Music & Events

Pitcher & A Pizza for $25

Come play KUBB on the Earth Rider Fest Grounds next to the Cedar Lounge Taproom. It doesn't matter if you are a new player or a seasoned player. Lake Superior KUBB is on the Fest Grounds every Tuesday to show you how to play. Grab a Pint and enjoy some KUBB!

"The Gemstones – Duluth’s premier purveyors of rhythm & blues, funk and rock – are BACK and tearing up this fall after recording their forthcoming album! They’ve got an onstage treat in store to celebrate that only a band like the Gems can provide: Come out this October to witness them WRITE one original song LIVE and ONSTAGE during their set EVERY Wednesday of their residency! That’s a total of FOUR new, true, and certified Gemstones songs that YOU, friends, get to behold the marvel of them making before your very eyes and ears. To put a bow on their last Wednesday, they will perform the four new tunes in a final show (with some notable cameos from other musician friends too!). This beloved four-piece, tight-knit group will be kicking off these five October Cedar Sessions with a synchronous Kickstarter to fund mastering, vinyl pressing, promoting and the release of their jewel of an album. And YOU can help by bringing the crowds, and bringing the vibes! You won’t want to miss out on being a part of this momentum that is pure, unadulterated Gemstones magic."

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

THE POLKAROBICS || Not a lot of fitness-and-polka content pops up in a YouTube search for “Polkarobics.” But some does, including a 45-minute video of low-impact aerobics performed to some well-played polka. This is not that polkarobics. This is the Duluth band comprised of scene veterans Suzi Ludwig, Jimi Cooper, Veikko Lepisto, Brad Nelson and Tyler Dubla, who are out there meeting the Twin Ports demand for polka and Oktoberfest music. The set list includes straight polkas and waltzes, zany songs about hoppy beer and lederhosen, and waltz and polka renditions of country swing and 1980s pop tunes.

Pitcher & A Pizza for $25

The Gemstones – Duluth’s premier purveyors of rhythm & blues, funk and rock – are BACK and tearing up this fall after recording their forthcoming album! They’ve got an onstage treat in store to celebrate that only a band like the Gems can provide: Come out this October to witness them WRITE one original song LIVE and ONSTAGE during their set EVERY Wednesday of their residency! That’s a total of FOUR new, true, and certified Gemstones songs that YOU, friends, get to behold the marvel of them making before your very eyes and ears. To put a bow on their last Wednesday, they will perform the four new tunes in a final show (with some notable cameos from other musician friends too!). This beloved four-piece, tight-knit group will be kicking off these five October Cedar Sessions with a synchronous Kickstarter to fund mastering, vinyl pressing, promoting and the release of their jewel of an album. And YOU can help by bringing the crowds, and bringing the vibes! You won’t want to miss out on being a part of this momentum that is pure, unadulterated Gemstones magic.

The Draco Volans are an Indie Rock trio from Duluth, MN. Catchy, guitar-driven tunes come courtesy from Austin Korkowski on Vocals/Bass, Chris Burgan on Guitar, and\ Antonio Davis on Drums. The band’s new lineup is releasing their follow-up EP on October 17th! The Trash Cats, and Thor Leseman open the show.

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

MAYGEN & THE BIRD WATCHERS || Maygen & The Birdwatcher’s music is Americana that isn’t afraid to embrace eclecticism, but it’s also firmly rooted in folk and country. Their new Leap Year EP (released August 2) is a refreshing yet contemplative collection of songs inspired by the celestial symbolism of 2024, and speaking to the heart of their modern meets traditional musical vision. To achieve their rich, full sound, the band fills out the sonic details, with multi-instrumentalist Nik Pellinen adding banjo, lap steel, and electric guitar. Along with bassist Chase Rabideau, who rounds out the bottom, mandolin player Jesse Moravec, who also contributes vocals, fiddle player Evin Haukos, and drummer-percussionist Peter Anderson create a new take on bluegrass-folk-country || HOT TAMALE COSMOS || Bigtime national recording stars Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby formed The Highwomen in 2019, scoring several hits including a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.” Now the Twin Ports has its own women-led supergroup. Hot Tamale Cosmos features five artists that bonded over their love of vocal harmony and deep-cut cover songs. The group features Sonja Martin of Feeding Leroy, Colleen Myhre of Boss Mama & the Jebberhooch, Jen Krussow of the Field Birds and Sugar on the Roof, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Erin Aldridge of The Smoky Gold, and Jocelyn Mikkelson. || McKeon Hugh Roberts is from Grand Rapids. This northern Minnesota songwriter tells stories and plays honest music about living outside and pining over old lovers. Soulful melodies and lyrical melancholy blend nicely along with McKeon’s unique guitar works making for an interesting listen in the realm of classic country and folk.

