23-03-2025
Must-see concerts this week: GloRilla, Gary Louris, Kraftwerk
Despite that anxious Minnesota spring feeling — is it shorts weather or is it going to snow? — the outdoor concert season isn't quite here.
In lieu of planning that first spring cookout, here are the concerts that will keep you occupied until Prince's promise of snow in April is safely in the rearview mirror.
Thursday, March 27 at The Armory
GloRilla's 2024 GLORIOUS was, surprisingly, her debut full-length, despite having had released hit songs already. Adding to the surprise for casual fans, it was discussed in reviews as a "comeback" after a stretch of being absent from the charts.
The record, as well as her 2024 mixtape Ehhthagng Ehhthang produced plenty more hits like 'Yeah Glo!' and 'TGIF.' The show in Minneapolis will be without the albums high-profile collabs with Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, and Sexyy Red, but it's still sure to be an energy-packed night at The Armory.
Saturday, March 29 at The Dakota
A gifted musical storyteller, Grant has a knack for dropping a laugh-inducing turn of phrase into melancholy songs. (See: 'GMF,' 'The Queen of Denmark,' or 'Where Dreams Go to Die.') His songwriting is biting, despite the often sweet melodies and gentle timbre. His latest release, The Art of the Lie, has a little more bombast than usual — he has likened the tone to Vangelis' Blade Runner soundtrack — but under it all is the songwriting and humanizing look at the often mundane aspects of life that mark some of his best work.
Saturday, March 29 at The Parkway Theater
The Jayhawks frontman will celebrate the release of his latest solo effort, Dark Country, this week. The album's moody ballads live up to the name. It's got quite a few pensive love songs — not surprising, since the record is dedicated to his wife — but there's a somber thread to songs like "Getting Older" and "Dead Porcupine" that make it an exciting and captivating listen.
Sunday, March 30 at The Cedar Cultural Center
There's a meditative quality to seeing the Tuvan throat singing trio Alash perform live. They've built an international reputation for infusing their traditional folk music with modern influences. That ability to incorporate western music has aided collaboration between groups like the Sun Ra Arkestra and Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. (Fleck will perform in Minneapolis a few times this week as well, heading to The Dakota as the Béla Fleck, Edmar Casteñada, Antonio Sanchez Trio.)
Sunday, March 30 at Orpheum Theatre
The seminal krautrock group celebrates the 50th anniversary of Autobahn and their first U.S. tour this spring, promising a multimedia experience with striking visuals that add some flair to their hallmark stage presence.
Following a 20-year break from touring in the U.S., the group has come to town just four times, including, most recently, a 2022 show at the State Theatre. With this being a celebration of Autobahn, fans are likely in for something a little different than they've brought to town on Monday, Mar. 24:
Béla Fleck, Edmar Casteñada, Antonio Sanchez Trio at The Dakota
Hovvdy with Video Age at Turf Club
An Evening with Joe Boyd at The Cedar Cultural Center
Mxmtoon at Varsity Theater
Skating Polly and Gully Boys at Pilllar Forum
Time Room, Big Pinch, and Not Your Baby at Zhora Darling
The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson at The Parkway Theater
Kenny Reichert Quartet at Berlin
The Dans at The White Squirrel Bar (free)
Roe Family Singers at 331 Club (free)
Concerts on Tuesday, Mar. 25:
Béla Fleck, Edmar Casteñada, Antonio Sanchez Trio at The Dakota
