“Where’s the Show?” How Old School Listings Are Making a Comeback

On a late spring road trip to northern Minnesota, I found myself in Duluth on the afternoon of the nationwide “No Kings” protests. I caught a spirited post-march performance by some great local musicians, including a spot-on Stevie Nicks cover by the suitably shawled owner of a local crystal-and-tarot shop. But since most of the audience had been up early for the protests, both the bands and crowd cleared out quickly.

Looking for something else to do, I stumbled on a stack of copies of a zine called On the Record, which provides a list of local shows happening in the area organized by date. Based on the listing, I selected another musical performance at a bar down the road. And when that event proved a bit delayed, the bartender, knowing I was only in town for the night, suggested I look for another show in what she said was a beloved local publication. It was, of course, On the Record.

Founded by audio engineer Kristi Olson a little over two years ago, On the Record has quickly filled a niche in Duluth and neighboring Superior, Wisconsin at a time when many communities are without a published source for what’s going on around town. Under the straightforward heading “Where’s the Show?,” the publication includes a list not only of concerts but also film screenings, classes, jam sessions, and more.