W♥M

We♥KC! March 25-28, 2025 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO / Lawrence KS)

Read More The Faint Modern synth/Dark Wave/Danse band The Faint just released their Capsule: 1999-2016. The retrospective collects their early classics with new classics from their 2016

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

It’s officially Spring! -

Don’t count the weird weather out just yet though, but those flashes of warmer temps have had us feeling more optimistic.

The calendar has gotten busier with acts coming through to play, following last weekend’s SXSW in Austin, TX which sadly might be its last year as a music destination. We’re thrilled locally with recent show announcements by Cyndi Lauper, Deftones, Black Keys, and even Bill Murray, all coming later this summer.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from March 18th-24th:

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

TUESDAY MARCH 25

Keith Ladzinski, Photographer: Forces of Nature, Mar 25, Muriel Kauffman Theatre, $45-$68

It’s the next exciting installment in the Kauffman’s Changemaker Speaker Series!

Keith Ladzinski is a National Geographic photographer and Emmy nominated director. His work primarily focuses on natural history, climate change, extreme sports, fine art and advertising campaigns, sending him to the furthest reaches of the seven continents on photo and film assignments.

Whether dangling from ropes to document first ascents in interior Antarctica, storm chasing in Tornado Alley, trekking up Mount Everest, or diving with wild alligators in the Florida Everglades, Ladzinski has been there, visually documenting it all. Journey to the farthest reaches of the planet in this sweeping look at nature and man.

Bewitcher, Deathchant, Persekutor, Mar 25, recordBar, $22.10

Since their formation in 2013, Bewitcher has seen their signature “Black Magick Metal” sound go from humble beginnings to new heights of creativity. The Portland OR black/speed metal band have earned a reputation as one of the hardest working touring acts around, bringing their high energy live shows to every corner of North America and abroad.

The speed metal demons have unleashed a new digital single, "The Warrior Trail," which was previously only available via the Decibel Magazine flexi series and is also joining forces with DEATHCHANT to co-headline a U.S. tour in celebration of their latest offering, 'Spell Shock,' along with support from PERSEKUTOR.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 26

Velveteers w Girl Tones, Mar 26, Bottleneck-Lawrence, $15-$18

Colorado indie alt rockers The Velveteers have embarked on their 2025 Million Knives tour, which coincides with the band’s sophomore album A Million Knives, released February 14 via Easy Eye Sound (Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach’s label). 

This follows their recent Kiss the Future tour from last Fall (still in support of first album, Nightmare Daydream), and we’ll say it again – we’ve been knocked out every time we’ve seen them live, so prepare to be thrilled.

Led by tour-de-force frontwoman Demi Demitro and backed by dual drummers Baby Pottersmith and Jonny Fig (playing on a conjoined kit), the band had released two singles ahead of the new record- “Go Fly Away” and most recently “Suck The Cherry.”

Arrive early for buzzing opener, Girl Tones, a high-energy rock duo brought to life by two classically trained sisters named Kenzie and Laila. Kenzie transitioned from cello to guitar and Laila from piano to drums and their debut singles were produced by Brad Shultz of Cage The Elephant and released via his label, Parallel Vision.

THURSDAY MARCH 27

Steel Panther w/ Moon Fever, Mar 27, The Midland, $29.50-$169

15 years later, we’re all still Feelin’ the Steel-- Steel Panther have announced a March leg of their Feel the Steel 15th anniversary tour (before they head to Europe) celebrating the self-proclaimed “greatest heavy metal album of all-time,” also releasing a 15th anniversary expanded edition of the album late last year.

We’re always excited to catch one of the best party bands out there, as we did just over a year ago, and they’re back, and playing an even bigger venue, so expect even more metal mayhem.

Seattle rockers Moon Fever are on the bill again as well and have shared the King Zabb directed music video for their new track "TV Skin." The song is the latest from their debut album, Forever Sleep. Moon Fever is comprised of Triston Bracht [vocals], Mitch Micoley [guitar], Dave Orton [bass], and Troy Wageman [drums], has been making waves with their high-energy performances and infectious rock hooks.

honestav, Mar 27, recordBar,Sold Out

Rising Missouri-based alternative singer/songwriter honestav is out on his 39-date national headline ‘No License Tour”, selling out most shows, including Minneapolis, where we just caught the show live.

