Staff Directory 6370586

Chris Riemenschneider

Columnist/Reporter | Local Music
Phone: 612-673-4658

Chris Riemenschneider has been covering the Twin Cities music scene since 2001, long enough for Prince to shout him out during "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)." The St. Paul native authored the book "First Avenue: Minnesota's Mainroom" and previously worked as a music critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas.


Riemenschneider has also written for Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News and Billboard and won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Society for Features Journalism and Society of American Travel Writers.
Recent content from Chris Riemenschneider
Jeff Lynne, with Jeff Lynne's ELO, performed Thursday night at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul.

Jeff Lynne's ELO to say goodbye with only their second Twin Cities concert in four decades

The '70s hitmakers' Over and Out Tour will hit Xcel Center on Sept. 30, five years after their long-awaited return to town.
Dave Simonett of Trampled by Turtles, left, will meet up again with the Avett Brothers in both Wisconsin and Minnesota in 2024.

Trampled by Turtles and Avett Brothers to pair up again, this time at Xcel Energy Center

The Oct. 24 co-headlining gig in St. Paul will follow another meet-up at Wisconsin's Alpine Valley Music Theatre on Aug. 18.
Sanni Brown came to the Twin Cities from Chicago for school and has become a local radio fixture.

Scene Makers Q&A: Sanni Brown blends hip-hop and all-Black music stream into MPR's mix

The host of the new Carbon Sound stream is also still holding court on the Current's show "The Message."
Olivia Rodrigo performed on opening night of her Guts Tour last month at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif.

Olivia Rodrigo tour offers late 'charity platinum' tickets for Friday's St. Paul concert

A way to combat inflated resale prices on her Guts Tour, the seats appeared Thursday on Ticketmaster for her Xcel Energy Center show.
Counting Crows and lead singer Adam Duritz open with "Round Here" on the Grandstand stage at the Minnesota State Fair.

Basilica Block Party's rebirth in 2024 to feature old faves Counting Crows, Goo Goo Dolls

The event's move to Boom Island Park in Minneapolis also will feature the Fray, Needtobreathe, Phillip Phillips and an all-local stage.
Olivia Rodrigo is headed to St. Paul.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for March 14-20 include Olivia Rodrigo, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Arlo Parks, Mark Mallman and Next.
Patrons have been sitting and listening to live music since 2010 at the Aster Cafe.

Aster Café owner plans to open a larger venue, Aster House, along Minneapolis riverfront

The new 200-capacity eatery and music space will take over a historic building in the St. Anthony Main district.
Chance plays to a sold out crowd at the Xcel Energy Center, May 12, 2017. Concert review of Chance the Rapper, whose concert Friday at Xcel Center sol

Chance the Rapper will rejoin his summer friends in Minnesota in the State Fair's 2024 lineup

The Grammy-winning Chicago hip-hop star has made the Twin Cities one of the only stops on his limited itinerary.
Olivia Rodrigo soaked up cheers from the sold-out crowd during her impressive Twin Cities debut at the Armory in April 2022.

10 reasons it's a bad idea to not take St. Paul-bound Olivia Rodrigo seriously

The former Disney TV star has come a long way in a short amount of time transitioning into a rock star.
A packed house watched a John Coltrane tribute concert at KJ's Hideaway in March 2022, a few months after the venue opened in the former Vieux Carré

St. Paul jazz haven goes quiet again as KJ's Hideaway abruptly closes

The club was housed in the downtown basement space previously occupied by the Artists' Quarter and Vieux Carré.
Our writer's view of Mt. Fuji while standing on it, left, vs. 30 miles away on a train from Kyoto to Tokyo three days later.

8 lessons our reporter learned about visiting Japan

Money troubles and blank views of Mount Fuji didn't spoil our trip, but could've been avoided.
Kid Cudi at Lollapalooza in 2015.

Rapper Kid Cudi books his first Twin Cities show in 7 years Aug. 7 at Target Center

The "Day 'N' Nite" hitmaker will be joined by Pusha T and Jaden Smith on his Insano Tour stop in Minneapolis.
Jenny Lewis Credit: Autumn de Wilde

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for March 7-13 include Jenny Lewis, Otoboke Beaver, Mary Gauthier, Luna and Minnesota Opera doing Bernstein.
Corinne Caouette, left, and Pamela Laizure formed the Black Widows in 2016 and put on variety show-style house parties early in their run.

