Staff Directory 6370586

Chris Riemenschneider

Critic / Reporter | Local Music
Phone: 612-673-4658

Chris Riemenschneider has been covering the Twin Cities music scene since 2001, long enough for Prince to shout him out during "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)." The St. Paul native authored the book "First Avenue: Minnesota's Mainroom" and previously worked as a music critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas.


Riemenschneider has also written for Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News and Billboard and won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Society for Features Journalism and Society of American Travel Writers.
Recent content from Chris Riemenschneider
In this 1978 photo taken by Janet Macoska and released by Devo, Inc., the band Devo, from left, Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Mothersbaugh, kneeling, Jerry C

Devo, Linda Perry docs lead lineup for 25th (and final?) Sound Unseen festival in Minneapolis

M-80 and Twin/Tone Records concert films will also be shown as the film fest for music lovers prepares for a hiatus.
Sabrina Carpenter performed at the Coachella festival in April to kick off her tour coming Monday to Target Center.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Oct. 10-16 include Sabrina Carpenter, Savion Glover, Cody Johnson, MJ Lenderman, T Bone Burnett and Mdou Moctar.
Fontaines D.C. lead singer Grian Chatten performs as the opening act for Arctic Monkeys at the Armory.

Review: The Irish band that Oasis recently trashed outshined their rivals in Minneapolis

Fontaines D.C. played to a packed Fillmore crowd following some unwanted publicity and a more varied fourth album.
Chan Poling came out from behind the piano to sing during the New Standards' holiday concerts at the State Theatre in 2018.

New Standards and Jayhawks announce December hometown gigs, with new twists

Tickets for the 2024 installments of both bands' long-running holiday stands go on sale Friday.
PJ Harvey put on a shadowy first half of her concert Wednesday at St. Paul's Palace Theatre.

Review: British rocker PJ Harvey challenges, then rewards Minnesota fans in long-awaited return

The influential '90s noisemaker played her quieter new album in full at a packed Palace Theatre.
Ex-Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard returns Sunday to the Palace Theatre on a co-headlining tour with Michael Kiwanuka.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Oct. 3-9 include Brittany Howard, Babyface, Mk.gee, Musiq Soulchild, Air, Billy Bragg and the free Surly Darkness Day.
Molly Brandt unlocked her songwriter side during the pandemic and is already releasing her second album this week, "American Saga."

Introducing Molly Brandt and a new wave of Americana artists in the Twin Cities

Brandt's new album, "American Saga," is a highlight among a young crop of alt-twangers also featuring Clare Doyle and Cole Diamond.
Brothers Liam Gallagher, left, and Noel Gallagher performed with Oasis at Target Center in 2008, a year before breaking up the band.

Oasis' nearest U.S. reunion tour stop to Minnesota is Chicago's Soldier Field

The Gallagher brothers only listed four U.S. cities on a global 2025 itinerary announced Monday.
Cloud Cult's full lineup reconvened to record "Alchemy Creek" earlier this year.

Facing another 'journey of loss and hurt,' Cloud Cult turned to fans to help spark new album

Craig Minowa relied on emotional support from his orchestral rock band's Patreon members while writing songs for "Alchemy Creek."
Sturgill Simpson performs during a concert for the “Why Not?” Tour at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.

Review: One of the year's best concerts wasn't spoiled by one of Minnesota's worst venues

Country rocker Sturgill Simpson rose above the din of Roy Wilkins Auditorium with a marathon three-hour set.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Greg Gonzalez of Cigarettes After Sex early in their show Tuesday at Excel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Review: Dream-pop band Cigarettes After Sex lights up St. Paul arena with ultra-low flair

The ambient Texas trio got bumped up to Xcel Center just two years after it played First Ave.
British rock hero PJ Harvey plays St. Paul's Palace Theatre on Wednesday as part of her first U.S. tour in seven years.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Sept. 26-Oct. 2 include PJ Harvey, ELO, Cowboy Junkies, Jimmy Webb, Morris Day & the Time, the Family Stone and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
Jason Narducy, left, and Michael Shannon have been performing albums in Chicago bars for a decade, also including ones by the Smiths and Modern Lovers

Oscar nominee and indie-rock vet will celebrate R.E.M. again at First Ave in 2025

Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy will perform 'Fables of the Reconstruction' on tour this time out, with a Wilco member joining in.
Bon Iver's Justin Vernon performed in the Water is Life Festival at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth on Wednesday.

