W♥M

We♥KC! April 25-27, 2025 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO / Lawrence KS)

Read More Joywave That was completely the vibe for Rochester, NY’s Joywave as they played an hour-long set, in support of fourth album, Cleanse, released in February. Singer Daniel Armbruster .

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Last weekend for a fairly rainy April--

Grass gets longer, temps start to slowly climb, and outdoor patios are re-opening, meaning outdoor concert venues will soon do the same. Schools will be out for summer break too, so expect Lawrence shows to slightly slow down, but we’re showing a fairly packed KC events calendar, from now through October!

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming weekend from April 25th to 27^th.

(ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show’s headline)

FRIDAY APRIL 25

Maribou State, Apr 25, The Truman, $25

The electronic duo Maribou State released their album 'Hallucinating Love', in late January via Ninja Tune, featuring soulful new track ‘All I Need’(feat. MOBO-nominated artist Andreya Triana). The duo of Chris Davids and Liam Ivory are back with new music, their first studio album in seven years after a turbulent few years following Davids’ surgery for a rare brain condition.

Another single, ‘Otherside’ featuring vocalist Holly Walker, also precluded the new record and it should be a nice welcome back after almost a decade away.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bobby Rush, Apr 25, Uptown, $40-$100

What a pairing! Three-time Grammy Award-winning blues legend Bobby Rush and five-time Grammy nominated singer/songwriter/guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, unite on a tour to support their brand-new collaboration album, Young Fashioned Ways, which just came out late last month. Their debut single, “Who Was That,” was already featured in Lionsgate’s upcoming film Flight Risk starring Mark Wahlberg.

The pair have embarked on a 24-city U.S. tour starting right here in Kansas City, MO going through late August to wrap in Lincoln City, LA. The 91-year-old Rush is 44 years older than KWS and is a three-time Grammy Award winner for Best Traditional Blues Album for Porcupine Meat, Rawer than Raw, and 2024’s All My Love For You. He is also a 56-time nominated and 16-time Blues Music Awards winner and has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame and Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.

Rush and Shepherd named the album Young Fashioned Ways culminating from their mutual admiration of blues legend Muddy Waters, and the youthfulness of their pairing despite their wide age gap. The two artists also wrote a new version of Waters’ “Young Fashioned Ways” based on Willie Dixon’s original, re-titled the song “Young Ways,” and included it on the album. The album also includes colorful re-inventions of four classic Rush songs – “40 Acres (How Long),” “G String,” “Make Love to You” and “Uncle Esau.”

Ally Venable, Apr 25, Knuckleheads,$20

The Texas-born and bred guitar shredding powerhouse drops single, “Unbreakable” featuring Shemekia Copeland and is out on her ‘Money & Power’ Tour, named after the new record of the same name, which was just released last Friday via Ruf Records. She just got off the road on the Experience Hendrix Tour, but is back out again as a headliner.

“This is a powerful duet, and defiant anthem that celebrates the indomitable spirit of women who have weathered life’s storms,” says Ally. “The song paints a vivid portrait of two souls who have both gone through adversity, yet their voices blend in a harmonious tribute to resilience and triumph. I am here to let women know that they can stand tall and face the world with unbreakable courage and strength.” “All the songs on this album showcase the theme of what it truly means to be a force to be reckoned with. I want this record to wake people up,” she notes.

Five for Fighting, Apr 25, Liberty Hall-Lawrence, $35-$85

Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling artist, Five For Fighting (aka John Ondrasik) is set to hit town on the opening performance of his series of special string quartet shows before he and his full band hit the road more traditionally with Vertical Horizon later in the summer and fall.

Ondrasik will be bringing top musicians including Tony-Award winning concertmaster and co-orchestrator of Moulin Rouge! The Musical Katie Kresek on violin, Melissa Tong on violin, who toured with Post Malone in 2023, and Broadway’s Chris Cardona on viola and Peter Sachon on cello. The unique nature of the shows allows Ondrasik to go behind the music and tell stories while the format allows for a deeper dive into the catalog, while there is always a surprise or two in store.

As Five For Fighting, he has released six studio albums, including the platinum America Town and The Battle for Everything; and the top ten Two Lights, along with an EP and live albums. FFF’s radio hits include “100 Years,” “The Riddle,” “Chances,” “World,” and “Easy Tonight,” which have earned tens of millions of streams and place him as a top 10 Hot Adult Contemporary artist for the 2000s.

Ondrasik’s passion for humanitarian efforts and freedom has been a longstanding commitment and he’s been writing songs about key events around the world from a humanistic perspective including “Can One Man Save The World?” which was inspired by President Vladimir Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine. He wrote “OK (We Are Not Ok)” in response to the October 7th attacks in Israel, while addressing its cultural aftermath everywhere.

Hayes Carll / Corb Lund, Apr 25, Knuckleheads, Sold Out

The only thing better than Corb Lund and Hayes Carll is the pair on tour together! Coming off his recent collaboration with The Band of Heathens, TX songwriter Carll is now in collaboration with Canadian C&W legend Lund for their “Bible on the Dash” tour, named after the duo’s 2012 song together.

Both will be on stage together – swapping songs, storytelling, and revealing the inspirations behind many their songs in unique performances. This should be a fun and unique show for those who scored tickets – alas, already sold out for anyone on the fence.

The Ocean Blue, Apr 25- Bottleneck-Lawrence, $25-$30

The Alt-rock 120 Minutes-era veterans are back out on tour where they’re playing their 1989 self-titled debut album and 1991’s Cerulean, in their entirety. The Ocean Blue's debut record on the famed Sire Records label in 1989 and the band of four teenagers from Hershey, PA quickly achieved widespread acclaim and radio & MTV airplay, with hits like “Between Something and Nothing” and “Drifting, Falling”. They followed their debut album with the subtle and atmospheric Cerulean, which included perhaps their most beloved song, “Ballerina Out of Control”.

In 2013, the band released their first full length record in over 10 years, Ultramarine, on Korda Records, a Minneapolis-based label cooperative label the band helped launch, which is also why they played semi-frequently in the Twin Cities, though didn’t originate there. The band has gone on to release their first new full length album in over 6 years as well.

Hairball, Apr 25, Stormont-Vail Events Center- Topeka, $15-$55

It’s a celebration of 25 years of Las Vegas meets Arena Rock! Starting out in small Minnesota bars (which is where we used to catch them), Hairball has evolved into a legendary tribute touring act that brings the glory of the 80’s to fans throughout the country, with a 2+ hour accurate homage to the biggest arena acts of the era. From Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue, Queen, Journey, Aerosmith, and more – recreated time and time again in front of your very eyes! Their bombastic, action-packed, Rock & Roll party is chock-full of surprises with an arena-sized light show, smoke, fire, and pyrotechnics.

SATURDAY APRIL 26

Paul Simon, Apr 26, Midland, Sold Out

No longer the 'boy in the bubble', legendary singer songwriter Paul Simon has un-retired from live concerts and is playing live again, for the first time since the ‘farewell tour’ of 2018 (due to hearing issues) and with more “intimate” arrangements and locations than the bigger tours of old.

The “Quiet Celebration Tour” is focused around his most recent album, the acoustically based “Seven Psalms,”which has been played live in its entirety for the first half of these shows. Expect the 83-year-old and band to rock the hits after an intermission to close the night. Most dates on this 50-show tour are multi-nights in bigger metros, with KC just getting the one night.

The band will include Caleb Burhans (viola), Jamey Haddad (percussion), Gyan Riley (guitar), Mick Rossi (piano, keys), Andy Snitzer (saxophone), Nancy Stagnita (flute), Mark Stewart (guitar) and Eugene Friesen (cello), with Steve Gadd and Matt Chamberlin alternating on drums.

Joywave Apr 26, Truman,$28.50-$55

The acclaimed indie rock band from Rochester, NY has returned to live shows on their Here to Perform... Spring 2025 Tour. The tour supports the band’s acclaimed fifth studio album, Permanent Pleasure and is set to feature special guest little image as the supporting act. Expect a fun live show, like when we saw them last in Lawrence in 2022.

About the tour, the band said, "2024 was a busy year for us with the release of Permanent Pleasure, the accompanying short film, a full North American tour, and a run through Europe. We weren't ready for it to be over, so we figured we'd hit a bunch of cities in the US that got left out the first time. Expect a giant cat."

