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Jon Bream

Critic / Reporter
Pop Music
Bream has interviewed such music royalty as the King of Pop (Michael Jackson), the Queen of Soul (Aretha Franklin) and Prince as well as Bob Dylan, U2, three Beatles, four Rolling Stones and all of Maroon 5. He has performed with Alice Cooper, jogged with Willie Nelson and walked the streets of New York with Bruce Springsteen. A longtime voter for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Bream has also written for the Los Angeles Times, Billboard, Vibe and other publications. He has a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota, where he established the Jon Bream Scholarship for Arts Criticism.

Latest from Jon Bream

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

Highlights for Dec. 4-10 include the New Standards, Dillinger Four, Leon Thomas, Leo Kottke and Curtiss A’s John Lennon tribute.
December 3, 2025
Photo credit: LESLIE PLESSER Curtiss A, shown at the Replacements tribute last month, has some surprises when he returns to First Ave Saturday. ORG XMIT: MIN1212051633190827

The Big Gigs: 8 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for Nov. 27-Dec. 3 include Burna Boy, DakhaBrakha, the Suburbs, Nicholas David’s release party and Shaun LaBelle featuring Najee.
November 26, 2025
credit: Yevhen Rakhno DakhaBrakha

Jellybean Johnson, pillar of Minneapolis music, dies at 69

He was a drummer in the Time and a guitarist in clubs on many nights.
November 22, 2025

3 decades after Lilith Fair broke barriers for women, Sarah McLachlan is back

After a decade away, Lilith Fair founder Sarah McLachlan is returning to Minneapolis.
November 20, 2025

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

Highlights for Nov. 20-26 include Samara Joy, the Beths, Sarah McLachlan, Rodney Crowell, Bryan Adams and Ike Reilly’s annual blowout.
November 19, 2025

Music parody king Weird Al Yankovic headed to Minnesota State Fair in 2026

Tickets will go on sale Friday for Aug. 28 concert.
November 17, 2025
Weird Al Yankovich

Stone Temple Pilots will headline new camping and rock fest at Treasure Island Casino

Rockin’ the Island fest on June 26-27 also will feature Theory of a Deadman.
November 17, 2025

One-hit wonders Alex Warren, Olivia Dean book Twin Cities concerts for July

Tickets go on sale this week for both nominees for Grammy’s best new artist.
November 16, 2025

Review: Katseye was a whole lot of choreography, chaos and shoelaces

The surging K-pop group kicked off its tour in Minneapolis.
November 16, 2025

Review: Stevie Nicks dances, entrances and chats up a thrilled St. Paul audience

The Fleetwood Mac goddess brought passion, personality and power to Grand Casino Arena on Wednesday.
November 13, 2025

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

Highlights for Nov. 13-19 include Devo, Katseye, Khruangbin, Molly Tuttle, Hayes Carll and John Trudell tribute.
November 12, 2025

Review: ‘Purple Rain’ gets our critics delirious, sort of

The world premiere of the Prince musical is promised for Broadway. But is it good enough?
November 6, 2025
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