Hear the first track from Wisconsin indie-rock hero Bon Iver's 'reset and reintroduction'

Eau Claire strummer Justin Vernon will release a three-song set on Oct. 18, his first new music in five years.
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5 songs, 2 bands, 1 big surprise: Trampled by Turtles and Dead Man Winter drop dueling EPs today

Frontman Dave Simonett recorded the same set of tunes with both bands. And then didn't tell anyone about it.
Utepils Brewing taproom manager Addison Memmel pours from a keg of special Oktoberfest brew, free for all the couples who took part in the wedding vow

Celebrate Oktoberfest all year at these 6 German-styled Minnesota breweries

You don't need to don lederhosen or know how to pronounce Utepils, Giesenbrau or Arbeiter to enjoy their classic hefeweizens, lagers and other classic Germanic brews.
St. Vincent will perform for two nights at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Sept. 19-25 include St. Vincent, Sturgill Simpson, Megadeth, Soul Coughing, Gracie Abrams and Cigarettes After Sex.
James Hetfield fired up the 50,000 or so fans on hand for Metallica's first of two nights at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 16.

Metallica's 'Minneapolis Takeover' concerts are now available as live recordings

Would anyone want to buy live tracks from the Vikings' murky-sounding venue? Metallicats probably would.
Soul Asylum circa 2024, from left: drummer Michael Bland, bassist Jeremy Tappero, frontman Dave Pirner and guitarist Ryan Smith.

Soul Asylum reteams with a producer it rode in on for new fall album

The band's frontman, Dave Pirner, talked "Slowly but Shirley" and being more optimistic before hitting the road again.
Sabrina Carpenter is scheduled to perform at Target Center on Oct. 14 in Minneapolis.

The top 10 pop, rock and country concerts in the Twin Cities this fall

Our critics' picks include veteran acts such as Charles Lloyd and Usher and newcomers such as Sabrina Carpenter and Inhaler.
Jeff Tweedy with keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen and drummer Glenn Kotche during Wilco's three-night Palace Theatre run in November 2017. / Jeff Wheeler,

Wilco books another rare three-night stand in St. Paul, this one even more special

The Chicago rockers are promising no-repeat set lists for their third run at the Palace Theatre.
Avril Lavigne performed as the opening act before the Backstreet Boys.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Sept. 12-18 include Avril Lavigne, Samara Joy, Andre Cymone, Goose, Paul Weller, Buena Vista Orchestra and Cactus Blossoms.
Nick Cave got to know Saturday's State Theatre crowd during the third song "Tupelo" and again in the pre-encore finale "Push the Sky Away."

Nick Cave's first Minneapolis concert with his Bad Seeds in over a decade set for May

The Australian rock hero will play the Armory with his old band supporting their new album, "Wild God."
Graze Provisions and Libations was to serve as the host site for Sunday's NBNL Music Fest, which has been canceled.

North Loop's NBNL Music Fest abruptly canceled after poor sales and a mandated name change

Originally named the North by North Loop Festival, Sunday's event was to feature the Suburbs, Bad Bad Hats and more.
The Black Pumas return to Surly Brewing Festival Field on Wednesday.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in Twin Cities area this week

Highlights for Sept. 5-11 include Shaboozey, Luke Bryan, Larry Carlton, Black Pumas and Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.
Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo and bassist Scott Shriner perform Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Review: Weezer goes 'Blue' in latest Gen-X package tour to pack a Minnesota sports venue

The Flaming Lips and Dinosaur Jr. also performed at Wednesday's oddball tour kickoff date at Xcel Energy Center.
Bassist John Munson, left, with singer/guitarist Dan Wilson and drummer Jacob Slichter early in Semisonic's set Monday night at the Leinie Lodge Bands

Review: Semisonic delivers the perfect, Minnesota-proud set for State Fair closing time

The veteran pop-rock trio's second of two nights at the band shell included many recent songs that brought new spark to its live set.
Bassist John Munson, drummer Jacob Slichter, and guitarist and vocalist Dan Wilson, from left, of Semisonic.