The band describes the new album: “A decade in the sunbeam. A unique vantage point. Our job has become to sit and think. To experience and react. The album is really 10 thoughts from Joywave's beam. I think most of the lyrics are taking place in the light as well, not loads of metaphors. Quite a bit more personal. The album is Joywave's 'whatever we want to do, whenever we want to do it' at its best, and we loved the idea of the temporary state of the band name maturing into this album title."

Openers little image are a rising Dallas alt-pop trio that is out in support of its self-titled album and buzzing singles, "Out of My Mind" and the follow-up, "Run for Forever". 

li

Dehd, Apr 26, Granada- Lawrence, $23-$26

The Chicago-based band released their fifth album “Poetry” last year and is out playing live to support and my, have they grown in just a few years, even opening recently for Jack White, and is now celebrating its 10^th anniversary. The band is still comprised of its founding members: singer and guitarist Jason Balla, singer and bassist Emily Kempf and drummer Eric McGrady. $1 from each ticket sold, will go benefit the Plus One organization.

The band released its fifth studio album “Poetry” in 2024. The album both continues Dehd’s evolution — transitioning away from its earlier punk sound (like when we saw them in Lawrence in 2021)— and maintains its genre-mixing work. “Poetry” balances the highs with the lows, weaving optimism and regret into one project. Following the breakout success of Flower of Devotion and Blue Skies, Dehd embarked on an unconventional songwriting journey, road-tripping across the U.S. to find inspiration in remote cabins, solar-powered studios, and even a brief stint stranded in rural Montana.

Shooting Star, Apr 26, Ameristar, $25-$85

Shooting Star was formed in the 1970s by Bill Guffey, Van McLain, Steve Thomas, Ron Verlin, Charles Waltz and Gary West, and Gary’s brother Ron West started the band Missouri.

Ron formed Missouri and Gary went on to record an album with a band called The Beckies. Later, Gary was recruited by a new band called The Shooting Stars, which was later changed to Shooting Star.

To Midwest radio listeners, both bands were on heavy rotation and had numerous hits, but neither band ever truly broke nationally. Come re-live the glory of the West brothers and what could have been.

Zeds Dead, Apr 26, Cable Dahmer Arena- Independence, $35

Their sophomore full-length album, Return To The Spectrum Of Intergalactic Happiness from the Canadian duo just dropped last month and the tour is in full swing as well, having kicked off on March 7 in Atlanta and wraps in Toronto on May 10.

Zeds Dead’s Hooks (real name Zachary Rapp-Rovan) and DC (real name Dylan Mamid) spent hours pouring through old videos to include as flips and projected behind them onstage as part of their visuals. Get those glowsticks ready for an EDM extravaganza!

“This year we’re trying to look at the samples behind a lot of music,” Rapp-Rovan told Pollstar “We started making hip-hop, and we would sample a lot of things. We carried that over into Zeds Dead, but it was remixing while still sampling things. This show, we wanted to incorporate visuals that show where the samples came from, not just with our music but with the music we play, and showcase how many different eras of music are actually represented in our sets. We thought it would be a cool visual element, and that’s one of the things we’re working towards.”

Smithereens with John Cowsill, Apr 26, Knuckleheads, $35-$55

New Jersey’s own Smithereens have been creating electrifying, original rock n roll for 45 years (since 1980!). Jim Babjak (guitar,) Dennis Diken (drums,) and Mike Mesaros (bass) grew up together in Carteret, NJ and lead singer, the late Pat DiNizio, hailed from Scotch Plains, NJ. Under their belt, they have 17 albums and 2500 plus live shows and timeless songs like rock radio staples “Blood and Roses”, “Only a Memory’, “Behind the Wall of Sleep”, and “A Girl Like You.”

DiNizio passed away unexpectedly in 2017but the three surviving bandmates, Babjak, Diken, and Mesaros, decided to persevere and carry on their shared legacy. An album of all new material is in the works for later in 2025. Using alternating special guest vocalists, such as John Cowsill (The Cowsills/The Beach Boys,) they continue to tour and rock fans all over.

SUNDAY APRIL 27

Static Dress w Soul Blind, Apr 27, Bottleneck-Lawrence,$19-$20

The West Yorkshire UK post-hardcore band have a new debut single, "face" and accompanying music video. The band has stated that the song is "a metaphor of a car crash to detail a turbulent relationship," which also "explores the horror that can unfold in the pursuit of love, and the often-destructive fallout when the results come to light."

The band are now out on their first-ever proper U.S. headline run supporting last year’s “Rouge Carpet Disaster” album, entitled the Crying Across The USA tour, with support from Soul Blind which kicked off in Brooklyn last week and wraps up in Atlanta just under one month later.

Hailing from Hudson Valley, NY, Soul Blind pushes the boundaries of alternative rock with a collage of sounds and an injection of hardcore attitude. Formed in 2018 and debuting with the Willpower EP, the band has a nuanced approach to songwriting you’ll hear on their EP, Third Chain (via Other People Records).

   National Touring act coming to Kansas City, Lawrence, KS, Topeka, KS, or vicinity?  Let us know so we can spotlight the appearance-email [email protected]

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / twitter.com

The Welsh Ballad of John Evans

Gruff Rhys at Swedish American Hall (19 Apr 2025) Tour Dates 04/21 Portland, OR @ Polaris Hall 04/22 Seattle, WA @ Here – After 05/07 Belfast, UK - Black Box 05/09 Stockport, UK - Savoy Theatre 05/10 Wrexham, UK - Focus Wales 05/15 London, UK - Rich Mix 05/16 Leeds, UK - The Wardrobe 06/07 Swansea, UK, Gwyl Tawe Festival 06/11 Guildford, UK - The Boileroom 06/12 Tunbridge Wells, UK - The Forum 06/14 Ipswich, UK - Brighten the Corners Festival 08/29 Brighton, UK - Psych Fest Read More Gruff Rhys Brush up on your Welsh, yanks! Gruff Rhys, lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Super Furry Animals and part of the electro-pop group Neon Neon, is digging up his solo sounds. … Chris Forsyth Meg Baird, the co-founder of Philadelphia's luminary psychedelic folk collective Espers, is co-headlining a tour with Chris Forsyth. Forsyth’s new album Evolution Here We Come …

Gruff Rhys
Swedish American Music Hall
San Francisco
April 19, 2025

I spilled my cider in the front row. Normally, this might not be that significant at an indie rock show, but this was not a typical indie rock show. This was a seated Gruff Rhys show, with a heavy dose of a Nerd Nite-style history lesson on the 18th century Welsh explorer John Evans, as told through words, music, and staged photos projected on the screen center-stage. So, the crowd was respectfully hushed as Rhys sat down at his keyboard and computer set-up when I spilled my cider. “Oh, hopefully you didn’t lose too much of that,” he said kindly to me, before proceeding.

Rhys created catchy, kooky rock during Britpop’s heyday as the frontman for the Welsh band Super Furry Animals, with fuzzed-out riffs, carefree melodies, and Rhys’ super furry Welsh accent. As a solo artist, Rhys has mellowed out, but he’s still mining new ground. Rhys’ tour this spring, celebrating the tenth anniversary of American Interior, is a hybrid performance cataloging his travels across the American Midwest and South to retrace Evans’ journey. Evans originally set out to find out the truth behind the myth of a 12th-century Welsh prince who supposedly settled among a Native American tribe.

Though a mellower affair than a Super Furries show, it was still pretty kooky. Through the course of the concert, Rhys recounted Evans’ tragic journey through staged photos featuring a John Evans stand-in: a puppet that looked like Sesame Street’s Count Dracula. There's the Evans puppet getting "arrested" by a modern-day cop cuffing him against his cop car; there's the Evans puppet pensively sailing down the Missouri River; there’s the Evans puppet stopping during his journey to enjoy an iced latte.

Rhys recounted the entire journey from beginning to end, accompanied by, of course, a full set of musical interludes. He mainly performed solo, with keyboards and guitar, but was joined by opener Chris Forsyth near the end of his set. Rhys played lovely, low-key renditions of his solo work, like “Bad Friend” from his 2024 album, Sadness Sets Me Free, and American Interior tracks like “The Last Conquistador,” “Lost Tribes,” and “100 Unread Messages.”