Surf rockers Black Widows spotlighting 'artists of all kinds' in Minneapolis variety show residency

The so-called Greatest Shows Ever coincide with Women's History Month every Thursday in March at the Hook & Ladder.
Jason Isbell played to a packed and reverential crowd at the Palace Theatre on Saturday night, his first of two sold-out nights at the St. Paul venue.

Review: Jason Isbell keeps on trucking through changes in rock-solid two-night St. Paul stand

The Americana rocker mixed up his set lists for the sold-out Palace Theatre shows with his newly revised band, the 400 Unit.
Chan Marshall, aka Cat Power, first performed a re-creation of Bob Dylan's 1966 concert in 2022 at the actual Royal Albert Hall.

Review: Cat Power offers Bob Dylan's home-state fans a visionary tribute in St. Paul

Chan Marshall and her band re-created the '1966 Royal Albert Hall' concert song-for-song but not note-for-note at the Fitzgerald.
"Seeing a happy room makes me so happy," said Laura Westley-Williams, talent buyer at the White Squirrel Bar in St. Paul since it opened in 2021.

Scene Makers Q&A: Laura Westley-Williams curates vibrant music rooms with no cover

The booker for White Squirrel Bar and 331 Club wants you to tip the bands.
Minneapolis natives Jimmy Jam, left, and Terry Lewis returned to the stage for the Grammy Awards in 2022 and will do so again for Taste of Minnesota o

Taste of Minnesota lines up Time ex-bandmates, Martina McBride, Wallflowers for 2024 concerts

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis will return home with Morris Day to play the free event July 6-7 in downtown Minneapolis.
Regina Carter is part of the lineup strung together for the 26th annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival in St. Paul.

Twin Cities Jazz Festival announces Regina Carter, Stefon Harris for 2024 headliners

Joe Lovano and Karrin Allyson are also booked for the June 21-22 event in St. Paul, free as always.
Tomeka Reid performs with a 16-member improvising chamber orchestra Saturday at Walker Art Center.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Feb. 29-March 6 include Cat Power, Tomeka Reid, Jason Isbell, Aimee Mann and Matisyahu.
Dr. Mambo’s Combo performed during the Hook & Ladder's first Under the Canopy season under COVID-19 guidelines in 2021.

Minneapolis' Hook & Ladder announces first 22 concerts in its popular Under the Canopy series

The nonprofit venue will host fewer outdoor shows this year because of city restrictions.
Willie Nelson, left, and Bob Dylan will perform together again on the Outlaw Music Festival, coming to Somerset Amphitheater on Sept. 6.

Bob Dylan to join Willie Nelson at his Outlaw Music Fest near Twin Cities in 2024

John Mellencamp will join the two American music icons at Somerset Amphitheater on Sept. 6.
Pink flew over the heads of 44,000 fans at Target Field in 2023, setting a concert attendance record at the ballpark.

High-flying Pink will touch down a second night in St. Paul on fall 2024 tour

With her Oct. 18 gig nearly sold out, she added Oct. 17 at Xcel Center.
Run Westy Run band members, from left, Kraig Johnson, Peter Anderson, Terry Fisher, Kirk Johnson and Paul McFarland, couldn't hide their smiles last y

Minneapolis cult faves Run Westy Run to release second album in one year Friday

The band plays the Turf Club on release day to tout "Within Reason" after going 28 years without issuing a record.
Jon Batiste, who performed at the Grammy Awards on Feb. 4 with Minnesota legends Jimmy Jam and Ann Nesby behind him, wanted to play First Avenue for h

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Feb. 22-28 include Jon Batiste, BeauSoleil, Jamecia Bennett, Silversun Pickups and Maddie Zahm.
Juliet and the Montagues performed at the Anoka Hardware Store in Anoka.

4 hidden Twin Cities music bars to warm you up this winter

One's under a brewery. Another's beneath a restaurant. Two are located off back alleys. Each is worth finding for live music.
Fans lined up early to watch Remo Drive at the Basilica Block Party in 2021, when attendance dwindled as COVID-19 fears lingered.

