Music / Concerts
Sleeping Jesus
Sleeping Jesus is a Minnesota rock and roll band that blends elements of modern indie rock with the dusty sounds of an old record collection. The group’s newest record, Shotgun, is full of rock and roll whimsy and crosses multiple genres, from steel-guitar-filled shitt-kickin’ country, 1970s-reminiscent folk and bouncy harmony-filled indie rock.
This performance is on Bent Paddle’s outdoor stage in “The Yard.” If the weather is poor the show moves indoors to the Cosmic Stage.
American Stories with the Blue Canvas Orchestra
Stories as diverse as the tapestry of cultures that make up America, told with music, dialogue and beautiful historic imagery. From songs that capture the adventures of 17th century French Voyageurs to those of 18th century Wisconsin farmers, from songs that portray the fervor of Western expansion to those telling the sobering story of Little Crow, the Chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota people. The music in this show captures small “snap shots of history” that still speak volumes to us in our more modern times, and by their example, help us to be inspired and forewarned by our shared history. American Stories celebrates the hopes, the desires and the potential for accomplishment that existed then and whose spirit still exists in abundance in all of us in this, our country’s 250th year.
Squash Fest Metal Night
It’s Metal Night at the Earth Rider Fest Field and its time to turn up the volume with a line-up of local and regional bands. Th line up includes Mvrrow, Throw Me The Remote, Kvsket and Onlytime.
A Little Night Music
Waltz into summer with Sondheim’s beloved operetta. The young, the fools and the old share top billing in A Little Night Music, which waltzes through the complexities of the human heart. Moments of humor, wit, longing and heartbreak are set to a backdrop of masterful musical storytelling.
Music Open Mic
Music Open Mic is held every Sunday at Duluth Folk School’s Dovetail Café & Marketplace.
Performers can sign up for a 15-minute slot upon arrival.
Trey Anastasio
Since 1983, Trey Anastasio has been the guitarist, vocalist and main composer for the band Phish. Over the past four decades he has forged a multi-faceted career, winning acclaim and garnering accolades across myriad genres and disciplines, including rock, classical, musical theater and more.
Anastasio has received three Grammy award nominations and, in 2013, received a Tony Award nomination honoring his work co-writing the score for the Broadway musical Hands on a Hardbody. An accomplished composer and arranger, Anastasio has performed his original compositions with numerous symphonies, including the New York Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Pops and many more.
Tickets are available at bigtop.org.
Teague Alexy
Americana musician Teague Alexy plays most Monday evenings at Sir Ben’s.
Music in the Park: Palisade
The 42nd annual Music in the Park concert series, formerly known as the Chester Creek Concert Series, features a variety of live music on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer. This summer all shows are at Lincoln Park while chalet renovations happen at Chester Bowl Park. The series is presented by Duluth Parks and Recreation and the Chester Bowl Improvement Club. The Twin Ports Express food truck will be on site and attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
For weather-related cancellations or updates, call the Music in the Park hotline at 218-730-4321 after 3 p.m. the night of the concert or visit duluthmn.gov/parks/cancellations.
Open Mic Night at the Backstage
Big Top Chautauqua’s year-round performance space hosts an open mic event on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. with a special guest host, offering attendees the opportunity to sing a song, play a tune, tell a joke or tell a story.
Drinks and food are available for purchase.
Pier B’s 10-Year Anniversary and Courtside Concerts Kickoff
Pier B Resort celebrates 10 years in business by kicking off the summer courtside concert season with a performance by Aftershock. The event includes free food.
Courtside Concerts at Pier B
Make plans for summer nights of soul, funk and groove on the water with Soulhead for Pier B Hotel’s Courtside Concert Series.
The series takes place every Wednesday in June, July and August from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Celtic Jam
Every Thursday, Sir Benedict’s brings a little Celtic twist to the English pub with the Celtic Jam. This open session is available to anyone who wants to join in and is open to all ages and talent levels.
Rock the Bayfront 2026
Local and regional bands perform during Rock the Bayfront as part of Grandma’s Marathon weekend festivities.