With the unfolding of story and song, Evans’ journey became our collective journey. Rhys related the Welsh prince myth to our present-day bout of “fake news”—something meant to fit a colonialist narrative. Even with the hilarious slide show, the night’s performance ended up being riveting, tuneful, and melancholy in equal parts. I was fascinated and entertained all night.

The Philadelphia-based Forsyth, who has opened for Super Furry Animals in the past, brought his freeform artrock atmospherics as a complementary, stripped-down prelude.

Chris Forsyth photo courtesy of Heidi Chiao

Chris Forsyth photo courtesy of Heidi Chiao

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys, with Chris Forsyth, at Swedish American Music Hall, San Francisco (19 Apr 2025) photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Robin Lapid ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Minneapolis: May 18 to May 20, 2025

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Nekrogoblikon at Varsity Theater (18 May 2025) Read More Nekrogoblikon Los Angeles melodic death metal band Nekrogoblikon is headlining the Amsterdam Bar & Hall, in St Paul, on September 19, 2024. …

18 May 2025 Sunday

Nekrogoblikon
with Revocation, Ov Sulfur, and BRAT
at Varsity Theater
livenation.com

Los Angeles’ death metal band Nekrogoblikon will headline the Varsity Theater, in Minneapolis, on May 18, 2025.

They are bringing Revocation, Ov Sulfur, and BRAT with them on this tour.

Tour dates:

May 8 Roseville, CA, US Goldfield Trading Post

May 9 Portland, OR, US Hawthorne Theatre

May 10 Seattle, WA, US El Corazon

May 11 Boise, ID, US Treefort Music Hall

May 13 Denver, CO, US Summit

May 15 St Louis, MO, US Delmar Hall

May 15 Milwaukee, WI, US Milwaukee Metal Fest

May 16 Lawrence, KS, US Granada Theatre

May 18 Minneapolis, MN, US Varsity Theater

May 20 Detroit, MI, US Majestic Theatre

May 21 Columbus, OH, US The King of Clubs

May 22 Pittsburgh, PA, US Thunderbird Cafe

May 23 Worcester, MA, US Palladium

May 24 Brooklyn, NY, US Music Hall of Williamsburg

May 25 Richmond, VA, US The National

May 27 Greensboro, NC, US Hangar 1819

May 28 Atlanta, GA, US The Masquerade - Hell

May 29 Orlando, FL, US The Abbey

May 30 Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Revolution Live

May 31 Tampa, FL, US The Orpheum

Jun 2 Houston, TX, US White Oak Music Hall

Jun 3 Austin, TX, US Come and Take It Live

Jun 4 Dallas, TX, US Trees

Jun 6 Albuquerque, NM, US Sunshine Theater

Jun 7 Mesa, AZ, US The Nile Theater

Jun 8 Las Vegas, NV, US Backstage Bar

Jun 10 Fresno, CA, US Strummer's

Jun 11 San Francisco, CA, US Great American Music Hall

Jun 12 San Diego, CA, US Observatory North Park

Jun 13 Los Angeles (LA), CA

Momma at Fine Line (19 May 2025) Read More Momma Momma is a rising Los Angeles indie rock band and opened the evening with a thirty-minute-set, in support of recent record “Household Name” and more recent single, “Bang Bang” …

19 May 2025 Monday

Momma
with Wishy
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

New York, by the way of California, Momma (formed by Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten) is headlining the Fine Line, in Minneapolis, on May 19, 2025, in support of their new album Welcome to My Blue Sky (Polyvinyl Records).

Momma at Azura Amphitheater (11 June 2023)

We saw the band in June 2023 and said, “Momma is a rising Los Angeles indie rock band and opened the evening with a thirty-minute-set, in support of recent record “Household Name” and more recent single, “Bang Bang”. The band would make a return appearance as well, jumping on stage to join Weezer for a song during their set.”

Wishy to open.

Tour dates:

Apr 23, 2025 WFPK Waterfront Wednesday Louisville, KY

Apr 25, 2025 Skully's Music Diner Columbus, OH

Apr 26, 2025 Motorco Music Hall Durham, NC

Apr 28, 2025 Terminal West Atlanta, GA

Apr 29, 2025 The Basement East Nashville, TN

Apr 30, 2025 Growlers Memphis, TN

May 2, 2025 Last Concert Cafe Houston, TX

May 3, 2025 Tulips Fort Worth, TX

May 4, 2025 Mohawk Austin, TX

May 6, 2025 Crescent Ballroom Phoenix, AZ

May 9, 2025 The Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA

May 10, 2025 August Hall San Francisco, CA

May 12, 2025 Aladdin Theater Portland, OR

May 13, 2025 Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, BC

May 14, 2025 Neumos Seattle, WA

May 16, 2025 Kilby Block Party Salt Lake City, UT

May 16, 2025 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT

May 17, 2025 Marquis Theater Denver, CO

May 19, 2025 Fine Line Minneapolis, MN

May 20, 2025 Thalia Hall Chicago, IL

May 22, 2025 The Axis Club Toronto, ON

May 23, 2025 Club SAW Ottawa, ON

May 24, 2025 Théâtre Fairmount Montreal, QC

May 28, 2025 The Sinclair Cambridge, MA

May 29, 2025 The Atlantis Washington, DC

May 30, 2025 Union Transfer Philadelphia, PA

May 31, 2025 Warsaw Brooklyn, NY

Jun 4, 2025 - Jun 8, 2025 Primavera Sound Barcelona, Spain

Jun 12, 2025 - Jun 15, 2025 NOS Primavera Sound Festival Porto, Portugal

Jun 13, 2025 Victoria Park London, UK Outbreak Festvial

Jun 14, 2025 - Jun 15, 2025 Manchester B.E.C Arena Manchester, UK Outbreak Fest

Sep 21, 2025 Ascend Amphitheater Nashville, TN

Sep 23, 2025 Red Hat Amphitheater Raleigh, NC

Sep 24, 2025 Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre Charlotte, NC

Nov 4, 2025 Pitchfork Festival Paris, FR

Nov 8, 2025 Pitchfork Festival London, UK

Matt Andersen at Dakota Jazz Club (20 May 2025) Read More Matt Andersen Matt Andersen is touring in support of his new album Honest Man (True North Records).... the follow-up to his 2014 JUNO Award nominated album Weightless. …

20 May 2025 Tuesday

Matt Andersen
at Dakota Jazz Club
dakotacooks.com

Acclaimed, award-winning Canadian singer, songwriter, and guitarist Matt Andersen will be playing the Dakota Jazz Club, in Minneapolis, on May 20, 2025. Andersen’s latest The Hammer & The Rose will be out April 25 via Sonic Records.

Tour dates:

May 1 2025 Portland, ME @ Portland House of Music

May 2 2025 Rockland, ME @ The Strand

May 3 2025 Natick, MA @ The Center for Arts

May 5 2025 Exeter, NH @ The Word Barn

May 6 2025 Rockport, MA @ Shalin Liu

May 7 2025 Fall River, MA @ Narrows Center for the Arts

May 8 2025 Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse

May 9 2025 New York, NY @ Iridium

May 10 2025 Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater

May 11 2025 Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java

May 13 2025 Pittsburgh, PA @ City Winery

May 14 2025 Cleveland, OH @ Music Box

May 15 2025 Findlay, OH @ Armes Hall - Marathon Center

May 16 2025 Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark

May 17 2025 Grand Rapids, MI @ Midtown

May 18 2025 Chicago, IL @ Old Town School of Folk Music

May 19 2025 Madison, WI @ The Bur Oak

May 20 2025 Minneapolis, MN @ The Dakota

Jun 20 2025 Kensington, PE @ Under the Spire

Jul 5 2025 Quebec City, QC @ Festival d’été de Québe

Jul 18 2025 Niagara, ON @ Jackson-Triggs - Summer Concert Series

Jul 19 2025 Campbellford, ON @ Westben Festival Barn

Jul 26 2025 Petit Rocher, NB @ Blues d'la Baie Festival

Aug 27 2025 Tønder, DK @ Tønder Festival

Sep 18 2025 Bible Hill, NS @ Nova Scotia Stampede

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Jax: May 6, 2025

Read more Jacksonville.

