Live performance Venues, Paisley Park, Document Shops

Equal components celebratory and somber, illuminating and enigmatic, Paisley Park is a must-stop museum for any music fan. A sprawling advanced about 18 miles southwest of Minneapolis the place Prince lived, recorded, carried out, and, in 2016, died, Paisley Park is very large, appropriately eccentric property within the woods of Chanhassen, MN. It consists of quite a few recording studios, a sound stage, a basketball court docket and Prince’s legendary Vault, the place hours upon hours of unreleased music and video is saved. One of many first stuff you see upon coming into is an urn with the culture-changing icon’s ashes, however make no mistake – Paisley Park vibrates with the life, music and colours (so many shades of purple) of Prince. Wandering round, you see all the things from the superhuman — iconic outfits from music movies and live performance excursions, a seemingly limitless provide of sneakers and boots, specifically designed guitars and pianos – to the on a regular basis (the kitchen the place he watched native sports activities). Otherworldly but humanizing, Paisley Park is an instance of what a residing museum for a deceased legend ought to be. Website.

Apart from the aforementioned Paisley Park and the legendary First Avenue (extra on that under within the ‘venues’ part), there are just a few different spots for purple folks to take a look at. The home the place The Child lived within the Purple Rain movie is positioned at 3420 Snelling Ave. South (don’t be bizarre should you go to). The scene the place Apollonia famously purifies herself within the waters of what’s NOT Lake Minnetonka was shot close to a city referred to as Henderson, MN, on the financial institution of the Minnesota River; it’s about an hour’s drive from Minneapolis, and there’s a commemorative bench close to the filming location. You can try a present on the Armory, the place Prince shot the “1999” music video, or the Capri Theatre, the place Prince headlined his first solo present within the late ‘70s. However if you wish to expertise Minneapolis like he did, you seize some information at Electric Fetus then head over to the Dakota Jazz Club for a present. It’s not open, however the membership he owned within the ‘90s, Glam Slam, was positioned at 110 North fifth St., and Sound 80 – the place he recorded demos for his debut album, For You, is fairly shut by. Neither of these locations are photoshoot homeruns, however on Hennepin Ave. and twenty sixth, there’s a large mural of His Royal Badness that appropriate for socials.

The duvet artwork to The Replacements’ shambolic 1984 masterpiece Let It Be – {a photograph} of the band hanging out on a rooftop by Daniel Corrigan — is likely one of the most iconic photos in indie rock. That home, 2215 Bryant Ave. S., was the place the band’s Tommy and Bob Stinson grew up. Sure, it’s nonetheless there, and sure, it’s nonetheless lived in; no, you can not climb up on the roof, or be an a—gap in another capability, however you may quietly swing by and pay your respects from a distance.

When you actually wish to do what the Replacements themselves would have completed in Minneapolis, head to the CC Club, a storied dive bar on the nook of Lyndale Ave. and W twenty sixth Ave. the place the ‘Mats and members of Hüsker Dü and Soul Asylum would hang around again within the day. Immediately throughout the nook from CC Membership is Lucky Cat Records, a wonderful file retailer with loads of native music on the cabinets and historical past in its foundations. A long time in the past, that house was a file retailer referred to as Oar Folkjokeopus, which was the place Paul Westerberg handed a demo to Twin/Tone Information co-founder Peter Jesperson, kickstarting the Replacements’ rise. The band’s members continued to hang around there over time (ping-ponging between Oar People and CC Membership), and Tommy Stinson carried out on Fortunate Cat’s opening day in 2024. When you’re in search of a quieter second, there’s a memorial plaque for the band’s late guitarist Bob Stinson on a bench off the Lake of the Isles.

Obsessives will seemingly head up north to go to Hibbing, MN, the place Robert Zimmerman was born, however should you’re in Minneapolis, there are some things to do. Sound 80 (on S ninth St.) is the place Dylan famously re-recorded a number of songs for Blood on the Tracks, together with the LP variations of “Tangled Up in Blue” and “Fool Wind.” Dylan lived in a Dinkytown condominium above a long-defunct drugstore at 327 14th Ave. SE throughout his aborted school stint, and he used to carry out at a close-by coffeehouse referred to as Ten O’Clock Scholar – it was razed years in the past (issues have modified), however you may stroll previous the place it was on 14th Ave. between 4th and fifth. Talking of 4th, numerous students assume that’s the road that impressed his diss monitor “Positively 4th Avenue.” In any other case, you may try the Orpheum Theatre, which he owned from 1979 to 1988, or take a spin down Freeway 61 – however it’s important to convey your individual siren whistle.

