Lazerbeak will be celebrating the release of his fourth solo EP, For Storms, a continuation of the ever-evolving instrumental work he has been developing over the past seven years. For this special evening, Beak will be accompanied by Duluth percussionist extraordinaire Zack Baltich for a night of expansive soundscapes and rhythmic interplay. Eau Claire’s The Nunnery will perform an opening set supporting their newly released album Ascending. 

Dálava sources Moravian (Czech) folk songs that were collected by lead vocalist Julia Ulehla’s great-grandfather in his village, and renders them in an improvisatory, cinematic musical language. The duo has received critical acclaim for the unique ways in which they blend folk tradition and avant-garde and experimental elements.

Discover traditional and contemporary music from Tunisia at this free concert, brought to you by Alliance Française Mpls/St Paul.  NYC-based singer-songwriter Nour Harkati and his band fuse the Guembri with electronics and an urban groove, offering a unique, layered, and kinetic sound.  Local musicians The Arab Band will open the show with unique interpretations of classic songs that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Arab music. You won't want to miss this truly unique performance! 

Incomparable guitarist and composer Mary Halvorson brings Canis Major to the Cedar stage for the first time. Dave Adewumi (trumpet), Henry Fraser (bass), Tomas Fujiwara (drums) round out the quartet.

“A concert with Yagódy is a ritual ... there is the breathing of the wind in the field, a sound like the voice of our ancestors. The listeners are enveloped in living energy and musical trance. A dance of voices in the pulse of humanity.” — Internationales Donaufest

Fantastic Negrito is carrying the mantle for all the soulful bluesmen who came before him. The singer’s 2024 album Son of a Broken Man is gritty, raw, and full of fire and brimstone.

AFROMATIC is a curated live music event launched in Minneapolis that showcases the fusion of African rhythms with contemporary genres such as hip-hop, rap, and other fusions.

Pitched somewhere between Pinegrove and Bladee, the Swedish duo winkingly reframes contemporary indie sounds and beloved pop samples for a debut album that’s goofy yet undeniably beautiful.” Pitchfork

The masters of traditional Tuvan instruments, as well as the ancient art of throat singing, ALASH return to The Cedar stage for the 7th time in their history.

Believing that traditional music must constantly evolve, the musicians of Alash subtly infuse their songs with Western elements, citing influences from otherworldly artists like Sun Ra and Jimi Hendrix, creating their own unique style that is fresh and new, yet true to their Tuvan musical heritage.

Them Coulee Boys spent the past decade-plus establishing themselves as one of the Midwest’s premier purveyors of bluegrass and Americana. The Cedar is thrilled to welcome the Eau Claire-based band to our stage for the first time.

The Cedar welcomes English indie rockers The Wedding Present for the first time, performing their Steve Albini-produced album Seamonsters in its entirety.  

Yasmin Williams is one of the most innovative voices in guitar playing today, crafting rich instrumental compositions that sway from traditional folk to atmospheric soundscapes, experimenting with rich tapestries of sound. Her performance at The Cedar this Spring is sure to be a highlight of our 2026 calendar. 

Rory Allen Philip Ferreira, better known by his stage name R.A.P. Ferreira, formerly Milo and Scallops Hotel, is an American rapper, poet, and producer from Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Described as a cross between Tina Turner and Miriam Makeba, Nomfusi is a South African singer poised for greatness. 

A celebration concert showcasing a collection of songs, poetry, and art rooted in joy and truth created by the Mamas Ignite Collective Community. The Mamas Ignite Collective is a collective of Black and People of Color artists composed of Mamas and Aunties bringing together our different skills and backgrounds to create gatherings that encourage Mamas to grow in their artistic creativity, learn, heal, and while being in a supportive community. Our collective includes musicians, poets, spoken word artists, DJs, and visual artists sharing their art from the heart. At this event, we will be celebrating the conclusion of season 4 of our creative circles and offering a night filled with several performances featuring our community, a marketplace showcasing visual art, children activities, and wellness activities. 

Bizhiki is Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings, Joe Rainey, and Sean Carey. The trio fuses powwow tradition with synthesized voice modulation, accenting hand drums with electronic samples and beats to create a unique and authentic sound. Souldies songwriter Jada Brown opens the set with her first full-band performance at The Cedar. 

Local family bands Spaceport and Robot Slide come together to co-headline an extra-special collaborative show celebrating the release of their sophomore albums Cut the Lake and CHIMPS. They’ll be playing musical chairs on stage with two mixed sets, collaborating and sharing members to bring a unique mix of weird pop and indie rock to The Cedar stage.