Soulja Boy at Decca Live (06 May 2025) Read More Soulja Boy no thanks to drunken zombies walking in the middle of the streets. Just some of the artists listed to appear: Girl Talk, Seven Lions, Sum 41, Soulja Boy, Lil' Dicky, Mickey Avalon, The 4onthefloor …

06 May 2025 Tuesday
Soulja Boy
at Decca Live
deccalive.com

Soulja Boy is headlining Decca Live, in Jacksonville, on May 6, 2025.

Tour dates:

Apr 18 Charlotte, NC · Ovens Auditorium

Apr 19 Raleigh, NCS · Raleigh Memorial Auditorium

May 2 North Charleston, SC · North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center

May 3 Jacksonville, FL · Florida Theatre

May 9 Pachuca, Mexico · Auditorio Explanada Pachuca

May 17 Elizabeth, NJ · Ritz Theatre & Performing Arts Center

May 18 Tysons, VA · Capital One Hall

May 24 Los Mochis, Mexico · Estadio Emilio Ibarra Almada

May 30 Mexicali, Mexico · Plaza de Toros “Calafia”

Jun 13 Fresno, CA · Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center

Jun 14 Ontario, CA · Toyota Arena

Jun 20 Sacramento, CA · Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

Jun 21 Bakersfield, CA · Mechanics bank theater

Jun 22 Pala, CA · Starlight Theater

Jun 27 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico · Foro Chiapas

Jun 28 Villahermosa, Mexico · Teatro al aire libre

Jul 25 Charlotte, NC · Ovens Auditorium

Jul 26 Raleigh, NC · Martin Marietta Center

Jul 26 Raleigh, NC · Meymandi Concert Hall

One Night of Queen performed by Gary Mullen & The Works at Florida Theatre (06 May 2025) Read More Queen Since Freddie Mercury's death in 1991, Queen has been without a regular lead singer. Various vocalists have temporarily joined on stage, including Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, …

06 May 2025 Tuesday
One Night of Queen
Performed by Gary Mullen & The Works
at Florida Theatre
floridatheatre.com

Gary Mullen & The Works are bringing their One Night of Queen show to the Florida Theatre, on May 6, 2025.

Queen + Adam Lambert at Xcel Energy Center (28 Oct 2023)

We saw Queen with Adam Lambert in Oct 2023 and said, “After a four-year hiatus, The Queen + Adam Lambert Rhapsody Tour featuring original members- guitarist Sir Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor made a stop in downtown St. Paul at the Xcel Energy Center, for a pair of capacity weekend shows. The 135-minute career-spanning set didn’t have (and didn’t need) an opening act and was mostly packed with familiar radio hits and anthems that most in the audience had no problem in singing along to. A few deep cuts thrilled the most passionate fans and the state-of-the-art stage design, effects, and set pieces, all made for a visually thrilling and musically fulfilling evening.”

Tour dates:

APR 19 STADIUM THEATRE Woonsocket RI

APR 23 LOWELL MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM Lowell MA

APR 24 CROSS INSURANCE CENTRE Bangor ME

APR 26 HAMPTON BEACH CASINO BALLROOM Hampton Beach NH

APR 27 PLYMOUTH MEMORIAL HALL Plymouth MA

APR 29 GARDE ARTS CENTRE New London CT

MAY 02 ATLANTA SYMPHONY HALL Atlanta GA

MAY 03 THE PLAZA LIVE Orlando FL

MAY 04 CIRCLE SQUARE CULTURAL CENTER Ocala FL

MAY 06 FLORIDA THEATRE Jacksonville FL

MAY 07 SHARON L. MORSE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER The Villages FL

MAY 09 DUKE ENERGY CENTRE St. Petersburg FL

MAY 10 SUNRISE THEATRE Fort Pierce FL

MAY 11 PARKER PLAYHOUSE Fort Lauderdale FL

JUN 27 PRINCES HALL Aldershot

JUN 28 GAWSWORTH HALL Gawsworth

JUL 10 8 DAY WEEKEND Saffron Walden

JUL 17 HARRAH'S LAKE TAHOE SOUTH SHORE ROOM Stateline NV

JUL 18 MOUNTAIN WINERY Saratoga CA

JUL 25 CELEBRITY THEATRE Phoenix AZ

AUG 02 TOBIN CENTER San Antonio TX

AUG 09 THE GENESEE THEATRE Waukegan IL

AUG 15 CONNER PRAIRIE AMPITHEATRE Fishers IN

SEP 02 THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE Ridgefield CT

SEP 06 THE EVENT CENTER AT HOLLYWOOD CASINO Charles Town WV 3

SEP 07 MARTHA & JOHN M RIVERS PERFORMANCE HALL Charleston SC

SEP 25 ALSION Sönderborg

SEP 26 MUSIKHUSET Esbjerg

SEP 27 KONGRESCENTER Ringsted

SEP 30 L'ACCLAMEUR Niort

OCT 01 ZENITH Caen

OCT 03 ANTARÈS Le Mans

OCT 04 LE DOME Paris

OCT 05 AUXERREXPO Auxerre

OCT 07 CARRÉ DES DOCKS Le Havre

OCT 10 LE CAPITOLE Chalons

OCT 11 MACH 36 Deols (Chateauroux)

OCT 14 MICROPOLIS Besançon

OCT 15 ZENITH Clermont

OCT 17 ARENA Poitiers

OCT 18 LE PRISME Aurillac

Joey’s Van at Jack Rabbits (07 May 2025)

07 May 2025 Wednesday
Joey’s Van
at Jack Rabbits
jaxlive.com

Tennessee-based Joey’s Van will be stopping by Jack Rabbits, in Jacksonville, on May 7, 2025. The tri-cities plays ’90s-’00s Pop Punk, Emo, and Alternative music.

Tour dates:

APR 26 The Milk Parlor Blacksburg, VA

MAY 06 Tin Roof Charleston, SC

MAY 07 Jack Rabbits Jacksonville, FL

MAY 08 Tin Roof Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL

MAY 09 Tin Roof Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL

MAY 10 Tin Roof Delray Beach, FL

JUN 13 Creek Ratz Murrells Inlet, SC

JUN 14 Barefoot Landing North Myrtle Beach, SC

JUL 05 Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub Roseland, VA Set Reminder

If your band is coming to the Jacksonville/St Augustine area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

We♥KC! April 22-24, 2025 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO / Lawrence KS)

Read More Half-Alive Long Beach based trio Half-Alive (stylized as half•alive) will be headlining 7th Street Entry on the last day of the January. The show is sold out. Overwhelming buzz for this alt-rock band pushed this show to a bigger venue.

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

No Vis, no Gun--

Unfortunately, one of the most anticipated shows of the week, High Vis with Militarie Gun is canceled, due to emergency surgery for Vis singer Graham Sayle: (from 03 Apr.) “We’re sorry to announce that after an incident on Sunday, Graham was admitted to hospital for emergency surgery. He is now stable and recovering, but sadly we have to cancel the upcoming US tour.” Depending on Visas and logistics, we’re hopeful they can reschedule for the Fall.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week from April 22^nd to 24^th.

(ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show’s headline)

TUESDAY APRIL 22

North Star Boys, Apr 22, recordBar, $30

North Star Boys (NSB) is a leading Asian American pop band, founded in August 2021 by brothers Oliver Moy, and Sebastian Moy. Amassing over 55 million followers combined on social media platforms, NSB has cultivated a loyal audience, as evidenced on their Fall 2022 tour.

Their 2023 EP “Panic”, featured “Cold War”, co-produced by multi-platinum songwriters and musicians, Tim Pagnotta and Brian Phillips. Their latest single is “Thirsty” and available VIP packages includes a signed Polaroid and kissing booth (ooh!). NSB has accumulated over 20 million monthly views on their syndicated Snapchat shows.

High Vis with Militarie Gun, Apr 22, Bottleneck-Lawrence, CANCELED

WEDNESDAY APRIL 23

Half Alive, Apr 23, Truman, $39-$92

Long Beach, CA band Half•Alive is currently out on their Persona World Tour and the trio includes Josh Taylor [vocals], Brett Kramer [drums], and J Tyler Johnson [bass]. Half•Alive officially came to life on their 2017 “3” EP, with singles, “The Fall” and “Aawake At Night”. Since then, the band has released two full-length albums, were named YouTube’s Artist on the Rise.

