"It's starting to look like South by Southwest," says First Avenue general manager Nate Kranz about the proliferation of exclusive parties and pop-up venues in the Twin Cities during the Super Bowl craze.

Megastars including Snoop Dogg, Cardi B, Migos, Post Malone, and even Justin Timberlake are booking big-ticket appearances, typically sponsored by huge corporations, at off-the-beaten-path venues like International Market Square, the Lumber Exchange Building, and a new downtown Minneapolis club called Privé. DJ Marshmello is performing under a "super dome" being constructed in a parking lot.

Tickets for these exclusive events won't be cheap. The top VIP table at Rolling Stone magazine's party costs $30,000, and partying with Snoop will run anywhere from $500 to $21,000. None of that may sound very Minnesota, but we're certainly showing the world that we know how to party — or, at least, how to provide spaces for them to party. According to the Super Bowl host committee, there are about twice as many significant private events planned for this year's big game as there were last year in Houston. (Star Tribune)

Meanwhile, Timberlake has made a rare comment on his 2004 halftime performance with Janet Jackson, when a so-called "wardrobe malfunction" changed the way national events are televised. Timberlake told Beats One radio that he and Jackson have maintained a good relationship despite the incident, and haven't even talked much about it. "It's just one of those things where you go, like...'Yeah, what do you want me to say? We're not going to do that again.'"

Who was at fault? Well, Timberlake didn't say it wasn't him. "I had my wires crossed, and it's just something that you have to look back on and go like, 'OK, well, you can't change what's happened, but you can move forward and learn from it.'" (Star Tribune)

No word on whether Timberlake plans to serve insects at his Paisley Park listening party, as he did during a recent New York listening party. Prince, who was a vegetarian in the final years of his life, would not approve. (Consequence of Sound)

Paul McCartney joins Muse members for Beatles song

Singer Matt Bellamy and drummer Dominick Howard, both members of Muse, play occasionally in a Beatles cover group called Dr. Pepper's Jaded Hearts Club Band. On Tuesday night at a small show in Los Angeles, none other than Paul McCartney jumped on stage with the band for a take on "Helter Skelter." (Billboard)

Kendrick Lamar to open Grammys

Kendrick Lamar will open the Grammys ceremony on Jan. 28, Billboard reports. Also up to perform at the Grammys, according to Billboard''s sources: U2 and Sam Smith. Elton John will perform one of his classic songs with Miley Cyrus, and there will also be performances by Alessia Cara, Cardi B, Childish Gambino, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, Kesha, Khalid, Lady Gaga, Little Big Town, Logic, Patti LuPone, Bruno Mars, Pink, Ben Platt, and SZA.

Q to appear at "Man in the Mirror" tribute concert

A Friday night tribute concert will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s hit "Man in the Mirror." Co-producer Quincy Jones will appear, as will Siedah Garrett, who co-wrote the song with Glen Ballard. Various other artists will also interpret the song on the special, which will be streamed live on YouTube. (Rolling Stone)

David Byrne covers Bowie and Madonna with massive choir

Last weekend in New York, David Byrne joined the Canadian choral organizers Choir! Choir! Choir! to record a giant singalong to David Bowie’s "Heroes" and Madonna’s "Borderline." There will be high-quality video released eventually, but for now you can get a sense of the occasion through these social media clips. (Pitchfork)