Bandwidth: First Avenue's star turn at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony
by Reed Fischer
October 29, 2021

Welcome to Bandwidth, The Current digital team’s weekly roundup of news, music we like, and upcoming concerts. (Got a local topic you think we should include? Hit up localshow@mpr.org.)
NIVA’s Big Night
First Avenue Productions’ CEO Dayna Frank and talent buyer Sonia Grover are attending the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, October 30. Why? They are representing the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), which will be honored during the ceremony for its work during the pandemic to keep venues afloat. These efforts included the Save Our Stages Act. Frank serves as NIVA’s board president.
Voices Carry
Roseville’s Libianca continues her journey on NBC singing competition The Voice. In this highlight, she covers Billie Eilish’s “Everything I Wanted.”
Halloween Scene
Yes, October 31 is imminent. It’s 30 years since, oh, you know. Here’s a roundup of new-and-spooky Minnesota music videos. There’s the first annual Hallowhiskey Party at O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. featuring music by Muun Bato on Saturday evening. And, a whole bunch of weekend programming on The Current is still coming up.
Rolling Through
Hard to believe it was just last weekend that the Rolling Stones were here, and Mick Jagger reportedly washed two burgers down with three beers and ended his night at Grumpy’s without being noticed.
Jon Bream said the night was good, but not great in his review for Star Tribune.
Read On
The revealing Racket profile of VIAL.
More from The Current
Jay Gabler’s in-depth portrait of bassist Liz Draper, who has played with Low, Charlie Parr, Soul Asylum, the Okee Dokee Brothers, the Cactus Blossoms, and more.
Also from Jay: Rock & Roll Book Club feature on the new Screamin’ Jay Hawkins book.
Jeffrey Bissoy’s latest Come-Up: 8 Minnesota hip-hop artists with new music to hear now.
Jade debuted new music by Spoon, Muun Bato, Alex Lahey, Curtis Harding, Shygirl and Elvis Costello.
Jill Riley interviewed legendary director John Waters ahead of his appearance at Parkway Theater, and Mac Wilson spoke to the War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel about the band’s new album.
Prince could receive a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal.
