Another weekend of interesting live music is quickly approaching in Aitkin, Grand Rapids, Bemidji and Walker.
On Friday, Feb. 9, and Saturday, Feb. 10, you can find gospel-influenced Americana, high-energy indie-folk, Indigenous hip-hop, and authentic blues (both acoustic and electric).
Let us know what live music you're enjoying and we hope to see you at the show!
First up, Colleen "Boss Mama" Myhre is playing Friday night, 6 p.m. at Sampaguita in Aitkin. The Americana singer from Mahtowa brings a heavy gospel and blues influence into her sound. Myhre, who also performs with gospel church group Holy Hootenanners, has a new album coming out Apr. 20 and will be performing songs from it at Sampaguita.
We're keeping it in Aitkin for a double bill at The 40 Club Convention Center. Emily LaPlante will open for rising Grand Rapids band Wild Horses, 7 p.m. Friday. The Aitkin Country Friends of the Arts has been instrumental in the increased amount of live shows in the area and this will be its first event hosted in this space. Wild Horses are returning to the stage for first time since their packed "secret" show in Grand Rapids. That evening they debuted a few new songs and announced plans to get in the studio.
Mike Munson is a blues guitarist from Winona who plays in the Bentonia style. Originating with the 1930s music of Skip James, the genre uses open tunings and has a haunting or eerie quality to it. Munson learned directly from Jimmie "Duck" Holmes, referred to as "The Last of the Bentonia Bluesman," a direct teacher-student line back to Skip James. Munson is playing at 7 p.m. at Rapids Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids.
One more Friday option for you is Thomas X performing at Brigid's Irish Pub in Bemidji. The Red Lake rapper recently released his fifth album Old Style and he will celebrate the album along with openers Foxby and BWADE. Check out Thomas on Centerstage Minnesota from last Friday, where he talked about the new album and performed live at KBXE. This will be a late night show beginning at 10 p.m.
On to Saturday, we have Corey Medina & Brothers playing Portage Brewing at 7 p.m. in Walker. The trio are a killer live band, playing an electric mix of blues and rock inspired by artists like Buddy Guy and Junior Wells.
Friday, Feb 9
- Colleen "Boss Mama" Myhre - 6 p.m., Sampaguita, Aitkin, $10.
- Wild Horses, Emily LaPlante - 7 p.m., 40 Club Convention Center Aitkin, $25.
- Mike Munson - 7 p.m. Rapids Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, free
- Thomas X, Foxby, BWADE - 10 p.m., Brigid's Pub, Bemidji, $10.
Saturday, Feb. 10
- Corey Medina & Brothers - 7 p.m., Portage Brewing, Walker, $20.
Corey Medina is playing in Walker on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.
The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
