Riverside Music Series

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Live Music. Big Names. No Tickets.

Est. 1992

Thank you to the thousands of fans, the musicians, and our partners who made the 2025 season unforgettable!

Save the dates - we'll be back in July and August 2026 with another five weeks of free concerts in the park. Lineup announcement coming spring 2026.

Riverside Music Series Logo - Dark Yellow

For more than 30 years, the Riverside Music Series has brought big-name bands and big summer energy to Mayo Park on Sunday nights.

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Planning Your Visit

At the Park

Activities & Extras

Getting Involved & Guidelines

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Highlights from 2025

  • Family activities: New in 2025, guests could stop by the Rochester Art Center’s patio for low-key, drop-in fun. Each week included a rotating mix of bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and other kid-friendly play items.
  • First-time performers: All five headliners were new to the Riverside stage this year, including Blind Melon, Caylee Hammack, and Hoobastank.

Follow @rochesterpublicmusic on Instagram or Rochester Public Music on Facebook for updates.

Caravan du Nord: Carnage the Executioner, Carolyne Naomi, and Colin Bracewell

@ Rochester Civic Music's Theatre Season

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Caravan du Nord - Rochester: Carnage the ExecutionerCarolyne NaomiColin Bracewell | Saturday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rochester Civic Theatre in Rochester, MN. Tickets: $25 ~ General Admission ~ Ticketmaster. On sale 9:00 a.m. Thursday, November 17.

Everyone's favorite traveling showcase of Minnesota music, Caravan du Nord, is coming to #RochMN. Minnesota Music CoalitionRochester Civic Music, and Minnesota Public Radio's The Current are proud to present Caravan du Nord-Rochester at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 14 in The Rochester Civic Theatre. Featuring indie pop artist Colin Bracewell and afro-fusion artist Carolyne Naomi opening for the incomparable hip-hop rap master Carnage the Executioner.

Tickets on sale 9:00 a.m. Thursday, November 17 at Rochester Civic Music in City Hall, the Mayo Civic Center Box Office, or through Ticketmaster.

Colin Bracewell (7:30 p.m.) - Colin Bracewell, a 21-year-old indie pop artist from Minneapolis, MN is paving his own, fresh path within the Midwest music scene. Originally hailing from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Colin blends inspiration from the likes of Justin Vernon and John Mayer, though his music holds a raw and unabashed post-Frank Ocean R&B quality. His instrumentation sets Bracewell apart from other singer-songwriters of the same genre, often adding gentle synths, a killer trumpet solo or a moody saxophone riff to bring a jazzier feel that offsets lyrics of heartbreak (or amplifies them, depending on the listener). Colin is also a full-time student at the University of Minnesota majoring in Vocal Performance and Marketing. Bracewell currently holds the #1 spot on The Current's Chart Show with his song "Making Me Crazy".- https://colinbracewell.com/

Carolyne Naomi (8:30 p.m.) - Drawing heavily from the music of her youth growing up in Nigeria, Carolyne Naomi creates a unique blend of afro-pop, reggae and soul, heavily influenced by the gospel and R&B music that she grew up listening to. Carolyne’s take on this modern-day afro-fusion reflects today’s multicultural world and the everyday challenges it holds. By weaving phrases of the everyday Nigerian Pidgin English (NPE) spoken by the youths of Nigeria in homes across the globe into her narrative, she strikes a familiar chord in the ears of the greater African diaspora. - https://carolynenaomi.com/

Carnage the Executioner (9:30 p.m.) 
Whether he’s rapping, producing, performing, teaching kids to beatbox, or working his former job as a youth counselor, it’s clear the man most commonly known as Carnage The Executioner was born to do two things: instruct and entertain. Musicians, dancers, DJs, poets, and television hosts who have worked with Carnage recognize his dedication to his craft and would confirm that he doesn’t disappoint. Ask emcees about Carnage’s skill level, and you’ll find out that the phrase, “he’s your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper,” actually fits.