He just released “Growin Pains” ahead of the deluxe version of his debut EP hara-kiri, just out. The next single “Livin’ Wrong” will be coming later this month. Previous single “Hurts to Fall in Love” continues to grow in the Top 40 at Alternative Radio, while breakout track “I’d Rather Overdose” has amassed over 105 million streams globally, and details his personal battles with addiction and loss, while finding the hope to push through.

Wichita KS-raised, LA-based hip-hopper Damien Styles opens, so it’s really all a Midwest show.

FRIDAY MARCH 28

The Faint w Plack Blague, Mar 28, Warehouse on Broadway, $30

Electro band The Faint has returned to announce a reissue of two of their classic albums, 1999's Blank-Wave Arcade, and 2004's Wet From Birth, both of which are just out on the band's longtime label home Saddle Creek.

The band emerged in the late 1990s in Omaha, NE to pioneer a sound that combined the melodic essence of new wave, the raw edge of post-punk, and the futurism of electro. The distinctive, synth-driven sound that brought The Faint to wide acclaim first surfaced on 1999's Blank-Wave Arcade. Wet From Birth followed in 2004 with its electro-orchestral arrangements, cementing The Faint's reputation as pioneers of the indie synth scene.

The band’s now based in the Joshua Tree area of California and also released a found song from the Blank-Wave Arcade era called "Brokers, Priests & Analysts," along with a remaster of the single from that album, "Worked Up So Sexual." Plus, check out the brand-new venue the band will be playing at.

Michael Carbonaro (comedy), Mar 28, Midland,$39.50-$69.50

The magician and comedian is best known for his show “The Carbonaro Effect,” a hidden camera magic series that ran for five seasons on truTV and continues out live and in-person with his “Lies on Stage” tour.

A performing magician since his youth, Carbonaro went on to study experimental theater at NYU with the aspirations of entertaining audiences through a variety of theatrical mediums, including hidden-camera magic.

Michael’s extensive list of accolades includes the “Outfest Best Actor” award as well as the “Magician of the Year” honor, bestowed upon him by the Academy of Magical Arts in 2015. In 2016, he was the inaugural recipient of the Copperfield Prize which recognizes an individual for elevating the art of magic.

 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

honestav at Fine Line (03-19-2025)

honestav at Fine Line (19 Mar 2025) Tour Dates 3/20/25 – Milwaukee, WI – Vivarium 3/21/25 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre 3/27/25 – Kansas City, MO – Record Bar 3/28/25 – Chicago, IL – Chop Shop 3/30/25 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache 3/31/25 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Music Hall 4/1/25 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups 4/3/25 – Detroit, MI – The Shelter 4/4/25 – Lakewood, OH – Mahall’s Read More honestav Alternative recording artist and songwriter honestav is headlining his first solo tour: No License Tour. The tour will stop in Minneapolis, at the Fine Line, on March 19, 2025. …

With multiple musical acts at the Fine Line Wednesday night, there was one aspect of the evening they all agreed on. It was cold as f*ck outside.

Before the opener the gathering crowd had a chance to catch two musicians getting their feet wet in front of a live crowd: Youngdnd from Shakopee, MN and Z Boogie Official from Springfield, MO.

Damien Styles then took the stage and let out a string of profanity when it came to his opinion of the Minnesota weather. He then did a quick pivot to thank the headliner and told the audience that his music is based on his emotions and it was his hope that everyone in the audience would leave ten pounds lighter by then end of the show.

From Wichita, KS, Styles started writing music at age 6, following in his father’s footsteps, rapper Scott Al_Tall. With a debut album at 14, Styles is supporting his eponymous album released in 2024, which contains an ode to his town in “Small Town Kids.”

Before he moved onto “Bad Bitch Energy” Styles in a surprising moment invited his wife on stage to serenade her with “Winona Forever” a song dedicated to her where Styles professes: If she’s Winona Ryder, I’ll be Johnny Depp.

During Style’s set, there was a fan standing right next to my right ear, and this fan knew all the lyrics and sang those lyrics, which I thought was cool for a musician to have that much of an impact on a fan.

The reason why the fan was standing right next to my ear is because it was a sold out show and there was no place to go. There was a fan who was half my height behind me. She asked if I could scoot over, but I suggested she stand in front of me, which she did when honestav took the stage.

honestav aka Avery Freeman is from a small town outside of Springfield, MO, and like Styles he started writing music early in life. For him there was no Plan B, so he kept plugging away with poems at 8, first song at 12, posting music on Soundcloud at 17, then streaming on major platforms at 23 with his first album Hara Kiri at 26.