With help from incredible collaborators like choreographers and creative partners Jordan Johnson and Aidan Carberry, otherwise known as JA Collective, half•alive have completed three headlining tours across the United States, EU and UK, supported Twenty One Pilots on an arena tour.

The Cher Show, Apr 23, Lied Center- Lawrence, $24-$65

Superstars come and go, Cher is forever. For six decades, only one unstoppable force has dominated popular culture-broke down barriers, pushed boundaries and let nothing and no one stand in her way. The Cher Show is the Tony Award®-winning musical of her story, and it’s packed with so much Cher that it takes three women to play her: the kid starting out, the glam pop star, and the icon.

Featuring 35 hit songs, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy®, an Oscar®, an Emmy® and enough Tony Award-winning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage, it’s all in one unabashedly new musical that will have you dancing in the aisles! This is a one-night second chance to see the musical – we believed in life after love when we enjoyed the production last Spring at Starlight.

THURSDAY APRIL 24

Shred Fest, Apr 24, Granada- Lawrence, $26-$30

Brought to town via Terry and his wife and their collectible oddities and toy shop, 1313 Mockingbird Lane Shredfest 2025 features Obscura // Support: Atheist // Origina // Decrepit Birth // Fractal Universe in a face-melting, head-banging, all-ages show!

The month-long tour starts April 20 in San Diego, with Lawrence being a few days in, and closes on May 22 in Los Angeles and is in support of Obscura’s new album, “A Sonication”. The band’s had several lineup changes in the last few years but looks be settled in and fully rocking again.

“We are excited to be part of SHRED FEST 2025, along with excellent bands such as as Atheist, Origin, Decrepit Birth and Fractal Universe, to travel through the US and Canada in April and May. More notes, more shred, more of everything. VIP packages won’t be available – all bands are at the shows to meet you, have a chat, and share the most extreme music on the planet. Pass by early, support all artists, and see you at a venue near you.” – Steffen Kummerer

   National Touring act coming to Kansas City, Lawrence, KS, Topeka, KS, or vicinity?  Let us know so we can spotlight the appearance-email [email protected]

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / twitter.com

Flashback: Matthew Sweet at Cadillac Club (04 Oct 1993)

Read More Matthew Sweet Anyway, currently, Matthew Sweet is back with a new album, after a six-year hiatus, called Tomorrow Forever (Honeycomb Hideout, through Sony’s RED Distribution). The new 17-song album will be …

All these years, I’ve been saying that Matthew Sweet was one of my earliest concerts, thinking I saw him in 1992… because, after all, his debut album, Girlfriend came out in 1991 via Zoo Records. What I should have realized is that I actually did not see him until 1993, because I distinctively remember buying his EP Altered Beast and his single “Time Capsole”, which was released in 1993.

Now that I’m cleaning house and organizing and seeing what CDs to take with me (not many), I have found my ticket stub to his concert at the Cadillac Club, in Fresno, California, on October 4, 1993. It was a busy month, as I saw Catherine Wheel shortly after this on October 26.

As we all know: I have a poor memory. You can guess that he played “Girlfriend”, probably as an encore or finale. Since his new single was “Time Capsole”, you can bet he played that (I think he might have played it first).

What’s neat to see on the ticket stub is that it was sponsored by our local Fresno Alternative Station, The Edge. I remember the Cadillac Club was like a bungalow (long) and it was under the freeway. Kind of a bad location, in my opinion.

As for opener, the ticket stub has “Holly Faith.” Somewhat of a misspelling. The band is officially called Hollyfaith, from Atlanta, and they were touring in support of their debut album Purrr, released in 1993 on Creation Records. That’s a big deal, considering that the label also signed and promoted Oasis.

Last October 2024, Matthew Sweet suffered a huge stroke while on tour. He had to cancel the remainder of his US tour dates, and his manager Russell Carter had to setup a GoFundMe to help cover the medical expenses.

In an update from December, Sweet said that he may never play guitar again.

Matthew Sweet at Cadillac Club, Fresno (04 Oct 1993)

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Farah Siraj at the Cedar (18 Apr 2025)

Farah Siraj at the Cedar Cultural Center (18 Apr 2025) Tour Dates APR 26 Minot Area Council of the Arts Minot, ND MAY 04 Mueller Center Hot Springs, SD MAY 09 Red Rock Center for the Arts Fairmont, MN JUN 19 The Bassment Saskatoon, SK JUN 20 Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2025 Jun 21 - Jun 22 Victoria International Jazz Festival Read More Farah Siraj Jordan's Musical Ambassadress, Farah Siraj will headline the Cedar Cultural Center on April 18, 2025. Siraj writes: Our @arts_midwest tours always start and end ...

The Cedar Cultural Center was a hub of world music on Friday night with musicians from around the globe.

Opening the evening was Genet Abate, a singer from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, now living in Minneapolis.

Abate took the stage in colorful attire to sing songs of the local tribes in her east African country. She said she was planning to have dancers with her, but the best laid plans had her taking the stage as a solo act.

In between songs, she took questions from the audience and said that it was a year before that she played the same stage. She said she is part of a band that has taken part in the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, then added that any upcoming shows can be found on her Instagram account.

Farah Siraj next took the stage with an intimate group of musicians that included a Flamenco guitarist, Andreas Arnold, and Kane Mathis playing the Turkish Oud. Siraj is from Amman, Jordan, but she is a citizen of the world, moving to Spain at the age of sixteen; studying musical composition at Trinity College of Music in London and graduating from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Along the way she has absorbed musical genres like flamenco, tango, jazz, middle eastern music and a splash of pop.

Siraj said the Cedar was the first stop on her North American Tour. She said we were lucky to have such a place in the Twin Cities for not many music venues highlight global music.

Siraj started off the evening with a new song on her upcoming album “Ya Bahr” which means “sea” in Arabic. She then asked if there were any lovers of flamenco and asked the crowd to make noise. “Don’t be shy. I love it.”

The crowd was not shy and was treated to songs in English, Spanish and Arabic, tinged with flamenco guitar and the Turkish Oud with a lovely voice that sang songs that ranging from missing a loved one to the genocide in the Darfur “To the Sudanese Woman”.  

Siraj sang Jordanian folk songs and even scatted a little.  But the highlight of the evening was a song she wrote with Indian composer A.R. Rahman. She told a circuitous story about how the song came to be, which had her manager, Danielle, laughing in the front row and Mathis looking at his watch.  The story was hard to follow, but some highlights involved facelifts, possibly pulling a fire alarm at Heathrow Airport, getting free coffee, teaching in India, her husband’s looks and her dogged will to meet a musical hero, which finally happened when she met Rahman and they wrote “Zariya”, a song that reached #1 on the Indian music chart. 

It was by far the best story about a song I’ve heard yet. 

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Farah Siraj at the Cedar (18 Apr 2025)

dave ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Jax: May 3 to May 5, 2025

Read more Jacksonville.

Two Friends at Decca Live (03 May 2025) Read More Decca Live There’s another new music venue in Jacksonville called Decca Live. This brand-new concert venue (and Rooftop Bar) had a sold-out grand-opening show with Kaskade on January 31, 2025. …

03 May 2025 Saturday
Two Friends
at Decca Live
deccalive.com

Acclaimed producer/DJ duo Two Friends have sold out Decca Live, in Jacksonville, on May 3, 2025, as part of their Heatwave: The Tour.

Two Friends share, “We’re so insanely excited to bring Heatwave: The Tour across North America. With each tour, we always try to elevate and create an entirely unique experience for our fans. Heatwave will be our biggest endeavor yet with so many surprises and new music in store. This is phase one with more to come… let’s make it hot!”

We attended the new-ish venue, Decca Live in Feb 2025 and noted, “ Since the venue is still new (only opened for 24 days!) I’ll talk about the venue. It is near the Jaguars Stadium (EverBank Stadium) and VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, so there’s plenty of parking meters and pay lots everywhere. The meters are not enforced after 6pm on weekdays or all weekends… so free street parking is great, but it might have a different story on a game night. I parked about two blocks from Decca Live, which is just perfect, in my opinion. Currently, there’s a ton of constructions everywhere in downtown, so anything can change at the last minute. As for Decca Live, it has a very similar setup to the Fine Line Music Café, in Minneapolis. It’s a long rectangular room, with the bar on the left, and on the right are VIP seating. There’s also a VIP balcony, which offers a good view of the stage and dancefloor. For these kinds of venues, if you want a good view and refused to pay for VIP, you need to get in early and park yourself near the stage. There are no barriers, so you will be right next to the band for a great view.”

