The Current Impact Report – March 2026 

Apr 22, 2026

The Current Impact Report – March 2026

The Current began broadcasting in 2005 and is much more than just a local radio station, also reaching thousands of listeners around the world daily who listen via the stream. The Current awakens curiosity and connects communities through music, and discovers, empowers and celebrates the new and important voices that are shaping the future of music. Along with MPR’s other music brands, The Current also plays a critical role in offering Minnesotans and listeners around the world a sense of place and belonging, a source of hope and comfort, and a connection to music that reminds us of our shared humanity. We aren’t just covering the community; we’re part of it.

Thanks to generous donors, for more than 20 years The Current has remained a resource for music lovers in Minnesota and around the world. The Current continues to bring listeners the best authentic new music alongside the hits that inspired it from local to legendary, indie to influential, new to nostalgic, and remains a resource and a community for musicians and music lovers. Donor support has helped The Current reach new audiences, celebrate important voices and support diverse artists, with members and listeners joining in from Minnesota and around the world.

How Musicians and the Music Community Responded to the Recent Federal Presence in Minnesota

The presence of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota in early 2026 disrupted and forever changed our daily lives. Both locally and nationally, musicians raised their voices to respond with action, art, and words of solidarity and The Current covered all of this from the beginning. As Billy Bragg told The Current listeners, “as someone who believes that empathy is the currency of music […] what we’re offering people is a sense of connection, a sense of compassion by asking them to listen to our song and hear the story in the song and feel some empathy for it.” Mr. Bragg—and countless other musicians—have been writing the music that tells the story of this moment in Minnesota.

The Current’s Live Updates page continues to provide regular updates on musicians’ responses to ICE in Minnesota, along with sharing social posts and curated content showing how musicians, venues, and creatives are reacting to major ongoing events in Minnesota — particularly the community’s response to the recent surge in federal immigration enforcement and its impact on the Twin Cities music scene and beyond. The Current’s Gig List regularly highlights additional artists or bands taking donations or donating proceeds to community efforts at their shows.

Other recent highlights include:

• On January 28th, Tom Morello, the musician and activist known for his work in Rage Against the Machine and as The Nightwatchman announced “A Concert of Solidarity and Resistance to Defend Minnesota.” The concert took place on January 30th at First Avenue in Minneapolis, featuring a lineup of musicians known for their engagement and activism, including Morello, Ike Reilly, Al Di Meola and Chicago rock band Rise Against, while teasing a “special guest.” The team from The Current activated quickly, securing access for three people from The Current to cover the concert, setting up an interview with Morello on The Morning Show, and interviewing Tom McIlrath from Rise Against. The atmosphere inside First Avenue was a blend of community, outrage and resilience, braided together by music from the stage. The heavily sold-out, midday event could only be attended by so many people, but The Current’s presence allowed video of performances by Rise Against, Morello and Springsteen to reach viewers not only in Minnesota but around the world.

• On the Minneapolis stop of her first arena tour, Brandi Carlile turned the sold-out Target Center into a space for love and reflection. Dubbed, “Be Human: A Concert for Minneapolis,” the show wasn’t just for those in the room. The powerful performance was streamed live on The Current’s airwaves, with all proceeds from the latter going to the Minnesota-based Advocates for Human Rights.   

• On January 23rd, The Current handpicked a playlist of songs to meet the moment, integrating listener comments and emails in real time. Themed sets including love, friendship, and support were based on protest songs and 893 Songs that Bring Us Together. Listen to the full playlist for that day here.

Reach:

• 27K website visitors on the Brandi Carlile concert day (4.5x a typical Saturday) and 19,056 livestream listeners (9x the average for time slot).

• More than 5,500 views of the photos and recap of the Jan 30th concert. Videos of Springsteen’s performance have collectively recorded over 579,800 views (and counting) on Instagram. Video of Tom Morello and Rage Against the Machine has been viewed over 694,400 times on Facebook.

• More than 1.2 million video views were recorded on Instagram in January, a monthly record, and nearly double the previous high.

• The Current recorded over 5.05 million cumulative video views across social media channels in January.

• Record growth in new followers on Instagram — +13% profile followers in past 5 months. 4k+ new followers in January - largest monthly follower gain on record since 2015.

• Interview with rapper Nur-D following detainment – 154.5K views

• Bruce Springsteen’s surprise performance– 94.3K views

Community Response:

Eric in Minneapolis says: There has never been a more important time to support our gem of local public radio. In our current times coming back to listen to the Current has felt like talking with an old friend, whom you haven’t connected with for too long but you know will be there for you whenever you call.

Amy in Lakeville: As a longtime member, today I gave an extra donation because MPR and the Current are a vital part of my life. The incredible journalism and music that I hear each day sustains me. Especially with the recent times we’re living in. Thank you and keep up the excellent work!

Cole in Pasadena: I recently unsubscribed from Spotify and switched full-time to public radio as a small act of resistance. I have delighted in the communal feeling of radio, and The Current in particular. Thank you for offering this important service, especially now.

Mark in Minneapolis: The Current is a true independent force of nature that I need every day.

David in Minneapolis: I'm doubling my sustaining donation today because The Current is leading the musical charge to keep Minnesota gentle, strange, ICE-free & proud.