Northeast Minneapolis was overflowing with activity during the 30th year of the largest open artist studio tour in the country. In addition to a stunning range of visual art, the weekend of May 16-18 was also a spotlight on the local music scene.

The singer-songwriter brought the Praying for Your Downfall Tour to Minneapolis on Friday, May 16. Lauren Juzang was the opening act.

The 2025 Mid West Music Fest took over four venues across Winona, Minnesota, on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10. The lineup of primarily local acts included Charlie Parr, Charlieboy, Gully Boys, Humbird, Kiss the Tiger, and many more.

Led by vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, alt-rock group brought The Gold Rush Tour to the Palace Theatre in St. Paul on Friday, May 9. Victoria Canal was the opening act.

The Canadian singer-songwriter’s All Returners Tour stopped at First Avenue in Minneapolis on Friday, May 9. The show featured opener Kara Jackson.

Kentucky alt-country troubadour Sturgill Simpson brought the Who the F**k Is Johnny Blue Skies? tour to the Armory in Minneapolis on Tuesday, May 6.

The boygenius member performed on Monday, May 5, for the first of two nights at Palace Theatre in St. Paul. Katie Gavin of Muna and jasmine.4.t opened up.

Munson Fest at the Fitzgerald Theater on Thursday, May 1, raised funds for the Semisonic, The New Standards, and Trip Shakespeare bassist following his stroke on Feb. 23.

Kiss the Tiger and Lighter Co. also performed on Friday, April 25, at Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St. Paul.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA performed a whirlwind 52-song set on night one of the Grand National Tour at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. On Saturday night, in front of a packed stadium of about 50,000, they blended the best of their discographies.