Jon Bream
Critic / Reporter
Pop MusicBream has interviewed such music royalty as the King of Pop (Michael Jackson), the Queen of Soul (Aretha Franklin) and Prince as well as Bob Dylan, U2, three Beatles, four Rolling Stones and all of Maroon 5. He has performed with Alice Cooper, jogged with Willie Nelson and walked the streets of New York with Bruce Springsteen. A longtime voter for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Bream has also written for the Los Angeles Times, Billboard, Vibe and other publications. He has a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota, where he established the Jon Bream Scholarship for Arts Criticism.
Latest from Jon Bream
Twin Cities musical couples love performing in tribute bands
Like Hugh Jackman’s and Kate Hudson’s characters in the movie “Song Sung Blue,” local couples find harmony onstage and off.
January 20, 2026
Twin Cities-launched jazz group the Bad Plus is disbanding
After 27 years, Golden Valley’s Dave King and Reid Anderson have “said what we set out to say.”
January 17, 2026
Pitbull will party at the new Shakopee amphitheater on Sept. 26
Tickets for the Mystic Lake Amphitheater gig will go on sale on Jan. 30, with a presale sign-up.
January 15, 2026
Country superstar Chris Stapleton adds second concert in Shakopee
Tickets will go on sale Jan. 16 for the July 30 show at the new amphitheater.
January 15, 2026
John Mellencamp will rock new Shakopee amphitheater on July 14
Tickets will go on sale Jan. 23 for the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s greatest hits tour.
January 14, 2026
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Jan. 15-21 include Rebirth Brass Band, Chris Thile, Moore By Four, Melvin Gibbs and Best New Bands at First Ave.
January 14, 2026
Moore By Four celebrates 40 years bringing jazzy harmonies to Twin Cities
The popular group played for presidents, European music festivals and major occasions in Minnesota.
January 14, 2026
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Jan. 8-14 include Amythyst Kiah, Yam Haus, Orianthi, Jamecia Bennett, Molly Dean and Emmy Woods.
January 7, 2026
How ‘Stranger Things’ landed ‘Purple Rain’ and gave it a big Gen Z boost
Prince’s hit had not previously been licensed for a movie or TV show.
January 5, 2026
Meet the Packers apologist whom KFAN listeners love to hate
Carl Gerbschmidt is a popular but polarizing regular on Dan Barreiro’s top-rated show.
January 2, 2026
Our music critics' top 10 albums of 2025
In a year when big names didn’t impress, Bream streamed lots of women artists while Riemenschneider leaned toward indie rock.
December 26, 2025
The Big Gigs: 12 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities in the next two weeks
Highlights from Dec. 25-Jan. 7 include Soul Asylum, the Bad Plus, the New Standards, Cats Under the Stars, Nur-D, Lissie, Karl Denson and a Replacements tribute.
December 24, 2025
