No concerts? Even so, there's no lack of options for music fans

September 18, 2020 at 4:28PM
Nachito Herrera, a world-class Cuban American pianist from Twin Cities was at death's door with COVID. brian.peterson@startribune.com White Bear lake, MN Friday, August 14, 2020
COVID survivor Nachito Herrera will livestream a performance at the Dakota later this month. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Just when music fans finally started getting out again, the weather is pulling them back in.

COVID-era options are naturally winding down as outdoor concerts come to an end, and indoor concerts are still largely deemed unsafe (except at the limited-capacity Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and Crooners, where New York cabaret great Marilyn Maye will perform Oct. 14-18). So instead of our usual rundown of big gigs to go see this fall, here are other fun options to keep you occupied at home.

Local livestreams: As Crooners and other active venues like Icehouse face the seasonal shuttering of their outdoor spaces, the Hook & Ladder and the Dakota in Minneapolis are heating up livestream series. Highlights in the HookStream include release parties by Munson-Hicks Party Supplies (Oct. 2) and Mary Bue (Oct. 23), and a Cornbread Harris "93½" birthday party (Oct. 22, thehookmpls.com). The Dakota has lined up COVID survivor Nachito Herrera (Sept. 25), Davina & the Vagabonds (Oct. 15) and Suzanne Vega (Oct. 7, dakotacooks.com).

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: HBO will broadcast the rescheduled induction ceremony Nov. 7, honoring Nine Inch Nails, Whitney Houston, Depeche Mode, the Doobie Brothers, Notorious B.I.G. and T-Rex. The hall just unveiled a great new Black Lives Matter-themed exhibit on its website, "It's Been Said All Along," with entries from Prince, Aretha Franklin and others. Rockhall.com

Record Store Day(s), continued: After a safety-driven test run last month, the second and third installments of RSD's three-part makeup plan are set for this Saturday and Oct. 24. Among the acts releasing special product to indie shops are locals Soul Asylum and the Replacements, plus Brandi Carlile, Nas and Miles Davis. Recordstoreday.com

Fall favorites: Every fall brings new albums from big names (Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, 2 Chainz, Kylie Minogue, Chris Stapleton), beloved artists (Blackpink, Elvis Costello, Bob Mould, Sufjan Stevens) and even some singers gone solo (Slipknot's Corey Taylor, the National's Matt Berninger). A Drake album is also rumored because, well, he's Drake.

"Austin City Limits" with limits: The longest-running live music series on U.S. television will premiere as planned Oct. 3 with a COVID twist. Among the artists taping audience-less shows in its 46th season are Rufus Wainwright and the Mavericks. A John Prine retrospective will kick things off. PBS.org

Cornbread Harris shows off his musical chops during a three-hour gig at the Loring Pasta Bar on Friday night. This weekly gig is an important source of income for the then 90-year old.] RICHARD TSONG-TAATARII ¥ richard.tsong-taatarii@startribune.com
Cornbread Harris will celebrate his “93½” birthday with a Hook & Ladder livestream this fall. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Jon Bream

Critic / Reporter

Jon Bream has been a music critic at the Star Tribune since 1975, making him the longest tenured pop critic at a U.S. daily newspaper. He has attended more than 8,000 concerts and written four books (on Prince, Led Zeppelin, Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan). Thus far, he has ignored readers’ suggestions that he take a music-appreciation class.

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