Basilica Block Party is returning in 2024, but moving to a new site and weekend

Construction plans near the basilica dictated the festival's move to Boom Island Park, but organizers are staying on mission.
The view from the hill overlooking the Lake Harriet Bandshell Tuesday night.

Local musicians feeling no love from Minneapolis Park Board over unpaid gigs

An online petition and calls for a boycott have started for performing at Lake Harriet Band Shell and other parks stages.
Pitbull, left, and Enrique Iglesias perform during their encore at the Target Center on February 21, 2015.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Feb. 15-21 include Rachael & Vilray, Matthew Sweet, Big Turn Music Fest and Pitbull, Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias.
Vince Neil and one of Mötley Crüe's heavily used backup singers last appeared in town at U.S. Bank Stadium in 2022 with Def Leppard.

What's left of Mötley Crüe will hit the Minnesota State Fair grandstand in 2024

The band and its replacement guitarist will appear Aug. 29, the first big concert announced for this year's grandstand lineup.
Christy Costello posed for a portrait atop the piano at Palmer’s Bar, were she works as a booker, on Feb. 2 in Minneapolis.

The hardest working woman in the Twin Cities music scene steps out

After years serving as a sidewoman, talent booker and advocate, Christy Costello returns to the mic with her first solo album.
Usher roller-skated across the stage at the Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas.

And now comes Usher's tour, including two November concert dates in Minneapolis

The R&B star will return to Target Center after wrapping a long run in Las Vegas at the Super Bowl.

Madonna teams with Twin Cities Pride on a new LGBTQ initiative at her St. Paul concert

TC Pride volunteers will be taking clothing and personal care donations for their Rainbow Wardrobe program Tuesday at Xcel Center.
Kills frontwoman Alison Mosshart at First Ave last year with the Dead Weather. / By Carlos Gonzalez, Star Tribune

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Feb. 8-14 include Madonna, the Kills, Sarah Jarosz, Talk and an annual Bob Marley tribute.
The interior of Minneapolis' new music bar Berlin, an 85-seat venue in the North Loop modeled after European jazz clubs.

Minneapolis' new North Loop bar Berlin hopes to create a music vibe akin to its namesake city

Sound engineer Alex Proctor and restaurateur Jamie Malone are curating the intimate venue where Askov Finlayson was housed.
Guitarist and vocalist Dan Wilson of Semisonic early in their show at Icehouse in Minneapolis Wednesday night. Locally beloved rockers Semisonic warme

Minnesotan Dan Wilson is coming home 'extra appreciative' of Oscar and Grammy noms

The Semisonic frontman's weekend solo gigs precede awards show appearances with Jon Batiste and Chris Stapleton songs.
Lisa Fischer, who's toured with the Rolling Stones and Tina Turner, returns to the Dakota on her own this week.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Feb. 1-7 include gospel and Indigenous music showcases at First Ave, Lisa Fischer, Joshua Redman and Roe Family Singers.
Alanis Morissette and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers will set sail to St. Paul in July for the Minnesota Yacht Club festival.

Chili Peppers, Alanis top '90s-heavy lineup for first Minnesota Yacht Club Festival in St. Paul

Gwen Stefani, Black Crowes and Offspring will also play the event from Lollapalooza promoter C3, scheduled for July 19-20 on Harriet Island.
Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow confirms his 'last St. Paul concert ever' at Xcel Center in August

The Aug. 2 date will be the 80-year-old pop music hero's first time in town since his last "last" concert in 2016.
Michael Shannon, left, and Jason Narducy have teamed up before to perform classic albums in Chicago bars.

Actor Michael Shannon is 'gobsmacked' to sing R.E.M. at First Ave with indie-rock vets

The "Shape of Water" star teamed with Bob Mould bassist Jason Narducy to celebrate "Murmur's" 40th anniversary.
Lake Street Dive singer Rachel Price and Pixies frontman Black Francis each performed in recent years at Xcel Center.

Surly Field's concert run back on track in 2024 with Andrew Bird, Lake Street Dive, Pixies dates

After a downturn last summer, the brewery and partner First Ave already have five concerts booked this year, and more to come.
Alice Cooper performs at Xcel Energy Center Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014.

Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper's 'Freak' show coming Aug. 25 to the X in St. Paul

The famously macabre rock vets will be joined by openers Ministry and Filter.
Lucius singers Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe will settle in for two nights at First Avenue marking the 10th anniversary of their debut, "Wildewoman."

The Big Gigs: 10 concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Jan. 25-31 include Lucius, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Digable Planets and DJ Shadow.
Brothers Page Burkum, front left, and Jack Torrey led another warm Monday night gig at the Turf Club with the Cactus Blossoms, including guitarist Jak

Review: Cactus Blossoms' Turf Club residency remains one of the Twin Cities' best music traditions

The vintage twangers' weekly January shows at the old St. Paul watering hole still have a fresh vibe.
The Ocean Blue's lineup for the past decade features (from left) Bobby Mittan, David Schelzel, Oed Ronne and Peter Anderson.

Late '80s alt-pop band the Ocean Blue is making waves again from Minneapolis

Frontman David Schelzel found a new rhythm (and rhythm keeper) after moving to Minnesota.
Travis Scott rebounded from the tragedy of 2021's Astroworld Music Festival in Houston to land one of the biggest albums and tours of the past year.

Review: Travis Scott leans into pyro, Auto-Tune and mayhem in circus-like St. Paul gig

Saturday's sold-out Xcel Energy Center show was the Houston rapper's first in town since tragedy struck his 2021 hometown festival.
FILE - Travis Scott performs at the Astroworld Music Festival in Houston, Nov. 5, 2021. A Texas grand jury has declined to indict Travis Scott in the

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Jan. 18-24 include Travis Scott, Keb' Mo', Shelby Lynne and a tribute to Dolly.
Fans packed Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater near Des Moines last year for Hinterland, when the festival featured Zach Bryan and Bon Iver.

Iowa's Hinterland lineup may be the Upper Midwest music fest to beat in 2024

Hozier, Vampire Weekend and Noah Kahan top the schedule for the Aug. 2-4 festival near Des Moines.
The long-anticipated "Janet Jackson" features TV appearances and concerts along with interviews and home movie snippets.

Janet Jackson's Together Again Tour coming again to Xcel Center in June 2024

Nelly will fill the opening slot on the St. Paul date, which falls just a year after her previous stop there.

Eau Claire's Blue Ox Music Festival announces 2024's 10th anniversary lineup

Band of Horses, Sierra Ferrell, Molly Tuttle and Leftover Salmon are on deck for the June 27-29 camp-out.

Minnesota music hero Charlie Parr announces new album, 'Little Sun,' with new collaborators

Tucker Martine produced the album, which Parr will promote with a May 3 release party at First Ave.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Jan. 11-17 include Arcwelder, Zeitgeist, Rebirth Brass Band and Best New Bands featuring Ber.

Garrison Keillor to stage 'Prairie Home' at its old St. Paul home for 50th anniversary in July

Minnesota Public Radio is not involved in the July 13 show at the Fitzgerald Theater, one of 12 scheduled around the U.S.

Meet the other six entries in First Ave's Best New Bands of 2023 showcase

The grab bag of buzzy newcomers in Friday's Mainroom lineup includes Ber, L.A. Buckner, Clare Doyle and Barlow.

First Ave's Best New Bands star Laamar proves you can come home again

After 14 years in New York, the folky North Side songwriter returned to Minneapolis at a pivotal time.
Trampled By Turtles during the first song of just their third show since their return to touring post-pandemic. They are, from left, Erik Berry, Ryan

Trampled by Turtles' summer love fest at Bayfront Park scheduled again for 2024

A Duluth tradition since 2013, the acoustic sextet's harborside gig also will feature Houndmouth this year.
This image released by Geffen Records shows "Guts" by Olivia Rodrigo. (Geffen Records via AP)

What were the best albums of 2023? Our critics name their top 10

Highlights included Olivia Rodrigo, Lana Del Rey, Mitski, Paul Simon, Son Volt and Jelly Roll.
Yung Gravy, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé provided some of the most memorable moments of the year for our music critics.

