16-02-2025
Must-see Twin Cities concerts this week: Cymande, Mason Jennings, Neva Dinova
There are plenty of reasons to get out of the house this week, despite the cold.
Here are a few of those reasons, some of the best concerts taking place around the Twin Cities during the week of Feb. 17.
Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Varsity Theater
Many have heard Cymande, a U.K.-based soul group that was active for just a handful of years in the '70s, but they may not even know it.
After the group wrapped things up during its initial run, songs like "Bra" and "Dove" became heavily sampled tracks in the work of hip-hop pioneers like the Sugarhill Gang, De La Soul, and Wu-Tang Clan, among others.
In the years since, frontman Steve Scorpio and guitarist Patrick Patterson became lawyers in the Caribbean, per the New York Times. Starting in 2012, the group was revived sporadically. In January, it released its first broadly accessible album in many decades, Renasance. 'To us, it's a total vindication for what we set out to do in the '70s,' Scipio told the Times. 'It proves we were doing something of substance all along.'
Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22 (two shows) at The Dakota
A Minnesota folk staple of nearly three decades, Jennings continues to release new music with shocking consistency. He'll bring his massive catalogue for a two-night, three-show stand at The Dakota this week.
Friday, Feb. 21 at Zhora Darling
A Hamilton will get you into the back room of Zhora Darling on Friday, where a trio of local psych rock groups will make your innards vibrate. Weald released a couple of engaging singles last year with meandering psychedelia blended with punk energy. (Give "Giant Butterfly" a listen.) They're joined by Hypnic Jerks and King Caesar, named after the most clearly underrated Godzilla antagonist of the Showa Era.
Saturday, Feb. 22 at Cloudland Theater
Neva Dinova was a pivotal piece of Omaha's Saddle Creek scene in the late '90s and early '00s. The group disappeared not long after the release of 2008's You May Already Be Dreaming.
However, frontman Jake Bellows recently reformed the group as a trio, keeping it a Saddle Creek affair with longtime drummer Roger L. Lewis, who is also a member of the Cursive side project The Good Life, and Cursive cellist Megan Siebe on bass. Now, they've released a new album and have a promotional photo that comes MN-ready. Val Son and Lana Leone open.
Saturday, Feb. 22 at Palace Theatre
They may not be real doctors, but they will play them on stage. Saturday's Rock from the Heart event is billed as a concert for aortic health awareness.
The "Two Princes" band will be joined by Aortic Fire, the Rock from the Heart house band, comprised of heart surgery survivors as well as guest drummer Gina Schock of the Go-Go's. Proceeds support Rock from the Heart's mission to raise awareness of aortic and heart valve disease as well as offering education for parents and concerts on Monday, Feb. 17:
Kat Edmonson at The Dakota
Jordana with Rachel Bobbitt at 7th St. Entry
Sparrow Catcher at The White Squirrel Bar
Mike Clark and the Sugar Sounds, Cap'n Seabeard, and Ditch Pigeon at Pillar Forum
Baldwin / Harris / Hennig at Berlin (no cover)
Roe Family Singers at 331 Club (free)
Sparrow Catcher at The White Squirrel Bar (free)
More concerts on Tuesday, Feb. 18:
Twin Cities EATSS with a performance from Rufus Wainwright at Guthrie Theater
Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2 at Uptown Theater
All Sweet Things: A Celebration of Black Love at The Dakota
Mike Munson at 331 Club
Gossamer, Zero Fox, and Rock Melon at Pillar Forum
International Regge Allstars at Bunker's
Duck Bomb, Monarch, Alphine Shepherd Boy, and Booster Pack at Palmer's Bar
Embahn, Suzanne Vallie, and Orion Treon at Eagles 34
Funk n' Spuds Funk Jam at Indeed Brewing
Elour, Cold Sweat (of Hiahli), and Said in Stone at 331 Club (free)
The New Havoline Supremes with Cody Braun at The White Squirrel Bar (free)More concerts on Wednesday, Feb. 19:
Cymande with Bathe at Varsity Theater
Arizona with Moody Joody at First Avenue
Brynne Weaver: Scythe & Sparrow / In conversation with Abby Jimenez at The Parkway Theater
BoomBox with Angel Beloved of MPLSHOUSE at Fine Line
Stephen Day with Abbey Cone at 7th St. Entry
Starlight Song-Swap w/ Misty Boyce and Nat Harvie at Icehouse's Starlight Room
Cécile McLoring Salvant at The Dakota
Eddie Spaghetti with Metal Marty at Mortimer's Bar
In Solid Air with Galleon and The Grieving Pines at Pillar Forum
Mary Cutrufello and Cody Braun at The White Squirrel Bar (free)
More concerts on Thursday, Feb. 20:
Modern Wildlife, Velahsa, and Sunken Planes at Cloudland Theater
Oister Boy with Mad Mojo Jett, Drug League, and Crush Scene at Turf Club
Jamie Miller with Alex Sampson and Garrett Adair at Fine Line
Make Them Suffer at Varsity Theater
Sweet Honey in the Rock at The Dakota
Tina Schlieske Sextet at Berlin
Identity Shock, Everybody Takes One, Self Abuse, and By All Means at Black Forest Inn
Eva Markham and Anna Devine at Aster Cafe
Cole Diamond at Palmer's Bar
Early Evening Jazz: deVon Russell Gray at Berlin (no cover)
