This Week's Must-See Concerts: The Weeknd, ZZ Top, and More at Pryor Block Party

It may go underappreciated just how many opportunities there are to take in free concerts around the Twin Cities this summer.

I don't have any nice stats about how the region compares to other cities, but it's nonetheless impressive. It's not just the quantity of free shows. There's quality there, too. The below listings don't have everything that's happening, but scanning the list, there's Minneapolis' music in the park series, shows on venue patios, the Stone Arch Bridge Festival, the Pryes Block Party (more on that shortly), and outdoor series in Rochester and Edina.

Music lovers could almost certainly see live music every day of the summer without paying an admission fee. (Though, there are good reasons to pay a cover. We don't get the quality part of the equation if musicians can't make a living, and, as a study revealed last year , musicians in Minnesota are underpaid.)

Whether you're grabbing a blanket and heading to a show in the park or shelling out for pricey tickets at U.S. Bank Stadium, here are some of the best shows you can catch around the Twin Cities this week.

Bloc Party plays Silent Alarm

Monday, June 9, at The Fillmore

For the first time in more than decade, Bloc Party is coming to the Twin Cities, and it'll feel like a throwback in more ways than one. The English group will be going back to the beginning, playing its debut, Silent Alarm , in its entirety.

When the show was initially announced, Metric was lined up to play its 2009 record, Fantasies . They've since dropped off the tour, and the show moved from The Armory to The Fillmore . However, fans probably aren't going to complain about getting a more intimate show. Blonde Redhead and Family Dinner open.

Kick'N Up Kountry w/ Little Big Town, Tyler Hubbard & others

Wednesday, June 11–Saturday, June 14, at Wagon Wheel Ridge in Karlstad

This isn't in the Twin Cities. It's not even close. But the Minnesota music festival draws big names in country music to northern Minnesota, making it a destination fest for many fans. This year's headliners include veterans Little Big Town, Grammy-nominated songwriter Tyler Childers, the Eli Young Band, Chayce Beckham, Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, and others.

Meanwhile, in St. Paul , Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals will headline the Palace Theatre on Wednesday.

Related: Guide: The outdoor concerts, festivals happening around Minnesota this summer

ZZ Top w/ The Wallflowers

Thursday, June 12, at Ledge Amphitheater

Waite Park will be home to a night of classic riffs as ZZ Top alights at The Ledge with a repertoire of songs you remember from KQRS, or, at least, from KQRS before that recent change . The Texas blues rock trio, now more than half a century deep into its career, will bring guitars, "La Grange," and swinging beards to venue that's a bit of a hot spot for splashy shows this summer.

The group, which will have The Wallflowers opening, have carried on touring after the 2021 death of bassist Dusty Hill. Founding members Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard are now joined by the band's long-time guitar tech, Elwood Francis, on bass.

After ZZ Top gets the week going, the Ledge will stay busy. Chicago hits the stage on Friday. On Sunday, "One Week" hitmakers the Barenaked Ladies arrive with fellow '90s radio rock groups Guster and Fastball.

For those not ready to head to the suburbs, long-running Johnny Cash tribute group The Church of Cash will headline the Dakota. In St. Paul, Lowertown Sounds launches its summer series of free concerts at Mears park with a lineup that features the Flamin' Oh's and Faith Boblett .

The Weeknd

Saturday, June 14, at U.S. Bank Stadium

The Weeknd is accompanying his new album, Hurry Up Tomorrow , with a tour that brings him to the Twin Cities for the first time since 2017. He's promised that the show includes a “never-before-seen production” and a setlist focused on the album trilogy that wrapped up with this new album and a film of the same name. Playboi Carter and Mike Dean open.

Pryes Block Party with Kiss the Tiger, Nathan Graham & others

Saturday, June 14, at Pryes Brewing

Pryes Brewing's 8th annual block party is free and packed with exciting local artists. This year's installment is headlined by the high-energy indie rock of Kiss the Tiger. Imbibers will also be treated to Chicago-based Americana songwriter Nathan Graham, Mary Bue, Of the Orchard, The Shackletons, The Roe Family Singers, and Fiddle and Flannels. It's a nice mix of indie rock and roots-infused locals. The show will kick off at noon and run until 10 p.m. outside at the Minneapolis brewery.

