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The Setlist: Where to hear live music Jan. 22-24, 2026

KAXE | By Malachy Koons
Published January 21, 2026 at 5:06 PM CST
"The Setlist" and "Brainerd, Virginia, Bemidji, Hackensack" written over a crumpled paper background.
Maria Hileman
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KAXE
Live music taking place Jan. 22-24, 2026 in Northern Minnesota.

KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features The Smoking Desk, IROMAPALOOZA, Bumps On a Log, and Charley Wagner.

It's looking like the coldest week of the year, and while outdoor events are being canceled around the area, you can stay warm with a packed schedule of live music across Northern Minnesota.

First up, The Smoking Desk is playing the Blue Oyster in Brainerd, 7 p.m. on Thursday. The group is a septet from the Brainerd lakes, which draws from the improvisational spirit of jazz, the grittiness of the blues and the intricate harmonies of bluegrass.

IROMAPALOOZA is this Friday at the MACO Theater in downtown Virginia. The Iron Range Original Music Association-hosted event will feature seven acts: Midnight Kiss Fight, WYILDCHILD, Thor Leseman & The Radial Pulse, Owler, Rich Mattson & the North Stars, Josh Palmi & Trapper, and Dave Rave and The Governors. The historic art deco theater has been restored in the last few years and music begins at 6 p.m.
a concert poster for an event called "IROMAPALOOZA." The artwork has a fish and blimp combination swimming across a multi-colored and psychedelic background with the musicians and set times listed below.
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IROMAPALOOZA is Saturday, Jan. 23, 2026 at the MACO Theater in Virginia, MN.

Bemidji Brewing continues the Timber Tap Sessions with Bumps On a Log on Saturday. The group are a jam-funk trio featuring members of Forge North. The music series will take place every other Saturday through April at 5 p.m. at the brewery.

Finally, Americana and folk singer Charley Wagner continues his Finding Home music and book tour this Saturday at Rendezvous Brewing in Hackensack. He released an accompanying book with his 2025 album Finding Home and will share stories from the book along with his music. 6 p.m.

A man playing acoustic guitar and harmonica in a radio studio.
Minnesota Music
Local musician Charley Wagner stops by KAXE ahead of Northern MN book tour
Malachy Koons
The Longville artist's Finding Home Winter Tour will go across Northern Minnesota throughout January 2026.

Thursday, Jan. 22

  • The Smoking Desk - 6 p.m., Blue Oyster, Brainerd, free

Friday, Jan. 23

  • IROMAPALOOZA - 6 p.m., MACO Theater, Virginia, $15 (advance), $20 (door)

Saturday, Jan. 24

  • Bumps On a Log - 5 p.m., Bemidji Brewing, Bemidji, free
  • Charley Wagner - 6 p.m., Rendezvous Brewing, Hackensack, free
Conversation
Events Up North Jan. 19-25: History talk in Hoyt Lakes, staged reading in Brainerd
Events this week include a series of bird talks at Sax-Zim Bog near Meadowlands.

The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
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Minnesota Music The SetlistMade Possible by the Minnesota Arts & Culture Heritage FundKAXEBrainerdVirginia MNBemidjiHackensack
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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