With One Direction on tour—including an upcoming July 26 date at TCF Bank Stadium—concert tickets were a popular gift item this Christmas, and some of the young recipients were extremely grateful. (BuzzFeed) In keeping with a recent European Union directive, Apple is now offering “no questions asked” returns to European iTunes users for a period of two weeks after…

Sister Calypso You may not have heard of Sister Calypso yet, but that’s no surprise as the band’s debut just dropped about a week ago and they’ve barely had any shows to speak of. No matter how all that sounds, Sister Calypso’s Bluewater Marauder EP is worth a listen, and the band will hopefully start…

Via YouTube last week, Ringo Starr announced that he’ll release a new studio album in 2015—his 18th solo studio album, and his first since Ringo 2012. Starr, 74, will be honored with the Award for Musical Excellence at next year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. “Peace and love, peace and love,” said Starr in his…

Dylan Days, the annual Hibbing celebration of the Iron Range city’s most famous former resident, has been put on “indefinite hiatus,” with the event’s organizing committee disbanding. According to a statement from the committee, they are stepping aside and encouraging fans to focus on the annual Duluth Dylan Fest instead, with some associated events to be…

N.E.R.D—the group consisting of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, and Shay Haley—haven’t made an album since 2010, before Pharrell’s rise to superstardom on the basis of songs like “Happy” and “Blurred Lines.” They just reunited to make a new song, though. What got the band back together? Hint: he lives in a pineapple under the sea. N.E.R.D’s “Squeeze Me”…

It’s Boxing Day, a day that means extra presents for workers in Canada and the U.K. and a whole lot of slacking off here in America. If you’re “working” today, maybe sampling these new songs and videos from Minnesota artists will help your day move along a little faster… Psymun feat. Kerry Roy Everything Psymun touches seems…

Heading out to celebrate the coming of 2015? Here are seven nights out that combine live music, fine dining, and bubbly beverages. For people with a lot of feelings Dinner: The Loring Pasta Bar. This beautiful venue will make your last meal of 2014 one to remember. Music: Brandi Carlile at the Varsity, for songs of…

First Avenue has announced the lineup for its next annual showcase of the best new local bands. PaviElle, Sam Cassidy, Suzie, tiny deaths, Warey, and ZuluZuluu will take the Mainroom stage on Saturday, Jan. 17. The show will be hosted by the Current’s David Campbell; Aaron Bolton of Radio K, who also writes our weekly…

It’s the most melancholy time of the year! Have yourself a bleak little Christmas. Jingle bells, jingle bells, we’re all going to hell. If you read between the lines of so many of our most beloved Christmas classics, there is an undeniable darkness at the core of the holiday canon that is supposed to bring us…

With eight years under their belt, the New Standards Holiday Show has become Twin Cities tradition. Year after year, the New Standards’ Chan Poling, John Munson Steve Roehm delivery a Holiday Show like no other. They say it best: “Audiences have come to expect a show that combines swinging renditions of classic holiday tunes with…