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The Setlist: Where to hear live music Feb. 20-22, 2025

KAXE | By Malachy Koons
Published February 19, 2025 at 5:57 PM CST
"The Setlist" and "Grand Rapids, Bemidji" written over a crumpled paper background.
Maria Hileman
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KAXE
Live music taking place Feb. 20-22, 2025 in Northern Minnesota.

KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features the Grand Rapids Community Big Band, Acoust Hicks, The Lonely Loons and Erik Koskinen, Morningbird, and Saltydog.

Big band jazz, jam funk, Americana, indie, folk and rock: all are styles of music you can find around the area this week.

There's something for everyone on The Setlist!

The Grand Rapids Community Big Band will be at Rapids Brewing Co. this Thursday at 6 p.m. Their repertoire includes swinging tunes from the golden era of big band jazz and unique takes on modern popular music.

Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge is hosting the 4th Annual Winter Bash this weekend with live music Friday and Saturday. Cover band, the Acoust Hicks are playing Friday at 8 p.m. Saturday will see local indie rockers The Lonely Loons opening at 7 p.m. followed by festival headliner and Minnesota favorite Erik Koskinen.

Erik Koskinen playing at Kick it with KAXE at Rapids Brewing on May 16, 2024
Lorie Shaull
Erik Koskinen playing at Kick it with KAXE at Rapids Brewing on May 16, 2024

Also on Saturday, folk group MorningBird will be debuting a new rhythm section at Rapids Brewing Co. Bassist Shane Kingsland and drummer Jim Pietila are joining Jill Burkes and Rob Wheeler in the band. Both have played in many Iron Range bands including recently with the Christopher David Hanson Band. Catch their new sound at 6 p.m.

Finally, Duluth-based jam band, Saltydog is playing Brigid's in Bemidji at 8 p.m. Saturday evening. Led by brothers Jacob and Owen Mahon, the group has built up a dedicated following through their funky improvised jams and quirky lyrics.

Thursday, Feb. 20
  • Grand Rapids Community Big Band - 6 p.m., Rapids Brewing, Grand Rapids, free

Friday, Feb. 21

  • The Acoust Hicks - 8 p.m., Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge, Bemidji, $10

Saturday, Feb. 22

  • MorningBird - 6 p.m., Rapids Brewing, Grand Rapids, free
  • Erik Koskinen and The Lonely Loons - 7 p.m., Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge, Bemidji, $15
  • SaltyDog - 8 p.m., Brigid's, Bemidji, free

The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

Four women in pin-up attire pose by a sunny fence.
Conversation
Events Up North Feb. 18-23: Inclusive game night, 'Murder on the Orient Express'
Events this week include a pin-up competition in Calumet, a birding hike at Lake Bemidji State Park and a pancake breakfast to support local theater in Grand Rapids.

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Minnesota Music KAXEMade Possible by the Minnesota Arts & Culture Heritage FundThe Setlist
Malachy Koons
Malachy started his radio career in 2017 at a college radio station, where he played weird music in the middle of the night to possibly no one. On a good night maybe his parents were listening. Nonetheless, he was hooked on public radio and is still doing it today.


He joined Northern Community Radio in 2022, where he gets to share his passion for local music as Producer of Minnesota Mixtape, an all Minnesota music show airing Fridays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. You can also find him hosting Headwaters and curating The Setlist.
See stories by Malachy Koons