Your guide to art, theater, dance, comedy, and music events in MN, September through December

MusiC

Sheer Mag

September 8 | Turf Club, St. Paul

The energetic Philadelphia power-pop quartet, led by tough-as-nails frontwoman Tina Halladay, is on the road in support of this year’s album of arena-sized melodies, A Distant Call. It’s AC/DC-level rock chops met with deeper social messages.

Lenny Kravitz

September 8 | Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis

With more than 30 years of soul, funk, and rock to his credit, Lenny Kravitz has a deep catalog for live exploration. Songs like 2018’s hit “Low” show he’s still on top of his game.

Janet Jackson

September 14 | Treasure Island Amphitheater, Welch

Iconic R&B superstar Janet celebrates the 30th anniversary of her landmark Rhythm Nation 1814, which was recorded in Minneapolis.

Of Monsters and Men

September 14 | Surly Festival Field, Minneapolis

The Iceland folk-rock act’s charm stems from the male-female vocal interplay between Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson, sing-along choruses, and lush instrumentation—all throughout this summer’s Fever Dream release.

COURTESY RED LIGHT MANAGEMENT

Brittany Howard

September 19 | Palace Theatre, St. Paul

The frontwoman for blues-rock royalty Alabama Shakes breaks sonic boundaries on her soulful new solo debut album, Jaime.

Donna Grantis

September 24 | Dakota, Minneapolis

Prince has left the building, but one of his key contributors near the end of his life was 3RDEYEGIRL guitarist Donna Grantis. This’ll be a loud, funky affair.

Maggie Rogers

September 26 | Armory, Minneapolis

An innovative, genre-pushing pop songwriter, Rogers scored her first hit with “Alaska” in 2016. Her debut album, Heard It in a Past Life, is loaded with poise and polish.

The Black Keys

September 28 | Target Center, Minneapolis

‘Let’s Rock,’ the alt-rock duo’s first album in five years, goes back to the raw basics—guitar, bass, and drums—after filling up past albums with ornate instrumentation.

Bon Iver

October 3 | Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul

The Eau Claire-based experimental folk musician pulls in a load of Minnesota’s best musicians for his fourth studio album, i,i. Singer-songwriter Feist (“1, 2, 3, 4”) opens.

Gaelynn Lea

October 5 | The Ordway, St. Paul

A gifted singer and violinist, Gaelynn Lea brings together the spirit of northern Minnesota and the great beyond in her heartfelt, genre-defying material. This is a full-band show with special guests.

Lizzo

October 9 & 11 | Armory, Minneapolis

What more can be said of Lizzo’s supreme rise in 2019? On return to Minnesota, the pop star and actress plays her thrilling blend of hip-hop soul—captured on the excellent Cuz I Love You—to more and more people.

VocalEssence: Divine Light

October 13 | Summit Center for Arts & Innovation, St. Paul

The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers are joined by St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Ruggero Allifranchini on violin for a night of celestial chamber music, including György Ligeti’s 16-part “Lux Aeterna,” popularized by the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Trey Anastasio

October 19 | State Theatre, Minneapolis

Phish’s main man comes for his first Twin Cities solo show.

Miranda Lambert

October 19 | Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul

The country superstar revives her Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour from a decade ago, with tunes from 2018 album Interstate Gospel, recorded with her supergroup Pistol Annies, to throw in, since the Annies are coming with, along with Elle King and Ashley McBryde.

Bob Dylan

October 24 | Mankato Civic Center, Mankato

Martin Scorsese released a Bob Dylan documentary on Netflix over the summer, Dylan’s last studio album, Triplicate, came out in 2017, and now the Duluth-born legend crosses the country on a tour that lands him in Mankato.

Celine Dion

November 1 | Target Center, Minneapolis

Canada’s Queen of Pop embarks upon her first U.S. tour in 10 years, to support her latest English-language studio album, Courage.

Leila Josefowicz Plays Stravinsky

November 1 | Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis

Rockstar violinist Leila Josefowicz, who has built a reputation for championing new compositions, gives her take on Igor Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

November 5 | Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul

For more than 50 years, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band has kept New Orleans—and its rich, critical musical heritage—grooving. They play the kickin’ soundtrack of A Tuba to Cuba, a 2018 documentary about the band’s roots, in full, plus a few extras.

Lorie Line

December 6 | Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul

A Minnesota Music Hall of Fame inductee, Lori Line got her start here playing piano at Dayton’s department stores and has since become a stylish holiday staple, touring her arrangements regionally through December.

PHOTO BY JOSH CHEUSE

J.S. Ondara

December 7 | First Avenue, MInneapolis

This Kenya-born vocalist’s riveting Tales of America album is one of the year’s best local success stories.

First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota’s Mainroom

Ongoing | Minnesota History Center, St. Paul

On the first Tuesday of select months, DJs take to the First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota’s Mainroom exhibit at the Minnesota History Center to breathe life into the 50-year history of First Avenue, Minneapolis’ favorite nightclub.