![Brent Assink portrait Brent Assink portrait](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/STP-L-ORCHESTRA-0828_203892014-e1724798582418.jpg?w=132)
![St. Paul Pioneer Press music critic Ross Raihala, photographed in St. Paul on October 30, 2019. (Scott Takushi / Pioneer Press)](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Ross-Raihala.jpg?w=85)
Pop music critic
Ross Raihala
A Minnesota native, Ross Raihala joined the Pioneer Press as pop music critic in 2004, after stints at The Forum in Fargo, N.D., and The Olympian in Olympia, Wash. He covers local and national music as well as some theater and other arts and entertainment topics. His favorite part of his job is reviewing, and live tweeting, Twin Cities arena concerts. And, yes, he saw the same show you did.
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![Brent Assink portrait Brent Assink portrait](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/STP-L-ORCHESTRA-0828_203892014-e1724798582418.jpg?w=132)
Assink will take over from Michelle Miller Burns, who departs in mid-September.
![Alice Cooper is shown wearing a top hat, long jacket and black leather pants on stage at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center with his band Alice Cooper is shown wearing a top hat, long jacket and black leather pants on stage at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center with his band](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Alice_Cooper_Performs_At_Xcel_Energy_Center_On_08-25-2024_Photo_By_Joe_Lemke_001.jpg?w=132)
Concert review: Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie make shock rock a blast at Xcel Energy Center
Cooper has influenced countless musicians who've followed him, including Zombie himself.
![Zach Bryan smiles as he plays the guitar on stage. Zach Bryan smiles as he plays the guitar on stage.](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/STP-L-ZACHBRYAN-0825-01.jpg?w=132)
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Concert review: Zach Bryan fills U.S. Bank Stadium with a big, loud and confident performance
The 28-year-old went from playing the Fillmore Minneapolis to the Vikings stadium in three years
![Becky G in a pink dress on stage Becky G in a pink dress on stage](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/STP-L-BECKY-G-0823.jpg?w=132)
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Concert review: Latin pop star Becky G opens Minnesota State Fair Grandstand season with abundantly good vibes
“My younger self was so looking forward to this show,” she said, adding she ate onion rings and a whole bucket of cookies earlier in the day.
![A musician performing A musician performing](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/STP-L-DEFLEPPARD-0820-001.jpg?w=132)
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Concert review: Def Leppard and Journey struggle with vocals at Target Field
One can't help but wonder if Monday will be the last time we see Journey on the road.
![Blake Shelton spreads his arms while singing. Blake Shelton spreads his arms while singing.](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/AP22142822609704.jpg?w=132)
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Minnesota State Fair 2024: A look at this year’s Grandstand offerings
Check out the full lineup.
![It turns out “Dookie” has held up quite well and sounds every bit as timeless as it did three decades ago. It turns out “Dookie” has held up quite well and sounds every bit as timeless as it did three decades ago.](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/STP-L-GREENDAY-0818-002.jpg?w=132)
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Concert review: Green Day play their two biggest albums at high-energy Target Field show
It turns out “Dookie” has held up quite well and sounds every bit as timeless as it did three decades ago.
![Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica are shown performing live on stage at Minneapolis' U.S. Bank Stadium. Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica are shown performing live on stage at Minneapolis' U.S. Bank Stadium.](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_5627.jpeg?w=132)
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Concert review: Metallica tight and intense on first of two nights at U.S. Bank Stadium
The foursome tore through the first of two nights at U.S. Bank Stadium in front of a near-capacity crowd.
![Alix Kendall portrait on a TV news set. Alix Kendall portrait on a TV news set.](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/STP-L-KENDALL-0818_02_201431156-e1723752914429.jpg?w=132)
Why is Alix Kendall leaving Fox 9? She wants to be a screenwriter.
The Minneapolis native plans to pursue a "passion for screenwriting that's been on the back burner for 40 years now."
![A large outdoor festival audience with downtown St. Paul in the background. A large outdoor festival audience with downtown St. Paul in the background.](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/STP-L-jea-02-YACHT_CLUB_FESTIVAL-0719.jpg?w=140)
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Minnesota Yacht Club Festival will return in 2025 with an added third day of music
Concertgoers should expect a slow roll out of details over the next year.