Male vocalist

An evening with singer-songwriter and guitarist Michael Johnson. His voice immediately identifies him as the man who sings "Bluer Than Blue", "Give Me Wings", "That's That", "This Night Won't Last Forever" and other landmark songs. His music shows a diversity, depth and heart that can only come from years of dedication to a labor of love.

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Internationally acclaimed, socially conscious Ghanaian rapper M.anifest releases his new EP Apae in 2013, building upon his success with two studio albums Immigrant Chronicles: Coming to America and Manifestations, and high-profile collaborative recordings with Damon Albarn (Gorillaz), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Afrobeat co-founder Tony Allen, Erykah Badu, and more. 

He has been described as an artist with “an incredible gift” (the run off groove) who possesses “the kind of assured, joyful, ruminative voice that made Mos Def into Hollywood's favorite conscious-rap star" (City Pages).

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Gregory Alan Isakov's This Empty Northern Hemisphere was one of the finest albums the year. Its melancholy poetics and lush, languid melodies stir me. He churns up his own musical atmosphere, ruled by the moon and the sea, at least aesthetically if not always lyrically. That he can do the same thing alone onstageis remarkable. (No Depression)

Anyone familiar with Gregory Alan Isakov will have experienced the magical silken threaded balance he uses to engage the listener. I still can't explain why he leaves me with such a great calm but those gentle melodies and voice will set you adrift. His music possesses a timeless quality, an exqusite listening experience. (Folk Radio UK)

Gregory Alan Isakov returns to the Cedar after a spellbinding show in October 2011. Gregory has a new album coming out this summer, making this a terrific opportunity to hear the new songs.

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For Scottish folk revivalist Alasdair Roberts' seventh album A Wonder Working Stone (Jan 2013, Drag City),  Alasdair and his like-minded folk take a walk around this world and determine that it not so different from the one that came before. A thousand years of musical topography are seen from eleven unique song-crafts and all lead back to one undeniable conclusion: "all days will end in joy / they'll never end in evil." Here's hoping!

Band lineup:
Alasdair Roberts: acoustic guitar, voice
Shane Connolly: drums
Stephen Jones: upright bass
Rafe Fitzpatrick: violin
Ben Reynolds: electric guitar

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During a January 2003 tour of England, Jeff Foucault, Kris Delmhorst, and Peter Mulvey discovered a common affection for a wide swath of American song.  That August, they sat down in a living room with one microphone, victuals,  and multi-instrumentalist David Goodrich, and recorded sixty or seventy songs, of which a nice even seventeen made it onto an ultimately very well-received record Redbird.  Redbird have since engaged in a campaign of very sporadic, usually good-humored public appearances and recordings. The Cedar is privileged to be joining the select group of venues who have provided a perch for Redbird for an evening of fine music.

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A follow-up to Sea Wolf's capacity show at the Cedar last October, as the indie folk band continues to tour behind Old World Romance (Dangerbird Records). The songs are stripped back and lean, simply melodic and brightly propulsive. According to founder and leading man, Alex Brown Church, “This record is about a lot of things, but some of it is about coming home after being away and facing the realities of one’s life, and life in general. Things you may have run away from, and things you are ready to embrace. Reconnecting and growing up.” Some universal truths to be had here.

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Ben Taylor certainly has the pedigree. He is, after all, the son of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer James Taylor and multi-Grammy Award winner Carly Simon. That said, he’s developed a compelling sound of his own that stands on its own merit with laid-back delivery, everyman lyrics, and tasteful melodies. To date, Taylor has released six albums, including his most recent Listening, which was written and recorded over a four-year span. Ben Taylor and his talented band are headed to the Twin Cities for a stop at the Cedar on August 15.

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Junip, featuring José González (guitar/vocals), Elias Araya (drums), Tobias Winterkorn (keyboards), are back at The Cedar! The Swedish indie trio are touring behind new album Junip, due April 24 (Mute).

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• On sale date: noon Fri Mar 8
• Phone: 612-338-2674 ext 0 between 12 noon and 4pm ($2 fee per ticket)
• In person: From a Cedar volunteer in the front lobby during events (no fee; cash, check, credit card), Depth of Field (no fee; cash or check only), or Electric Fetus (approximately $2 fee)
• Online: Ticketweb (typically $2--$3 fee/ticket) (click on red Buy Tickets button at top of this page)
• The Cedar is an all ages venue
• Students with ID, seniors over 65, and children under 12 may purchase tickets at a discount at the door.

Musician, songwriter, bandleader, entertainer, innovator and preservationist Pokey LaFarge is on a mission, encouraging audiences worldwide to think differently about what it means to celebrate musical traditions. Taking as a springboard songs from the first half of last century, Pokey breathes new life into classic forms, aided and abetted by a newly expanded 6-piece line-up complete with horn section. Simply put, Pokey explains, “It’s not retro music. It’s American music that never died.”

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An aboriginal man once came backstage after a show and said to me in a kindly voice, "Where's your dance? I used to like your dance, you've lost your dance mate, you've gotta find your dance." So, I set out in search of it, looking here, there and everywhere in all corners of the globe. Quite soon I realized that "finding my dance" is an inner search, and that whilst I may never truly find it, it matters not. What's important is to keep searching, and in the process, refine and simplify the steps. (Colin Hay)