Semisonic says 'it's an honor' carrying on tradition of Minnesota rockers closing down State Fair

The "Closing Time" hitmakers headline the Leinie Lodge Bandshell on the fair's last two days, like some of their pals before them.
Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe, which barred Star Tribune photographers Thursday night at the Minnesota State Fair grandstand, last appeared in town at U

Review: Mötley Crüe beats the rain (and lots more!) in its State Fair grandstand return

The '80s rockers drew a modest crowd with a new guitarist and pretty much the same old situation.
Autumn Brew Review 2018

Minnesota brewers' 2024 Autumn Brew Review announced with THC drinks, collaboration beers

The 23rd installment of the beer fest will take place Oct. 12 at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis.
Stephen Sanchez is coming to the Minnesota State Fair on Saturday.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights from Aug. 29-Sept. 4 include TLC, Weezer, Kehlani, Stanley Clarke, Stephen Sanchez, Gaslight Anthem and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.
Rapper Ludacris performs at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights on Tuesday.

Review: Ludacris and T-Pain live up to being this year's hottest State Fair grandstand ticket

The 2000s-era hip-hop stars offered a deep playlist of hits in Tuesday's sold-out concert.
Marky Ramone will raise a fist to his old band Wednesday and Thursday at the Minnesota State Fair.

The Ramones' last heyday member sees the Minnesota State Fair as an 'all-American' gig

Also now a Sirius XM host, Marky Ramone plays his old group's songs at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell on Wednesday and Thursday with a new crew.
Zach Bryan performs at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.

Review: Zach Bryan's intimate, outsider appeal not lost in the din of the Vikings stadium

The Oklahoma serviceman-turned-countryman had 50,000 fans singing along, even in some of his more downcast newer tunes.
The Tutti Frutti Bubblegum Hard Slushy from Lift Bridge Brewing is one of the many new drinks on tap at the Minnesota State Fair this year; but was no

The best new beers, slushies and boozy drinks to try at the State Fair

We sampled many of the 63 (!) new adult beverages on opening day, including a lot of fruity brews and at least one laced with mustard.
Becky G takes the stage at the State Fair grandstand, the first act of this year's lineup.

Review: Becky G raises Mexican pop vibes to kick off 2024′s State Fair grandstand series

The "Shower" and "Mamii" hitmaker had a modest crowd but put on a high-energy show.
Scrunchies celebrate the release of "Colossal" at the Turf Club on Saturday. From left: Danielle Cusack, Laura Larson and Jeremy Warden.

This Minneapolis band was one of the last to work with studio legend Steve Albini

Scrunchies' new record, "Colossal," was recorded with the Nirvana and Pixies collaborator just a few months before his death.
Zach Bryan performs Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. ] AARON LAVINSKY • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Aug. 22-28 include Zach Bryan, Chance the Rapper, Blake Shelton, Ruthie Foster, Alice Cooper, Ludacris and the War and Treaty.
Four of the 27 different beverages Lift Bridge Brewing is crafting for the State Fair this year, from left: the Mudslide (coffee + chocolate), Chelsea

Mini Donut Beer maker Lift Bridge has become the Minnesota State Fair's most avid brewery

The Stillwater-based brewer is selling 27 specialty brews at the fair this year, and most of them aren't actually beer.
Photo by David Joles: Tina Schlieske was among several talented guests at the New Standards' holiday concert Friday night at the State Theatre in Minn

24 Minnesota music acts to see for free at the State Fair

Homegrown highlights on the fair's stages in 2024 include Tina Schlieske, L.A. Buckner, Laamar, the First Ave Goes to the Fair revue and closing timers Semisonic.
Bassist Rob Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett worked Metallica's in-the-round stage opposite frontman James Hetfield at U.S. Bank Stadium on Friday.

Review: Night 2 of Metallica's Minneapolis 'takeover' was as commanding as the first

After a night off, the metal vets returned strong Sunday to U.S. Bank Stadium with an all-new set list and different openers.
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs during the Saviors Tour at Target Field in Minneapolis on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. Green Day, The Smashing

Review: Green Day and Smashing Pumpkins take '90s angst out to the ballpark

Billie Joe Armstrong's trio played two of its albums in full for the sold-out Target Field crowd.
Metallica’s James Hetfield performed Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Review: Metallica thrillingly thunders its way through Night 1 of its Minneapolis takeover

The metal gods' first of two U.S. Bank Stadium shows in its "No Repeat Weekend" featured some deep-cut oldies and a renewed monstrosity.
Thousands of fans packed Target Field for the Hella Mega Tour featuring Weezer, Fall Out Boy and Green Day on Monday evening.

