We've been gathering to hear live music since the dawn of humanity so why stop now?
Every week The Setlist lets you know about concerts around our region, from the where and when to the what kind of music and all the important information you need to get out the door and support the incredible musicians who make this community special (Hint: the simple fact there is live music should be enough!).
We just kicked off our Summer Member Drive and to say thank you we're bringing you an extra special, weeklong, Northern Minnesota live music roundup with as many concerts as I can find. Check back every day as we'll be updating this page daily with any and every show that comes across our desk.
Have you ever heard about a concert on KAXE that ended up being one of your favorite nights? What about finding out a band you love was playing a surprise show in our region? Do you check The Setlist regularly to know where and when the music is hot?
I know your answer to at least one of these is yes. Please become of member today and donate to KAXE so we can continue to support our local music scene by sharing it with you.
On Wednesday, Van & the Free Candies are playing Zaverl's in Ely at 6 p.m. The banjo, fiddle, guitar and bass quartet's last gig at the bar was cancelled due to wildfire smoke, and the show this week will surely be therapeutic for the hard hit Ely community.
Thursday is jam-packed with outdoor summer concert series in Chisholm, Park Rapids, Brainerd, Hibbing, Walker and Biwabik, and more concerts in Coleraine, Brainerd and Bemidji. Highlights are the comedy and craziness of Steve Solkela at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm and the blues and funk of Mae Simpson at the 2nd St. Stage in Park Rapids, but all are worth checking out! See below for the full list of shows.
Just like Thursday, there are so many options to kick off your weekend with some live music this Friday! You'll find the full list below, but here is some extra info on a few of the artists.
For the retirees or if you're lucky enough to get off early on Fridays, folk-blues singer Amanda Standalone is playing Fortunato Art in Aitkin at 3 p.m. Fan favorites The Jimmys are coming to Warba for the off-the-beaten-path Shallow Lake Deep Friendships festival at 6 p.m. For tickets and more information email padurkee10@gmail.com, it's old school and I love it.
KAXE volunteer Caige Jambor is playing a show at Brigid's in Bemidji at 6 p.m. with his friend and close collaborator Eric Haugen. The indie-folk singer's last show at the Beltrami Block Party was highly rated by attendees. Then a pair of folk musicians are playing the Cana Wine Bar in Crosby at 7 p.m. Folk-bluesmen Bruce Archer and the old-time folk and bluegrass of Kelley Smith.
Saturday is the festival day of our Setlist this week. There is polka at a Slovenian heritage festival in Chisholm, bluegrass near the border in Birchdale and a variety of local musicians at Aitkin's Little Nashville Fest.
Zarjafest is a Slovenian heritage festival at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm, beginning at 11 a.m. Musicians like Denis Novato are making the trip from Slovenia alongside local polka acts like Rosanne Omersa.
The Birchdale Music Fest also begins at 11 a.m. at the Community Center with renowned bluegrass acts like Little Roy Lewis and Lizzy Long joining local bands like MorningBird and Sloughgrass.
Then Aitkin is celebrating their second Little Nashville Fest at four venues around the city. Music begins at The Terrace at 1 p.m., the Beanery Cafe & Roastery at 4 p.m., the Locker Room at 4:15 p.m. and Sampaguita at 6 p.m. Fifteen acts in total include Colleen "Boss Mama" Myhre, Amanda Standalone and Jon Edwards, with metal music at Sampaguita until 10 p.m.
Find the full festival lineups and more Saturday shows below!
Friday, July 31
- Amanda Standalone - 3 p.m., Fortunato Art, Aitkin, free
- Sam Miltich and The Hot House Trio - 5 p.m., Smoke on the Water, Coleraine, free
- The Jimmys, The Northerly Gales - 6 p.m., Shallow Lake Festival, Warba, contact padurkee10@gmail.com for tickets
- The Rebellious Vixens (Caige Jambor and Eric Haugen) - 6 p.m., Brigid's, Bemidji, free
- Anthony Miltich - 6 p.m., Rapids Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, free
- Generation of Apathy - 7 p.m., Jim's Sports Club, Chisholm, free
- Bruce Archer & Kelley Smith - 7 p.m., Cana Wine Bar, Crosby, free
- The Virgil Caine Band - 8:30 p.m., The Eagles, Grand Rapids, free
Saturday, Aug. 1
- Rod Cerar Orchestra, Denis Novato, Rosanne Omersa, Singing Slovenes and more - 11 a.m., Minnesota Discovery Center, Chisholm, $40
- Roy Allen - 11 a.m., Central Park Pavilion, Aitkin, free
- Little Roy Lewis and Lizzy Long, Roma Ransom, MorningBird, Sloughgrass and more - 11 a.m., Community Center, Birchdale, $30
- Boss Mama, Amanda Standalone, Lost Bohemians and more - 1 p.m., the Terrace, Aitkin, free
- Jon Edwards, Everybird, Sam & Elena - 4 p.m., The Beanery Cafe & Roastery, Aitkin, free
- SongBridge, French Hillbillies, Super D - 4:15 p.m., The Locker Room, Aitkin, free
- MVRROW, Slag, Lost Evidence, Tri Polar Disorder - 6 p.m., Sampaguita, Aitkin, free
- Sam Miltich & The Clearwater Hot Club - 6 p.m., Brigid's Pub, Bemidji, free
- The Hot Diggitys - 7 p.m., Lake Bemidji State Park, Bemidji, free
- The Virgil Caine Band - 8:30 p.m., Eagles, Grand Rapids, free
Sunday, Aug. 2
- JPACK - 3 p.m., The Terrace, Aitkin, free
Events this week also include the opening of Lakes Area Music Festival in Brainerd, performances of "Cabaret" in Park Rapids and the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival.
The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
