In a performance that featured psychedelic animal costumes, colorful projections, and several wardrobe transitions by lead singer Kevin Barnes, Of Montreal brought unparalleled energy to the Cedar Cultural Center last night. Since the band’s beginning in 1996, Barnes, the only remaining original member of the band, has always strived to push the boundaries of both…

As baseball fans debate whether the Orioles violated an “unwritten rule” at Sunday night’s game against the Twins when they bunted while down 7-0 in the bottom of the ninth, we asked our followers on Twitter whether there were any “unwritten rules” of live music — for both performers and audience. Here’s some of what…

Record Store Day (RSD) is fast approaching, with Run the Jewels being named this year’s Record Store Day Ambassadors. Record Store Day is a day where people are encouraged to go out to their local independent record stores and browse the collection, with incentives like exclusive releases and live performances. Each year’s “ambassador” is the…

For Minnesotans, April is tinted in a familiar shade of purple. This is because Minnesota celebrates the life of Prince all month long, and there doesn’t seem to be a wrong way to do it. The Guthrie Theater announced today that it too will be honoring the life of Prince, with a special community event…

April is a busy month for Minnesota music fans. Each new week brings with it new opportunities to explore music through a local lens. There are events like the Mid West Music Fest, Record Store Day, and of course the events celebrating Prince (not to mention countless other performances and events). With so much going…

When you hear Courtney Barnett’s name in the Twin Cities, it doesn’t just echo — it resonates. The Australian musician has a strong fan base here in Minnesota, and it reaches new heights with every song she releases. Back in October, she visited The Current’s studio with Kurt Vile to promote their collaborative release Lotta…

Weather-wise, March is going out like a lion, but jeremy messersmith’s Friday night performance at First Avenue showed that when it comes to music, the lion and the lamb can be one and the same. Monica LaPlante kicked things off in her signature cool-girl style. LaPlante and her band spew a palpable energy that radiates…

When Debbie Duncan gets on stage to sing, she enters a different world and brings her audience with her. As a veteran jazz vocalist in the Twin Cities, she is known for her vibrant personality, energy, and range, and she keeps her audience engaged the whole time. Duncan will be releasing her new album Full…

Kate Nash has learned a thing or two from being a wrestler. “The physicality that I’ve become comfortable with by doing Glow has really encouraged me as a live performer, so I’m really inspired at the moment,” she says about her current tour, which comes to the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis on April 19.…

The Current’s audience voted the Shackletons’ “Minnesota Girls” number three among the Top 89 Local Songs of 2017, and the band’s music video for the track is out today. The Shackletons have connections to Minnesota that stretch far beyond that song, and have built a considerable following in the local and regional music scenes. Existing…