Even with out the Prince of all of it, First Avenue – which served as coaching grounds for a lot of a regional act – remains to be essentially the most iconic venue within the Twin Cities. However the truth that it served as HQ for Prince’s 1984 movie Purple Rain (heck, it’s virtually a personality within the movie) means its place in rock historical past is safe. The Mainroom, which inserts about 1500, is an unimaginable place to see stay music, each by way of sight strains and sound high quality; golf equipment this dimension can usually be claustrophobic, however it all the time looks like you may transfer round First Ave simply sufficient. Not like numerous music venues, it’s a genuinely enjoyable place to hold, and on DJ nights, it’s a surefire dance celebration.

seventh St Entry is a smaller venue inside the venue, a 250-cap room that homes no-frills, messier exhibits. The Entry is the place the Replacements used to tear issues up again within the day, and the place Hüsker Dü recorded their first album, the stay LP Land Velocity Document. Many a rock band is maintaining that spirit alive on the Entry at this time. Website.

An enormous, enclosed stadium in downtown Minneapolis, this venue – which caps at about 72,000 – has housed everybody from Metallica to Taylor Swift to Ed Sheeran to the Kendrick Lamar and SZA tour kickoff. Flooring seat views are knockout and the sound is top-notch, however should you’re within the highest of the nosebleeds, the audio will get a bit muddier. Site visitors after an enormous live performance doesn’t transfer rapidly, so that you may think about the Metro Green Line, which matches straight there. The nearer you progress towards the North Loop from the venue, the extra eating places and bars are available for a pre-show chew. Website.

The central Minneapolis sports activities heart has the sensation of a comfortable enviornment (even with a 20,000-person capability for live shows). Minnesota legends Prince and Bob Dylan each performed there over time, and extra just lately, it’s housed blink-182 and Charli xcx. Parking is accessible within the neighborhood, although you’ll pay for it. When you’re getting dropped off or picked up round Goal Heart, site visitors normally isn’t fairly as painful as it’s round U.S. Financial institution Stadium after a live performance; public transportation is accessible, too. When you’re in search of practically eats, Graze Food Hall within the North Loop is a vigorous two-level advanced with an open-air balcony, two bars and a number of other meals counters serving all the things from pizza to burgers to tacos to salads. Website.

In St. Paul, there’s the 20,000 capability Xcel Vitality Heart. As a music venue, Xcel has housed everybody from Prince to Paul McCartney, and in contrast to downtown Minneapolis, parking is a tad cheaper and site visitors a bit simpler (although after an enormous present, it’s not gonna be transferring quick). When you’re in search of someplace to eat beforehand, it’s laborious to beat Cossetta’s, an Italian cafeteria court docket that’s strolling distance from the venue. Website.

Prince’s go-to file retailer previous to his passing, Electrical Fetus is essentially the most iconic file store in Minnesota. It started gestating as a counterculture dangle in 1968, relocating to its present location (off 35W) in 1972. A spacious spot for seasoned collectors to seek out uncommon titles and neophytes to start out pulling collectively a bodily music assortment, Electrical Fetus has a large choice of new and used vinyl and CDs (plus DVDs). There’s a ton of rock, pop, jazz, steel, hip-hop, soul, digital, people, nation and past – plus a highlight on Ok-pop collectibles, signed information and oddities. The costs are good, the workers is educated and there’s loads of Prince merch to go loopy for. Good vibes throughout. Website.

With roomy storefronts in Minneapolis and St. Paul (in addition to Blaine, MN), Cheapo shares used and new CDs and vinyl (plus loads of t-shirts, DVDs and extra). When you’re in search of a brand new launch, they in all probability have it – and with regards to gently used CDs and vinyl, it’s laborious to beat Cheapo, significantly with regards to costs (the shop lives as much as its identify). Rock/pop fills up a lot of the cabinets, however there’s nonetheless extra soul, R&B, blues, jazz, nation, disco, classical, steel, punk, comedy and soundtrack albums at Cheapo than you’ll discover at most different joints. Whether or not you’re a longtime crate digger or trying to begin a bodily music assortment with out going broke, that is the spot to go. Website.