The Fine Line wasn’t the first or last show to be sold out on his first headlining tour. honestav has resonated with fans with songs that address drug addiction “I’d Rather Overdose”, parental loss “Just Like You” and depression “Growing Pains.” But he was all smiles at the Fine Line.

Mod Sun at First Ave (13 Oct 2024)

honestav said it was his second time back to the Twin Cities, opening up for Mod Sun at First Ave in October of 2024. He has a special love for the Twin Cities for his fans approached him after that show to tell him that he had to have merch to sell, which was a good indication that he was headed in the right direction.

honestav looked at times a little overwhelmed but very happy by his arrival at the Fine Line, singing in front of a crush of people that knew the lyrics. He said it wasn’t long ago that he was thinking of trying something else, but now…

“I’m from a town of less than 800 people,” he said to the crowd. “Now, there’s 800 people here.”

Yungdnd

Z Boogie Official

Damien Styles

Damien Styles honestav

honestav at Fine Line (19 Mar 2025)

dave ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: The Controversy

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (2025) Read More Assassin's Creed Unfortunately, the latest Assassin's Creed Mirage is not great. I still enjoyed the game, but there are a few things that did not like about it: First of all, based on being in Baghdad…

The best-selling video game franchise, having sold more than 230 million games worldwide, is back with Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This is the fourteenth major Assassin’s Creed game and the setting is in Japan!

As I have previously mentioned, I have loved the recent AC games (don’t love the early games), starting with 2017’s Assassin's Creed Origins (Greek), followed by Assassin's Creed Odyssey (Egypt), and Assassin's Creed Valhalla (Vikings)… but I felt the last game, Assassin's Creed Mirage, was not very good.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a big controversy with one of the lead protagonists being a black Samurai named Yasuke. I love Japan and from my understanding, normal people can’t become a Samurai. It’s a class system; you basically have to be born in that class. You don’t see a farmer joining a rich family as a warrior. It doesn’t happen and it’s not acceptable.

I know Wikipedia tells me that there is one black Samurai named Yasuke (I believe he was more of a servant, rather than a noble Samurai). I’ve also read about King, a former black slave in Japan, but they are fictional stories. Still, my point is that it’s almost nonexistent to see a black Samurai or a woman Samurai, it’s just not possible.

With that said, I think it was a major mistake that Ubisoft decides that you have to play Yasuke. Imagine if you were forced to play a Japanese Viking from the Valhalla game, I would be pretty upset too.

Still, at the end of the day, most people will just argue that it’s just a game and that we shouldn’t take things so seriously. All this negative feedback on the game, I probably won’t be picking up the game until there’s a big discount. I made a mistake with my purchase of Mirage, so maybe I’ll just sit this one out – unless I see glowing reviews.

If you’re itching to play Shadows, but don’t want to spend $70, you can join Ubisoft+ Premium for $18 a month and play Shadows day one.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Soundtrack by the Flight

Shadows is out today (March 20) on macOS, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.

In related news, I’ve loved all the Assassin’s Creed Game Soundtrack, and you can currently stream the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Original Game Soundtrack at ubisoftmusic.ffm. If you have Amazon Prime, you can listen to it for free or pay $16.49 to buy the MP3s. What’s cool about buying it on Amazon is that it acts like a ‘locker’, so you can stream your library using various Amazon devices.

The soundtrack was composed by music duo The Flight (Joe Henson and Alexis Smith). The duo previously worked on my favorite Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.

Yours,

Weekend Gamer
[email protected]

Read more Weekend Gamer.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Paris Paloma at The Truman, Kansas City MO (17 March 2025)

PARIS PALOMA SETLIST my mind (now) drywall as good a reason knitting song the warmth escape pod notre dame last woman on earth triassic love song bones on the beach the rider the fruits yeti the hunter -- Encore -- labour SARAH JULIA SETLIST Use A Friend Conspiracy Theorist Daughters Game of Pretend Cairngorms Amsterdam PARIS PALOMA TOUR DATES (all US shows sold out) 18 Mar Gothic Theatre Englewood, CO 21 Mar Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR 23 Mar The Showbox Seattle, WA 25 Mar The Regency Ballroom San Francisco, CA 27 Mar The Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA 12 Apr Zermatt Unplugged Zermatt, Switzerland 5 Jun Albert Hall Manchester, UK 6 Jun O2 Shepherds Bush Empire London, UK 8 Jun 3Olympia Theatre Dublin, Ireland 13 Jun Bergenfest 2025 Bergen, Norway 15 Jun Amsterdamse Bostheater Amstelveen, NL Read More Paris Paloma She released her debut album “Cacophony” last August, with her viral, break-out single “labour” playing to tens of thousands of TikTok uses, 180 million+ streams on Spotify, and a recent …

