The Selby Avenue Jazz Fest is in the heart of St. Paul, specifically, the Rondo neighborhood. It was founded in 2002 as a response to the one-year anniversary of 9/11. Co-founder, Michael Wright, felt a need to celebrate the good things going on in the world and in the heart of St. Paul, and he felt, “Nothing gets people together like a good old-fashioned block party.” The inaugural Jazz Fest had 600 people. There were quite a few more on Saturday.
It was another sold out show for Irish singer CMAT who is having quite the week in a very busy summer. And based on the show at the Fine Line she will be even busier in the future.
We drove 10 hours to catch Castle Rat on their Book of Beasts tour. A four-band lineup of very capable doom metal acts made sure our effort was worthwhile.
Chanel Beads, with shoegaze opener Maria Somerville, performed for a sold out crowd at Zhora Darling with an electronic-infused indie sound.
Here are some shows, taking place in Jacksonville and nearby cities, from September 25 to September 30, 2025: • Cain at Westside Baptist Church (Sep 25, 2025) • Lake Street Dive at the Amp (Sep 27, 2025) • Magic City Hippies at Decca Live (Sep 30, 2025)
Rocktober! Here are some shows in Minneapolis/St Paul on October 7, 2025: • GoGo Penguin at Fine Line (Oct 7, 2025) • elbow at First Avenue (Oct 7, 2025) • [Cancelled] Goat Girl at Turf Club (Oct 7, 2025)