Feel that chill in the air? Fall is slowly creeping in, which means the countdown for Minnesota Monthly‘s Rhythm & Brews has begun. Back for its fourth year, the event will take place Saturday, Sept. 27 from 3-7 p.m. at the Hilde Performance Center in Plymouth.
Set in a new outdoor park venue, guests can celebrate the kickoff to fall in all the best ways: lawn games, live music, and unlimited sampling of beers, seltzers, ready-to-drink cocktails, and more, set amid the cozy autumn landscape. Plus, the Hilde Performance Center is equipped with a 45-foot-tall open-air amphitheater built for excellent outdoor acoustics—perfect for a true festival experience.
Courtesy of Hilde Performance Center
This year’s live music lineup features three local acts who are making waves across different genres: Dez & Taylor, Molly Brandt, and LAAMAR. To help you get to know them a little better, we connected with the artists to chat about their upcoming performances and what they love about Minnesota’s music community.
Dez & Taylor
You may know Dez’s voice from the KS95 Morning Show—now, you’ll hear her on the mic in a different way. Dez and her husband, Taylor, will take the stage as a duo for a high-energy acoustic set to kick off the evening. “We’re all about spreading positivity through our music and having fun with it. We keep it simple and lighthearted with a mix of classic covers and upbeat originals,” says Dez.
“We love the diversity in the music scene. There’s so much good music that comes from the Twin Cities from all genres, and even better, there’s so many great venues for people to come together to enjoy it,” she says. “Minnesotans have great taste in music, and as local musicians, we love the people who come out to enjoy it as well as the amazing musicians we get to collaborate with.”
Courtesy of Dez & Taylor
As Rhythm & Brews first-timers, the duo is excited to take in everything the event has to offer—hopefully making a few new friends along the way. “At the end of the day, we love live music and great craft drinks, but what makes that even better is enjoying both with amazing people,” says Dez.
Molly Brandt
If you haven’t heard of Molly Brandt, you’re in for a treat. Brandt has only been releasing her own music since 2022 and has quickly climbed the local ranks—she was named Americana Artist of the Year at the Midwest Country Music Awards in both 2023 and 2024. Her music is a unique blend of country, bluegrass, Americana, alt-rock, and blues influences, creating a sonic landscape that evokes both old-school favorites and modern styles.
“We, as a band, pride ourselves in having a set that has a wide range of vibes, with each song having its own personality, story, and feeling. I draw from a lot of different genre influences, trying to not box myself into one style. You’ll hear songs that are reminiscent of classic country, indie rock, roots, Americana, folk, and more, as I also explore a range of lyrical topics that I hope makes people ponder the words and stories,” Brandt explains. “One song might demand attention and quiet reflection, while the next kicks it up a notch to a more rocked-out feeling.”
Photo by Daniela Shella
Brandt moved to the Twin Cities from Iowa in 2019, and says she immediately felt welcomed by other local musicians when she joined the scene. “I instantly felt welcomed and celebrated. A lot of artists and venues were willing to give the newbie like me a chance to showcase my songs, and since we got our start in late 2021, we’ve been asked to do a lot of really cool shows in the Twin Cities area and greater Minnesota,” says Brandt. “The artists we work alongside are always so kind, talented, and supportive.”
“The local country-dancing scene has had a lot to do with my wonderful experience,” she explains. “I’ve gotten to two-step and line-dance to many local bands and gotten to meet new people along the way. I’ve also found the music scene in Minnesota overall to be incredibly deep and filled with talent, and I’m always discovering a new artist that blows my mind. The pool of incredible art can’t be overstated. There are talented artists of every genre and style in the Twin Cities, and my experience within the scene has been one of endless discovery and connection. People are really willing to help out and support the independent, local artists of our scene.”
For Rhythm & Brews attendees, Brandt hopes her music, songs, and band can bring a sense of joy and inspiration. “We also love to be fashionable on stage, so be prepared to admire our fits,” she notes.
LAAMAR
LAAMAR is a project led by Minneapolis-based singer, songwriter, saxophonist, and composer Geoffrey Lamar Wilson. After spending time in New York City as the former frontman of Jus Post Bellum, LAAMAR burst onto the local scene in 2023 with his debut single, “Home to My Baby,” and has made an indelible mark in the years since.
LAAMAR’s sound bridges folk, soul, R&B, and country into something uniquely his own, often evoking themes of racial and social justice issues and the shared human experience. Backed by a dynamic and sharp-eared band, which can evolve to include saxophone, cello, and a rotating cast of guest vocalists, his live show is powerful yet soft, humorous yet vulnerable—leaving audiences laughing, dancing, and tearing up at the same time, perfect to close out the evening of live music and festivities.
“I like to say we have a little something for everyone in our music: Americana, folk, soul, R&B,” he says. “For this one, we’ll probably bring an up tempo set and leave some space for the band to groove and audience to move a bit. Most of our shows also tend to feature a handful of humorous dad anecdotes depending on what’s been happening with my kiddos that week.”
Photo by Aaron Rice
Since he made his local debut, LAAMAR has played dozens of shows around the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota, and you’ve likely heard his music on The Current. He has also opened for notable touring artists like Arlo Parks, Durand Jones, Dan Wilson, and Sunny War. Ultimately, LAAMAR says the passionate, welcoming community of concertgoers and bands in Minnesota is what he loves most about the local scene.
“What I love most about the music scene here is just the enthusiasm concertgoers have for original music and the way in which bands support one another. Artists are always lifting up their peers, sharing one another’s shows and music, and generally just sending positive energy out into the music space. Concertgoers continue to surprise me, showing up for our shows, singing along to my lyrics, it’s amazing,” he explains. “After many years making music in New York City, and often feeling siloed from my peers/fans, it [has] been so amazing to be welcomed back to my hometown community with such support.”
At Rhythm & Brews, LAAMAR is looking forward to sharing the stage with his father, Patrick Wilson, who will be playing drums. “This will be our first time sharing a stage since I was a teenager, and the first time he [has] joined my band instead of the other way around. That will be a special experience for us both,” LAAMAR says. “I’m also just generally excited to play at the beautiful Hilde Performance Center for the first time and to wind down the outdoor concert season with a Hazy IPA while enjoying some live music.”
Tickets for Minnesota Monthly’s Rhythm & Brews are available for purchase online. Please note all guests must be 21 years of age or older and show a valid ID upon entry.