The magik is real--

On a Monday night filled with allusions of nature, nurture, feminist pride and independence, UK folk pop sensation Paris Paloma took over a very sold-out Truman in downtown Kansas City for a long-awaited, spellbinding performance.

The evening began with a thirty-minute opening set from Dutch sister singing duo Sarah Julia, in support of their latest EP, “Only Making It Worse” due out on 9 May, and its lead single, “Amsterdam”.

They pair began singing together early on, including an appearance at the Junior Eurovision Song Festival 2013 with their original, "Live Life" (though didn’t win the competition). The duo harmonized completely in tandem, like similar acts we’ve recently seen, but took a more modern approach (vs. traditional) to their version of folk.

An under-powered laptop forced an impromptu setlist swap of “Conspiracy Theorist” and “Game of Pretend” (a ‘special and favorite’ song of the sisters to play), which was quickly adjusted to, and the howls and woos in the audience proved the two already had a strong local following.

“Cairngorms” was written about a ‘magical park’ in Scotland that they visited as children, which also serves as a place the sisters can go to into their minds, as a place of calm. The set would end with their latest single, about the city in which they live (following being born and raised in Rotterdam) and is also an allegory of personal relationships with its lyric, “It isn't what she deserves, you're only making it worse and I ain't moving on without her.”

 

As mentioned this show was long sold out and was clearly evident in those telltale signs at the venue- a long line for entry stretching way down the block with people begging for spare tickets; “Sold Out AF” on the marquee and at the box office at the venue’s entrance; a line around the inside just to get to the merch stand; and a packed general admission floor with turbine-sized ceiling fans blowing on high.

 

For Darbyshire UK native, Paris Paloma, her time has truly arrived. The packed house, many dressed in olde English fairie and magik-inspired dress, screamed and yelped even before the main act went on stage- during stagehand instrument tuning, songs played between sets, and of course, as the lights went down to begin the much-anticipated, eighty-minute headlining performance.

Paloma first made online waves releasing songs during the pandemic, eventually signing with Nettwerk in 2022 and releasing singles, “Forsaken” and “Notre Dame” on the label. Influenced by the likes of Florence and the Machine, Hozier, Aurora, Ed Sheeran and others, her ethereal blend of alternative folk proved a perfect combination for fans (more female than male) to embrace at community-like levels.

2023 breakout single, “Labour” still seems fresh for us in the States, with Paloma just having memorably performed it on a recent Late Show with Stephen Colbert episode (repeats on Mar 20) and we first took notice some three years ago as she was added to festivals like Bonnaroo and played her first American live dates.

After the opening, “My Mind (Now)” and “Drywall”, she paused to say hello and wish everyone a Happy St. Pat’s Day as well as a Happy Hozier’s Birthday (the Irish singer’s birth happens to fall on the same day). She also asked everyone in the crowd introduce themselves to each other, to help set the friendly tone of the night and as a gesture of unity.

Paloma only had two other musicians on stage with her- MD, drummer and keys player Jim Molyneux behind on her left, and guitar/bassist George Cowley behind her on the right, but with their instrumentations and some samples, the three could create an errr, cacophony of arena-sized boom, or a delicate feather whisper, which required and received a collective hush from the enraptured crowd.

“Cacophony” is the debut full-length, out last August (via Nettwerk Music Group) and most of the setlist was drawn from those tracks of feminist fervor, rebelling against societal expectations, and Paloma’s own experiences to dissent when necessary while encouraging those to create their own herstory.

“Knitting Song” was written about and dedicated to her late grandmother (helped come to life on stage by the vocals of Sarah Julia) and her newest song, “Good Boy” is an angry rebuke against the current patriarchy in our country, and its rippling influences abroad.

The set would slow as it progressed, becoming more ethereal along the way, on songs like “The Last Woman on Earth” about the continued pedestalization of some females, and she was eventually left solo for “Triassic Love Song”, which became a hushed sing-along.

