The Current Celebrates 20 Years
Part of The Current’s mission in its two-decade history has been to champion emerging artists, support arts and cultural organizations, and give a platform to important voices that shape the community. As an all-music, noncommercial, member-supported station, The Current plays new and established artists alike — from local to legendary, indie to influential. The station has become a launchpad for the careers of many local artists, including Lizzo, Cloud Cult, Trampled by Turtles, Dessa, and Hippo Campus, and has been an early amplifier of well-known artists like Mumford and Sons, Adele, Wet Leg, Kendrick Lamar, and Bon Iver.
Other special programming includes a 20th anniversary music stream showcasing music from the past 20 years of The Current, and “The Current’s Live Sessions Vault,” a video stream on The Current’s YouTube channel featuring never-before-seen footage from the hundreds of musicians who have recorded at The Current. The station will also feature 20th anniversary-themed content throughout the year, including March Music Madness Albums of 2005, and the 893 Essential Songs of The Current in May. This year The Current will also release a new mobile app and expand events like The Current’s Happy Hour series.
“This anniversary is a milestone for The Current and all the fans and artists who built the community we know today as the Minnesota music scene,” said David Safar, Managing Director of The Current. “It’s a time to celebrate the artists who shaped the sound of our region and the music fans whose dedication to supporting the music makes this a destination for artists from around the world.”