Jon Bream
Critic / Reporter
Pop MusicBream 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
Artist of the Year 2025 honorable mentions
Gully Boys, Cornbread Harris and Joseph Haj continue to leave indelible marks in the fields of music and theater.
December 19, 2025
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights from Dec. 18-23 include Disco Biscuits, Caitlyn Smith, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Riders in the Sky and Excision.
December 17, 2025
10 music books to add to your holiday gift list
From Taylor and Tupac to local projects, we have winning reads.
December 13, 2025
The Big Gigs: 11 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Dec. 11-17 include Dijon, Orianthi, Your Smith, Jay Som, Jose James and a special Duluthian pairing.
December 10, 2025
Bob Dylan returning to home state, will perform March 24 in Rochester
It will mark the first time for performances in Minnesota on consecutive years in more than a decade.
December 8, 2025
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
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
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
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
