Lil Yachty is from nowhere near the Midwest — the “bubblegum trap” star hails from Atlanta — but he’s basically a hometown sweetheart thanks to his song “Minnesota.” Today, St. Paul’s Allan Kingdom dropped a remix of our state’s eponymous song, laying throaty raps over the plinky beat and shouting out Purple Rain. The first lines? “I been…

Crystal Ball International Market Square, Minneapolis $60/$250 The Crystal Ball is one of the largest New Year’s Eve events in the country, and this year it is host to the Prince tribute band Ovation. There will also be DJs, Go-Go dancers, and performers from Dragon’s Fire Theater. Tickets and information here King Fine Line, Minneapolis…

We've lost so many talented and iconic musicians in 2016 that it's time to spend not one, but two Coffee Breaks listening to their music. So for today's Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear from musicians that passed away in 2016? We'll continue this theme with Tuesday's Coffee Break as well.

Duluth is on the map. People know it. Sure, it’s a picturesque outpost in the Great Lakes region that lends itself to outdoor adventure tourists. It was even Outside Magazine’s 2014 “Best Town in America.” But that’s not quite what I mean. In 2010, I was in London chatting with two Czech gentlemen who eventually asked…

Here’s one bad thing that didn’t happen in 2016: there were no ceiling collapses at Minneapolis music venues. There was still plenty of local venue news, though — both happy and sad. The year’s big closing was Mill City Nights — though that turned out to be only temporary. Operators AEG said in September that they’d be closing the venue they’d…

Yesterday morning Carrie Fisher died at age 60 after suffering a heart attack last week. Best known for portraying Princess Leia in 'Star Wars', Fisher is a film icon, writer and performer with a career that spans 40 years. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs with witty or clever lyrics do you want to hear?

A new book of poems by Johnny Cash shows just how deep the themes of the Man in Black's lyrics ran.

When Bob Dylan was announced as the winner of 2016’s Nobel Prize in Literature, Minnesotans rejoiced. The first rock star ever to win the Nobel, and he’s one of our own! Born and bred! Or…is he? Throwing cold water on the prairie party, many pointed out that Dylan was nowhere near the Gopher State when…

On Jan. 18, First Avenue will host its annual Best New Bands showcase — hosted, this year, by The Current’s Andrea Swensson along with Miles Anzaldo and Sylvia Jennings. Familiarize yourself with these six talented artists before making your way to the Mainroom. Colin Campbell and the Shackletons Colin Campbell & The Shackletons describe themselves…

Today in Music History: Lemmy passed away at the age of 70, George Harrison was at No. 1 with 'My Sweet Lord', The Beatles went No. 1 with 'The White Album', Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys passed away, and Rolling Stone magazine voted 'Some Girls' by The Rolling Stones Album of the Year.