Related: Lil Wayne will bring 'Tha Carter VI' tour to Target Center

Concerts on Monday, June 9:

• Bloc Party plays Silent Alarm with Blonde Redhead at The Fillmore
• Mei Semones with John Roseboro at 7th St. Entry
• Cafe Accordion Orchestra at The Dakota
• Annabelle Nicholson, Avery Seed, and Sylvia Dieken at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
• Anna Devine, Hyer, sandalwood, and Macy Moose at Underground Music Cafe
• Mudfoot Baker and Dick Williams Folk at 331 Club (free)
• Roe Family Singers at 331 Club (free)
• Mumblin’ Drew’s Oldfangled Orchestrators at The White Squirrel Bar (free)

Concerts on Tuesday, June 10:

• Judy Collins at The Dakota
• Green Jelly with From This Day Forward at Zhora Darling
• J-Mo on the Beat, Sammie Jean Cohen, The Black notes, and Topiary Blush at Green Room
• Johnny Lied and Dylan Hicks at Aster Cafe
• International Reggae Allstars at Bunker’s
• NOTEable Singers: When Worlds Collide: Songs of Stage and Screen at Normandale Bandshell (free)
• DL4 at The White Squirrel Bar (free)
• Doyle Turner at 331 Club (free)
• John Magnuson Trio+ and Frannie Crego at 331 Club (free)
• Sawtooth Witch with Taylor James Donskey at The White Squirrel Bar (free)

Concerts on Wednesday, June 11:

• Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals at Palace Theatre
• Kick'n Up Kountry Festival with Little Big Town, Tyler Hubbard, Eli Young Band, Chayce Beckham, and others in Karlstad
• Teddy Swims at The Armory
• The Kooks with Lovely the Band at Varsity Theater
• Ashe at First Avenue
• Emmy Woods, Lake Davi, Tomboy, and Pine & Fire at Turf Club
• An Evening with John Gorka at The Parkway Theater
• Faster Pussycat with Supersuckers, The Rumours, and The Lonely Ones at Hook and Ladder
• Sleep Theory at The Fillmore
• Moxen with Heliocene, APHID, and Homunculus Rex at Pilllar Forum
• Ted Olsen: Violette album release with Eric Mayson at The Cedar Cultural Center
• The Get Together with Nothing But Joy, Honeymoon Madness, and Wizards of SoL at 7th St. Entry
• Freedom to Listen (Feat. Peter Brendler, Jon Irabagon, and Mark Ferber) at Berlin
• Al Scorch, Advance Base, Little Mazarn, and Walker Rider at Cloudland Theater
• Judy Collins at The Dakota
• Blondshell with meg elsier at Fine Line
• Raegan Boehmer and Rachel Bearinger at Aster Cafe
• Twine at Bunker’s
• Clay Fulton & The Lost Forty with Poppa Bear Norton at Cascade Lake Park in Rochester (free)
• Innocent Reggae Band at Marjorie McNeely Conservatory (free)
• Paul Bergen & Friends at The White Squirrel Bar (free)
• Way Way Back Wednesdays at Day Block Brewing (free)
• Said in Stone at 331 Club (free)
• Mike Wolter and Friends at Palmer’s Bar (free)
• Lords of the Universe at The White Squirrel Bar (free)

Related: Visions of the end of the world take center stage at Walker Art Center

Concerts on Thursday, June 12:

• ZZ Top with The Wallflowers at Ledge Amphitheater
• Kick'n Up Kountry Festival with Little Big Town, Tyler Hubbard, Eli Young Band, Chayce Beckham, and others in Karlstad
• The Current Happy Hour feat. Blondshell at Surly Brewing (free)
• Søndergård conduct Rachmaninoff at Orchestra Hall
• Molly Brandt and Mojohand at 7th St. Entry
• Church of Cash at The Dakota
• Jessie Reyez with Raahiim at The Fillmore
• Dusty Forever, Aldrich, and Canary Room at Zhora Darling
• Dead Larry with Socktopus, Sam Licari and the Sweet Tease, and Lost Island Society at Tuf Club
• Gasoline Lollipops, Clarence Tilton, and Becky Kapell at Uptown VFW
• The Twins of Franklin with Ty Pow of The Holy North at Icehouse
• Milo Fine and Anthony Cox at Zion Community Commons
• Red Maker, Fine Dials, and Ne Regard at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
• Pelicant, Lenwood, and Jeff Goldsmith at Underground Music Cafe
• Nathan Hanson’s Rope Ladder at Berlin
• Caribou Gone at Aster Cafe
• Flamin’ Oh’s, Faith Boblett, and Lonesome Dan Kase at Mears Park for Lowertown Sounds (free)
• Jennifer Marie at The White Squirrel Bar (free)
• Front Porch Swingin’ Liquor Pigs at Palmer’s Bar (free)

Concerts on Friday, June 13:

• Kick'n Up Kountry Festival with Little Big Town, Tyler Hubbard, Eli Young Band, Chayce Beckham, and others in Karlstad
• Nur-D, Smells Like Nirvana, Lighter Co., and Daphne Jane at the Minnesota Zoo
• Chicago at Ledge Amphitheater
• Søndergård conduct Rachmaninoff at Orchestra Hall
• Worlds Greatest Dad, 12th House Sun, and Allergen at Cloudland Theater
• Broadway Rave at Fine Line
• Theory of a Deadman at Canterbury Park
• The Federales, Becky Kapell & the Fat 6, Michael Gay and His Dang Band, Stardust, and Uncle Kenny at Palmer’s Bar
• Shaun Johnson Trio at The Dakota
• Solomon Parham Sextet at Berlin
• Rage Against the Regime (RATM tribute) feat. Diane at Turf Club
• Florry with Lily Seabird at 7th St. Entry
• Zippy Laske, Mama Rose, and Chastity Brown at Green Room
• The Maeflies at Aster Cafe
• Early Evening Jazz: Tacheny Family Players at Berlin (no cover)
• The Teardowns with GUP! At The Plaza at Nolan Main’s in Edina (free)
• The Belfast Cowboys at Lake Harriet Bandshell (free)
• Pretty Pretty Please and The Grieving Pines at 331 Club (free)

