Maybe there’s another snowstorm or two in our near future, but we’re looking forward to spring and all it brings — including a bundle of great concerts and other events centering on Minnesota music. Here are a few of the shows we’re most excited about in April.

Email us at localshow@mpr.org if you’d like to recommend additional Minnesota music events for this post.

Week One (April 1-7)

Big Event:

April 2 and 3 - Golden Smog at First Avenue in Minneapolis ($50-125)

Golden Smog, a supergroup steeped in local legend, will play two nights at First Avenue nearly two years after they were set to play on the club’s 50th anniversary. The group first popped up in the late ‘80s playing cover shows around the Twin Cities, and over the years, it has included a rotating cast of members from Soul Asylum, The Replacements, Big Star, Wilco, The Honeydogs, The Jayhawks, and Run Westy Run. The latest incarnation — Jeff Tweedy, Dan Murphy, Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Kraig Johnson and Jody Stephens — will be joined on stage by local openers Tina & the B-sides and Kiss The Tiger.

Notable: 

March 31, April 1-2 - Cloud Cult perform three shows marking the release of new album Metamorphosis with the Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis ($40-96)

April 1 - Scrunchies Feral Coast release show with VIAL and Liquid Lunch at 7th St Entry in Minneapolis ($15)

April 6 - Teenage Halloween, Bugsy, Double Grave, Products at Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St. Paul ($12-15)

Week Two (April 8-14)

Big Event:

April 7 - Lady Midnight’s Last Mourning at Icehouse in Minneapolis ($20-25)

Lady Midnight kicks off a meticulously plotted Icehouse series with her “Last Mourning,” a final live performance of her 2019 album Death Before Mourning. Special guests will include producer Medium Zach, dancers from New Black City, and puppeteers Oanh Vu and Andrew Young.

Notable: 

April 11 - Dessa with Thomas Abban at The Woman’s Club in Minneapolis (sold out)

April 12 - Guante book launch via Moon Palace Books and Button Poetry on Zoom (free)

Week Three (April 15-21)

Big Event:

April 21 marks the sixth anniversary of Prince’s death. To celebrate the Purple One’s music and many iconic outfits, Union Rooftop will throw Prince drag brunches on April 23 ($16). The Paisley 5 & Dime will host a dance party on April 21-22 at Gluek’s in Minneapolis ($31.21).

Notable: 

April 14 - Lady Midnight’s Raíces with Mayyadda at Icehouse in Minneapolis ($15-20)

April 15 - Heart to Gold, Early Eyes, Dad Bod, Gramma, Paqrat at Underground Music Venue in Minneapolis ($15)

April 15 - The New Standards at Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing, Minn. ($27-37)

April 16 - Charlie Parr with Humbird at Sacred Heart Music Center in Duluth ($25-30)

Week Four (April 22-28)

Big Event: 

April 23 - Hippo Campus with Ginger Root at the Armory in Minneapolis ($37-82)

Hometown kids Jake Luppen, Zach Sutton, Nathan Stocker, DeCarlo Jackson, and Whistler Allen will headline Minneapolis’s 8,400-capacity venue to cap their U.S. tour. They’re celebrating their 2022 album LP3.

Notable: 

April 21 - Lady Midnight’s New Moon with SYM1 at Icehouse in Minneapolis ($15-20)

April 23 - King Pari at Turf Club in St. Paul ($15-18)

April 23 - Record Store Day

Week Five (April 29-30)

Big Event: 

April 29 and 30 - Mid West Music Fest in Winona, Minn. ($45-70)An absolutely fantastic line-up of Midwestern artists will coalesce in Winona over the weekend of April 29-30, from big-name acts Poliça and HALEY to emerging artists Products, Freaque, Creeping Charlie, and Dark Bunny.

Notable: 

April 29 - Eleganza! with Monica LaPlante and Mad Mojo Jett at 7th St Entry in Minneapolis ($12-15)

This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days of Spring series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.