Twin Cities concerts this week: Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, NBNL Fest, King Gizzard

Dustin Nelson
·8 min read

Kids are back in school, the Minnesota State Fair wraps on Labor Day, and summer unofficially feels over.

Nonetheless, outdoor concerts and festivals are still happening. Whether it's local music fests like NBNL or big concerts beyond the Twin Cities like Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan in Somerset, Wisc., or Spoon in Grand Rapids, there's plenty to see.

Here are some shows worth your time this week.

Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival w/ Nicole Christianson, Papa John and the Poppettes, and more

Monday, Sept. 2 at Minnehaha Park Bandshell (free)

Celebrate Labor Day with a free outdoor concert at Minnehaha Park. The music starts at 1 p.m. with a new bluegrass band hitting the stage every hour. Performers include Pete's Pool Hall, Corpse Reviver, Gentlmen Dreadnought, King Wilkies Dream, Papa John and the Poppettes, and Nicole Christianson. 4801 South Minnehaha Park Cr., Minneapolis (free)

More shows on Monday:

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Tuesday, Sept. 3 at The Armory

The eclectic jam band built a reputation on exuberant live performances that have frequently slotted them with other jam-centric contemporaries, but their sound is more expansive than the label suggests. Their seemingly never-ending tour hits the Armory on Tuesday, undoubtedly trailing quite a few people who follow the band from city to city.

The Australian group has frequently defied expectations, cascading between genres and impulses with reckless, uninhibited abandon. The live shows are a sight to see. 500 South 6th St., Minneapolis ($52–$62 general admission, $100–146 balcony)

More shows on Tuesday:

Alain Johannes with The Imaginaries

Wednesday, Sept. 4 at the Turf Club

Weezer may be the hot ticket, but Alain Johannes is also hitting St. Paul on Wednesday. While he's not a household name, many of his collaborators are. He grew up playing in a pre-Red Hot Chili Peppers band with Hillel Slovak, Flea, and Anthony Kiedis. His band Eleven with Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. He recorded and toured with Queens of the Stone Age and joined frontman Josh Homme in Them Crooked Vultures, a band that featured Dave Grohl and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones. He's written music for video games like Ghost Recon Wildlands and worked with the likes of P.J. Harvey, No Doubt, Arctic Monkeys, Jimmy Eat... you know what? That's enough of that.

That's all prelude, because on his third solo album, Hum, Johannes again proves he's at his best on his own. Hum is a beautifully winding album the dabbles in experimental folk, rock, and more ethereal sounds. 1601 University Ave. W, St. Paul ($25)

More shows on Wednesday:

Suicide Machines with Hey-Smith, Kill Lincoln, and Bad Operation

Thursday, Sept. 5 at the Fine Line

The Detroit punk stalwarts may feel like they come around often, but that may just be because they've been around the block. The band's debut, Destruction by Definition, came out in 1996. After a short hiatus in the mid-'00s, they've played shows and even released a new album in 2000, their first since 2005. But the tours have been sporadic, making it a good opportunity to catch the punk veterans. 318 N 1st Ave., Minneapolis ($30-$35 general admission, $45–$50 balcony)

More shows on Thursday:

Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan with Jon Mellencamp

Friday, Sept. 6 at Somerset Amphitheater

While this one is taking place outside of Minnesota’s geographical borders, legends like Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan will draw concertgoers from Dylan's home state. (I'm contractually obligated to mention that.)

The Outlaw Music Festival offers an opportunity to see the aging icons — Nelson is 91 and Dylan is 83 — along with John Mellencamp and Southern Avenue. The Outlaw moniker might seem frivolous for a couple of musicians at their age, but the duo have ruffled feathers along the way even this year with Dylan banning phones at some shows this year and, as ever, upsetting some fans with his setlist choices. Willie had to take a leave of absence for a stretch early in the tour, but is expected to play on Friday. 495 Main St., Somerset, Wisc. ($62–$419.50)

More shows on Friday:

Grand Rapids Riverfest ft. Spoon, Shakey Graves, Sarah Jarosz and more

Saturday, Sept. 7 at Grand Rapids Library Amphitheater in Grand Rapids

The long-running Texas-based Spoon heads to the potential future home of Dorothy's ruby slippers for a big end-of-summer(-ish) celebration. Fellow Austinite Shakey Graves will also perform alongside Sarah Jarosz, S.G. Goodman, and northern MN blues staple Corey Medina & Brothers. 140 NE 2nd St., Grand Rapids ($129)

More shows on Saturday:

CANCELED: NBNL Fest w/ The Suburbs, Bad Bad Hats, and more

Sunday, Sept. 8 at Graze Provisions + Libations

**NBNL Fest has been canceled, organizers announced on Thursday, Sept. 5.**

The festival formerly titled North By North Loop returns to the North Loop with seven bands playing across two stages in the streets outside Graze. The second-annual iteration features The Suburbs, Bad Bad Hats, The Flamin' Ohs, MAKR EN ERIS, Landon Conrath, LAAMAR, and The Secret Neighborhood Band. 506 N 4th St., Minneapolis ($35)

More shows on Sunday:

Related: North By North Loop fest returns with a new name after SXSW cease-and-desist

Just announced concerts:

Related: Movies to see in the Twin Cities this week: 'Opening Night,' 'Rocky Horror,' and more

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