A music fan since childhood, Carnage has filled his memory bank with thousands of references from all genres to draw from for his work. Carnage’s start as a human beatboxer has taken on a life of its own. He now uses technology like looping and effects pedals commonly used by guitarists. He enhances the experience of a live hip-hop show by allowing his audiences to hear original Carnage material and unique improvisations and spot-on recreations of popular songs. Carnage uses this same musical knowledge and technology to create custom, studio human beatbox tracks. His audio vision via mouth music can be heard on albums by hip-hop heavyweights Aesop Rock and R.A. The Rugged Man.

Carnage is a self-trained songwriter who’s skilled enough to compose a heart-felt story as easily as he can craft an intricate battle rap. Carnage gained national fame from his past guest appearances with Eyedea & Abilities. However, it’s his original songs that allow his fans to connect with him the most. Songs like "Addict", "Save My People", and "The MTW Story" give fans a glimpse into the real-life experiences of Carnage, the human being. - https://carnagetheexecutioner.com/

Part of Rochester Civic Music's Theatre Season, an indoor ticketed concert series providing world-class artists from a broad range of genres at moderate ticket prices. This series is presented in the intimate setting of the 300 seat main hall at the Rochester Civic Theatre on the Mayo Civic Center campus. These indoor concerts will provide a more engaging, up close and personal experience, allowing attendees to delve deeper into the creative process and soak in the finer details of the artistry involved. 

Tickets available at Rochester Civic Music in City Hall (walk-in or by phone, no handling fees), the Mayo Civic Center Box Office (walk-in, no handling fees), and Ticketmaster (online). Order by phone at 507-328-2200 or 800-657-3980 or in person at 201 4th St. SE, Suite 170 (City Hall). Group rates available. More information at rochestermn.gov/civicmusic

The Rochester Civic Music Box Office hours are 9 AM - 4 PM (M-F). We are open through the noon hour. Cash, Check, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are accepted. 

Mayo Civic Center FAQ

 

 

About Caravan du Nord: The Caravan du Nord is a traveling showcase of Minnesota music, bringing top regional acts, emerging bands and music industry professionals to towns across Greater Minnesota for a weekend of workshops, networking and performances. The Caravan du Nord is an ongoing project of the Minnesota Music Coalition. - https://www.mnmusiccoalition.org/caravan-du-nord/

About Minnesota Music Coalition: The Minnesota Music Coalition is a statewide network for independent musicians who care about creating and sustaining a vibrant popular music community. Through education, communication, and advocacy, we create access to resources and professional development services. - https://www.mnmusiccoalition.org/

Caravan du Nord is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

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Listen and watch

Listen to the 2025 Season Sampler: Relive 2025's lineup with our curated Spotify playlist.

Alumni Playlist

Explore the artists who’ve helped shape Riverside over the years with our curated Spotify mix.

What is the Riverside Music Series?

This short video captures the spirit of the series.

Additional information

See below for answers to frequently asked questions.

Schedule & Start Times
Location
Directions & Parking
Cost & Tickets
What to Bring
Seating
Restrooms
Food & Drink
Weather Policy
Smoking
Accessibility & Guest Services
Family Activities
Giveaways
Meet & Greets
Soliciting & Campaigning
Vendor Opportunities

Supporters & Partners

The Riverside Music Series is funded primarily by the City of Rochester. Support from sponsors, funders, and community partners helps us grow the series, welcome more people, and keep the music free and accessible for all.

2026 sponsorship opportunities are now available. Visit our Supporters & Partners page or email publicmusic@rochestermn.gov to learn more.

2025 Funding Partners

Think Bank logo
Title Sponsor since 2008
Minnesota State Arts Board logo Clean Water Legacy logo
Grant Support
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

2025 Media Partners

Minnesota 97.5 logo
Minnesota 97.5
Quick Country 96.5 logo
Quick Country 96.5
Y-105 FM logo
Y-105 FM

2025 Family Activity Partner

Rochester Art Center logo
Rochester Art Center

City Partners

We’re also grateful to Rochester Parks & Recreation, Rochester Public Works, the Rochester Police Department, and the Mayo Civic Center for their partnership and support.