Twin Cities to reach maximum rock 'n' roll level with four stadium concerts over next four days

Metallica, Green Day, Def Leppard, Smashing Pumpkins and more are coming to town with around 200,000 tickets sold for this week's big shows.
Jhene Aiko, opened Friday, Jan. 5, 2017, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Aug. 15-22 include Jhene Aiko, Hozier, Metallica, Koe Wetzel, Green Day with Smashing Pumpkins and Def Leppard with Journey,
Megan Hamer, Emily Archer and Jeanette Pence, left to right, danced together as Hippo Campus performed during the Minnesota Yacht Club music festival'

Minnesota Yacht Club festival will return in 2025 with an added third day of music

The festival is set again for July 18-20 following a strong turnout in the St. Paul event's inaugural year.
Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica performed at Target Center.

Metallica's guitarist promises 'more of an experience' during its Minneapolis takeover

Kirk Hammett says this weekend's "no repeat" U.S. Bank Stadium shows are indicators they want to last like the Rolling Stones: "That's our goal."
Phil Anselmo performed with the new Pantera lineup last weekend at Chicago's Soldier Field opening for Metallica.

Extra-loud underplay: Pantera to play First Ave the night before its Metallica gig in Minneapolis

Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde and Anthrax's Charlie Benante are filling in for Pantera's late Abbott brothers on tour.
Chance the Rapper has been working with visual artists around the world to help make his upcoming album, "Star Line."

Chance the Rapper knows Minnesota has 'the' state fair to play. It's one of his only 2024 gigs.

The Chicago hip-hop star is offering his fellow Midwesterners at the grandstand a preview of his bold new "Star Line" project.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spoke before signing a bill renaming a 7-mile stretch of Hwy. 5 as “Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway” in May 2023 out

Gov. Tim Walz's Minnesota music ties are cranking up his viral Cool Dad status

Photos and stories are circulating on social media tying Kamala Harris' running mate to Prince, Hüsker Dü, the Replacements and the Electric Fetus.
Ice Spice performed at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 30 ahead of her Twin Cities headlining debut next week at the Armory.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Aug. 8-14 include Ice Spice, Hootie & the Blowfish, Stray Cats, Ber, Dwight Yoakam, Julia Bullock and Bayfront Blues Festival.
Faye Webster was backed by an impressive band and a couple rows of prop washing machines at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul on Sunday night.

Review: Faye Webster's sold-out Palace concert in St. Paul was awash in dark romance

The Atlanta songwriter of "But Not Kiss" fame arrived riding a wave of TikTok and festival exposure,
Peso Pluma performed with a walking cane in front of about 8,000 fans Friday at Target Center in Minneapolis.

Review: Mexico hip-hop star Peso Pluma soars in Minnesota debut, despite foot injury

The rapper delivered a fascinating, jubilant blend of traditional Mexican music and hip-hop at Target Center.
Paddlefish Brewery co-owners (from left) Eric Johnson, Luke Dragseth and Dave Long inside Paddlefish Brewing in St. Peter last month.

Gustavus grads open St. Peter's first brewery in former Red Owl site

Paddlefish Brewing is run in a historic Minnesota college town by the youngest brewers in the state.
Vampire Weekend singer Ezra Koenig gestured to the 8,000 fans at the start of his band's show Tuesday night at the Armory in Minneapolis.

Review: Vampire Weekend confidently but kookily kicks off two-night stand in Minneapolis

Ezra Koenig and his ever-evolving band made a serious case for new tunes before turning very unserious.
Faye Webster heads to the Palace Theatre on Sunday.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Aug. 1-7 include Peso Pluma, Faye Webster, Barry Manilow, Killer Mike, Tedeschi Trucks Band and Basilica Block Party.
Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters greeted the crowd at the beginning of their show Sunday night. The Foo Fighters performed at Target Field Sunday night

Review: Foo Fighters and Pretenders knock it out of the ballpark

More than 40,000 fans of varying ages packed Target Field to see Dave Grohl's Gen X-era band rise again.
Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders played a special intimate gig in the 250-capacity Entry on Chrissie's birthday teasing next week's release of their

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for July 25-31 include Foo Fighters, Vampire Weekend, Sheila E., Future, Dawes, Seun Kuti and Palmfest.
Flea, left, and John Frusciante, the bassist and guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, respectively, play on their knees during the band’s perfor

Review: Minnesota Yacht Club festival ends in rowdy, dopey style with Chili Peppers

A capacity crowd turned out for the second day of St. Paul's big, new music fest, where the Offspring and Gary Clark Jr. also performed.
Spectators filled in the VIP viewing area before Alanis Morissette took the stage Friday at the Minnesota Yacht Club festival at Harriet Island Region

Review: Stefani, Morissette spark a 'Hella Good' start to Minnesota Yacht Club festival

Day One at St. Paul's big new music fest was defined by female stars and pretty stellar organization
This photo was taken from at least six feet away.

