Not only is it summer concert series season, it's also block party season in Northern Minnesota!
Did you see our announcement of the Beltrami Block Party at the end of the month? We're bringing Erik Koskinen, Little Fevers and David Huckfelt to downtown Bemidji on June 27, alongside Brigid's Irish Pub and Keg N' Cork. Save the date!
If you can't wait for the block rockin' beats, never fear, the city of Virginia has you covered this weekend with the 400 Block Party in downtown. Read on for information on that, plus live music in Brainerd, Bemidji and Grand Rapids.
First up, you can catch Bruce Archer performing at Gregory Park in Brainerd, this Thursday at 6 p.m. Archer is a country folk-blues singer and songwriter who just dropped his second album, Some Days, Some Folks, full of references to the Brainerd lakes region and heartfelt songwriting. He's kicking off Brainerd's summer concert series.
In Bemidji on Friday night, Tiny Town is playing Brigid's at 7 p.m. It's a five-piece cover band that draws from funk, jazz, folk and more, covering music members describe as “ethically sourced and free range."
The 400 Block Party is this Saturday in Virginia with music from Rich Mattson & the Northstars, Foön and Bewilderness. The event will benefit the Mesabi Humane Society and takes place on the 400 block of Chestnut St. in downtown Virginia, beginning at 3 p.m. Bewilderness is the latest project of Christopher David Hanson, blending old-time sounds with modern rhythms and featuring his son Cameron on drums. They’ll be followed by Foön, a teen rock band from Stillwater, and closing the night are the Northstars. 3 to 9 p.m.
Over in Grand Rapids, one-man-band folk-blues musician Chris Holm is playing Rapids Brewing Co. at 6 p.m. Originally from Clearbrook, he has played in groups like The Fattenin' Frogs and Heatwave and Landman. His solo shows feature fingerstyle guitar, harmonica and lots of the blues.
Thursday, June 4
- Bruce Archer - 6 p.m., Gregory Park, Brainerd, free
Friday, June 5
- Tiny Town - 7 p.m., Brigid's Irish Pub, Bemidji, free
Saturday, June 6
- Rich Mattson & The Northstars, Foön, Bewilderness - 3 p.m., 400 block of Chestnut St., Virginia, free
The Minnesota music mainstays stopped by KAXE in March 2026 to play and talk about songs from their latest album. - Chris Holm - 6 p.m., Rapids Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, 6 p.m.
The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