Concerts wrapped: Our music critics' year-end stats for 2023

How many concerts does a professional music critic see in a year? Which venues do they frequent the most? We dove into the numbers to find out.
Taylor Swift soared at U.S. Bank Stadium on June 23.

What were the best concerts you saw in 2023? Our critics name their top 20

Big-wow stadium shows by megastars ruled, but there were fireworks in smaller venues, too.
Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard posed for a photo before a show on their concert tour, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of their “American Idol�

The Big Gigs: 11 best concerts in the Twin Cities in the next two weeks

Highlights for Dec. 28-Jan. 10 include Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, Soul Asylum, Rosanne Cash and Zakk Sabbath.
Cornbread Harris, Davina & the Vagabonds and Motion City Soundtrack all have New Year’s Eve gigs in town this year.

8 live music picks for New Year's Eve around the Twin Cities, depending on your mood

The mix for ringing in 2024 includes Cornbread Harris, Motion City Soundtrack, Davina and more.
Scenes from the music scene in 2023, clockwise from left: Mayyadda outdoors, Ber going “Halfway,” Run Westy Run having fun, First Ave amping up, C

Best albums and signs of life from Minnesota music scene in 2023

New venues and young talent mixed with old favorites and a post-COVID energy to keep the scene alive and well this year.
Caitlyn Smith

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Dec. 21-27 include Caitlyn Smith, the Bad Plus, Trailer Trash, Peabo Bryson and Andrew Walesch.
Fans lined up on a recent Record Store Day outside the Electric Fetus, which has been one of Minneapolis’ top record stores since 1968.

What were the Electric Fetus' top-selling albums of 2023 (besides Taylor Swift)?

Hozier and Gracie Abrams topped the list after appearing at Minneapolis' best-known record store on tour.
The inaugural River's Edge Music Festival continued for it's second day Sunday, June 24, 2012 under sunny skies on Harriet Island in St. Paul, Minn. M

Lollapalooza backers announce two-day music festival in St. Paul

C3 Presents will produce the Minnesota Yacht Club festival July 19-20 on St. Paul's Harriet Island.
Nelly headlines a bill featuring Ashanti, Ja Rule and T.I.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in Twin Cities this week

Concert highlights for Dec. 14-20 include Nelly, Robert Glasper, Kristin Chenoweth and the Jayhawks.

Minneapolis' Armory criticized for taking 25% of bands' sales of merchandise

Saturday's headliner Falling in Reverse criticized the venue over the practice, common in the concert industry.

Who's laughing now? Sibling band Durry sells out First Ave to top off 'dream come true' year

Burnsville's Austin and Taryn Durry report back from a tour for their debut album, "Suburban Legend."

Review: Doja Cat dresses up in 'Scarlet' with a red-hot Ice Spice at Target Center

The "Need to Know" hitmaker sold out her first arena show in town, and proved worthy of it.

Target Field flashback: Def Leppard and Journey returning to Twins ballpark in 2024

The Steve Miller Band will open the Aug. 19 gig, the third big rock show at the Minneapolis stadium next summer.

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Dec. 7-13 include Doja Cat with Ice Spice, Curtiss A's Lennon tribute, Arlo Parks, Los Lobos and Lukas Nelson.

Minneapolis power trio Arcwelder wields its first new music in 24 years

The two new songs were posted Friday ahead of a Jan. 3 album release and Jan. 13 Turf Club concert.
An image from Beyoncé's concert at Allegiant Stadium on Aug. 26, 2023, in Las Vegas. (John Katsilometes/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS) ORG XMIT: 96569

Review: Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' might be the best superhero movie of 2023

The pop star directed the film based off her 2023 concert tour and did all the action scenes herself, too.
Taylor Swift performs Friday, June 23, 2023, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. ] AARON LAVINSKY • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com

Ready for it? Spotify names Minneapolis' most-streamed artists and songs of 2023

Taylor ruled, but Minneapolis listeners also drooled over Morgan Wallen in the streaming service's Wrapped lists.
Barbaro will promote its new album Friday at the Cedar Cultural Center. From left: Rachel Calvert, Kyle Shelstad and Jason Wells.

Out of the bluegrass: Minnesota band Barbaro crafts ethereal new LP with Bon Iver associate

"About the Winter" features a warm new sound from the band, using the same fiddle and banjo as before.