Hard to believe it's already our final Setlist of July, but the month is wrapping up with some great opportunities to check out live music. The city of International Falls makes its first appearance with a KAXE favorite Twin Cities musician making the long trip up to the border. Aitkin is celebrating its largest live music weekend of the year with the Ripplesippi Fest, and a 2024 Riverfest performer is playing in Coleraine.
Before we get into the specifics of the shows, consider clicking that red donate button in the top right of your screen. KAXE is a member supported radio station, and that allows us to bring you features like The Setlist. We heard from you that Northern Minnesota needed a better way to stay up to date on live music around the area, and that's exactly the goal of the The Setlist. Help us help the local music scene by becoming a member today.
Chris Koza is an acclaimed guitarist, songwriter, and composer who performs solo and leads the band Rogue Wave. He is playing at the Salty Jester in International Falls, at 7 p.m. on Friday. The speakeasy-style venue with a music-specific stage has seen more high-quality musicians play in the border city. Koza has shared stages with artists like Brandi Carlile, Gordon Lightfoot and Andrew Bird.
In Grand Rapids, Paul Lawrence plays at Rapids Brewing Co. with Lucas K. Lawrence is a folk-country singer-songwriter who released a new album Taiwan Winter, inspired by living in Taiwan for twelve years. He recently moved back to Northern Minnesota. The show is at 7 p.m. Friday.
Ripplesippi Fest begins Friday night in downtown Aitkin and runs through Saturday. Day 1 features headliners Gear Daddies, an alt-country band led by Martin Zellar that formed over 30 years ago in Austin, MN. He recently released a solo album called Head West. Day 2 of the festival is a multi-venue live music feast with 15 performers at venues like The Terrace, The Beanery, The Ripple Center and Sampaguita. Artists include Skarlett Woods, Aurora Baer, Bruce Archer, Amanda Standalone and more.
In Coleraine this Saturday, you can catch 2024 Riverfest performer Corey Medina & Brothers at Smoke on the Water at 5 p.m. The electric blues-rock trio recently became a quartet with the addition of guitarist Brock Beaulieu.
Friday, July 26
- Chris Koza - 7 p.m., The Salty Jester, International Falls, $15
Contributed/Chris KozaChris Koza. - Paul Lawrence & Lucas K. - 7 p.m., Rapids Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, free
- Ripplesippi Fest Day 1 with The Gear Daddies - 6 p.m., Downtown Aitkin, $43 (Fri. only), $64 (Fri. and Sat.)
Saturday, July 27
- Ripplesippi Fest Day 2 - all day, multiple venues, Aitkin, $22 Sat. only
- Corey Medina & Brothers - 5 p.m., Smoke on the Water, Coleraine, free
The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
