© 2025

For assistance accessing the Online Public File for KAXE or KBXE, please contact: Steve Neu, IT Engineer, at 800-662-5799.
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Setlist: Where to hear live music Nov. 14-15, 2025

KAXE | By Malachy Koons
Published November 12, 2025 at 11:48 AM CST
"The Setlist" and "Aitkin, Baxter, Gilbert, Grand Rapids" written over a crumpled paper background.
Maria Hileman
/
KAXE
Live music taking place Nov. 14-15, 2025 in Northern Minnesota.

KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Gaelynn Lea and Amy Abts, Christopher David Hanson, J Streitz and Between Howls.

Have you checked out the KAXE Music Team's new feature, Fresh Picks? Look for the latest edition each week and become the cool, hip friend who always has good new music suggestions!

Now back to The Setlist with shows around the area this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15.

First up, acclaimed folk musician, theater composer and disability rights activist, Gaelynn Lea is playing at the Underground in Aitkin this Friday, a new venue in the basement of the Ripple Center space. The singer and violinist has collaborated with Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) and Alan Sparhawk, won the 2016 NPR Tiny Desk competition, and recently scored the latest run of MacBeth on Broadway. Opening for Lea is Rochester alt-rock songwriter, artist and activist Amy Abts. She released the IRL EP earlier this year. Music begins at 6 p.m.
A crowd gathers at a skate park in front of a beach and ocean.
Conversation
Bright Spot: Minnesota's Gaelynn Lea participates in Paralympics closing ceremony
Jennifer Barr
Gaelynn Lea is a musician, public speaker and disability advocate from Duluth. She recently took part in a video that was featured in the closing ceremonies of the 2024 Paralympics.

In Baxter, Americana and roots rocker Christopher David Hanson is playing Jack Pine Brewery, Friday at 6 p.m. A prolific musician, Hanson plays in multiple Northern Minnesota bands and mixes blues, rock and singer-songwriter folk in his solo music.

The third Friday show to check out is J Streitz at the Ore House in Gilbert, 7 p.m. Streitz is an alt-country songwriter who spent years as a bass player in various Twin Cities country bands. He now lives in the Northwoods and leads the group J Streitz and the Long Odds.

Finally, a Saturday show for you is the duo Between Howls at Rapids Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids at 6 p.m. Ren and Nick Howl are both top-notch musicians whose live show ranges from breakneck shredding to soulful ballads and everything in between. They released their debut album, Cabin Fever, earlier this year.

Two people standing in front of a white cabin. On the left is a man with a cowboy hat and long brown hair. On the right is a woman with curly dark hair and a tassled shirt on.
CCBoyle Photography
/
Facebook
Nick and Ren Howl of Between Howls.

Friday, Nov. 14

  • Gaelynn Lea, Amy Abts - 6 p.m., The Underground, Aitkin, $15
  • Christopher David Hanson - 6 p.m., Jack Pine Brewery, Baxter, free
  • J Streitz - 7 p.m., Ore House, Gilbert, free

Saturday, Nov. 15

The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
Tags
Minnesota Music The SetlistMade Possible by the Minnesota Arts & Culture Heritage FundHeadwatersAitkinBaxter MNGilbertGrand RapidsNorth Central MinnesotaArrowheadKAXE
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
Creative Commons License
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.