Recent content from Jon Bream
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for June 5-11 include Thee Sacred Souls, Dwight Yoakam, Alison Krauss, Samia, Prince Celebration and Surly's 19th anniversary.
![Pepe Willie stood for a portrait outside the Capri Theater, which is undergoing a major renovation, in Minneapolis. ] Shari L. Gross • shari.gross@s](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4TPIVGPZLESDCIL3ZJ4J4T4ZDU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Pepé Willie, mentor to Prince and Morris Day, dies at 76
The ever-smiling godfather of the Minneapolis Sound helped musicians for love, not money.
Prince Week features one more 'party with a purpose'
Other activities include a concert by the Family and Jesse Johnson as well as a free block party and dance lessons.
Gen Z jazz singer Laufey is headed to Target Center on Oct. 11
Tickets to see the Grammy-winning Icelandic songbird will go on sale next week.
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for May 29-June 4 include Valerie June, Lucky Diaz, Laamar, Hippo Campus, Joshua Ray Walker and Grand Old Day.
Why is the Ledge Amphitheater Minnesota's busiest concert venue this summer?
The picturesque Waite Park spot has an eclectic lineup in a slow year.
University of Minnesota grad writes definitive biography of Indigenous rock star Jesse Ed Davis
Prof. Doug Miller will speak in St. Paul about the guitarist who played with Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne and others.
Review: Vince Gill's Minneapolis marathon showcases hits, humor, guitar heroics
The Country Hall of Famer played eight new tunes and just a guitar solo from his Eagles experience.
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for May 22-28 include George Clinton, Vince Gill, Yola, Wiz Khalifa and the Caterwaul festival.
Review: Post Malone fires up Minneapolis crowd with fireworks and endless pop hits
Opening acts Jelly Roll and Sierra Ferrell triumphed without the bells and whistles.
Review: Rising country star Megan Moroney sets records at Minneapolis Armory
All those ballads led to loud sing-alongs and long lines at merch stands and security stations.
Egoless Vince Gill reflects on the Eagles and pork chop on a stick
He's headed to Minneapolis with his own band after nine years with Don Henley's group.
Pianist Benmont Tench rebounds from Tom Petty's death, cancer surgery to resume his solo career
He will perform in Minneapolis to tout his "Melancholy Season."
Live Nation offers $30 ticket for select summer concerts
Shows by Halsey, Hardy and $uicideboy$ in Somerset, Wis., are on the long list.
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for May 15-21 include Megan Moroney, Art-A-Whirl, Benmont Tench, Larkin Poe, Slim Dunlap tribute and Post Malone with Jelly Roll.
Willie Nelson will bring Farm Aid to Minneapolis on Sept. 20
The nonprofit that helps family farmers will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an all-star concert at the Gophers' Huntington Bank Stadium.
The Killers will rock a St. Paul theater on June 26 for Wells Fargo credit cardholders
It is a rare underplay concert for the band.
Pop diva smackdown: Katy Perry vs. Lady Gaga
With Perry coming to town, we compare the supernovas with parallel careers.
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for May 8-14 include Lambrini Girls, Katy Perry, Gang of Four, Lucius, Allison Russell and Sharon Van Etten.
Review: Indie pop hero Lucy Dacus assures a St. Paul crowd that love is complicated and messy
She was as alluringly confessional as Joni Mitchell but not as musically intriguing.
Allison Russell is a rainbow connector — from Brandi Carlile to Kermit the Frog
The Grammy-winning Americana star heads to Minneapolis because of Prince.
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights from May 1-6 include Sturgill Simpson, Hold Steady, Lucy Dacus, Cornbread Harris and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds.
Recovering from a stroke, John Munson can sing but not yet play bass
Minnesota musicians will salute the Semisonic and New Standards stalwart on Thursday.
Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, and Cyndi Lauper voted into Rock Hall of Fame
Bad Company, OutKast, Soundgarden and the White Stripes also honored.
