Thu, 8/20

Jerry Douglas Band @ Dakota Jazz Club, 30-50$ (shows at 7 and 9). Shouldn’t have to explain much why you should go see this band. While being arguably the world’s best dobro player and longtime member of Allison Krauss and Union Station, that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his long resume of musical exceptionalism. A good place to start is with the Trans-Atlantic session videos on youtube.

The Butanes @ Shaw’s Bar, FREE.

Fri, 8/21

J.E. Sunde @ Turf Club, 5-7$. Formerly a part of the group Daredevil Christopher Wright.

JJ Grey and Mofro w/ G. Love and Big Head Todd and the Monsters @ Hilde Performing Arts Center.

Sat, 8/22

Sun, 8/23

Mon, 8/24

Betty LaVette @ Dakota Jazz Club, 40-45$.

On the Radar:

8/27 – Joe Ely and Alejandro Escovedo @ Cedar Cultural Center;  9/7 – Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson and Sturgill Simpson @ State Fair Grand Stand; Victor Wooten Band @ Dakota Jazz Club;  9/19 – John Prine @ Orpheum Theater;  9/22 – Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell @ State Theater

Thu, 8/13
Bryan Sutton Band @ Dakota Jazz Club, 20-35$. Nashville’s most sought after flat picking guitarist comes to the Dakota for one night with his band that includes Sam Grisman (David Grisman’s son) on upright bass.  This is a show not to be missed.

Fri, 8/14

Sat, 8/15
Black Eyed Snakes, 4onthefloor @ Trollhaugen, 15-25$.

Sun, 8/16
Tinsley Ellis @ Dakota Jazz Club, 25$

Mon, 8/17

Tue, 8/18
Sonny Landreth and The Robert Cray Band @ MN Zoo, 45$.

Wed, 8/19
Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers @ Cedar Cultural Center, 15$

Thu, 8/6
Keb Mo @ MN Zoo, 50$

Mint Condition @ First Ave, 25$

Fri, 8/7
Brass Messengers @ Lake Harriet Bandshell, FREE

Big Wu Family Reunion (Friday & Saturday) @ Camp Maiden West Rocks, 50$ for single day 65$ for both including camping. A lot of local jam acts playing for the right price with a major New Orleans bonus of Ivan Nevilles Dumpstaphunk and Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen.

Sat, 8/8
Lowertown Guitar Festival @ Mears Park, FREE. In its 3^rd year this festival has really come to showcase some amazing guitar slingers from around the world. This year should not disappoint. Also, don’t forget your backpack of beer, cribbage board and blanket for hanging out all day/evening in the beautiful park. Artists include: Greg Koch, Johnny A., JD Simo, Muriel Anderson, Guthrie Trapp, Tim Sparks and Dean Granros.

Low and David Bazan @ Cedar Cultural Center, 12-15$

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Thu, 7/23
Veruca Salt @ Cedar Cultural Center, 25-28$

Fri, 7/24
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band @ Mystic lake Casino, FREE!

Cactus Blossoms @ Turf Club, 10$.

Sat, 7/25
Elvin Bishop, Walter Trout, Big George Jackson and “Jimi Primetime” Smith @ Mears Park, FREE. Some real heavy hitters from the Blues scene.

Sun, 7/26
Albert Lee and Cindy Cashdollar @ Dakota Jazz Club, 25-35$ shows at 7 and 9. Two absolutely amazing guitar players playing together at one of the Twin Cities most intimate and best sounding venues.

Mon, 7/27
Gary Louris and Friends @ Loring Park, FREE.

Tue, 7/28

Wed, 7/29

Thu, 7/16
Ricky Skaggs, Ry Cooder and Sharon White @ MN Zoo, 55$.  Combine one of the best mandolin players of all time with one of the best roots guitar players of all time, then just in case, throw in an incredible female vocalist and you have the some of the best American music this vast land has to offer. Be sure not to miss this as Ry Cooder rarely goes on tour.

Fri, 7/17
Rich Mattson & the Northstars @ Lee’s Liquor Lounge, 7$

Sat, 7/18
Gail Heil Memorial Fiddle Contest @ Community Center in Lanesboro, MN.  10$ to listen and 20$ to enter. Should be an absolute hoot on the root.

Dave Koz @ MN Zoo, 48$.  Sexy smooth saxophone jams.

Wed, 7/22
The Rockin’ Pinecones @ Northrop Plaza, Free.  Great Local Cajun music in the afternoon.

**A New Featured bit on Crabwise.net; Jon Osthus will be curating a list of upcoming concerts around Minnesota along with some insight into those shows. JonO, a seasoned purveyor of fine music, brings his years of dedication and experience with music to this new weekly feature. Watch for JonO’s Picks in the right hand navigation bar**

Thu, 6/25

Twin Cities Jazz Fest |Thurs-Sat! Free.  Awesome… Just awesome.

Dirty Dozen Brass band @ Dakota Jazz Club, 25-30$:  Classic NOLA brass band at the Dakota and always a good sweaty time.

Willie Walker and Paul Metsa 5pm, Butanes 8:30pm @ Shaw’s bar every Thursday, Free!

The Butanes were Earl King’s backing band from NOLA for many years and played many Jazz Fests and international tours.  They are the best blues band playing weekly for free in town.  They used to play the Wednesday night residency at the Cabooze from 89-94 with their soul revue (Maurice Jacox on vocals) and every Tuesday night at the 400 bar (Chicago style blues).  It is one of the best kept secrets in town.

Fri, 6/26

My Morning Jacket @ Northrup Auditorium, 45$ Great live rock show. Bringing the best of the Indie world and Jam world together.

Esperanza Spalding @ Mill City Nights, 30-35$

Marcia Ball @ Dakota Jazz Club, 30-35$

Erik Koskinen Band @ Turf Club, 10-12$ Best local Americana band in town.

Sat, 6/27

My Morning Jacket @ Northrup Auditorium, 45$

Dr. John and the Nite Trippers!!!!! FREEEEEEEEEEE @ CHS Field It’s Dr. John, do I need to say more?

Dale Watson @ Lee’s Liquor Lounge, 15$ Another tried and true honky tonker from Texas. Doesn’t get any more real than Dale. Plus he has a song written about Lee’s Liquor lounge

Cactus Blossoms @ Grumpy’s NE – Honkey Tonk Fest, 10$ Just a Honky Tonk kind of weekend.  This one benefits lukemia

Sun, 6/28

Mon, 6/29

Heartless Bastards w/ Craig Finn @ First Ave, 20$ Solid rock show for 20$

Tue, 6/30

Voodoo Glow Skulls @ Triple Rock, 12-14$ High School Nostalgia… only reason it made the list.