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.)

The Cactus Blossoms bloom again

A flurry of activity is ahead for brothers Page Burkum and Jack Torrey, who perform as the Cactus Blossoms. A Friday announcement unveils that their latest studio album, One Day, will arrive February 11, 2022, and tickets are now available for five Monday nights in St. Paul as part of their traditional January Turf Club residency. The new record was recorded with engineer Alex Hall and the Cactus Blossoms touring band in Burkum’s basement. The tracklisting reveals that “Everybody” is a collaboration with Jenny Lewis.

“Hey Baby” (below) is the collection’s satisfying first listen. The laid-back road trip song has an eye on the horizon and an ear for tuneful harmonies.

Pandemic throws monkey wrench in Foo Fighters show

In the span of a morning, Foo Fighters announced an extensive stadium tour, detailed a date at the U of M’s Huntington Bank Stadium, and pulled the plug on it. The band stated: "Due to Huntington Bank Stadium's refusal to agree to the band's COVID policies, Foo Fighters are not going to be able to play at that venue. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working on finding a suitable replacement — one that will prioritize the health and safety of everyone working and attending the show." Stay tuned.

LUSH Lounge & Theater is back, baby

LUSH, the LGBTQ-friendly space in northeast Minneapolis is set to reopen before the end of 2021. From the press release: “The ownership team includes Andrew Rausch and Jared Lawrence. Rausch brings twenty years in the hospitality industry and twelve years performing as Crystal Belle. Lawrence owns and manages multiple businesses and has performed on stage for the last thirteen years as Nikki Vixxen. The pair will oversee operations and programming of all entertainment… Rausch and Lawrence have partnered with Jason Matheson of FOX 9 and myTalk 107.1 and Betty and Earl’s co-owner, Jennifer Lueck, to purchase LUSH and the 11,000 square-foot building located on Central Avenue in Northeast Minneapolis for $2.6 million.” 

Jeremy Messersmith’s got a funny Prince story on TikTok

Until this video can embed properly, we’ll just send you directly to TikTok for a watch. In sum, Jeremy Messersmith shares a tale that goes a lot like many of his twisted songs that involves a brush with greatness, and a hilarious rejection.

Read on

• The love for Low’s Hey What continues with year-end nods from NPR and The New York Times’ Lindsay Zoladz.

• Ali Elabaddy caught up with Medium Zach to discuss his new album, Bad By Myself, for Racket.

• Star Tribune’s Chris Riemenschneider has an update from Gully Boys ahead of their 7th St. Entry residency.

More from The Current

• It is December, and The Current has launched a new Holiday Stream. Stay tuned for lots more ideas for things to see and do detailed in our 89 Days of Winter package, plus a local holiday music mix is right here.

• Amos Lee is performing a MicroShow at the Hook & Ladder on December 14.

• Album of the Week is Adele’s 30. Sean McPherson’s review finds a way to compare her to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

• Jay Gabler watched all 468 minutes of The Beatles: Get Back doc, and reviewed Sellout: The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore 1994-2007.

• Mary Lucia interviewed Snail Mail’s Lindsey Jordan, and had her own thoughts about the Beatles’ big film.

• Listen to new music this week from Bloc Party, FKA Twigs, NoSo, Rajinee, St. Anthony Mann, and Ibeyi.

• Julian Green profiled Reload.it, a dream factory for femme DJs in Minneapolis.

Weekend Gig Lists

• Friday, December 3: Bad Bad Hats, Rebel Queens, Dawes, Heiruspecs, The New Standards

• Saturday, December 4: Lizzo, Mason Jennings, 2 Chainz

• Sunday, December 5: Billy Idol, Gully Boys, Kiss the Tiger