Michigander at Utepils Brewing for The Current’s Happy Hours (July 30, 2026)

Local Twin Cities radio station The Current has been doing a summer series of free happy hour events for several years now. This summer, they may finally be a victim of their own success, as more and more people are getting to these. Though I was able to get to the first event with KELS at Indeed Brewing in May, my other attempt to get to one didn’t work out at all, with the venue being completely full. So, on this very late July day, I left very early to get to Utepils Brewing in Minneapolis to see indie folk rock artist Michigander. I was able to get to the pretty large outdoor space at the back, though finding a spot was fairly difficult, as it was quite crowded. Once settled in, I caught the end of radio host Jessica Paxton’s DJ set, before she introduced Michigander. That band name is the project name for singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jason Singer. With a brand new album, being released tomorrow, called Over Before You Know It, this was perfect timing for a show (side note: The Current does an album release segment where they play an album straight through with commentary from the artist or band, and tonight’s is the new Michigander album). Out with one other band member (both on acoustic guitar, with vocals) Michigander started with a bright sounding number in I’ll Be Ok, which had some Tom Petty musical vibes. There was a pretty funny story of his appreciation and long history with The Current, “I sent them a note 15 years ago asking if they would play my song. They said no, but also told me, you seem nice.” We got the first live debut from the new album, with Starting a Band, and it was a breezy number. It was cute how nearly overwhelmed Michigander was with how many people were in attendance. Some self-deprecating humor (“all the songs are in the same key and that feels stupid”) led into a sing along for Superglue, and actually the early evening, outdoor crowd sounded pretty good. Michigander’s songs ranged across the early bouncier songs to some darker lyrical ones mid set, like Giving Up, and his Replacements like singing style worked well against the acoustic guitars. Freaking Out got the cheers, and the build up (well, as much as you can get when your only instruments are acoustics) worked well. Let Down got another full sing along for the chorus and even with the very warm weather, people were in very good spirits, doubly so when a light breeze actually came through. He ended the set with the brand new Over Before You Know It, which was a good description of the event as some people had barely gotten through the very long drink line. But Michigander had continued to show why the happy hours from The Current are must see events.