City Sounds: 8 Concert Venues in Grand Forks

When you think of musical cities in the United States, there are probably a few places that come to mind: Nashville, New Orleans, Memphis, or maybe even Austin. It is undeniable that music is in the fabric that makes these cities what they are today. I know you might be thinking “There is no way that Grand Forks is even comparable to any of these places”, but you may be surprised! There is much more to Grand Forks than meets the eye!

As a person who enjoys the finer things in life, there are certain things that will never go out of style; and perhaps on the top of that list is live music. Grand Forks has a variety of concert venues for multiple genres of music and performances that are sure to leave you humming and dancing all the way back home. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best venues in Forks, as well as a few sleeper picks that you maybe wouldn’t expect. So, buckle up and get ready for your mind to be blown.

If you’ve been in Grand Forks for even a month, there’s probably a good chance that you have heard about the concerts at Southtown Pourhouse. This bar and grill has great drinks and a food menu that is sure to keep your stomach full. With a large stage complete with lights and sound, Southtown welcomes a wide variety of artists and genres for a multitude of music tastes. Whether it be The Johnny Holm Band, Sushi Roll, or Some [Explicit] Cover Band, or something else completely, the diverse array of bands is unmatched in town.

I’d recommend checking out their website for upcoming events and concerts that you should tune into. Most have a small cover charge to get in, but I think you will find it will be worth it for a fun night of music and drinks. Check out their calendar here.

Maybe you are into a little more unfiltered music with a hint of garage band. Well, you should give the Empire Arts Center’s Music Box Showcase a shot! Once a month, three local musicians of all skill levels are welcomed to the stage to put on a 30 minute show of their musical talents. This can range from finely tuned jazz ensembles, or your little cousin Timmy playing America the Beautiful on his saxophone. Talk about a hometown talent show!

The Empire also has other music-inspired events such as musical theater, touring artists, and even school performances that are sure to bring out the music in you. Not only is the music aspect fun, but there’s something about walking up to a downtown venue with the flashing marquee that really sets the tone for a great night of music and entertainment. Check out their calendar here.

Are you into metal or grunge? Maybe some hard rock? What about rap or even folk/indie? If you answered yes to any of these, I’d suggest you check out Ojata records on North Washington Street. With a wide variety of local and regional bands of all genres that come to perform, you are destined to have a head-bangin’ good time! This venue is large enough to host musicians of different calibers, but small enough for you to truly feel that beat down to your core.

Not only do they have great live music opportunities, but also some great food and vinyl records and other music media you can buy. The Dogmahal in the same building has some of the best (and wildest) hot dogs in town. They also have a great Saturday Waffle deal every so often that is sure to take care of your breakfast cravings. Give their Facebook page a look for upcoming events!

This one is a bit of a sleeper pick but it will always deliver a great atmosphere. On the corner of 3rd St and Demers, the downtown plaza is perhaps one of my favorite places for a concert. It’s outside, letting you feel engaged in the magic of downtown Grand Forks. With a great pavilion stage in the corner of the plaza, this makes for good seats anywhere you stand or sit. There are few things better than a well-put-together outdoor concert, (especially on a cool summer night) and the downtown plaza in Grand Forks is no exception!

A popular event held at the plaza is the Blues on the Red summer concert. Bring your own chair and claim your spot, because you aren’t gonna wanna miss this when it rolls around. An undeniable beat al fresco is already great enough, but you’ll also be right in the action of the downtown bar and restaurant scene, making for a great opportunity for a post-concert night cap or get-together with friends.

If you want more of a formal affair, I’d suggest the Chester Fritz Auditorium. This is a great venue on our UND campus that offers a little more comfort than most. With 2,400 cushioned seats and 3 tiers of seating, the Fritz is just big enough for a large scale concert, but still can deliver those intimate vibes. While there might not be as many concerts hosted as some of these other venues on this list, I’d still recommend getting to at least one music event at the Fritz if you can. There are also a handful of other musicals, dance performances, comedy shows, national tours, and UND music events hosted at the Chester Fritz year-round that would be worth your time to check out! Coming up this winter, you can keep your eyes peeled for the famous UND WUNDerland Concert, several national Broadway tours, the Backstage Concert series, and even a Queen cover band! Check out their complete list of events on their website.

The North Dakota Museum of Art hosts musicians and music ensembles from time to time with their summer Concerts in the Garden series. Their goal is to Grand Forks locals high quality musicians from all over the country while enjoying fine art, grilled treats, nightly specials, and adult beverages. with an outdoor summer vibe. Bring a lawn chair to enjoy the tunes while sitting in the grass while a nice summer breeze rolls through UND’s campus. Keep your eyes open in the spring time to find out what their next summer lineup looks like!

Naturally, our largest event venue in the region offers many opportunities to catch some of the biggest household names. A 13,500 seat arena that can accommodate over 22,000 people is sure to make you feel the buzz of a large crowd. In 2023 and 2024, we can expect massive artists such as the Jonas Brothers, Hairball, TobyMac, Journey (with Toto), Christ Stapleton, Kane Brown, and Zach Bryan; and those are just the names that have already been announced. Check out their loaded schedule of events here.
Even our biggest sports hub, the Ralph Engelstad Arena has occasionally hosted some massive names. On their docket, they’re gearing up for Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos and country artist Sam Hunt. You can check out their goings-on here. 

There are a few other spots in town that may not usually come to mind when it comes to thinking about live music. Ely’s Ivy in downtown Forks will occasionally host small music groups to provide some great ambience and background music. Their regulars, Jazz on Tap, is a popular jazz trio that is a crowd favorite (get a reservation a few days in advance, because they fill up quick). This is a great opportunity to enjoy fine dining and fine music.
Half Brothers Brewing Company, Archives Coffee House, the Ember, and many other restaurants and bars occasionally host open mic nights and smaller-scale bands just waiting for you to discover!