Anberlin - 20th anniversary of NFTP with Copeland and The Dangerous Summer at Varsity Theater
Blue Tuesday: Omar Abdulkarim Quartet pays tribute to Roy Hargrove at Berlin
Martha Wainwright with Brad Barr at Hook and Ladder
Giovannie and the Hired Guns with Aaron McBee at Fine Line
Allergen, Scam Likely, Kate Malanaphy, and Hey, ily! At 7th St. Entry
Bob James and Dave Koz at The Parkway Theater
Donavon Frankenreiter with Iris and the Shade at Turf Club
Big Pinch with Orchid Club and Hellseher at Pilllar Forum
Call Me Fritz, Efmi, Joan of Profile, and Polivon at Green Room
YUHH Tuesday night residency with Atomic Lights and Jake Schultz & Annie Thoma at The White Squirrel Bar
Venus de Mars and Sally Linda (of Big Salt) at 331 Club (free)
Concerts on Wednesday, Mar. 26:
Infidels: A Bob Dylan Tribute feat. Terry Walsh, Dan Israel, and Steve Brantseg at The Dakota
The War and Treaty with Tiera Kennedy at Fine Line
Lunar Vacation with Mia Joy at 7th St. Entry
Role Model with Debii Dawson at The Fillmore
Thru It All with Linus and Briefcase at Pilllar Forum
Grim Lot, Extraterrestrials, and Fairer Sands at Zhora Darling
Frozen Soul with Deterioration, Fear the Dark, and Rakuyo at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
William Elliott Whitemore and Dave Hause at Icehouse
Joy Clark at Hopkins Center for the Arts
Mike Munson at 331 Club (free)Concerts on Thursday, Mar. 27:
Glorilla with Real Boston Richey and Queen Key at The Armory
Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio at Berlin
Al Stewart and Livingston Taylor at The Parkway Theater
An Evening with Sissoko, Segal, Parisien, Peirani: Les Égarés at The Cedar Cultural Center
Nettspend with Xaviersobased at Varsity Theater
Joyann Parker Band at The Dakota
Marc Scibilia with Daniel Saint Black and Garrett Adair at the Fine Line
Flamin' Oh's with Jon Berg at Turf Club
Nato Coles & The Blue Diamond Band, Lutheran Heat, and The Dirty Pretty at Cloudland Theater
High Fade with Purple Funk Metropolis at 7th St. Entry
Lighter Co. Residency with Valors, Max and the Fellow Travelers, and Juliet Farmer at Icehouse
Envelop Deep Listening Series: deVon Russel Gray and Patrick Pegg, Crystal Myslajek and Mary Hanson Scott, and Michaelton at Mirror Lab
Gleemer with Prize Horse and Linus at Zhora Darling
The Taxpayer with Constant Insult and Free Candy at Underground Music Venue
DJ Shannon Blowtorch and DJ Dimitry Killstorm at Mortimer's Bar
Ernest Bisong, violin; Greg Byers, cello; and David Feily, guitar at The Landmark Center (free)
Early Evening Jazz: Dale Alexander at Berlin (no cover)
Concerts on Friday, Mar. 28:
The Robert Cray Band at Pantages Theatre
Vansire with JORDANN at the Fine Line
Paris Chansons at The Dakota
Lita Ford and Dee Snider at Treasure Island Casino
Alexandra Kay with Logan Crosby at The Fillmore
Mercer Patterson Quintet at Berlin
Cooper Alan with Spencer Crandall at Varsity Theater
¿Watches? With Michah Schnabel and Vanessa Jean Speckman and Caitlin Angelica at Cloudland Theater
Built to Last All-Stars, Bigfoot Country, Tom Freund, and New Line Riders at Hook and Ladder
AirLands at Aster Cafe
Waylon Wyatt with Blake Whiten at 7th St. Entry
Buffalo Nichols with Luke Callen at The Cedar Cultural Center
Bewitcher and Deathchant with Persekutor at Turf Club
Gothess at Mortimer's Bar
The Mary Cutrufello Band at The White Squirrel Bar
The Del-Viles, Ditch Pigeon, and J-Mo and the J-Lighters at Palmer's Bar
Fever Field with Noslo and Waterline at The White Squirrel Bar
Lake Drive, Callback, and Lasalle at Underground Music Venue
Space Monkey Mafia with Modern Joey, Jojo Green, and Fairy Boat at Icehouse
Early Evening Jazz: SHiP Duo at Berlin (no cover)