Justin Hayward explains the noisy cat on 'Nights in White Satin' and other Moody Blues stories
The Rock Hall of Fame frontman will perform Sunday in Minneapolis.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for April 24-30 include Charli XCX, Justin Hayward, Room 3, Tyshawn Sorey, Deep Sea Diver and Djo.
Review: While Paul Simon's voice is slip, slidin' away, the songwriter still remains
His first of three "quiet" Minneapolis shows was masterly artful.
Paisley Park will be open for free on Monday to mark the anniversary of Prince's death
There will be a livestreamed candle lighting at 4:21 p.m. and a ticketed concert movie at night.
Minnesota a cappella vets Tonic Sol-fa signing off after a long, long run
The group will perform farewell gigs in Burnsville.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for April 17-23 include Kendrick Lamar with SZA, Paul Simon, Lady Blackbird, My Morning Jacket and Bob Mould.
Review: AC/DC wins again with lovably loud, lowbrow rock at U.S. Bank Stadium
The veteran Aussie band kicked off its first North American tour in nine years in Minneapolis.
Grading 53 essential Twin Cities music venues — big and small, best and worst
What we love and don't love about the places Minnesota music lovers frequent, from the puny 7th St. Entry to (gulp!) gargantuan U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for April 10-16 include AC/DC, the Linda Lindas, Nubya Gargia, Alan Sparhawk and Bill Murray's band.
Prince Celebration 2025 will feature Morris Day, Jesse Johnson and the Family
Plans for the annual Prince fam fest June 5-8 include activities at Paisley Park and in downtown Minneapolis.
Review: Without lead singer Eddie Levert, the O'Jays kept 'Love Train' going at Mystic Lake
His unexplained absence made the classic R&B group's farewell doubly sad.
Review: Bob Dylan was neither rough nor rowdy in Mankato
In his first home state gig in six years, he focused on piano and his latest, greatest album.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for April 3-9 include Bob Dylan, the O'Jays, Tyler Childers, the Suburbs, Bright Eyes, Jack White, Shemekia Copeland and the Hard Quartet.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for March 27-April 2 include GloRilla, Kraftwerk, Sona Jobarteh, ZZ Ward, Gary Louris and Snow Patrol.
Review: Burton Cummings rocks baby boomers with Guess Who hits and that mustache
In Medina, the pioneering Canadian rocker shared his childhood memories of visits to Minneapolis.
Jonas Brothers will return to Xcel Energy Center on Oct. 10
Tickets to their 20th anniversary tour will go on sale this week.
Seeing is believing in the War and Treaty, the acclaimed Americana duo
Headed to Minneapolis, the Nashville couple promote their award-winning music on TV, including in an Ozempic ad.
Review: Where was DOGE when Kid Rock needed them?
His long Minneapolis concert featured plenty of politics and patriotism amid the galvanizing rap/rock.
Steve Miller, the Rascals headed to Minnesota State Fair on Aug. 28
Tickets will go on sale Friday to see these Rock & Roll Hall of Famers.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for March 20-26 include the War and Treaty, 7th St. Entry's 45th, Bela Fleck's new trio, Los Lobos and Madeleine Peyroux with Bettye LaVette.
Cactus Blossoms, Nur-D, Big Wu will headline Wild Nights at the Minnesota Zoo
Tickets are on sale for the fourth annual music series featuring local artists.
Country superstar Jason Aldean is headed to St. Paul on Sept. 6
Tickets to see the controversial "Try That in a Small Town" hitmaker will go on sale Friday.
Twin Cities singer/guitarist Shannon Curfman is conflicted about being in Kid Rock's band
Headed to Target Center, they disagree on social issues, but love and music keep them together.
![Mary J. Blige opens her concert on For My Fans Tour on Sunday at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
] CARLOS GONZALEZ • carlos.gonzalez@startrib](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/TPFOSUC74JBF3M4MEJ77GCRL54.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Review: Mary J. Blige overcomes odd entrance and pacing to give regal concert in St. Paul
The show was rushed with too many seams but her voice showed why she's still the queen of hip-hop soul.
Besides Prince and Bob Dylan, what other state songs should Minnesota consider?
