Columnist/Reporter | Local Music

Chris Riemenschneider has been covering the Twin Cities music scene since 2001, long enough for Prince to shout him out during "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)." The St. Paul native authored the book "First Avenue: Minnesota's Mainroom" and previously worked as a music critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas.

Riemenschneider has also written for Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News and Billboard and won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Society for Features Journalism and Society of American Travel Writers.


Legendary record store site in Minneapolis will soon house a new shop for musicheads

The former home of Treehouse Records and Oar Folkjokeopus will reopen as Lucky Cat Records in July.


6 cool things in music this week include Obi Original, Bernard Allison and Humbird


What to know and seek for Record Store Day 2024 in the Twin Cities

A rundown on who's putting out music and playing it live for Saturday's national shopping holiday.


5 vinyl shops in greater Minnesota worth a spin for Record Store Day

The vinyl boom is spreading to smaller cities including Bemidji and Buffalo, which saw new stores.


Review: Sibling pop band AJR put on a fun show in St. Paul, but not a good concert

The feel-good trio of "Bang!" fame drew more than 12,000 fans to Xcel Center for their first local arena-headlining gig.


The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for April 18-24 include Kane Brown, Waxahatchee, Royel Otis, Tim McGraw and Leslie Odom Jr.


Ludacris and T-Pain to stand up together at Minnesota State Fair grandstand in 2024

The '00s-era hip-hop hitmakers will perform a Tuesday night co-headlining gig on Aug. 27.


City of Minneapolis launches new census to better plug in to its music scene

Starting Friday, musicians and music professionals are being asked for data for an online census that has amped up programs in other cities.


Prince's Revolution to reunite for 'Purple Rain' 40th anniversary gigs at First Avenue

The bandmates from the movie and album will perform June 21 and 22, their first shows since a 2020 tribute at the Grammys.


Aerosmith's postponed Xcel Center gig is back on for January 2025

Steven Tyler and the gang are now scheduled to hit St. Paul on Jan. 22, after the singer recuperates from vocal cord injuries.