Minneapolis music eatery Icehouse will avoid eviction under new ownership plan

Some formerly silent partners in the Eat Street venue are taking over with the continued involvement of founder Brian Liebeck.
Fans lit up Target Field as Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Jhoan Duran arrived at the mound in the eighth inning of Game 4 of their American League Di

The story behind Twins closer Jhoan Duran's fiery entrance song(s)

Latino music stars Farruko and Daddy Yankee and a St. Paul-born DJ played a role in the big walk-on moment.
Joe Westerberg pours a beer at Bent Paddle Brewing Co. in Duluth, the brewery credited with pushing the city into the modern taproom era.

What is Duluth's superior beer? We rank the Twin Ports area's many breweries.

The nine most popular taprooms to visit include older favorites and popular newcomers.
Soul Asylum's first album in four years, "Slowly But Shirley," will be released this fall, as will Hippo Campus's "Flood."

Soul Asylum and Hippo Campus drop new songs, album news ahead of Minnesota Yacht Club gigs

Each band teamed with well-known producers for their latest albums due out this fall.
Sunny Sweeney
Photo: Christina Feddersen

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for July 18-24 include Minnesota Yacht Club, Sunny Sweeney, Lyle Lovett and Thirty Seconds to Mars.
Festival favorites the Red Hot Chili Peppers, led by bassist Flea, headlined the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in June ahead of their St. Paul gig.

Festival, ahoy! A dozen things to know about St. Paul's Minnesota Yacht Club

Lollapalooza promoter C3 Presents brings the Chili Peppers, Alanis Morissette and more to Harriet Island this weekend.
James Hetfield, left, and Lars Ulrich of Metallica performed in Philadelphia on their WorldWired Tour in 2018, also the last year they played in the T

Bowling with Lars? Metallica announces side events in its Minneapolis 'takeover' weekend

The metal kings are playing two shows at U.S. Bank Stadium in August, with a night off in between for other fun.
Hats (and caps) off to a great first year from Spilled Grain.

6 Minnesota breweries win U.S. Open Beer awards

St. Louis Park's Haggard Barrel also took a trophy after only just hitting the market in January.
Nickel Creek/ Photo by Brantley Gutierrez

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for July 11-17 include Nickel Creek with Andrew Bird, Grace Potter, Chicago with Earth, Wind & Fire, X and Jeezy.
That means you, too, are invited to watch iconic Prince scenes like this when "Purple Rain" is screened at Target Center on July 27 its 40th anniversa

'Purple Rain' to be screened at Target Center on 40th anniversary of movie's release

The July 27 event in Minneapolis will feature members of Prince's family and collaborators.
Niall Horan, who disallowed press photographers at Sunday's St. Paul concert, performed in Auckland, New Zealand, in April before kicking off his U.S.

Review: Niall Horan goes in many directions for first Minnesota arena show

The One Direction alum charmed 15,000 fans in St. Paul with the same nice demeanor seen on NBC's "The Voice."
Minnesota-blooded musician Jakob Dylan performed with the Wallflowers on opening day of the two-day Taste of Minnesota festival in downtown Minneapoli

Review: Wallflowers, McBride bring musical flavor to revamped Taste of Minnesota

The festival's downtown site isn't great for concerts, but Saturday's performers rose above the din.
Michele Swanson will host an in-store appearance by one of her favorites, Tommy Stinson, on Saturday to celebrate Lucky Cat Records' opening.

Scene Makers Q+A: Lucky Cat Records owner puts a new spin on a fabled Minneapolis store site

From corporate life to indie shopkeeper, Michele Swanson opens this weekend in the former home of Oar Folk.
Miranda Lambert is headed to Grand Casino Hinckley.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for July 4-10 include Miranda Lambert, Niall Horan, Trampled by Turtles, Marcia Ball, Baseball Project and Taste of Minnesota.
Laurie Lindeen smiled at the Podium guitar store in Minneapolis in 2007, the year her memoir, "Petal Pusher: A Rock and Roll Cinderella Story," was pu

Minneapolis musician-turned-writer Laurie Lindeen of Zuzu's Petals dies at 62

Her 2007 memoir, "Petal Pusher," colorfully documented the music career that gave way to writing and starting a family.