Music on The Ship,” organizers hope to blend live entertainment with the maritime history that defines this port city.
The events are truly a Duluth-style night out. Where else can you watch the sun set over Lake Superior, see the Lift Bridge rise, and hear great music from the deck of a 1930s freighter?
For more details on the concert series and to learn about the William A. Irvin tours offered throughout the summer, visit the DECC’s official website.
