Minnesota Music

The Setlist: Where to hear live music July 27-Aug. 2, 2026

KAXE | By Malachy Koons

Published July 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM CDT

"The Setlist" and "Grand Rapids, Ely, Coleraine, Virginia, Chisholm, Brainerd, Park Rapids, Hibbing, Walker, Biwabik, Warba, Crosby, Birchdale, Bemidji, Aitkin, Your town?" written over a crumpled paper background. — Live music taking place July 27-Aug. 2, 2026.

KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Boss Mama, Haley E Rydell, Steve Solkela, Mae Simpson, Sam Miltich, The Jimmys, Bruce Archer, Kelley Smith, Zarjafest and many more!

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.

A vinyl record album rolls out of a picture of an early KAXE music library.

Inside KAXE

KAXE celebrates 50 years of handpicked music during the 2026 summer member drive

Heather Johnson

To kick off the summer member drive, KAXE Membership Coordinator Heather Johnson shares this message that real music really matters.

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.

Starting the week off with Boss Mama and the Jebberhooch Duo at the Timberlake Lodge in Grand Rapids, Monday at 5:30 p.m. This is Colleen Myhre's smoky blues and soulful Americana project of that last few years, before that she lead the gospel group Holy Hootenanners.

There are three shows this Tuesday (if you know of something not on this list please email music@kaxe.org) in Ely, Coleraine and Virginia. Talented fiddler and Americana singer-songwriter Haley E Rydell is heading up to Ely for the Brainstorm Bakery's Listen-In Series at 4 p.m., Nashville music scene veteran Greg Kazcor is bringing his guitar skills to Smoke on the Water in Coleraine at 5 p.m., and covers band Sound Inc. is playing rock hits of the '60s and '70s at Olcott Park for Virginia's summer concert series.

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.