With the holidays quickly approaching, at least one of the concerts highlighted on The Setlist this week will be sure to feature Christmas music, if that's your thing.
If it's not — or you're just holding out until later in the month — there are plenty of concerts to choose from around Northern Minnesota, featuring folk, jam, blues and more.
A pair of family bands will be at Brigid's in Bemidji this Thursday at 6 p.m. Between Howls, a wife-and-husband duo, mix rock, blues and Americana in their jam-influenced songs. Ren Cooper Howl and Nick Muska Howl share vocals and back themselves up with guitar and violin. They formerly led the band One Less Guest.
Joining them at Brigid's are The Mahon Brothers. Jacob and Owen are best known for their jam band Saltydog but are also prolific and in-demand musicians around the Duluth music scene.
Also on Thursday, Davina and The Vagabonds are bringing their jazz and blues to the West Theatre in Duluth. The group has a long history of holiday concerts and have just released a brand-new Christmas album, A Lovenest Holiday. It's their second album of the year following the terrific release, Shoot for the Moon, which was out in May. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, singer-songwriter Severio Mancieri will be at Revel Brewing in Park Rapids. A highly skilled acoustic guitarist inspired by artists like John Fahey, Mancieri released his debut album in 2023. The show begins at 6 p.m.
Also at 6 p.m. Saturday evening, the previously mentioned Between Howls will play at Rapids Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids.
In Virginia, an up-and-coming guitarist and singer will be at Cultures, Humanities and Arts on the Iron Range (CHAIR, formerly known as The Lyric Center for the Arts) on Saturday at 7 p.m. Jon Edwards already has a handful of releases to his name, showcasing his folk-blues style deeply influenced by Minnesotan musicians like Charlie Parr and the late Spider John Koerner. Edwards was recently announced as the opener for a Parr show at the Turf Club in January.
Thursday, Dec. 12
- Between Howls, The Mahon Brothers - 6 p.m., Brigid's, Bemidji, free
- Davina and The Vagabonds - 7:30 p.m., The West Theatre, Duluth, $25
Events this week include a book release party in Brainerd, an MS support group in Grand Rapids, contra dance in Bemidji and theater auditions in Pequot Lakes and Grand Rapids.
Saturday, Dec. 14
- Severio Mancieri - 6 p.m., Revel Brewing, Park Rapids, free
- Between Howls - 6 p.m., Rapids Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, free
- Jon Edwards - 7 p.m., Lyric Center for the Arts, Virginia, free
The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
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