Friday Schedule
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. — GB Leighton
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Hippo Campus
Saturday Schedule
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. — Boxcar
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.— Not Fade Away: A tribute to the Grateful Dead
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. — The Slamming Doors
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Charlie Parr
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Mid Dream
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. — Emily Haavik & the 35s
8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. — The Music of Prince
10:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. — Soul Asylum
The Last Revel and Between Howls
The Last Revel is a Minneapolis-based four-piece known for lush four-part vocal harmonies and dynamic arrangements featuring acoustic guitar, upright bass, fiddle and five-string banjo.
Opening the night is Duluth’s own Between Howls. Husband-and-wife duo Ren and Nick Howl bring soaring vocal harmonies, thoughtful lyrics and virtuosic instrumental work that’s been captivating audiences across the United States since 2018.
Doors open at 6 p.m.; music starts at 7.
Tickets are available at showclix.com.
Performance Anxiety, Rat Fight, Dirt Magnet and Lucky Crayfish
A night of all-ages punk rock with Performance Anxiety, Rat Fight, Dirt Magnet and Lucky Crayfish.
Tickets are available at the door and online at wussowsconcertcafe.simpletix.com.
Chase & Ovation
Chase & Ovation is a Prince tribute show based out of Minneapolis that has been touring North America for the past 16 years.
Tickets are available at bigtop.org.
Rock the Bayfront 2026
Local and regional bands perform during Rock the Bayfront as part of Grandma’s Marathon weekend festivities.
Saturday Schedule:
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. — Boxcar
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.— Not Fade Away: A tribute to the Grateful Dead
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. — The Slamming Doors
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Charlie Parr
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Mid Dream
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. — Emily Haavik & the 35s
8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. — The Music of Prince
10:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. — Soul Asylum
Country Coveralls: A Country Tribute Concert
The second annual Country Coveralls event ushers in summer with a tribute to heroes of folk and country across the ages.
Simon Cropp is performing the music of John Prine and Hank Williams. Between Howls is performing the music of Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. Creekbed Carter Hogan is performing the music of Roger Miller and Nanci Griffith.
Other festivities include vintage and art vendors, along with food and beverages.
Tickets are $25 at the door and $20 in advance at eventbrite.com.
J Streitz and Jimmy Rogers
J Streitz and Jimmy Rogers of the Americana band J Streitz and the Long Odds perform on the third Saturday of each month at Sir Ben’s, playing original Midwest Americana music along with a few covers by the likes of John Prine, Bob Dylan, Justin Townes Earle, Son Volt and similar artists.
Sophie Hiroko
The rock musician performs with folkers The Spine Stealers and Agnes Uncaged.
Learn & Sing Sea Shanties
Paul Webster and other shantymen lead this twice-monthly event, featuring sea shanties and other work songs that are easy to join in on. Experienced and inexperienced singers are welcome.
The events are free, but a $5 to $10 donation is appreciated.
Music Open Mic
Music Open Mic is held every Sunday at Duluth Folk School’s Dovetail Café & Marketplace.
Performers can sign up for a 15-minute slot upon arrival.
Teague Alexy
Americana musician Teague Alexy plays most Monday evenings at Sir Ben’s.
Music in the Park: The Shane Nelson Band
The 42nd annual Music in the Park concert series, formerly known as the Chester Creek Concert Series, features a variety of live music on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer. This summer all shows are at Lincoln Park while chalet renovations happen at Chester Bowl Park. The series is presented by Duluth Parks and Recreation and the Chester Bowl Improvement Club. The Twin Ports Express food truck will be on site and attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
For weather-related cancellations or updates, call the Music in the Park hotline at 218-730-4321 after 3 p.m. the night of the concert or visit duluthmn.gov/parks/cancellations.
Courtside Concerts at Pier B
Make plans for summer nights of soul, funk and groove on the water with Soulhead for Pier B Hotel’s Courtside Concert Series.
The series takes place every Wednesday in June, July and August from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.