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
A different Brandi Carlile heads to Minneapolis with a message
Her sold-out concert will be livestreamed on the radio and the internet.
February 20, 2026
![Brandi Carlile performed "You And Me On The Rock" in concert Saturday, July 30, 2022 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. ]](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/P4TW2YOFYDOM6HK7YPPI7CCG2U.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
U2 drops blistering song about Minneapolis mom Renee Good
Good’s family said she would have been deeply moved by the protest tune.
February 18, 2026
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Feb. 19-25 include Brandi Carlile, Esperanza Spalding, Conan Gray, Turnpike Troubadours and Gogol Bordello.
February 18, 2026
Bruce Springsteen will play Target Center on March 31
The concert will kick off a new tour with the E Street Band.
February 17, 2026
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Rap star J. Cole will return to Target Center on Aug. 18
Tickets will go on sale Friday, with a presale beginning Tuesday.
February 16, 2026
James Klein, quiet pillar of Minneapolis music, dies at 74
He booked bands at Bunker’s Music Bar and Grill and co-managed Jonny Lang.
February 13, 2026
Hilary Duff, Tame Impala announce separate summer Twin Cities concerts
Tickets will go on sale next week.
February 12, 2026
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Feb. 12-18 include Motion City Soundtrack, Sierra Hull, Lola Kirke, Kandace Springs and all-star ICE-related benefit concerts.
February 11, 2026
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With a huge cast including Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny triumphs at the Super Bowl
His ambitious halftime show oozed Puerto Rican pride.
February 9, 2026
Review: Eric Church mixes Pink Floyd, big-band arrangements for maverick country music
His marathon St. Paul concert was musically rewarding.
February 8, 2026
Our critic ranks the 5 best and 5 worst Super Bowl halftime shows
Prince was the best and a Minneapolis show was almost the worst.
February 6, 2026
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for Feb. 5-11 include Sudan Archives, Eric Church, Eric Gales, the Runarounds, Bob Marley tribute and Drone Not Drone marathons.
February 4, 2026
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