Concerts on Saturday, June 14:

• The Weeknd with Playboi Carter and Mike Dean at U.S. Bank Stadium
• Pryes Block Party feat. Kiss the Tiger, Nathan Graham, Mary Bue, The Shackletons, and more at Pryes Brewing
• Kick'n Up Kountry Festival with Little Big Town, Tyler Hubbard, Eli Young Band, Chayce Beckham, and others in Karlstad
• Søndergård conduct Rachmaninoff at Orchestra Hall
• Julia Wolf with Worry Club and Ellis at Turf Club
• The Great Northern + The Strolling Clones at The Cedar Cultural Center
• Watchhouse with Two Runner at Palace Theatre
• Wort Tour '25 with Gully Boys at Insight Brewing
• I’m with Her at The Fitzgerald Theater
• Sleigh Bells with Sophie Hunter at Fine Line
• Rich Mattson & the Northstars, Annie & the Ban Band, Sidewalk Diamonds, The Customers, and Lovehouse at Palmer’s Bar
• My Kid Banana, Unattractive Giant Monster, and Busey at Zhora Darling
• Steve Cole at The Dakota
• Doug Collins and the Receptionists CD release show with Miss Georgia Peach at Terminal Bar
• The Stone Arch Bridge Festival w/ various artists at the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis (free)
• Michael Cain Trio (with Barbara Cohen and Terrell X) at Berlin
• Chutes, Social Cig, and Mike Kota at Green Room
• Mae Simpson with Feed the Dog and Rebel Queens at Hook and Ladder
• Night of the Living Darts with Black Widows and Fret Rattles at Cloudland Theater
• Early Evening Jazz: Jazz Flux at Berlin (no cover)

Concerts on Sunday, June 15:

• The Barenaked Ladies with Guster and Fastball at The Ledge Amphitheater
• Jet with Band of Skulls at First Avenue
• Nona Invie residency with Enhancement and Dungeon Synth Sunday Crew at Berlin
• Erik Koskinen and Molly Maher at The Hewing Hotel’s rooftop
• Peter Mulvey with Ben Weaver at The Cedar Cultural Center
• Heatbox Father's Day Festival at Hook and Ladder
• Creeping Death and Kruelty at Turf Club
• SiR at The Fillmore
• Jim Messina at The Dakota
• Father's Day Badfinger Night: A Tribute to Joey Molland at The Parkway Theater
• Drekka with Boy Dirt Car, Karl J Paloucek, and Timmy the Tapeworm at Zhora Darling
• Samantha Crain with Quinn Christopherson at 7th St. Entry
• Switchyard at 331 Club (free)

Related: Yellowcard, A Day to Remember promise 'maximum fun' at The Armory

Just announced concerts:

• July 3: Tommy Stinson with Ruby at Turf Club
• July 5: Obi Original and The Black Atlantics with Kwey and DJ Goldilocks at Turf Club
• July 31: The Holy North, Jillian Rae, and The Foxgloves at Turf Club
• Aug. 20: Lil Wayne with Tyga and Belly Gang Kushington at Target Center
• Aug. 20: Dave Hill at The Parkway Theater
• Aug. 22: Baby Tron with ShittyBoyz at First Avenue
• Sept. 22: NBA YoungBoy at Target Center
• Sept. 22: Glare with Cloakroom, JiveBomb, and Destiny Bond at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
• Sept. 27: Nile with Cryptopsy, the Last Ten Seconds of Life, and Cognitive at Studio B at Skyway Theatre
• Oct. 4: Pool Kids with Truth Club and PONY at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
• Oct. 4: Swervedriver with Porcupine at Turf Club
• Oct. 19: moe. at The Fitzgerald Theater
• Oct. 25: Steve Forbert + Peter Holsapple at The Parkway Theater
• Nov. 2: Yellowcard and A Day to Remember with The Wonder Years and Dinosaur Pile-Up at The Armory
• Nov. 16: Pace Live presents a Celtic Christmas at The Fitzgerald Theater
• Nov. 25: Lola Young at Palace Theatre
• Nov. 29: Atreyu with Norma Jean and Zero 9:36 at The Skyway Theatre
• Dec. 5: Adventure Club with Jessica Audiffred at Skyway Theatre
• Jan. 24: Cate Le Bon at Fine Line
• Jan. 29: Dean Lewis at Palace Theatre
• March 20: Gregorian: Pure Chants World Tour at The Fitzgerald Theater

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