As summer comes to a close and the fall semester creeps up on the University of Minnesota students, the Twin Cities area’s live music scene will remain as lively as ever toward the end of the year. This fall might be the best time of the year for concerts thus far. Here are some highlights of what has already been announced from September to November:
September
Close to campus:
For students who do not want to travel too far for a concert, some great shows are either a short walk or a light rail ride away from home. The month of September has a variety of legendary artists performing at venues like the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown and Surly Brewing Festival Field near Stadium Village. Another concert that falls neatly into this category is the homecoming concert the University’s Student Union & Activities hosts every year — stay tuned for an announcement on that one. Here are some highlights:
Melvins + Boris @ Varsity Theater – Wednesday, Sept. 6
Ween @ Surly Brewing Festival Field – Friday, Sept. 8
Lil Tracy @ Varsity Theater – Saturday, Sept. 9
Train @ Surly Brewing Festival Field – Monday, Sept. 11
Iann Dior @ Varsity Theater – Monday, Sept. 21
The Brian Jonestown Massacre @ Varsity Theater – Saturday, Sept. 30
Music-snob September
If you have a Rate Your Music account, know who Anthony Fantano is or are just drawn to contemporary indie and alternative artists — September is your month. Odds are you already have snagged a ticket to one of these shows:
Black Country New Road @ Fine Line – Monday, Sept. 11
Death Grips @ The Fillmore – Wednesday, Sept. 13
Queens of the Stone Age @ Armory – Sunday, Sept. 17
Swans @ Fine Line – Wednesday, Sept. 20
The Postal Service and Death Cab For Cutie @ Armory – Sunday, Sept. 24
George Clanton @ Fine Line – Thursday, Sept. 28
October
Hip-Hop highlights
Oldheads and hypebeasts rejoice! Some of the biggest hip-hop and rap acts of past and present are coming to the Twin Cities to host some of the largest shows in Minneapolis this year.
Playboi Carti @ Target Center – Sunday, Oct. 1
Wu-Tang Clan and Nas @ Target Center – Saturday, Oct. 7
Lil Uzi Vert @ Armory – Saturday, Oct. 21
If hip-hop and rap are not your cup of tea, long-enduring artists like shoegaze icons Slowdive and progressive rock legends Tool are set to bring their incredible stage shows to St. Paul this October. Meanwhile, groundbreaking rising stars Genesis Owusu, Underscores, Geese and Dev Lemons are set to grace the smaller stages of the Twin Cities as well:
Slowdive @ Palace Theatre – Wednesday, Oct. 4
Slow Pulp @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall – Thursday, Oct. 5
Genesis Owusu @ Fine Line – Thursday, Oct. 12
Underscores @ Turf Club – Friday, Oct. 13
Geese @ 7th Street Entry – Saturday, Oct. 14
Model/Actriz @ Icehouse – Saturday, Oct. 14
Jordana and Dev Lemons @ 7th Street Entry – Tuesday, Oct. 17
Faye Webster @ First Avenue – Monday, Oct. 30
Tool @ Xcel Energy Center – Tuesday, Oct. 31
November
While November usually sees concert season winding down as the holiday season begins, the month still has a lot to offer when it comes to live music. For fans of classic rock, Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks are scheduled to play a Minneapolis stadium show, Dexys (the band behind the 1980s smash hit “Come On Eileen”) are playing in St. Paul and Aerosmith has announced a Twin Cities date on their farewell tour. As for smaller shows, Gayle –– whom Taylor Swift chose as an opener for select tour dates this year –– is playing a small venue in St. Paul, and Lil Yachty, who famously updated his sound this year with a psychedelic rock-influenced album, will play the Fillmore in Minneapolis.
Gayle @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall – Wednesday, Nov. 1
Lil Yachty @ The Fillmore – Thursday, Nov. 2
Del Water Gap @ Varsity Theater – Friday, Nov. 3
Dexys (formerly Dexys Midnight Runners) @ Palace Theatre – Saturday, Nov. 4
Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks @ U.S. Bank Stadium – Friday, Nov. 10
Aerosmith @ Xcel Energy Center – Monday, Nov. 13
Liz Phair @ Palace Theatre – Friday, Nov. 17
Angel Olsen @ First Avenue – Wednesday, Nov. 29
