Not one, but two punk festivals are taking place in Northern Minnesota this weekend. Bonus points for anyone who attends both!
Also, a jazz duo is playing the music of Chet Baker, Teague Alexy stops in Bemidji and Grand Rapids, and another edition of the Grassroots Concert Series is set in Nisswa.
The Zerkel Pit PunX Fest<\/b> is all weekend at the Zagataagan Nation Outdoor Stage<\/b> behind the pit in Zerkel<\/b>. Thirty performers are on the lineup playing a variety of punk rock and noise music sub-genres, including Black Fish Bleu<\/b>, Mauro Gutierrez<\/b> and Rotten Sardines<\/b>. The full lineup is included at the bottom of this page<\/b>. The festival starts Friday<\/b> at 6 p.m.<\/b>, runs all day Saturday<\/b> and Sunday morning until noon.<\/b>
The Grassroots Concert Series<\/b> at the Journey Church<\/b> in Nisswa<\/b> continues with Mike Munson<\/b>, Friday<\/b> at 7 p.m.<\/b> The Winona-based guitarist has expanded his sound with Lars-Erik Larson and Nick Salisbury in the Mike Munson Trio, and they are releasing their full-length debut in May. Munson is stopping by KAXE at 1 p.m. Friday for an interview and live session during On the River<\/i> with KAXE Music Director Kari Hedlund.
Eclectic roots singer-songwriter Teague Alexy<\/b> is playing two shows this weekend, Friday<\/b> night at 7 p.m.<\/b> at Brigid’s<\/b> in Bemidji<\/b> and Saturday<\/b> night at 6 p.m<\/b>. at Rapids Brewing Co.<\/b> in Grand Rapids<\/b>. Alexy recently dropped a new album Effeverscent <\/i>in February, pairing new songs like “Babylon Babblin'” and “Together Again” with new version of tunes that first appeared on the 2024 collaborative album, Woodblind Meets Teague Alexy<\/i>. Just like Munson, KAXE will also bring you an in-studio with Alexy this Friday at 9 a.m.
The other punk festival taking place this weekend is the fourth annual Der Erste Mai<\/b> at Klockow Brewing<\/b>, Saturday<\/b> in Grand Rapids<\/b>. Curated and headlined by local melodic hardcore group, Underground ’til Sundown<\/b>, the event will also feature rock ‘n’ roll band Modern Day Wasteland<\/b>, melodic metal band MVRROW<\/b>, pop punk band Suburban Muscle<\/b>, metal band Shadows of Me<\/b>, alt-rock band Abardageddon<\/b> and punk turned country singer-songwriter McKeon Hugh Roberts<\/b>.
The Pines<\/b> in Grand Rapids<\/b> is continuing their late night Jazz in the Understory<\/b> series with Kai Stenlund<\/b> and Josh Parlanti<\/b> this Saturday<\/b> at 9 p.m.<\/b> With Stenlund on vocals and Parlanti on piano the pair will be covering the music of legendary jazz crooner Chet Baker. Both are current members of Tattletale and Parlanti also plays guitar with the Mississippi Hot Club.
Zerkel Pit PunX Fest Day 3 – 9 a.m., Zagataagan Nation Outdoor Stage, Zerkel, at-will donation<\/p>\n
The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.<\/i><\/p>\n