The Twin Cities, also known as Minneapolis-Saint Paul, is a bustling metropolitan area located in the state of Minnesota. One of the things that the Twin Cities is known for is its thriving music scene. From big-name concerts to intimate local shows, there is no shortage of music venues in the area. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best music venues in the Twin Cities.
First Avenue
First Avenue is perhaps the most iconic music venue in the Twin Cities. Located in downtown Minneapolis, the venue has been hosting concerts since 1970. Over the years, First Avenue has hosted some of the biggest names in music, including Prince, U2, and Bob Dylan. The venue is also known for its distinctive exterior, which features stars bearing the names of bands and artists that have played there.
First Avenue has several different spaces for concerts, including the main room, the 7th St Entry, and the Record Room. The main room can hold up to 1,500 people, while the 7th St Entry is a smaller, more intimate space that can hold up to 250 people. The Record Room is a bar area that often hosts smaller shows and events.
The Cedar Cultural Center
The Cedar Cultural Center is a non-profit organization that hosts a wide range of music and arts events. Located in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis, the venue is known for its diverse programming, which includes everything from indie rock to traditional African music. The Cedar Cultural Center has a capacity of around 625 people, making it a great venue for intimate shows.
In addition to its regular programming, The Cedar Cultural Center also hosts a number of special events throughout the year. These include the Global Roots Festival, which celebrates music and dance from around the world, and the Midnimo Project, which brings Somali musicians to the Twin Cities for workshops and performances.
The Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre is a relatively new addition to the Twin Cities music scene. Located in downtown St. Paul, the venue opened in 2017 after a lengthy renovation process. The Palace Theatre is a beautiful space, with a capacity of around 2,800 people. The venue hosts a wide range of shows, including concerts, comedy shows, and other live events.
Since opening, The Palace Theatre has hosted some of the biggest names in music, including Wilco, The War on Drugs, and Lizzo. The venue has also become known for its incredible sound system, which was custom-designed for the space.
The Fitzgerald Theater
The Fitzgerald Theater is a historic venue located in downtown St. Paul. The theater originally opened in 1910 as the Sam S. Shubert Theatre and was later renamed in honor of F. Scott Fitzgerald, who was born and raised in St. Paul. Today, the Fitzgerald Theater is home to a wide range of live events, including music, theater, and comedy.
The theater has a capacity of around 1,000 people and is known for its beautiful architecture and acoustics. In addition to its regular programming, the Fitzgerald Theater also hosts a number of special events throughout the year, including the popular A Prairie Home Companion radio show.
The Turf Club
The Turf Club is a popular music venue located in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul. The venue has a capacity of around 350 people and is known for hosting a wide range of shows, including indie rock, punk, and Americana. The Turf Club also has a great bar area, which serves up a range of craft beers and cocktails.
The venue has a long history, dating back to the 1940s, when it was a popular spot for jazz and swing music. In the 1990s, the venue became known for hosting punk and indie rock shows.