Pitcher & A Pizza for $25

"The Gemstones – Duluth’s premier purveyors of rhythm & blues, funk and rock – are BACK and tearing up this fall after recording their forthcoming album! They’ve got an onstage treat in store to celebrate that only a band like the Gems can provide: Come out this October to witness them WRITE one original song LIVE and ONSTAGE during their set EVERY Wednesday of their residency! That’s a total of FOUR new, true, and certified Gemstones songs that YOU, friends, get to behold the marvel of them making before your very eyes and ears. To put a bow on their last Wednesday, they will perform the four new tunes in a final show (with some notable cameos from other musician friends too!). This beloved four-piece, tight-knit group will be kicking off these five October Cedar Sessions with a synchronous Kickstarter to fund mastering, vinyl pressing, promoting and the release of their jewel of an album. And YOU can help by bringing the crowds, and bringing the vibes! You won’t want to miss out on being a part of this momentum that is pure, unadulterated Gemstones magic."

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

BIMBO || Bimbo is a duo project established in 2024 by siblings Gretchen (vocals, guitar) and Dawson (drums) McKenzie. Their music is characterized by a careful chaos of flip-flopping time signatures, angular guitar, and relentless drums. || Willem Dafoe Fan Club || Alternative slowcore three-piece Willem Dafoe Fan Club performs hypnotic and haunting music that wouldn’t sound out of place in the latest project of the band’s namesake — the supernatural gothic horror film Nosferatu. The band features Hollis Sparhawk on drums, vocals and Omnichord; Noah Ruona on guitar and vocals; and recently added Jon Marshall on bass. Their music has been compared to lo-fi indie rockers Duster and dream pop band Beach House but it also takes on dark, dramatic elements centered around Sparhawk’s beautiful voice and Ruona’s spare guitar work.

Pitcher & A Pizza for $25

"The Gemstones – Duluth’s premier purveyors of rhythm & blues, funk and rock – are BACK and tearing up this fall after recording their forthcoming album! They’ve got an onstage treat in store to celebrate that only a band like the Gems can provide: Come out this October to witness them WRITE one original song LIVE and ONSTAGE during their set EVERY Wednesday of their residency! That’s a total of FOUR new, true, and certified Gemstones songs that YOU, friends, get to behold the marvel of them making before your very eyes and ears. To put a bow on their last Wednesday, they will perform the four new tunes in a final show (with some notable cameos from other musician friends too!). This beloved four-piece, tight-knit group will be kicking off these five October Cedar Sessions with a synchronous Kickstarter to fund mastering, vinyl pressing, promoting and the release of their jewel of an album. And YOU can help by bringing the crowds, and bringing the vibes! You won’t want to miss out on being a part of this momentum that is pure, unadulterated Gemstones magic."

Lazerbeak will be celebrating the release of his third solo EP this year, Seeing Friends. For this special evening he will be accompanied by Duluth percussionist extraordinaire Zack Baltich for a night of expansive soundscapes and rhythmic interplay. The North Shore's Ginger Bones opens with a beautiful blend of folk, rock, and experimental sounds.|| LAZERBEAK || Aaron Mader, known professionally as Lazerbeak, is a Minneapolis-based artist and producer. Over the past decade he has collaborated with everyone from reigning pop queen Lizzo (producing her entire debut album), Doja Cat, Dessa, bluegrass heavyweights Trampled By Turtles, dark wave icons Twin Tribes, and the Grammy-winning Minnesota Orchestra, all while continuing to build and create with life-long comrades from his own Doomtree artist collective and notching production credits on everything from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton Mixtape to the dark electro-pop of Banks’ critically acclaimed III album. His upcoming solo EP, Seeing Friends, is the third in an on-going meditative instrumental series. || GINGER BONES || Ginger Bones is a trio of musicians from across Minnesota that creates deep emotional tapestries through folk, rock, and experimental sounds that tell stories about community and food and all things that dwell in the heart.

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

In two decades on the road Jeffrey Foucault has become one of the most distinctive voices in American music, refining a sound instantly recognizable for its simplicity and emotional power. With a string of critically acclaimed studio albums – “Stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest” (The New Yorker), “Beat-up troubadour folk whittled to dolorous perfection” (Uncut), “Songwriting Brilliance,” (Irish Times) – he’s built a brick-and-mortar international touring career and a devoted following, one that includes luminaries like Van Dyke Parks, Greil Marcus, and Don Henley. || ERIK KOSKINEN || Erik Koskinen is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, whose music is not categorized by sub-genres. Stylistically he is on his own. Influenced by roots music of the Americas and the world, the rhythmic integrity and musical tone are as important as the lyrical content and the artistic intent. || Erik Koskinen’s Burning the Deal (released June 28, 2019 on Real Phonic Records/Tone Tree Music) is steeped in American roots traditions. Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, raised in Northern Michigan and upper New York state, then living in urban Minneapolis and now, rural Minnesota, Koskinen grew up with the rhythms of weather, factory towns, and farmlands. Koskinen worked in construction for years as he developed his music career, and he now resides on a farm near where he owns a recording studio in Cleveland, Minnesota, population 717.

