Twin Cities' 10 most anticipated concerts of fall, from Post Malone to Celine Dion

September 12, 2019 at 8:31PM
Post Malone performs on Day 3 of the 2019 Firefly Music Festival at The Woodlands on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Dover, Del. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)
Post Malone (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Post Malone

Aside from a short set at 2017's Snowta fest, the divisive Dallas singer/rapper hasn't performed in Minnesota since his hit "Rockstar" made him one. Hence the demand for a second night as he continues racking up more hits — including "Better Now," "Psycho" and "Goodbyes" — alongside a growing backlash from hip-hop purists. Let's see how he holds up to the pressure/hype. (Sept. 26-27, Xcel Energy Center, $51 & up, ticketmaster.com)

Luke Combs

Country's latest arena headliner, this Nashville newcomer from North Carolina has made quite a splash. His debut album, "This One's for You," spent a record 44 weeks at No. 1, the longest stint ever by a male artist, and produced five No. 1 hits, including "Beautiful Crazy." He's already scored another chart-topper, "Beer Never Broke My Heart," from his sophomore effort, "The Prequel," due in November. (Sept. 28, Xcel Energy Center, sold out)

Bon Iver

Is Wisconsin's brooding, experimental, falsetto-singing indie-folk guru really an arena-rock act? We'll see, but we know from Justin Vernon's Eaux Claires festivals that he loves big-scale productions and has a knack for making large crowds feel intimate. His month-old album "i,i" — pronounced "eye comma eye," FYI — is also grandiose and should make an impressive sonic backdrop. Canadian pal Feist of "1,2,3,4" fame opens. (Oct. 3, Xcel Energy Center, $27 & up, ticketmaster.com)

Heart & Joan Jett

Two acts who broke down rock's gender barriers and stereotypes in the 1970s and '80s make for a meaningful classic-rock twofer tour in 2019. It's also a bit of an emotional outing for Heart sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, who split for three years over a family rift but are reportedly harmonious again, and have added fun cover songs from their youth to set lists along with such staples as "Magic Man" and "Barracuda." (Oct. 13, Xcel Energy Center, $37-$199, ticketmaster.com)

Sleater-Kinney

No surprise this show by the hugely influential and unflinchingly feminist '90s power trio sold out right away after its triumphant return in 2015. There have been a few surprises since this tour was announced, though, including the exit of drummer Janet Weiss — her replacement will be Angie Boylan of the band Aye Nako — and the departure from Sleater-Kinney's signature roaring sound to a poppier mix on its new St. Vincent-produced album, "The Center Won't Hold." (Oct. 15, Palace Theatre, St. Paul, sold out)

Miranda Lambert

Who says women aren't making noise in country? The charts and radio airplay seem to downplay female artists, but superstar Lambert is out to prove that women make great music — and can sell tickets. About to release her seventh studio album, "Wildcard," in November, this superstar headlines a tour that features blues-rocker Elle King of "Ex's & Oh's" fame; Ashley McBryde, who put out country's best album in 2018, and Pistol Annies, Lambert's smart and sassy side project with Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley. (Oct. 19, Xcel Energy Center, $40.50 & up, ticketmaster.com)

Big Thief

This folky Brooklyn quartet's third album, "U.F.O.F.," is one of the year's biggest indie-rock sleeper hits, with its lushly mellow-cool vibe and Adrianne Lenker's peculiarly soothing voice and poetic lyrics. Adding attention to their first-ever appearance in First Ave's mainroom is the fact that Lenker was mostly raised in Minnesota before heading off to Boston's Berklee College of Music. (Oct. 21, First Avenue, Mpls., $21, eTix.com)

Celine Dion

After a pioneering 16-year Las Vegas residency, the Canadian pop diva is finally hitting the road, making her first Twin Cities appearance since 2008. In November, the French-speaking diva will deliver her 12th English language album, "Courage." Let the chest pounding begin. (Nov. 1, Target Center, Mpls., $49.50 & up, axs.com)

Maren Morris

The Texas singer-songwriter received a leading six CMA Award nominations, including album of the year for "Girl." Moreover, she is spreading her wings in the new supergroup Highwomen with Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby. She's branched out before, notably on "The Middle," her smash pop collaboration with Zedd. (Nov. 16, Armory, Mpls., $47 & up, ticketmaster.com)

J.S. Ondara

The Twin Cities' biggest breakout act of 2019 is finally due home for his first mainroom-headlining set after a full year of international touring. With his billowing voice and idealistic lyricism, the Kenya-born folk strummer earned acclaim and a decent smattering of radio play with his debut album, "Tales of America." (Dec. 7, First Avenue, $20, eTix.com)

FILE - In this July 31, 2016 file photo, Celine Dion performs in concert at the Bell Centre in Montreal. In the wake of multiple allegations against R. Kelly, some performers are denouncing songs the R&B hitmaker created for them. Dion followed in Lady Gaga's footsteps, removing her Grammy-nominated duet with the embattled singer, R. Kelly, "I'm Your Angel," from streaming platforms. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Celine Dion (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Corin Tucker, left, and Carrie Brownstein of Sleater Kinney, in Los Angeles, July 9, 2019. After two and a half decades, the acclaimed band collaborates with St. Vincent for its ninth album -- and moves onward without its longtime drummer. (Rozette Rago/The New York Times)
Sleater Kinney (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Chance the Rapper performs at BBC 1Xtra Live, at the O2 Arena in London, England, on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (Matt Crossick/PA Wire/Zuma Press/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1367630
Chance the Rapper performs at BBC 1Xtra Live, at the O2 Arena in London, England, on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (Matt Crossick/PA Wire/Zuma Press/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1367630 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
J.S. Ondara stood for a portrait Saturday, Jan. 19. 2018 at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minn. ] Aaron Lavinsky • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com Five years after moving from Kenya to Minnesota in large part due to his love for Bob Dylan, singer/songwriter J.S. Ondara is making a name for himself all across America after tours opening for Lindsey Buckingham and Anderson East. Now comes the release of his first full-length album, "Tales of America," coming out Feb. 15 on Verve, the storied
J.S. Ondara stood for a portrait Saturday, Jan. 19. 2018 at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minn. ] Aaron Lavinsky • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com Five years after moving from Kenya to Minnesota in large part due to his love for Bob Dylan, singer/songwriter J.S. Ondara is making a name for himself all across America after tours opening for Lindsey Buckingham and Anderson East. Now comes the release of his first full-length album, “Tales of America,” coming out Feb. 15 on Verve, the storied label also behind Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald. We photograph Ondara Saturday, Jan. 19. 2018 at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minn. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Keith Urban, left and Miranda Lambert perform at the 13th annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Al Wagner/Invision/AP)
Keith Urban, left and Miranda Lambert perform at the 13th annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Al Wagner/Invision/AP) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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