Recent content from Jon Bream
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 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.
Dylan Salfer wins Memphis blues competition and gets cussed out by Buddy Guy
Scene Makers Q&A: Twin Cities blues guitarist has moved on from his four-year Bunker's residency.
Bream: Why are we so excited for the second annual Minnesota Yacht Club music fest?
The three-day lineup for July is deep and desirable but lacking diversity.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Jan. 30-Feb. 5 include Lauren Mayberry, David Gray, Guster, Best New Bands of 2024 and Tyler, the Creator.
Soul Asylum, Shakey Graves to rock Music by the Mississippi
The second annual fest will be expanded to two days in July at Treasure Island Amphitheater.
Review: Kelsea Ballerini wows as country's next big arena star
Her personality, production and passion sparkled Friday at Target Center in Minneapolis.
How therapy helped country star Kelsea Ballerini get through divorce and a school shooting
She heads to Target Center in Minneapolis on Friday for her first headline arena tour.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Jan. 23-29 include Kelsea Ballerini, Kerry King, Leftover Salmon, Urban Hillbilly Quartet and the Current's 20th birthday parties.
With a wink, Bob Dylan joins TikTok days before it might be banned
In his posts, the Jokerman indicates he knows what's happening with the popular social media platform.
Monique Linder went from marketing Prince to educating young musicians
Scene Makers Q&A: The Twin Cities entrepreneur also produces movies and promotes State Fair concerts.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Jan. 16-22 include Joy Oladokun, Jontavious Willis, Jamie xx, Myles Kennedy, the Headhunters, Lissie and Jukebox the Ghost.
Country stars Old Dominion will kick off Minnesota State Fair grandstand shows
Tickets for the Aug. 21 show will go on sale Friday for the award-winning group's first fair gig since 2018.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Jan. 9-15 include Robert Glasper, Ber, Zeitgeist, G. Love & Special Sauce and Big Head Todd & the Monsters.
Minnesota punk rock hero Beej Chaney of the Suburbs, 67, dies while swimming in the Pacific Ocean
The band's original co-leader was known for his wild antics onstage and later owned a legendary Malibu recording studio.
Revisiting Bob Dylan's first electric concert in Minneapolis
Then-rookie reporter Dave Mona didn't know what was happening at the 1965 show.
Are you ready for a thunderous new rouser for the Vikings?
Grammy-winning Maria Schneider composes a new fight song for her home team.
What were the top albums of 2024? Our critics list their favorites.
Beyoncé, Sturgill Simpson, Jack White, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX make the lists.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities in the next two weeks
Highlights for Dec. 26-Jan. 8 include Lamont Cranston, Soul Asylum, the Bad Plus and New Year's Eve shows.
What were the best concerts you saw in 2024? Our critics name their top 20.
Sturgill Simpson, Billie Eilish and the Twin Cities' boldest new festival were among our favorite live music offerings this year.
Prince will receive lifetime achievement Grammy, a prize usually for underrecognized artists
Other honorees include Frankie Valli, Frankie Beverly, Taj Mahal, Roxanne Shanté and the Clash.
12 Minnesota musicians review the Bob Dylan biopic: Thumbs-up, but...
The locals couldn't decide who would gain more fans from the film — Dylan or Timothée Chalamet.
10 inaccuracies in the Bob Dylan biopic 'A Complete Unknown'
The miscues won't distract from viewers' enjoyment but romantic timelines are muddled.
Lake Street Dive singer will bring her 'quieter' band to Minneapolis
Rachael & Vilray offer original jazz with a 1930s and '40s vibe.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Dec. 19-25 include Alicia Witt, the Steeles, the Jayhawks, the Bad Plus, Chapel Hart, Trailer Trash and Rachael & Vilray.
Review: Los Lobos and Tower of Power prove why great live bands last for 50 years
The hard-touring California groups thrilled baby boomers at the Dakota and Mystic Lake.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Dec. 12-18 include Wilco, Los Lobos, Tower of Power, Jose James, Brother Ali and Tina Schlieske's VaJamma Party.
James Taylor will return to St. Paul on June 17
Tickets will go on sale Friday for the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's Xcel Energy Center concert.
11 books to give music lovers this holiday season
The tuneful list ranges from Taylor Swift and Prince photo books to De La Soul and Joni Mitchell bios.
Review: The New Standards Holiday Show surprises with 'Nutcracker' and a batty Dessa
Other highlights of the annual romp included Jeremy Messersmith's sendup of the Mall of America.
Review: Despite vocal problems, Cyndi Lauper has fun in her Minneapolis farewell show
Lucinda Williams makes a guest appearance after Lauper started and stopped a ballad three times.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Dec. 5-11 include the New Standards, Girl in Red, Dillinger Four, Leo Kottke, Meshell Ndegeocello and Curtiss A's 45th annual John Lennon tribute.
Review: Allman Betts Family Revival sparks flashbacks to St. Paul's greatest concert
Scions of the Allman Brothers Band salute their fathers with a terrific all-star concert at the State Theatre.
Meet Angel, the bus that takes SimpleGifts to its Minnesota holiday concerts
Guitarist Billy McLaughlin drives the eight-bunk bus that has traveled 4 million miles.
The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Nov. 28-Dec. 4 include Cyndi Lauper, Ondara, Annie Humphrey, Guante & Big Cats, Allman Betts Family Revival and Minnesota Orchestra's "Back to the Future."
Review: How an in-show news conference elevated local guitar hero Cory Wong's St. Paul show
There were plenty of guitar and horn fireworks in an evening of entertaining jazzy funk.
