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The Setlist: Where to hear live music Dec. 18-21, 2025

KAXE | By Malachy Koons
Published December 17, 2025 at 9:20 AM CST
"The Setlist" and "Grand Rapids, Bemidji, New York Mills" written over a crumpled paper background.
Maria Hileman
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KAXE
Live music taking place Dec. 18-21, 2025 in Northern Minnesota.

KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Ditty Wish and the Green Light Band, No Rest for the Pickers, Liam Larson, rotten sardines, Blackfishbleu and more.

The week before Christmas is a busy one on the Setlist, with a holiday show, KAXE-hosted youth music showcase, solstice festival and more.

First up, Ditty Wish and the Green Light band are hosting a Jingle Jam at Klockow Brewing in Grand Rapids. The singer-songwriter will be joined by a full band to bring you their jazzy takes on holiday classics. It's 6 p.m. this Thursday.

On Saturday, KAXE and Sundown Records present Sundown Sessions, a youth music showcase at Sundown Records in Bemidji. Running 3-6 p.m., the event is free, all ages and will feature bluegrass from No Rest for the Pickers, blues from Liam Larson, punk rock from rotten sardines and indie rock from Blackfishbleu. Come support the future stars of the local music scene!

Also Saturday, Rich Mattson & The Northstars are playing 7 p.m. at Rapids Brewing. The rock 'n' roll and Americana fusing band will be joined by Tim Saxhaug of Trampled by Turtles on bass for a night of Iron Range rock in Grand Rapids.

Finally, the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is hosting its annual Longest Night of the Year festival, 7 p.m. Sunday. The solstice festival's lineup this year includes fiddling poet Ken Waldman, folk-blues singer Amanda Standalone and many more.

A woman holding a yellow electric guitar in front of a microphone. There is a red stage curtain behind her.
Contributed
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Amanda Standalone
Crosby folk-blues musician Amanda Standalone.

Thursday, Dec. 18

  • Ditty Wish and the Green Light Band - 6 p.m., Klockow Brewing, Grand Rapids, free

Saturday, Dec. 20

  • Liam Larson, No Rest for the Pickers, rotten sardines, Blackfishbleu - 3 p.m., Sundown Records, Bemidji, free
  • Rich Mattson & The Northstars with Tim Saxhaug - 7 p.m., Rapids Brewing, Grand Rapids, free

Sunday, Dec. 21

  • Ken Waldman, Amanda Standalone and more - 7 p.m., Regional Cultural Center, New York Mills, free
    A man playing a fiddle with snowcapped mountains in the background.
    Contributed
    Ken Waldman.

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

A ceramic bowl that is white with a yellow flower painted in the middle.
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Sarah Stewart
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Tags
Minnesota Music The SetlistMade Possible by the Minnesota Arts & Culture Heritage FundGrand RapidsBemidjiNew York MillsKAXEArrowheadNorthwest MinnesotaNorth Central Minnesota
Malachy Koons
Malachy joined Northern Community Radio in 2022, where he helps curate the sound of KAXE and 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 every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. and 10 p.m., and curating our weekly live music feature The Setlist.
See stories by Malachy Koons
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