Concerts on Saturday, Mar. 29:
John Grant at The Dakota
Gary Louris Dark Country album release at The Parkway Theater
Wax Tailor with Napoleon Da Legend at the Fine Line
ZZ Ward with Liam St. John at The Fitzgerald Theater
Dorothy with Bullets and Butterflies at Treasure Island Casino
Thomas Abban at Berlin
The Rocket Summer with Mae at Turf Club
Chastity Brown at 318 Cafe
Jeffrey Lewis and the Voltage at Pilllar Forum
King Sized Coffin, Gasoline Lollipops, and Lydia at Palmer's Bar
Ben Böhmer at The Fillmore
Whitechapel with Brand of Sacrifice, 200 Stab Wounds, and Alluvial at Varsity Theater
Jake Blount Trio with Joe Rainey at The Cedar Cultural Center
The Rocket Summer with Mae at Turf Club
Malamiko, Sleepersound, Night of Joy, and Field Hospitals at Zhora Darling
YEV debut album release show at Icehouse
Mayhem with Mortiis, Imperial Triumphant, and New Skeletal Faces at First Avenue
The Cuntry Club with DJ Jupiter at 7th St. Entry
Harlow album release with Kiernan, Anna Devine, and Hazelcreek at Green Room
Early Evening Jazz: Kevin Gamble Trio at Berlin (no cover)
Big Trouble at The White Squirrel Bar (free)
Concerts on Sunday, Mar. 30:
Kraftwerk at Orpheum Theatre
An Evening with Alash at The Cedar Cultural Center
Davina and the Vagabonds at The Dakota
Braingiver and Papa Mbye at Berlin
Nicotine Dolls with Wic Whitney at Varsity Theater
Bri Bagwell + Austin Plaine at Icehouse
The Johnny Sincerely Orchestra: Carnival of Love and Blues EP release at Hook and Ladder
Chastity Brown at 318 Cafe
Eldest Daughter, Sammie Jean Cohen, and Joan of Profile at Cloudland Theater
Johnny O'Brien with Moustache Jim and Ghost of Sean Arthur Peterson at The White Squirrel Bar
The Church of Cornbread feat. Cornbread Harris at Palmer's Bar (free)Just announced concerts:
April 12: Threads Electric album release with Hyooman, Son/Boy, and DJ Noah Dela at Zhora Darling
May 17: Katy Tessman album release with Annie & Karl and Favourite Girl at Icehouse
May 24: Jpegmafia at The Fillmore
May 24: 5th annual Bob Dylan Birthday Bash at Turf Club
May 31: Avi Kaplan at Amsterdam Bar and Hall
June 8: Caamp at Surly Brewing Festival Field
June 12: Church of Cash at The Dakota
June 13: Nur-D, Smells Like Nirvana, Lighter Co., and Daphne Jane at the Minnesota Zoo
June 14: Steve Cole at The Dakota
June 15: Jim Messina at The Dakota
June 20: ARTDONTSLEEP presents Jazz Está Morto feat. Azymuth at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
June 21: Bad Moves, Adult Mom, and Scrunchies at Cloudland Theater
June 27: The Big Wu, Davina and the Vagabonds, Bloodline, and The Cobra Trio at the Minnesota Zoo
June 28: The Del McCoury Band at The Parkway Theater
July 9: Baby Metal with Jinjer and Bloodywood at The Armory
July 11: The Cactus Blossoms, Bad Bad Hats, Gully Boys, and Colin Bracewell at the Minnesota Zoo
July 18–19: Patti Austin at The Dakota
July 23: The Warning at The Fillmore
July 25: Wookiefoot, Captain Fantastic, Free Fallin, and Nici Peper at the Minnesota Zoo
July 25: White Denim at Turf Club
July 27: Macy Gray: On How Life Is 25th anniversary tour at The Fillmore
July 28: The Church at The Fitzgerald Theater
Aug. 4: Glass Animals with Orla Gartland at The Armory
Aug. 8: Cloud Cult, Sweet & Tender Hooligans, DJ Jake Rudh, and Alexis Rose at the Minnesota Zoo
Sept. 6: The Black Keys with The Heavy Heavy! at The Armory
Sept. 7: The Doobie Brothers with Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band at Mystic Lake
Sept. 14: Be'lakor at Turf Club
Sept. 16: Jesus 'Aguaje' Ramos and Buena Vista Orchestra at The Fillmore
Oct. 8 and 10: An Evening with Celtic Thunder at The Fitzgerald Theater
Nov. 22: The Jesus Lizard at First Avenue
