For a testament to the enduring importance of the beloved R&B and funk band Willie and the Bumblebees, look no further than the introduction to their appearance on a local television station back in 1982: “My next guests have been part of the Twin Cities music scene almost as long as there’s been a Twin Cities…

At Japan’s Mirikan National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Damon Albarn recently played “Everyday Robots” and Blur‘s “Strange News From Another Star” for an audience that included two robots—one of whom eerily resembles a human being. “When I was invited to sing for an android,” said Albarn in an interview for an associated video, “it’s a not…

Yesterday, Bridesmaids director Paul Feig confirmed that he’s slated to direct Ghostbusters 3. Feig’s involvement represents a rethinking of the long-planned sequel, with director Ivan Reitman (who helmed the first two installments) and screenwriter Dan Aykroyd stepping aside to allow the franchise to be entirely reimagined by Feig and screenwriter Katie Dippold (The Heat). Though Ghostbusters 3 is expected…

The 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees have been named: the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Chic, Green Day, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Kraftwerk, the Marvellettes, N.W.A., Nine Inch Nails, Lou Reed (as a solo artist, having previously been inducted as a member of the Velvet Underground), the Smiths, the Spinners, Sting (also…

In its 15th fruitful year, fusion jazz trio the Bad Plus’ annual holiday series at the Dakota shows no sign of letting up. From Dec. 25-28, the innovative ensemble will knock out a whopping eight performances in four nights. Currently based in New York City, the Midwest natives originally planted their roots in Minneapolis circa 2000.…

Hunting for pre-Halloween festivities? Look no further: Free Range Music Cooperative will host a hodgepodge of Twin Cities performing arts at Bedlam Lowertown on Oct. 30. The event is a part of their Culture series, showcasing the diversity and cross-genre projects within the local scene. Established by Marcus Kar in 2011, Free Range Music Cooperative strives…

The Lizzo wave that started to rise last year is cresting ever higher: after a busy summer in which she played a heavy schedule of festivals and gigs in the U.S. (including Rock the Garden) and Europe, Lizzo’s fall has if anything been even busier. There was a surprise single followed by two packed First Avenue…

The eccentric and revered post-rock band 12 Rods—described by the Current’s David Campbell as “a music nerd’s dream and an A&R man’s nightmare”—have announced that they will reunite to play a show at First Avenue on January 16 to celebrate the reissue of their final album, Lost Time, on January 20, 2015. The show and album will…

Brian Wilson, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, Stevie Wonder, Lorde, Elton John, Brian May of Queen, Jake Bugg, Kylie Minogue, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, Sam Smith, Paloma Faith, One Direction, and Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine were among 27 musicians who constituted a one-off supergroup known as “the Impossible Orchestra,” performing the Beach Boys‘ “God Only Knows” in the BBC’s first-ever pan-channel broadcast across all…

Last month, Minnesota musician Andrew Richardson—guitarist for the Crush, and later sales manager for guitar pedal company ZVEX Effects—died at the age of 36. Now, a group of musicians including the Black Keys, Spoon, Jeff Tweedy, J Mascis, Cage the Elephant, Har Mar Superstar, Tera Melos, and Midlake have donated items to be auctioned for…