Upcoming Concerts, live music spots, and artists to check out

Written By Casey O'Brien

Graphic by Janet Xiong

Few things compare to the excitement of planning a night out—whether it's with friends, family, a significant other, or even indulging in a solo adventure. From the creative process of perfecting your look and curating the perfect outfit, to chatting over drinks before packing into a dimly lit venue, waiting to be immersed in the magic of live music. There's an unparalleled charm in the ritual of a well-planned night out that also fosters a sense of spontaneity. 

However, attending concerts often comes with a looming price tag, and if you're like me, the thought of standing in the nosebleeds and only seeing a bird's eye view perspective of the performer is unappealing, both in cost and in spirit. Massive arenas, with their colossal scale and commercial overtones, can strip away the personal connection that makes live music so transformative. To me, concerts are about intimacy—the raw, personal exchange between the artist and the audience that feels like a shared secret, an in-the-moment conversation. There's a unique energy that comes from a concert or show where everyone is on their feet, standing shoulder to shoulder in a vibrant mixture of self-expression and laughter. 

Finding smaller and cheaper shows can be difficult, but some of my favorite shows I've ever been to, I bought the night before, threw on a sweater and my dirty black boots and grabbed a couple of close friends for a night with no direction. So, without further ado, let's get into some hot spots for live music, upcoming concerts, and some of my favorite music venues in the Twin Cities. 

Lucy Dacus' two-night show at Palace Theater, May 5 and 6

Boygenius fans unite! Lucy Dacus is coming to Minneapolis in early may for a two night show to showcase her new album  “Forever Is A Feeling” with special guests Katie Gavin & jasmine.4.t. I saw Lucy Dacus back in 2022 at First Avenue when Indigo De Souza opened for her and the show was awesome, intimate, vocals were astonishing and watching her rip on guitar was impeccable. In fact, in 2023, Rolling Stone named her the 213th best guitarist of all time.  

If you're interested, check out some of her songs that are favorites of mine: 

Tennis show, May 21 at First Avenue

Tennis is a dreamy indie pop band from Denver, Colorado, featuring the husband-and-wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley. They are hitting the road and playing at First Avenue, my favorite venue in Minneapolis, to tour their upcoming album “12 Blown Tires”. Tickets are around $30, and British singer-songwriter Billy Marten will be joining them to jam out! Not to mention, they’re an incredibly fun duo to watch, consistently sporting a cool, vintage John Denver-esque 70s style. 

Here are a few of my favorite recommendations from Tennis that I love listening to:

JPEGMAFIA at The Fillmore, May 24

JPEGMAFIA is going on tour this spring to showcase his iconic hip hop, punk, and experimental sound across the country. With a catalog that swings from the abrasive to the melodic, JPEG creates a space where no two moments feel the same. His concerts are notorious for being a performance in themselves with unexpected mixes, reverb sounds, intentional lyrics, and ethereal tracks. I've been listening to JPEG since high school, and I remember listening to “Free the Frail” in my sister's 2005 Honda Accord on the way to school. I will definitely be checking this show off my bucket list! 

Here is some music you should check out, even if you aren't going to the show:

The Sacred Souls at Palace Theater, June 5

Thee Sacred Souls is one of my favorite bands, and I bought tickets for this show as soon as it was announced. Their R&B and soul sound is infectious, and they make it onto every one of my monthly playlists. They are touring their newest album “Got A Story To Tell” and will be playing at the Palace Theater in St Paul. Their sound blends traditional ’60s and ’70s soul with a contemporary sensitivity—romantic, laid-back, and emotionally rich. Out of all of these concerts, this is one that I would not miss. 

Some of my favorite tracks by Thee Sacred Souls:

From intimate venues to incredible artists, the Twin Cities offer a vibrant lineup of live music this spring, and these are only a few upcoming shows worth waiting for. Whether you are an R&B, hip-hop, indie, punk, pop, rock, reggae, or folk fan, there's always a little corner of the Twin Cities where you can listen and perhaps discover just about anything. Each show offers a unique opportunity to connect with the music, the artists, and the community in lively and foremost ways.

Casey O'Brien
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