“The Rider” was a full circle number, she explained, having covered Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire” (from Lord of the Rings) in her very earliest days, and then completely thrilled to have been asked to contribute a song to the closing credits of last year’s LOTR: The War of the Rohirrim film- a middle-earth dream for the band, who all professed to be Tolkien fans.

2022’s early song, “The Fruits” was sung by most of the audience, a song composed in Paloma’’s dorm room while attending university, and a landmark song in her own journey that helped focus the musical direction she wanted to move forward with.

The thundering drums against bird and nature sounds of “Hunter” ended the main set, but the trio quickly re-emerged for the single-song encore of Paloma’s biggest hit-to-date, “Labour” with its defiant and independent lyric, “he can live out his picket fence dreams, (but) it's not an act of love if you make her.”

You know it’s no ordinary show when it sells out months ahead of time, care and thought by attendees are put into what exactly to wear and who to go with, the merch stand even offers a free book exchange, and circles of fairy dancing spontaneously take place in the crowd, but this was no ordinary artist either. Paris Paloma is really still just getting started but has already built a fan community and critical attention, that most veteran artists would surely envy. Consider us under her spell as well.

(click on any image to enlarge and see in full)

PARIS PALOMA at The Truman- Kansas City MO (2025-03-17)

PARIS PALOMA at The Truman- Kansas City MO (2025-03-17)

PARIS PALOMA at The Truman- Kansas City MO (2025-03-17)

   SARAH JULIA at The Truman- Kansas City MO (2025-03-17)

 

John C ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥X / twitter.com ♥ bsky.ap

Jacksonville Jazz Festival announced lineup

Jacksonville Jazz Festival (22-25 May 2025) Read More Kool & the Gang The sound shifted to the soul funk of Kool & The Gang, the legendary (and the most sampled) R&B band that began in 1969 who can boast having won two Grammy Awards, seven American … Janelle Monae Everyone I know is really excited about having American singer, songwriter, rapper, and actress Janelle Monáe in town this July 3rd at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. Maybe … The Roots I also see The Roots moving their music in this direction. It was their first album, “Things Fall Apart” that caught my attention. By chance I knew the title came from Chinua Achebe’s novel .… Tank and the Bangas Over at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell, we saw New Orleans-based funk-soul musical group Tank and the Bangas. The group is fronted by Tarriona Ball (aka Tank), and was the winner .…

Presented by Jacksonville Aviation Authority, this Jacksonville Jazz Festival is amazing multi-day music festival, is completely free! Featuring several award-winning artists performing in the heart of Jacksonville, Florida.

The JJF just officially announced their schedule for 2025 today… and we’re so excited to see that legendary Kool & the Gang is one of the headliners.

Kool & the Gang at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (19 Oct 2024)

We saw Kool & the Gang at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Oct 2024 and said, “The sound shifted to the soul funk of Kool & The Gang, the legendary (and the most sampled) R&B band that began in 1969 who can boast having won two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, 9 Top Ten Pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums. Public Enemy’s Chuck D helped everyone remember their decades-long impact and a hit-filled rousing medley found singer James “J.T.” Taylor (who joined in 1979) performing with co-founder Robert “Kool” Bell and the rest of the band, for the first time since 1999 (along with The Roots in tow), complete with an onscreen disco ball and confetti cannons.”

Trombone Shorty at MN Yacht Club (20 July 2024)

Also excited to see Trombone Shorty on the bill, having seen him recently at MN Yacht Club and noted, “Trombone Shorty was a whole lot of fun. He really has a great stage personality, and although he does sing on some songs, he let his trombone do most of the talking. Being from New Orleans, he definitely had to play “When the Saints Go Marching In”. Of course, being in Minnesota, he had to play Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy”… trombone style! We haven’t seen him before, only through the television show Treme, but seeing him in person, we’ll definitely have to check him out again when he comes back to the area.”

Please note that the location to this year is new, it is at the Tailgaters Parking (East of Everbank Stadium).