Accordion-wielding Chilean songstress Pascuala Ilabaca is a true hidden gem in Latin American and World Music genres. A favorite in the new scene of young Chilean singer-songwriters, her music is rooted in traditional sounds but effortlessly integrates shades of jazz, pop, and rock, and draws on influences from distant places such as India and Mexico. Accompanied by her formidable band Fauna, her unique stage presence conveys both sweetness and empowerment, bringing her songs to life with both fragility and verve.

That Handsome Devil celebrates 20 years since their debut EP with support from Human Zoo. Based in Brooklyn, by way of Boston, the band blends rock, funk, cabaret, surf, rhythm and blues, rockabilly, and psychedelia. Their sound has been described as "equal parts Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, bizarre electronica, creepy hip hop, and in-your-face gonzo rock.”

Eli Winter is a virtuosic guitar player, for fans of William Tyler and Yasmin Williams. Luke Schneider’s pedal steel has graced recordings by Orville Peck, Margo Price, and more. Deep listening and cosmic grooves abound as these two talents grace the Cedar stage for the first time. Jonah Hatten opens the show, previewing songs from his solo guitar debut, due later this year.

Philadelphia pop-folk songwriter Carsie Blanton takes her cues from legends like Nina Simone, Cleo Brown, Joni Mitchell and John Prine. She’s a ferocious wordsmith who pulls no punches on her 2024 full-length After the Revolution. This is Carsie’s second time performing at The Cedar, and we welcome her back in time when her words are more poignant than ever. 

Border CrosSing transforms into a full-fledged salsa band in this joyful, family-friendly program featuring a vibrant rhythm section and our amazing vocalists, joined by members of our community chorus Heritage Choir, for an even bigger and richer sound. Under the direction of Ahmed Anzaldúa, who will also take the stage at the piano, the ensemble dives into a spirited mix of classic and contemporary Latin American dance hits, from beloved favorites to lesser-known gems, all in novel choral arrangements. This won’t be a sit-still kind of night: our dance instructors will get people out of their seats and moving their bodies! Whether you choose to soak it all in or jump right into the movement, there is something for everyone. With highlights like the timeless Como Fue and the iconic Ojalá Que Llueva Café, this celebratory program promises an evening of rhythm, nostalgia, and irresistible fun for all ages.

 Scandinavian duo Smerz “flits deftly between genres – dream pop, glitchy electro, power ballads, shoegaze, even shades of trip-hop – whipping up all these textures into a sonic soufflé that is uniquely their own.” Vogue

Brooklyn-based indie rocker Moon Walker explores themes of capitalism, religion, and warfare in his music, a message that has him selling out venues across the country. This is his first time performing at the Cedar, celebrating his soon-to-be-released album Wasteland Country.

Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek are internationally recognized for their unique and infectious sound that combines Anatolian folk with psychedelia, pop and soul influences.

Transcending genres and trends, the Hot 8 Brass Band have performed and collaborated with the likes of Jon Batiste, Blind Boys of Alabama, Basement Jaxx, George Ezra and Alice Russell, and provided live support for Mos Def, Lauryn Hill and Mary J Blige. The group is known for their fresh takes on hit songs like Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing,” Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” and more. The Cedar is proud to welcome this award-winning New Orleans-based band to Minnesota for a special Juneteenth celebration.

Indo-Canadian songwriter and producer Alysha Brilla is a 3x Juno-nominated artist. Guided by heritage and imagination, Brilla sculpts sonic constellations where the ancestral meets the electric. 

Mexico City’s Sonido Gallo Negro fuse cumbias with psychedelic tropicalia to create hypnotic, dancefloor-ready sounds.

Micky and the Motorcars hail from Austin, Texas, by way of Stanley, Idaho. Brothers Micky and Gary Braun are the sons of Western Swing musician Muzzie Braun, and along with their brothers Willy and Cody (Reckless Kelly), spent their childhood on the stage. The band has averaged 100+ shows a year for nearly 20 years.

Afro Dead is a musical collective formed in 2022 by Aaron Feder to reimagine the music of the Grateful Dead in Afro-Pop styles, such as soukous, Afrobeat, high-life, reggae and more. Featuring members of Chicago’s Alma Afrobeat Ensemble, Afro Dead make their Cedar debut with support from Minnesota’s Demitrious Rallis Band (Frogleg).

“After a few listens to the record it becomes apparent that Chicago Farmer has a refreshingly firm grip on where he comes from. The songs are covered to the elbows in dirt from the fields and smell of the sweaty factory floors. If the Midwest is looking for a voice, the search is over.” - No Depression