Since the coronavirus pandemic has forced live music largely into virtual spaces, we've been working to help keep the Minnesota music community connected through a series of online festivals we call Sounds Like Home. The Current hosts catch up with local artists, who also perform short sets of music that we share with our audiences on YouTube and Facebook.

We've done three events so far, and you might just be hearing news about a fourth festival soon! In the meantime, here's a sampler of memorable virtual gigs from the first three festivals, to give you a sense of what Sounds Like Home looks like. (Due to music rights limitations, not all performances are embeddable on our site; where videos do not appear here, follow the links to watch on Facebook.)

Reina del Cid (Sounds Like Home I)

Minnesota music fans know Reina del Cid from her charming live-in-person performances, but the singer-songwriter and her bandmate Toni Lindgren have been building their online audience for years with their Sunday Morning videos. The duo were situated on a cozy couch for their Sounds Like Home session with Mary Lucia.

Charlie Parr (Sounds Like Home I)

You wouldn't expect a rootsy veteran like Charlie Parr to be technophilic -- and he's not. He set up a camera in his Duluth garret, though, for an intimate session and conversation with Andrea Swensson.

Kiss the Tiger (Sounds Like Home I)

And now for something completely different: rather than a conventional virtual gig, Kiss the Tiger filmed a moody black-and-white video for a performance of "Grown Ass Woman" that draws on singer Meghan Kreidler's riveting screen presence.

Bad Bad Hats (Sounds Like Home II)

In lockdown, Bad Bad Hats have proved that their sterling songcraft and disarming stage banter translate perfectly to the small screen - or the large screen, if you Chromecast their Sounds Like Home session and candid conversation with Andrea.

Lady Midnight (Sounds Like Home II)

Just days before announcing plans for a new venue called Auntie's, Lady Midnight brought her soaring vocals to Sounds Like Home wearing a t-shirt aptly reading THE FUTURE IS LIT.

Maria Isa (Sounds Like Home III)

"You're an artist, you're an activist, you're an educator," said Andrea to Maria Isa, recognizing the "SotaRican" star's commitment to her community. "I almost forgot," Andrea continued, "that you're also the CEO of a record label!" Check out their compelling conversation and Isa's high-energy Sounds Like Home set.

Longshot (Sounds Like Home III)

MC Longshot took the stage for his virtual session — the stage at Mortimer's, which was seeing success with its new music room when COVID forced capacity restrictions. It's a poignant reminder of the fist-pumping crowds the prolific artist would be electrifying IRL right now if he could. In the meantime, don't miss his Sounds Like Home performance.

Gaelynn Lea (Sounds Like Home III)

It was through online video that Gaelynn Lea first transfixed music fans around the world, when she won National Public Radio's Tiny Desk Contest in 2016. Obviously she was a must-book for Sounds Like Home, sharing a hauntingly beautiful performance from her Duluth dining room — and talking about the public health emergency that presents an especially dire threat to people with disabilities.