I believe in rock ‘n’ roll and I think rock ‘n’ roll believes in me. These words were broadcast far and wide recently by my friend and colleague Mary Lucia, and they’ve also been echoed by countless rock ‘n’ roll believers over the past 50 years. While Mike Mictlan might spit that “rap won’t save…

American Idol, the reality show that helped define music television for the 21st century, will end its run in 2016, after its 15th season. The show’s ratings have been in decline for the past several years. Among the careers launched by American Idol are those of Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, and Carrie Underwood. (New York Times) A Dolly Parton biopic called Coat…

St. Paul’s Grand Oak Opry recently announced its summer concert series. Opry concerts take place in the backyard of the St. Paul home of Sean Kershaw and Timothy Hawkins, who put on two concerts last year with great success. The series will begin on June 6 with local favorites One Brown Shoe: an eclectic mix…

Numerous artists, musicians and organizations in the Twin Cities are coming together to support the relief efforts in Nepal at a benefit concert at Macalester College on Sunday, May 17. The Association of Nepalis in Minnesota is organizing the fundraiser in response to the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25. The devastating earthquake…

Australian music website Max TV is raising a question that’s come up before in fan forums: Did Guns N’ Roses steal “Sweet Child O’ Mine” from the band Australian Crawl? There are a number of similarities between GNR’s 1987 hit and “Unpublished Critics,” a song from Australian Crawl’s popular 1983 album Phalanx. Australian Crawl broke up in…

Prince, who recently penned a tribute song dedicated to the people of Baltimore and played a “Dance Rally 4 Peace” this past Saturday night at Paisley Park, has announced that he’ll play a concert this Sunday with his band 3RDEYEGIRL at Baltimore’s Royal Farms Arena. The event is being advertised as “family friendly,” and a statement…

Usually on Saturday nights from 11:00 p.m. to midnight, P.O.S ruins The Current with his show P.O.S is Ruining The Current. With P.O.S currently on tour, though, we’re temporarily turning to another local musician to curate that time slot. Every Saturday night through June 7, tune in at 11:00 p.m. to hear The King’s Speech, a show…

“I think this is going to be an amazing show,” said the Cedar Cultural Center emcee introducing Daniel Lanois and Rocco DeLuca last night, “and I think everybody here knows it’s going to be amazing.” That was probably true, but not just because of the names on the marquee: when a show starts with two extremely…

You guys, today’s Friday Five is so good. I seriously didn’t think this much awesomeness could fit in five little videos. This is why May is typically one of my favorite months out of the whole musical year: Everyone’s playing shows like crazy, releasing new work, and getting ready to tear through a full summer…

On Sunday night at Bedlam Lowertown, several artists will play a benefit concert and release show for Voice: Words & Songs for Those Who Are Silenced. The album, which features unique nearly-a–capella performances by artists including Dessa, Haley Bonar, and Chris Koza, is meant to raise awareness and funds to fight sex trafficking. Last weekend on The…