Lawmakers are proposing "Purple Rain" and "Girl from the North Country" to join "Hail! Minnesota." We auditioned some additional choices.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for March 13-19 include Lizzo, Mary J. Blige, Soccer Mommy, Suzanne Vega, Pam Linton and the Scarlet Goodbye.
Catherine Russell, Emmet Cohen Trio to headline Twin Cities Jazz Festival
The 27th annual free fest in St. Paul also will feature the harmonizing Four Freshmen.
Country superstar Keith Urban returns on Sept. 26 at Xcel Energy Center
Tickets will go on sale on Friday.
Review: At 89, Johnny Mathis was still 'wonderful, wonderful' at Mystic Lake
The crooner's voice was remarkably pristine in his first Twin Cities concert since 2014.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for March 6-12 include Johnny Mathis, Morgan Wade, Keri Noble, MC Lyte, Helmet and Bobby Rush with North Mississippi Allstars.
Remembering David Johansen: NY rocker who paved the way for Replacements and other DIY bands
He made his mark with the glam-punk New York Dolls and lounge lizard Buster Poindexter.
![Joey Molland heading home from The Villa. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com Joey Molland, British rock star of Badfinger who has lived h](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/L5333EGZCHIMG7JLYBA6JGQPCU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland dies at 77
Beatles-connected rock star lived in Twin Cities for 40 years.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Feb. 27-March 5 include Finneas, Polica, Houndmouth, Morgan James, Terri Clark and Bobby Commodore.
Review: Justin Timberlake dazzles and disappoints in St. Paul
He skipped his climactic encore gimmick and dwelled too much on his forgettable new album.
Review: '70s British soul band heats up Varsity Theater in Minneapolis
After being sampled by top hip-hop artists, Cymande is enjoying its "Renascence."
Breakaway EDM fest will feature Tiësto in June in St. Paul
Alison Wonderland and John Summit are among two dozen acts headed to Allianz Field grounds.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Feb. 20-26 include Justin Timberlake, Kevin Cronin, Pink Sweat$, Sweet Honey in the Rock and Terence Blanchard's opera.
Paul Simon is coming to Minneapolis for 3 nights in April on 'a quiet' tour
Tickets go on sale Friday for his first trek since a 2018 farewell run in arenas.
Bream: The ups and downs of Justin Timberlake's solo career
From "SNL" superstar to wardrobe malfunction, the song-and-dance man returns to St. Paul.
Bitter REO Speedwagon divorce begets Kevin Cronin Band
He'll make his official debut Saturday at Treasure Island Casino.
Pop star Taylor Dayne becomes reality TV regular and cancer detection advocate
"Tell It to My Heart" hitmaker heads to Minneapolis on Sunday.
Bream: New Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations are short on women and artists of color
Our critic evaluates 2025 candidates from Oasis to Outkast.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Feb. 13-19 include Taylor Dayne, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Mary Bue, Benjamin Booker and Cymande.
Review: Country star Parker McCollum was all about good hooks, good looks, good guitars
He proudly introduced his 6-month-old son and wife at Target Center.
Controversial Prince Netflix documentary will not be released
Prince's estate and Netflix reach an agreement to quash the nine-hour project.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Feb. 6-12 include Parker McCollum, Toro y Moi, Guy Davis, God Bullies, Wallows, Baynk and Travis.
Bob Dylan announces more Upper Midwest concerts including Eau Claire on April 5
The Minnesota icon's summer tour with Willie Nelson is headed to Alpine Valley in Wisconsin.
Bream: Grammys did right by honoring Beyoncé and Lamar, but the Beatles?
Sunday's Gen Z-centric ceremonies sometimes seemed like a telethon for Los Angeles fire relief.
It took a parade of people to accept Prince's lifetime achievement Grammy
At the ceremony, his ex-lawyer said the controversial Netflix documentary won't air.
Country star Lainey Wilson will headline Oct. 18 at Xcel Energy Center
Tickets will go on sale this week for the country entertainer of the year.
Beyoncé, Billie or 'Brat'? Our critic's predictions for who will win at the Grammys.
Look for Queen Bey to finally rule at Sunday's awards.