Tour dates:

Apr. 18, 2025 Breakaway Music Festival Arizona 2025 Mesa, Arizona

Apr. 30, 2025 HEATWAVE TOUR - Red Rocks Morrison, CO

May. 2, 2025 Fourth Street Live! Louisville, KY

May. 3, 2025 Decca Live Jacksonville, FL

May. 10, 2025 LIV NIGHTCLUB Miami Beach, FL

May. 25, 2025 Indy 500 Snake Pit 2025 Indianapolis, IN

May. 30, 2025 Encore Beach Club Las Vegas, NV

May. 31, 2025 Big Bootie Land Seattle, WA

Jun. 13, 2025 The Brooklyn Mirage Brooklyn, NY

Jun. 22, 2025 XS Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV

Jun. 27, 2025 KC Live! Kansas City, MO

Jul. 2, 2025 Encore Beach Club Las Vegas, NV

Jul. 4, 2025 Lazy Gators Lake Ozark, MO

Jul. 5, 2025 HQ2 Beachclub Atlantic City, NJ

Jul. 10, 2025 Rock the Park 2025 London, ON

Jul. 11, 2025 XS Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV

Jul. 25, 2025 XS Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV

Aug. 2, 2025 Lollapalooza Chicago 2025 Chicago, IL

Aug. 22, 2025 Encore Beach Club Las Vegas, NV

Intocable at Florida Theatre (03 May 2025)

03 May 2025 Saturday
Intocable
at Florida Theatre
floridatheatre.com

Tejano/Norteño group Intocable (translated to English as “Untouchable”) is headlining the Florida Theatre, in Jacksonville, Florida, on May 3, 2025. The band’s latest Modus operandi-antologia (Modus operandi anthology) is out now.

Tour dates:

Apr 18 Charlotte, NC · Ovens Auditorium

Apr 19 Raleigh, NCS · Raleigh Memorial Auditorium

May 2 North Charleston, SC · North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center

May 3 Jacksonville, FL · Florida Theatre

May 9 Pachuca, Mexico · Auditorio Explanada Pachuca

May 17 Elizabeth, NJ · Ritz Theatre & Performing Arts Center

May 18 Tysons, VA · Capital One Hall

May 24 Los Mochis, Mexico · Estadio Emilio Ibarra Almada

May 30 Mexicali, Mexico · Plaza de Toros “Calafia”

Jun 13 Fresno, CA · Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center

Jun 14 Ontario, CA · Toyota Arena

Jun 20 Sacramento, CA · Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

Jun 21 Bakersfield, CA · Mechanics bank theater

Jun 22 Pala, CA · Starlight Theater

Jun 27 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico · Foro Chiapas

Jun 28 Villahermosa, Mexico · Teatro al aire libre

Jul 25 Charlotte, NC · Ovens Auditorium

Jul 26 Raleigh, NC · Martin Marietta Center

Jul 26 Raleigh, NC · Meymandi Concert Hall

Dot Dot Dot at Florida Theatre (05 May 2025)

05 May 2025 Monday
Dot Dot Dot
at Florida Theatre
floridatheatre.com

Dot Dot Dot is a new musical based on Creatrilogy trio of award-winning picture books by New York Times bestselling author Peter H. Reynolds: The Dot, Ish, and Sky Color. Adapted by Composers Keelay Gipson and Sam Salmond, the musical, like the series, celebrates the power of originality, self-expression, and opening our eyes to look beyond the expected.

The musical is about Marisol (Sky Color), who goes on searching for emerging talent… leading her to meet Vashti (The Dot) and Ramon (Ish).

Note: Two showings available, 10am and 12pm.

If your band is coming to the Jacksonville/St Augustine area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

mssv at Turf Club (18 Apr 2025)

mssv at Turf Club (18 Apr 2025) mssv Setlist On and On Hypocrite Careful What You Wish For Even So Another All Things Come If Anybody Else Could Help Boat Song No Words See Through You OK to Change Another World (Richard Hell & the Voidoids cover) Human Reaction Tour Dates Apr 19 Gabe's Iowa City, Ia Apr 20 Recordbar Kansas City, Mo Apr 21 Reverb Lounge Omaha, Ne Apr 22 Fisch Haus Wichita, Ks Apr 23 Chelsea's Eureka Springs, Ar Apr 24 Venue Shrine Tulsa, Ok Apr 25 Golden Light Cantina Amarillo, Tx Apr 26 Cocoon Santa Fe, Nm Apr 27 Orpheum Theater Flagstaff, Az Apr 28 Griffin Las Vegas, Nv Apr 29 Bakersfield Sound Co. Bakersfield, Ca Apr 30 Torch Club Sacramento, Ca May 1 Miniplex Arcata, Ca May 2 Bottom Of The Hill San Francisco, Ca May 3 Zebulon Los Angeles, Ca Read More MSSV MSSV Main Steam Stop Valve (Mike Baggetta, Stephen Hodges, Mike Watt), recordBar, $13 The newest experimental rock incarnation from Minuteman bassist ...

Although it might not have been obvious from the billing, a night at Turf Club had a host of luminaries as mssv came to St. Paul to play.

The Charlie Parr Trio kicked things off for the evening. Parr is, quite simply, a prolific artist. He has nearly 20 full length albums and an unbelievable number of other released material. He is a machine when it comes to shows, including a January residency at Turf Club for the last several years. He plays a blues country/blues rock style both solo and in bands like this concert’s trio. Although no one was making a big deal of it, the bassist for the trio was none other than Greg Norton, of Hüsker Dü fame. (Bob Mould also happens to be in town, playing at The Palace on the 19th.)

Parr and company hit the first song running. It was a long tune giving everyone a chance to get going, with Parr’s vocals and Norton’s bass work a highlight. A bit of banter about how Parr didn’t like to be standing while playing guitar (but was “going to do it anyway”), also revealed they only had “a couple more songs” before mssv. And given the style of music for the evening, perhaps the fewer but longer songs was the way to go. Drummer Billy Dankert helped hold the center on the second song, keeping the instrumental and vocal sections well connected.

We got a Bob Dylan cover, Ballad of Hollis Brown, and crossed the thirty-minute mark early in the third song of the set. The key here were those alternating instrumental sections with the lyrics; it provided an obvious sign to the audience that the musical sections were key, but none were so long that you lost track of what was going on, and the vocal sections were never too far away. It was a great opportunity for some these excellent musicians to jam within given constraints. Norton’s bass work in the latter part of the song was masterful while always being in support of the music. And as they ended their third song at 45 minutes, the Charlie Parr Trio exited the stage.

mssv, short for Main Steam Stop Valve, is a trio with Mike Baggetta (guitar), Mike Watt (bass), and Stephen Hodges (drums). All three members have long and varied musical track records. This current band lies squarely in the experimental rock genre: unorthodox song structures, improvisational performances and a distinct lack of commercial aspirations. mssv showed that off in spades as they got to the stage.

They started with On and On from the most recent album and Baggetta’s guitar work was off the charts. They simply transitioned into the second song, and you got the feeling that talk from the band might be pretty limited. It amused me that Watt was seated in an old-fashioned looking chair and was largely faded away from the audience. The second song, Hypocrite, was very free form and gave us Watt yelling that one word for backup vocals. As they got started on the third song, it was clear that mssv was there simply to rock. No bluster, no comedy or patter, just the music. Watt took over for some of the vocals on the third song, Careful What You Wish For and was a great contrast.

The jazz background and training for Baggetta became obvious as you listened to the band, particularly on a song like Even So. A strange interlude with Hodges also playing a jingle bell had an off-kilter feel, but quickly rolled back into the rock & roll sound. It got a little harder to tell start and end of songs, though a full stop helped reset and give the crowd a chance to cheer their appreciation. A quieter number got going with a repetitive structure that allowed some improvisations and variations on the theme. It ended with some very improvisational riffs with Watt mostly slapping his bass and Baggetta in full jazz mode. Right as it seemed the band might go off the rails of rock noise, they again moved into the next song. It was quite the display at a band performance level, as they deftly rode a line of traditional songs while giving themselves room to play as they wanted.

