Every so often there’s a summer hit that changes the way America thinks about pop music. Here are some of the A&E desk’s favorites.

Carbon Sound’s Sanni Brown helps create a thread between radio and younger listeners while highlighting the diversity of Black artists in Minnesota.

LA-based indie pop punk band The Wrecks performed for a jubilant, buzzy crowd in St. Paul, supported by Mothé and girlhouse.

Sun, sound and sweet treats abounded at the first Rock the Garden, hosted by the Walker Art Center and MPR’s The Current, since quarantine.

British music and binge-worthy television is the name of the game this summer.

In the first end-of-school celebration since the pandemic, students begrudgingly braved the rain and cold to find disappointment at Spring Jam. But, the event isn’t all the day’s about, right?

Campus student publication the Wake Magazine hosted a concert to raise money for their internship stipends.

A new format and student group presence revive Spring Jam.

AFROPUNK has announced a 16-act lineup for Minneapolis over Juneteenth weekend to commemorate Black creators in the Twin Cities. Tickets went on sale April 21.

When the weather doesn’t afford us that pleasant-temperature optimism, our music selection can.