Dive into the underground world of DIY venues on campus, where $5-$10 grants access to eclectic performances spanning punk to jazz.
National Geographic and Travel + Leisure have ranked Minneapolis as one of the Top 10 U.S. cities for live music. Around the Twin Cities campus, you can connect to live music scenes for just $5 to $10 to discover new music.
Here are five:
The Chop Shop, or @thechopshop on Instagram, is a college house-turned-venue that is one of the newest and coolest spots in Southeast Como. Chop Shop will connect you to local artists ranging from punk to jazz, revolutionizing the variety of shows you can get into. Eli Awada, a founder of Chop Shop, described their goal, “try to not repeat a band,” giving their venue an “eclectic vibe.” Awada says the Chop Shop wants to have a $5 cap on shows. The five dollar cap is to ensure artists can be paid,“we want to be compensating artists” while still leaving “affordability in mind,” Awada said.
The Laundry Room, @laundryroom612 on Instagram, has hosted several bands in its house, including Laundry Fests held during the summer with local bands on the line-up.
Como Crib, @comocrib, is a punk venue out of the venue owners garage. The venue has gained over 1,000 followers on Instagram and features creative shows with live music video shoots.
Place In Marcy, @placeinmarcy, a DIY house in Marcy-Holmes, is a newer venue that had its first show in December 2023 but is a house to remember when looking for a night full of local music.
Sinkhole House, located in Como, is a smaller venue with four shows under its belt. With local bands headlining like Creeping Charlie, a rapidly growing band with sublime ballads and punk vibes, or Goon Tribune, a six-piece jazz band with hip-hop influences. To keep up with their upcoming shows, follow their Instagram @sinhkholehouse.
With many DIY venues, the address is not readily available. Since students live in these houses and the longevity of the venues are not guaranteed, to get exact addresses, many DIY houses listed here will ask you to DM them on the night of the show.