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

“Misisipi” Mike Wolf is a traditional folk and country singer/songwriter who performs both solo and in enough bands to fill a summer music festival lineup. He writes songs with the same heart and humor as greats like John Prine, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Wolf recently won first place in the Duluth Dylan Fest songwriters contest and holds down weekly residencies throughout the Twin Ports, most recently at the Cedar Lounge. His local band projects include Boxcar, Neatneatneat, Actual Wolf, Crooked Mile and Eldri Snow’s Wintry Mix.

Riding a wave of generational change in the city’s music scene, Duluth’s Sophie Hiroko began writing songs as a teenager and found an audience last summer. In the fall, she recruited bassist Ned Netzel and drummer Tommy Kishida to help transform her songs into a fully formed sound that falls into the self-described genre of “tender bubblegrunge.” Kishida is leaving the band before Homegrown, but Leif Hinkel has stepped in to take over the drums. George Ellsworth was recently added on keys. Hiroko’s lyrics reflect the experience of “coming of age in Duluth as a queer woman, and coming from a multi-cultural family,” she said. || ANNI XO || anni xo (they/them) is a young queer musician hailing from Minnesota who found solace in music as a means to explore their identity and embrace the complexities of life. Inspired by the likes of boygenius, Taylor Swift, and Renee Rapp, anni's music is a refreshing blend of alternative songwriting and folk stylings that expertly convey themes of love, loss, and the struggles of youth in a post-modern landscape. Onstage, anni xo is joined by a talented ensemble of musicians, including Maddie Thies (any pronouns) on bass, Riley Jacobson (he/him) on electric guitar, Aurelio Sandoval (he/him) on drums, and Hunter SinClair Hawthorne (he/him) on keys and production.

With a discography simultaneously transcendental in nature and grounded in roots music, Charlie Parr is the humble master of the 21st century folk tradition. Parr started recording in Duluth in 2002, where he lives today. Life in the port town on Lake Superior has a way of bleeding into his work the same way his childhood in Austin, Minnesota does. Parr self-released his debut album, Criminals and Sinners, and did the same for his sophomore album 1922 (2002). With growing popularity abroad, Parr signed with Red House Records in 2015, where he recorded break-out albums Stumpjumper (2015) and Dog (2017). Parr’s music has an overwhelming sense of being present and mindful, and his sound is timeless.

With a discography simultaneously transcendental in nature and grounded in roots music, Charlie Parr is the humble master of the 21st century folk tradition. Parr started recording in Duluth in 2002, where he lives today. Life in the port town on Lake Superior has a way of bleeding into his work the same way his childhood in Austin, Minnesota does. Parr self-released his debut album, Criminals and Sinners, and did the same for his sophomore album 1922 (2002). With growing popularity abroad, Parr signed with Red House Records in 2015, where he recorded break-out albums Stumpjumper (2015) and Dog (2017). Parr’s music has an overwhelming sense of being present and mindful, and his sound is timeless.

With a discography simultaneously transcendental in nature and grounded in roots music, Charlie Parr is the humble master of the 21st century folk tradition. Parr started recording in Duluth in 2002, where he lives today. Life in the port town on Lake Superior has a way of bleeding into his work the same way his childhood in Austin, Minnesota does. Parr self-released his debut album, Criminals and Sinners, and did the same for his sophomore album 1922 (2002). With growing popularity abroad, Parr signed with Red House Records in 2015, where he recorded break-out albums Stumpjumper (2015) and Dog (2017). Parr’s music has an overwhelming sense of being present and mindful, and his sound is timeless.

With a discography simultaneously transcendental in nature and grounded in roots music, Charlie Parr is the humble master of the 21st century folk tradition. Parr started recording in Duluth in 2002, where he lives today. Life in the port town on Lake Superior has a way of bleeding into his work the same way his childhood in Austin, Minnesota does. Parr self-released his debut album, Criminals and Sinners, and did the same for his sophomore album 1922 (2002). With growing popularity abroad, Parr signed with Red House Records in 2015, where he recorded break-out albums Stumpjumper (2015) and Dog (2017). Parr’s music has an overwhelming sense of being present and mindful, and his sound is timeless.