A wildly quiet They Can’t Take That Away From Me eventually shut the entire crowd up by the time Watt took over again on vocals and Hodges basically gone silent on percussion. Just as it ended, they launched into a funk inspired song that completely reset the mood. mssv has a seasoned approach that kept the evening moving forward in an enjoyable way. The next few songs flowed from one into the next, with Baggetta having more or less on the lyrical side. At one point, a simple shouted word “bass” from Watt had the crowd laughing and cheering and mssv was starting to head to the end of the set. As they got to the end, they finally talked a little and Watt was effusive in his thanks for the openers, the crowd and then parlayed that into Another World, with him at lead vocals. We also got a long expected extended drum solo from Hodges. Human Reaction was an excellent song to end on, and mssv started packing up their gear. It ended a night of some great individual performers coming together and sharing the stage with each other and the audience.

Billy Dankert

Charlie Parr Trio

Greg Norton

Charlie Parr

Stephen Hodges

Mike Baggetta

Mike Watt

mssv at Turf Club (18 Apr 2025)

thaddeus ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Minneapolis: This Week (04/27/2025)

What’s happening this week.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Joywave at Varsity Theater (23 Apr 2025) Read More Joywave That was completely the vibe for Rochester, NY’s Joywave as they played an hour-long set, in support of fourth album, Cleanse, released in February. Singer Daniel Armbruster ...

23 Apr 2025 Wednesday

Joywave
with little image
at Varsity Theater
livenation.com

Rochester-based band Joywave will be headlining the Varsity Theater, in Minneapolis, on April 23rd, 2025, in support of Permanent Pleasure.

Joywave at the Granada (30 Aug 2022)

We saw Joywave in Aug 2022, and noted that “That was completely the vibe for Rochester, NY’s Joywave as they played an hour-long set, in support of fourth album, Cleanse, released in February. Singer Daniel Armbruster and band even all dressed as wash attendants, complete with name-badge matching jumpsuits and the back-end frame of a Corvette against the back screen, provided additional stage lighting. In addition to their big beats and irresistible indie poptronica blend, the band and Armbruster’s stage presence is often quirky, purposely ironic, self-deprecating, and honest, all of which makes for very relatable and affectionate banter.”

Dallas alt-pop trio little image to open.

Joywave and little image US Tour Dates:

April 16: New Haven, CT @ Toads Place

April 17: Albany, NY @ Empire Live

April 18: Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage

April 19: Cleveland, OH @ The Roxy

April 21: Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection

April 22: Madison, WI @ The Sylvee

April 23: Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater

April 24: Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s

April 26: Kansas City, MO @ The Truman

April 28: Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre

April 30: Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Hall

May 02: Sacramento, CA @ Ace Of Spades

May 03: Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriets

May 05: Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole

May 06: Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf

May 07: Oklahoma City, OK @ Beer City Music Hall

May 09: Nashville, TN @ Eastside Bowl

May 10: Birmingham, AL @ Saturn

May 11: Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall

May 13: Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room

May 15: St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live

May 16: Jacksonville, FL @ The Underbelly

May 17: Charleston, SC @ Music Farm

May 19: Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle

May 21: Jersey City, NJ @ White Eagle Hall

May 22: Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater

Miya Folick at Amsterdam Bar & Hall (23 Apr 2025) Read More Miya Folick Los Angeles’s vocalist, songwriter and producer Miya Folick will be headlining the 7th Street Entry on September 29th. The musician have been around since 2015 with her ...

23 Apr 2025 Wednesday

Miya Folick
with Olivia Kaplan
at Amsterdam Bar & Hall
first-avenue.com

Miya Folick is on her “Erotica Veronica: The Tour”, in support of the third album Erotica Veronica (Nettwerk). The tour will stop by the Amsterdam Bar & Hall, in St Paul, on April 23, 2025.

Miya Folick at 7th Street Entry (29 Sep 2023)

We saw Miya Folick in Sep 2023, and noted that “Miya Folick next took the stage with a pink-enameled guitar as she howled “Give It to Me” from her eponymous EP. Folick has one of the more unusual musical backgrounds. She is half Russian and half Japanese. The first musical instrument she learned was the taiko drum at her Buddhist temple. She went to NYU to study acting, graduated from USC with a degree in theater, then realized that she didn’t much care for the process of obtaining acting roles. So she put a want ad on Tinder to look for a band, as she told the BBC: "I realised that most people in LA were on Tinder and, of those people, many were probably musicians - so I just made a profile that said 'looking for a band' and put my Instagram handle on it.””

Olivia Kaplan to open.

Tour dates:

4/23 - St Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar and Hall

4/24 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean

4/25 - Detroit, MI @ El Club

4/27 - Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground

4/29 - Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall

4/30 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Made

5/1 - Washington, DC @ The Atlantis

5/9 - Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar

5/11 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater

5/12 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court

5/15 - Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret

5/16 - Seattle, WA @ Madame Lou’s

5/17 - Portland, OR @ Holocene

5/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room

5/22 - San Francisco, CA @ Cafe du Nord

5/23 - Napa, CA @ BottleRock Festival

Twin Tribes & The Chameleons at Varsity Theater (25 Apr 2025) Read More Chameleons 2024 has become a year of Strange Times in reality, so it’s fitting that Manchester UK band Chameleons returns to live stages and radio airwaves, both to revisit their classic 80’s post-punk …

25 Apr 2025 Friday

Twin Tribes & The Chameleons
at Varsity Theater
livenation.com

The Darker Skies Tour is coming to the Varsity Theater, in Minneapolis, on April 25, 2025. This is a co-headlining tour with Twin Tribes and The Chameleons.

Chameleons at recordBar (04 Nov 2024)

We saw Chameleons in Nov 2024, and wrote, “2024 has become a year of Strange Times in reality, so it’s fitting that Manchester UK band Chameleons returns to live stages and radio airwaves, both to revisit their classic 80’s post-punk era material, as well give their fans some new music for the first time in over two decades. “….Finally!!!” bassist and lead singer Mark Burgess (editor's note: officially known as Vox now) said, elated and smiling , taking the stage to begin their headlining set. To recall, the band was scheduled to play this same venue back in June (after playing an initial reunion gig the year before with The Mission UK) but the group’s van stalled the morning the show between here and Denver. ”

Tour dates:

Apr 25 Minneapolis MN Varsity Theater

Apr 26 Chicago IL Vampire’s Ball

Apr 28 Toronto ON Opera House

Apr 29 Montreal QC Society for Arts & Technology

Apr 30 Boston MA Big Night Live

May 1 Ardmore PA Ardmore Music Hall

May 2 Norwalk CT District Music Hall

May 3 Brooklyn NY Warsaw

May 4 Silver Spring MD The Fillmore

Yukimi at Fine Line (25 Apr 2025) Read More Little Dragon The last time we saw Sweden’s Little Dragon was in May 2015 and we said, “I'm happy to report that Little Dragon is all grown up. Since we last saw the Swedish band in November 2009 …

25 Apr 2025 Friday

Yukimi (of Little Dragon)
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

Yukimi (of Little Dragon) is on a solo tour, in support of her debut album For You (due March 28 via Ninja Tune)… stopping by the Fine Line, in Minneapolis, on April 25, 2025.

Little Dragon at First Ave (28 May 2015)

We saw Little Dragon in May 2015, and wrote, “Ten minutes before Little Dragon taking the stage, two full songs were played before their arrival. Slowly the band entered the stage, one by one, with singer Yukimi Nagano coming on last - wearing an over-the-top furry dress and ballet outfit. After the initial shock, the fans quickly forgot the fancy dress and just danced away to all the songs. I'm happy to report that Little Dragon is all grown up. Since we last saw the Swedish band in November 2009 (six years ago), the band has grown in terms of sound, stage, and fanbase.”