Across the nook from the aforementioned Lucky Cat Records is Disco Death, a great spot for espresso slurping and file buying; Extreme Noise Records is a co-op run by volunteers that makes a speciality of punk (and punk adjoining) titles; Hymie’s is an establishment with an eclectic inventory the place time appears to slide away; The Record Spot is a tiny spot with nice titles and loads of offers; Roadrunner Records has a formidable choice of new wave, indie, soul and disco vinyl; and Know Name Records is an effective spot to hold and decide up a used CD or LP on a budget. When you’re right down to take slightly drive outdoors of Minneapolis to Golden Valley, MN, Down in the Valley is a large file retailer with a wonderful choice, in addition to turntables and file cleansing provides – a Minnesota favourite since 1972.

Throughout the Mississippi River, Agharta Records is a crate-digger’s dream, with used first-pressing vinyl at acceptable costs and loads of low-cost buried treasure to go attempting to find. It’s strolling distance from Barely Brothers Records, which is one other vinyl-centric retailer you would lose your self in for hours. Urban Lights Music is likely one of the few Black-owned file shops in America, and should you’re a fan of hip-hop, R&B, soul or funk, you owe it to your self to cease by and take a look at its large choice. In downtown St. Paul, Eclipse Records has an excellently curated choice and a ton of rarities at nice costs. When you want a java jolt, Caydence Records & Coffee is a good spot to sit back, sip a latte and decide up a brand new or used title.

A newcomer on the competition scene, Minnesota Yacht Membership debuted in 2024 with headliners Gwen Stefani, Alanis Morissette and Crimson Scorching Chili Peppers. The 2-day competition takes place on St. Paul’s Harriet Island, a stunning park alongside the Mississippi River. In its second yr, it expands to a few days, with Hozier, Alabama Shakes, Fall Out Boy, Weezer, Inexperienced Day and Elegant taking part in July 18-20. Website.

Relying on the age of who you ask, Style of Minnesota is both a brilliant new addition to the Twin Cities competition scene or a decades-old mainstay. Whereas the 2025 version of the competition – which brings Joan Jett, Low cost Trick and Ludacris to downtown Minneapolis July 5-6 – is the third consecutive years it’s taken place in Minneapolis, Style of Minnesota truly started in St. Paul again in 1983. Again then, it was a free competition of music and meals that happened on the garden of the State Capitol of all locations (this was pre-9/11). It grew into a vital a part of St. Paul Independence Day celebrations till it hit a tough patch within the ‘00s. After some shakeups and site switches, it went on an eight-year hiatus till it made a triumphant return as a free competition in Minneapolis in 2023. Website.

The weekend-long jazz competition takes over downtown St. Paul’s Mears Park – a scenic, quaint square-shaped park with slightly creek operating by it – every summer season since 1999, bringing jazz luminaries equivalent to Branford Marsalis, Invoice Evans, Mose Allison, Dave Brubeck, Esperanza Spalding and extra to downtown St. Paul. Whereas the principle stage is within the outside park, among the performances happen in close by venues and bars; the musical kinds current and accounted for every year run the gamut, however the high quality of the musicianship is uniformly sturdy. Website.

When you’re prepared to journey a bit outdoors of the Twin Cities, you may try Winstock, which matches down in Winsted, MN, a small city that’s a couple of one-hour drive west of Minneapolis. It began out as a parochial college fundraiser within the ‘90s and has grown into a large nation music competition that’s attracted everybody from Willie Nelson to Toby Keith to Luke Combs to Miranda Lambert over time, with Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis headlining the 2025 version on June 20-21. Website.

Not a competition per se, however we’d be remiss to not point out the annual Minnesota State Honest, which takes place in St. Paul and is the second-largest state truthful in America (behind Texas). The Grandstand, an outside venue with a 17,000-capacity, has attracted everybody from Aretha Franklin to Sonic Youth, Def Leppard to Neil Younger to Probability the Rapper over the many years. And we do imply many years — whereas it’s undergone many a renovation and enlargement, the Grandstand, extremely sufficient, dates again to 1909. The Grandstand exhibits are ticketed (costs are normally affordable) however the Minnesota State Honest additionally presents up free (free after fairground admission, that’s) stay music most each night time, bringing smaller however recognizable names to extra intimate fairground phases. The Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage is a pleasant spot to sit back with a deep-fried something-or-other and absorb some tunes. Website.

The touring digital music competition hits the Allianz Subject Pageant Grounds in St. Paul on June 6-7 with Tiësto, Alison Wonderland and John Summit headlining. Website.