As the weather gets colder in Minnesota, fewer touring acts visit the Midwest. But for local music fans, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Twin Cities music venues tend to open up their concert calendars for weekly residencies curated by top Minnesota musicians.

These residencies are an opportunity to workshop new material, showcase up-and-coming talent, and play some gigs with friends. We went through the upcoming concert calendar and selected some music residencies to inspire you to leave the warmth of your home and venture out to the club. (Note: We will update this post once a couple of anticipated residencies are announced.)

Zacc Harris Icehouse Residency

Things are going to get jazzy, experimental, and improvisational at Icehouse every Monday in December (except for Christmas day), as guitarist Zacc Harris curates this month’s impressive Icehouse Mondays lineup. In addition to Harris’ own innovative groups – Baldwin/Harris/Hennig, Zacc Harris Group, and Atlantis Quartet – Harris has picked a talented bunch of bands to round out each evening. Splāktet (Dec. 4) is an eclectic quartet featuring an all-star team of Twin Cities musicians including Aby Wolf, Eric Mayson, Ted Olsen, and Joey Van Phillips. Ted Olsen Quartet (Dec. 11) is a wildly creative jazz group made up of local luminaries. And ThoughtCast (Dec. 18) is an experimental group led by Graydon Peterson, who layers multiple sonic layers atop his band’s textured electronic jazz sound. Doors at 6 p.m., music at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the show.  

Venus de Mars 331 Club Residency

 Longtime Twin Cities music scene veteran Venus de Mars will keep things more subdued during the first four shows of her free Tuesday night residency at the 331 Club throughout December. Venus will be performing solo acoustic sets, joined by her All the Pretty Horses bandmate Danimae at select shows, as well as a series of very special guests including Chris Perricelli (Little Man), Joe Hastings, Karen Townsend, Sally Linda (Big Salt), Jim Walsh, Ruby Blu (Red Eye Ruby), Elizabeth Amal (ELOUR), and Meghan Kreidler (Kiss the Tiger). And for her bonus Sunday night show on New Year’s Eve, de Mars and All the Pretty Horses will plug in for a full-band electric set to end 2023 on a loud, wild, and festive note.

Whiskey Rock ‘N’ Roll Club MPLS Mortimer’s Residency

 You don’t call your band Whiskey Rock ‘N’ Roll Club MPLS unless you are going to deliver a rousing good time whenever you take the stage. The spirited trio is set to perform at Morts every Wednesday in December. Each show the Rock ‘N’ Roll Club will be joined by Mortiholics, along with special guests Ruby Blu (Dec. 6), Mary Jam (Dec. 13), Haters Club (Dec. 20), and High on Stress (Dec. 27). In addition to the top-shelf, high-energy rock ’n’ roll on display at these shows, custom-made “Snake Bite” shots will be available for only $5, and the band also promises plenty of “sexy swag giveaways” to sweeten the deal. Music at 9 p.m., and tickets are $7.

The Cactus Blossoms Turf Club Residency

 Every Monday night in January, the Cactus Blossoms will turn the Turf Club into their own little honky-tonk. The celebrated Twin Cities’ country duo of brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum, have assembled a stellar lineup of openers: Becky Kapell (New Year’s Day), the Riffin’ Trio (Jan. 8), Steam Machine (Jan. 15), LAMAAR (Jan. 22), and Clare Doyle (Jan. 29). Doors at 7 p.m. with music at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show – though Cactus Blossoms shows at the Turf tend to sell out, so get your tickets early.

Lissie’s Midwinter Residency at the Parkway

Celebrated indie pop singer/songwriter Lissie is once again set to return to her home away from home here in Minneapolis for a prominent run of shows at the Parkway Theater. She will bring four distinct live sets to their intimate stage every Saturday night throughout the month of January. “The Parkway has been so wonderful to me over the years and were true friends, especially during Covid, as we did several livestreams from their stage,” Lissie says of her Parkway residency. Each evening will feature a unique performance from Lissie – playing solo, as a duo, and with a full band – as well as some special guests dropping in. 

Yellow Ostrich 3rd Annual Winter Shindig at Icehouse

Yellow Ostrich mastermind Alex Schaaf has lived in Minneapolis for years, and the Twin Cities music scene has affectionately taken him in as a local. Now in its third iteration, Yellow Ostrich’s Winter Shindig features four unique sets from Schaaf and company over the last four Wednesdays of January. Joining Yellow Ostrich on Jan. 10 will be indie poppers Bathtub Cig and Megasound (Kerry Alexander and Chris Hoge of Bad Bad Hats and Elana Carroll of Party Nails). Zak Khan and Honeybutter are set to open on Jan. 17, Max + Jeremy Ylvisaker and Trash Date on Jan. 24, and Aesha Minor (and a yet-to-be-announced act) will start the residency’s final show on Jan. 31.  Doors at 6 p.m., and music at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $17 at the door.

JAMuary Residency at 7th St. Entry

 Twin Cities jam band fans get a heaping dose of sprawling, expansive rock ’n’ roll in the 7th St. Entry during three successive Monday nights in January. On Jan. 8, the stacked lineup consists of Joe Barron Band, Twine, and Dylan Salfer. Jan. 15 features Minneapolis bluegrass band Buffalo Galaxy, Duluth funk rockers New Salty Dog, and soulful Minneapolis rockers Dream of the Wild. The final night of the JAMuary residency on Jan. 22 is rounded out by a dream lineup for local jam band lovers, Built to Last All Stars, Dead Larry, and Time Stream. All shows start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, with a special three-show pack available for $30.   

Radio K’s Frostbite Residency at 7th St. Entry

 The U of M’s independent radio station Radio K has assembled a diverse crew of local bands to play their Frostbite Residency at the Entry on Sunday nights in January. On January 7, the stacked lineup consists of Tabah, Carnage the Executioner, Student 1, and Soulflower. And on January 14, the performers are Gramma, RiGBY, Mold, and Psylo. Doors for each show are at 7 p.m. and tickets are $12.