Donna Stoering, piano; and friends at The Landmark Center (free)
Devaney & Friends at The White Squirrel Bar (free)
Cross Pollination at 331 Club (free)
More concerts on Friday, Feb. 21:
Mason Jennings at The Dakota
Weald, The Hypnic Jerks, and King Caesar at Zhora Darling
Muscadine Bloodline with Lance Roark at First Avenue
UltraBomb with The Melismatics, Cindy Lawson, and Mary Strang & The Garage at Turf Club
Sidepiece at The Fillmore
Manplanet with Kepi Ghoulie Electric at 7th St. Entry
Septicflesh w/ Vltmas and Ex Deo at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
David Shaw at Varsity Theater
Lucia Sarmiento Quintet album release at Berlin
Your Arms are My Cocoon, Michael Cera Palin, Combat, Bolts, and Anita Velveeta at Underground Music Cafe
The New Standards at Crooners
Sweater People at Padraigs Brewing
Erik Koskinen residency at Icehouse
USPOP, Pageant Dress, and Danser at Palmer's Bar
Deep Fakes, Material, and Magenta Vice at Cloudland Theater
Early Evening Jazz: Charlie Bruber and Jack Barrett at Berlin (no cover)
Adam Moe at The White Squirrel Bar (free)
More concerts on Saturday, Feb. 22:
Neva Dinova, Val Son, and Lana Leone at Cloudland Theater
Mason Jennings (two shows) at The Dakota
Spin Doctors with Aortic Fire and Gina Schock of The Go-Go's at Palace Theatre
Free Fallin (Tom Petty tribute), Our House (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute), and Taming the Tiger (Joni Mitchel Tribute) at The Fitzgerald Theater
Ron Pope at Turf Club
Zeppo: Stairway to Eleven at The Parkway Theater
Molchat Doma with Sextile at First Avenue
Dancing in the Moonlight - A Yacht Rock Party featuring DJ Jake Rudh and Private Oates at Fine Line
Lucia Sarmiento Quintet album release at Berlin
Plague of Stars release show with the Culture Of, Beastface, and Kalopsya at Zhora Darling
The New Standards at Crooners
The Current's 2025 Winter Dig Out w/ Medium Build, Annie DiRusso, Anderson East, and Black Widows at Hook & Ladder
The Craft - Hip Hop Songwriters Showcase at The Cedar Cultural Center
Ax and the Hatchetmen at 7th St. Entry
The Silent Treatment, Constant Insult, and My Kid Banana at Palmer's Bar
Early Evening Jazz: The Willie August Project at Berlin (no cover)
Big Trouble at The White Squirrel Bar (free)
More concerts on Sunday, Feb. 23:
Pink Sweat$ with Aqyila at The Fitzgerald Theater
Solas at The Pantages Theatre
Kxllswxtch and SXMPRA at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
On a Winter's Night Reunion Tour feat. Patty Larkin, Cliff Eberhardt, john Gorka, and Lucy Kaplansky at The Parkway Theater
Lara Ruggles w/ Frog and The Bog, Daniels and Baker, and Dominic Acito at Green Room
Kelsy Karter & The Heroines with Surly Grrly and Rebel Queens at 7th St. Entry
Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton at The Dakota
Matthew McNeal with Leslie and Poison Ivy and the People at Zhora Darling
The Dust of Suns at Berlin
Jeffry Becker & The Gentlemen at The White Squirrel Bar (free)Just announced concerts:
Mar. 4: Bobby Commodore's 72nd Birthday and Retirement Jam at The Dakota
Mar. 14: Yasa-Exide, The Thirsty Giants, and Pleasure Cube at Cloudland Theater
Mar. 15: Jeffrey Robert Larson, Ditchweed, and Former Crush at Cloudland Theater
Mar. 18: The Passion of Joan of Arc with live film score by Paris 1919 at The Parkway Theater
Mar. 20: Stanley Jordan at The Dakota
Mar. 22: The Right Here record release with Sparrowhawk and Homeward Bound at Cloudland Theater
Mar. 27: Joyann Parker Band at The Dakota
Mar. 28: Paris Chansons at The Dakota
April 2: Ben Sollee at The Parkway Theater
April 3: Once More, Autumn, Green, and Oceanographer at Underground Music Cafe
April 9: Scott Lucas (Local H) solo set with Busey at Cloudland Theater
April 10: Yagódy at The Dakota
April 11: hey, nothing at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
April 11: Toys That Kill, Panel, and Miracle Debt at Cloudland Theater
April 12: F.Y.P., Mary Jam, and Gay Witch Abortion at Cloudland Theater
April 12: Andrew Walesch and His Orchestra at The Dakota
April 24–25: Junior Brown at The Dakota
April 29: L.A. Witch at Turf Club
April 30: SAINt JHN at First Avenue
May 1: Vs Self at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
May 1–2: Dave Mason's Let It Flow Tour at The Dakota
May 6: Sturgill Simpson at The Armory
May 8: Minnesota Tango Music Festival at The Parkway Theater
May 11: iann dior at Fine Line
May 20: Ministry at Palace Theatre
May 21: Tennis at First Avenue
May 21: Rachel Chinouriri at Fine Line
June 11: Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals at Palace Theatre
June 15: The Barenaked Ladies with Guster and Fastball at The Ledge Amphitheater
June 19: Justin Moore with Joe Nichols at The Ledge Amphitheater
July 9: Ezra Furman at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
July 25: The Lumineers at Xcel Energy Center
July 28: Of Montreal at Fine Line
Aug. 5: Horsegirl at 7th St. Entry
Aug. 7: clipping. At Turf Club
Aug. 19: Gregory Alan Isakov at Surly Brewing Festival Field
Aug. 23: Charley Crockett at Surly Brewing Festival Field
Sep. 10: Marcin at Fine Line
Sep. 29: Mo Lawda & The Humble at Fine Line
Nov. 5: Smallpools at Fine Line
