Posts by Billy Briggs

The Neighbourhood turned Minneapolis’ history Armory into a stark, monochrome dreamscape on April 2nd, delivering a sold-out show that felt less like a typical concert and more like a full-on cultural moment. Even as cold rain soaked the city, fans—many young and deeply devoted—queued for hours to claim barricade spots, bringing an energy reminiscent of […]

Ashnikko brought pure, electrified chaos—in the best possible way—to the Palace Theatre in St. Paul on March 31, 2026, lighting up a nearly sold-out, all-ages crowd on the Smoochies tour. The night opened with a short but impactful set from Princess Nokia, immediately setting a bold, high-energy tone. From there, Ashnikko took full command with […]

A benefit concert was held at First Avenue in Minneapolis on January 30th, with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to the families of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed in recent ICE-related incidents that intensified tensions across Minneapolis. The show sold out within minutes, despite temperatures hovering between six and eight degrees—an […]

When Devo played St. Paul’s Palace Theatre on November 15th, it had been 15 years since the Akron, Ohio, band last visited the Twin Cities. Through costume changes, semi hits, and a few real hits, including an appearance from Booji Boy during “Beautiful World,” Devo remained weird in all the right ways. Photos by Billy […]

The Darkness made a stop at Minneapolis’ Varsity Theater on 9/18/25, bringing their distinctive brand of rock ‘n’ roll to a small, sold-out club with a capacity of approximately 900 fans. Lead vocalist Justin Hawkins is the epitome of a performer. Throughout the show, he regaled the audience with his exceptional guitar playing, clever humor, […]

A rainy evening in the Twin Cities set the stage for Japanese Breakfast to electrify the Palace in St. Paul on September 9, 2025, with their uplifting melodies and soulful performance. The nearly sold-out crowd was treated to an hour and a half of music that masterfully blended new and old songs, including many from […]

American rock mainstays and innovators Nine Inch Nails brought their Peel It Back world tour to St. Paul Minnesota’s Xcel Energy Center on August 17th, marking their first show in the Twin Cities in over a decade. The band has not visited Minnesota since 2013, making their mid-August return even more of a celebration. Their […]

Bootsy Collins celebrated the release of his new album Album of the Year #1 Funkateer at the Electric Fetus in Minneapolis. Decked out in purple and black as an obvious homage to Prince. Bootsy and Peppermint Pati danced and sang to Bootsy‘s new album with the crowd.  The Fetus was packed with excited fans, picking up […]

Recent inductee to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Mary J. Blige brought her “For My Fans” tour to the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN on 3/16/25. In her diverse “eras” setlist, Blige shared personal battles with depression and drug addiction through powerful ballads and bumping beats along with themes of love […]

The last time Stevie Wonder performed in Minnesota was in 2016 after Prince had passed. He played a four-hour Prince tribute jam with multiple guest artists. It was a historic event, however much somber that the show performed at The Target Center in Minneapolis on October 27th. Stevie’s current 10-date tour is called “Sing Your […]

Leon Bridges’ neo-soul charm was on full display at the Armoy in Minneapolis, MN, on October 22nd, where the Texan was touring in support of his fourth full-length album, Leon, released Oct. 4. Photos by Billy Briggs.

Two progressively forceful artists, Michael Kiwanuka and Brittany Howard, brought their joint tour to the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, MN, on 10/6/24. Reflecting the spirit of the great soul singers past and present, the two combined for a potent and poignant evening of funk, soul, R&B and all-around inventive sounds. Photos by Billy Briggs.

When PJ Harvey tours, it should be a must-attend event for anyone who appreciates punk, blues, indie, and the avant-garde at its most primal and experimental. On her first tour in seven years, Harvey visited the Palace Theatre in St Paul on October 2nd. Her 25-song performance was vast, including a nearly 45-minute performance of […]

Soul Coughing visited St. Paul’s Palace Theatre on 9/24/24, 11 shows into a reunion tour long desired by fans following 25 years of live inactivity. The 21-song setlist spanned the band’s three albums, including material from 1994’s debut album, Vroom Room. Mike Dougthy’s noted raspy poetic delivery and bassist Sebastian Steinberg’s upright thumps helped carry […]

During a week-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Prince and The Revolution album and film Purple Rain, The Revolution played two sold-out shows at Minneapolis’ legendary First Avenue, where the 1984 movie was filmed. OG members of The Revolution performed, including Wendy Melvin, Brown Mark, Lisa Coleman, Matt “Doctor” Fink, Bobby Z, and […]

While the Pixies have never scored a bonafide hit in their 38 years, they have continually out-indie-rocked most of their college rock peers. The most recent era of the fearless band continued this year as new bassist Emma Richardson took over four-string duties. The band visited Minneapolis’ Surly Field on 6/20/24 – photos by Billy […]

Orville Peck continues to twang under his own fearless rules, which has led the masked artist to reap the rewards of sellout headline shows. The mystery man performed at the Minneapolis Armory on June 11th for a diversified set that included a cover of the Twin Cities’ own The Replacements (Can’ Hardly Wait). Photos by […]

Burning Spear (Winston Rodney) might be the last of the remaining original Jamaican roots reggae artists still touring, yet at 79 years old, the words and flows still remain as poignant as ever. The legend visited Minneapolis’ First Avenue on June 9th to keep the positive motions rightfully in place. Photos by Billy Briggs.

While the world waits for Robert Plant to return to another Zeppelinish format as he enters his mid-’70s, he continues his Roots/Americana foray that’s been thriving since 2007. With Alison Krauss, the duo has perfected the high, lonesome, and bluesy howls that reminisce of all eras of country and folk. Their show at Mystic Amphitheater […]

As the core of Judas Priest continues to age (Rob Halford, Ian Hill, Scott Travis), relative newcomer Richie Faulkner has given the band a newfound relevancy as the iconic British metal band’s last two albums (Invisible Shield and Firepower) rank amongst their strongest. The band visited Minneapolis’ Armory on May 2nd and dropped a muscular […]