North American Tour Dates:

4/23 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry*

4/16 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

4/18 - Washington, DC @ Atlantis

4/19 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair

4/22 - Toronto, CA @ The AXIS Club

4/24 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

4/25 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

4/27 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre

4/29 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom

4/30 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile

5/2 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore

5/3 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues

5/4 - Los Angeles @ The Fonda

Martin Sexton at Dakota Jazz Club (26 Apr 2025) Read More Martin Sexton It featured a full headlining set from KT Tunstall (she's been co-headlining around the country with Martin Sexton, meaning a shortened setlist), and may be the last national …

26 Apr 2025 Saturday

Martin Sexton
at Dakota Jazz Club
dakotacooks.com

Legendary singer songwriter Martin Sexton is on the road again, this time with a twist. He’s performing The Beatles’ Abbey Road album in its entirety, as well as some of his original music. The Boston based artist is well known for both his guitar work and his signature vocal style, having regularly released albums since 1992’s In the Journey.

Tour dates

Apr 11 04 Center Austin, TX

Apr 12 The Kessler Theater Dallas, TX

Apr 13 The Heights Theater Houston, TX

Apr 15 TempleLive Fort Smith, AR

Apr 16 TempleLive Wichita, KS

Apr 17 Knuckleheads Kansas City, MO

Apr 18 Sheldon Concert Hall St. Louis, MO

Apr 19 The Bur Oak Madison, WI

Apr 19 The Bur Oak Madison, WI

Apr 22 The Kent Stage Kent, OH

Apr 23 Wealthy Theatre Grand Rapids, MI

Apr 24 Vivarium Keller Williams Milwaukee, WI

Apr 25 Redstone Room Davenport, IA

Apr 26 Dakota Minneapolis, MN

Apr 29 The ELM Bozeman, MT

Apr 30 The Wilma Missoula, MT

May 1 Liberty Theatre Hailey, ID

May 3 Blue Note Napa Napa, CA

May 3 Blue Note Napa Napa, CA

May 4 Blue Note Napa Napa, CA

May 4 Blue Note Napa Napa, CA

May 6 Soho Restaurant Santa Barbara, CA

May 7 The Regent Theater Los Angeles, CA

May 8 Belly Up Solana Beach, CA

May 9 191 Toole Tucson, AZ

May 10 FUSION Albuquerque, NM

May 11 UNIT B, by Chocolate Maven Santa Fe, NM

May 30 Avalon Theatre Easton, MD

May 31 Outpost in the Burbs Montclair, NJ

Jun 1 Greenwich Odeum East Greenwich, RI

Jun 5 Daryl's House Pawling, NY

Jun 6 The Colonial Theatre Keene, NH

Jun 7 Aura Portland, ME

Djo at Palace Theatre (26 Apr 2025) Read More Stranger Things I’ve been enjoying Stranger Things since it debut in 2016, and, personally speaking, I think Season 4 is one of their strongest season yet. The show’s really matured, and that’s … Post Animal Chicago’s heavy, prog psychedelic rock band Post Animal released their sophomore album Forward Motion Godyssey on February 14, 2020, via Polyvinyl, and will be doing a national …

26 Apr 2025 Saturday

Djo
with Post Animal
at Palace Theatre
first-avenue.com

Djo, the musical project of actor / producer / songwriter Joe Keery (from Stranger Things and Fargo), will be headlining the Palace Theatre, in St Paul, on April 26, 2025. Djo’s latest The Crux will be out April 4 on AWAL.

Post Animal at Fine Line (17 June 2023)

Post Animal to open. We saw Post Animal in March 2016 and wrote, “Opening the show was Chicago’s heavy, prog psychedelic rock band Post Animal with a 45-min set. The Chicago six-piece features Dalton Allison (bass/vocals), Jake Hirshland (guitar/keyboard/vocals), Javi Reyes (guitar/vocals), Wesley Toledo (drums/vocals), and Matt Williams (guitar/vocals). Everyone in the band took turn to take lead vocals at some point in their set, so it felt like there was really no one band leader. They played songs from their new self-produced Love Gibberish album, co-written by the entire band. This record is special to them, as after releasing two albums on Polyvinyl, they’ve decided to do things on their own. All six members met at Hirshland’s family farm, and produced months of demos and finding themselves where they first named the band.”

Tour dates:

April 03 - Portland, OR - Revolution Hall

April 04 - Portland, OR - Revolution Hall

April 05 - Portland, OR - Revolution Hall

April 07 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom

April 08 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre

April 10 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater

April 11 - Indio, CA - Coachella

April 15 - Pomona, CA - Fox Theater Pomona

April 16 - Del Mar, CA - The Sound at Del Mar

April 18 - Indio, CA - Coachella

April 19 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren

April 21 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rockwell at the Complex

April 23 - Denver, CO - The Mission Ballroom

April 25 - Madison, WI - The Sylvee

April 26 - Saint Paul, MN - Palace Theatre

April 28 - Detroit, MI - Masonic Temple Theatre

April 29 - Toronto, ON - History

May 01 - Washington, DC - The Anthem

May 02 - Boston, MA - Roadrunner

May 03 - Philadelphia, PA - Franklin Music Hall

May 05 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel

May 06 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel

May 07 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel

June 01 - Dublin, Ireland - 3Olympia

June 02 - Glasgow, UK - O2 Academy

June 03 - Manchester, UK - O2 Victoria Warehouse

June 05 - London, UK - O2 Forum Kentish Town

June 06 - London, UK - O2 Forum Kentish Town

June 07 - London, UK - O2 Forum Kentish Town

June 10 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Poolen

June 11 - Oslo, Norway - Sentrum Scene

June 13 - Stockholm, Sweden - Annexet

June 15 - Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands - Best Kept Secret Festival

June 16 - Cologne, Germany - E-Werk

June 17 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys

June 18 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja

June 20 - Scheebel, Germany - Hurricane Festival

June 21 - Tuttlingen, Germany - Southside Festival

June 23 - Paris, France - Élysée Montmartre

June 24 - Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso

June 25 - Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso

Chloe Moriondo at Fine Line (26 Apr 2025) Read More Chloe Moriondo Musician Chloe Moriondo is currently on tour in support of Blood Bunny (Public Consumption Recording Co./Fueled By Ramen). The tour will take her to the 7th Street Entry this October 2nd. ....

26 Apr 2025 Saturday

Chloe Moriondo
with Sex Week
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

Indie-pop darling Chloe Moriondo returns to the Minneapolis area, stopping by the Fine Line on April 26, 2025. Her album oyster will be out March 28, 2025, on Public Consumption / Atlantic Music Group.

Sex Week (what a great name) to open.

Tour Dates:

3/25 - New York, NY - 92Y Buttenwieser Hall*

3/28 - New York, NY - Rough Trade*

4/24 - Detroit, MI - El Club

4/25 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge

4/26 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line

4/29 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater

5/1 - Salt Lake City, UT - Soundwell

5/3 - Seattle, WA - Neumos

5/4 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater

5/6 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent

5/8 - San Diego, CA -Soma SideStage

5/9 - Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex

5/10 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom

5/12 - Austin, TX - Antone’s

5/13 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada

5/15 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade

5/16 - Carrboro, NC - Motorco

5/17 - Washington, DC - The Atlantis

5/18 - Philadelphia, PA - The Foundry

5/20 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom

5/21 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club

5/23 - Toronto, ON - Velvet Underground

Penny & Sparrow at First Avenue (27 Apr 2025) Read More Penny and Sparrow Penny and Sparrow (aka Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke) is currently on tour in support of their new album Wendigo. The record just came out September 1st. The duo will ...

27 Apr 2025 Sunday

Penny & Sparrow
with Field Guide
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Critically acclaimed indie folk duo Penny & Sparrow is back on tour in support of Lefty, available now on all platforms.

The band says, “We made Lefty 20 tracks long and gave ourselves acreage of song space to experiment. We wanted to record a double album for the challenge of it, and also for the chance to be sonically rangy and eccentric. The idea of offering all sorts of sounds, structures, melodies, and lyrical approaches in 20 songs was creatively exciting to us, so we did it.”

Field Guide to open.

Tour Dates:

April 10 – Birmingham, AL - Iron City

April 11– Atlanta, GA – The Eastern

April 12 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz

April 13 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre

April 15 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club

April 17 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer

April 18 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza

April 19 –Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club

April 22 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation

April 23 –Indianapolis, IN – Vogue Theatre

April 25 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall

April 26 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre

April 27 – Minneapolis, MN – First Ave

April 29 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall

April 30 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl

May 2 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theatre

May 3 – Dallas, TX – Majestic Theater

May 5 – Bentonville, AR – The Momentary

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

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