Schedule

THURSDAY • MAY 22, 2025

Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition at The Florida Theatre

7:00 PM

Kool & the Gang (23 May 2025)

FRIDAY • MAY 23, 2025

Let's Ride Brass Band featuring Bella Kosal	4:30 PM
Spyro Gyra	6:00 PM
Maysa	7:45 PM
Kool & the Gang	9:30 PM

Janelle Monáe (24 May 2025)

SATURDAY • MAY 24, 2025

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Jazz Combo	3:45 PM
Piano Comp Winner	4:45 PM
Tank and the Bangas	5:45 PM
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue	7:30 PM
Janelle Monáe	9:15 PM

The Roots (25 May 2025)

SUNDAY • MAY 25, 2025

UNF Jazz Ensemble I	3:15 PM
Connie Han	4:15 PM
Branford Marsalis Quartet	5:45 PM
Boney James	7:15 PM
The Roots	9:00 PM

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Minneapolis: April 19, 2025

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Ben Nichols & Rick Steff at Turf Club (19 Apr 2025) Read More Lucero Lucero kicked off their set with ‘Went Looking For Warren Zevon’s Los Angeles’ to an incredibly pleased dedicated, die-hard Lucero fans. Although the song is taken from their latest album All a Man Should Do ... The Shackletons The Shackletons could have been named The Campbells as there are three siblings (Colin-voc/gtr; Cameron-bass; Evan- drums) that compose this stomping blues rock band. Breaking out locally .…

19 Apr 2025 Saturday

Ben Nichols & Rick Steff
with Colin Campbell (of The Shackletons)
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

Ben Nichols and Rick Steff (both from Lucero) are on a Lucero Unplugged tour. The Lucero Unplugged is a double album revisiting the Memphis band’s 25-year catalog.

Colin Campbell (of The Shackletons) to open.

Lucero Tour Dates

May 8 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues &

May 9 –Bloomington, IL @ The Castle Theatre &

May 10 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada &

May 13 – Berkeley, CA @ The UC Theatre &

May 15 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco &

May 16 – San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park &

May 17 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory &

May 18 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater &

May 21 – Dallas, TX @ Trees &

May 22 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s Austin &

May 28 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl &

May 29 – Richmond, VA @ The National &

May 30 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw &

June 1 – Wilmington, DE @ The Queen &

June 3 – Detroit, MI @ The Majestic Theatre &

June 4 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall &

June 6 – Chicago, IL @ Metro &

June 7 – Chicago, IL @ Metro &

June 8 – McKees Rocks, PA @ Roxian Theatre &

# – supporting JJ Grey & Mofro
^ – Ben Nichols Solo
& – with The Menzingers

Bob Mould Band at Palace Theatre (19 Apr 2025) Read More Bob Mould “Distortion and Blue Hearts!” is the name of the new tour from Bob Mould. The guy is a legend, we’ve been listening to his music since Sugar and through back catalogs, Hüsker Dü. …

19 Apr 2025 Saturday

Bob Mould Band
with Poster Children
at Palace Theatre
first-avenue.com

Bob Mould (billed as Bob Mould Band) is touring in support of Mould’s 15th solo album Here We Go Crazy (via Granary Music/BMG Records).

Talking about the lead single “Neanderthal”, Mould said, “In the early stages of writing this album, I envisioned ‘Neanderthal’ as the opening track. I imagined a child raised in an unstable home, perpetually exposed to erratic and confrontational behavior. A fight or flight situation. ‘Neanderthal’ is a frantic sprint through darkened hallways littered with tension, conflict, and aggression. A claustrophobic maze of distorted mirrors. As the song nears the end, a pair of subconscious voices appear. The first voice is both soothing and unsettling, while the final voice is reactionary and violent. It’s a fight or flight song.”

Expect to hear that song at the upcoming Palace Theatre show on April 19, 2025.

Poster Children to open.

Tour Dates

04/01 – San Diego, CA – Music Box *

04/02 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s *

04/04 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom *

04/05 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore *

04/07 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre *

04/08 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom *

04/09 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory *

04/11 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater *

04/12 – Fort Collins, CO – Washington’s *

04/14 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room *

04/15 – Maquoketa, IA – Codfish Hollow Barn *

04/16 – Madison WI – Majestic Theatre *

04/18 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall *

04/19 – St. Paul, MN – Palace Theatre +

04/25 – Chicago, IL – Metro ^

04/26 – Chicago, IL – Metro ^

04/27 – Detroit, MI – El Club ^

04/29 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop ^

04/30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre ^

05/02 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club ^

05/03 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge ^

05/04 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer ^

05/07 – Washington DC – Black Cat ^

05/09 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall ^

05/10 – Indianapolis, IN – HI–FI Indy ^

05/11 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Beer Garden #

* w/ Special Guest Craig Finn
+ w/ Special Guests Poster Children
^ w/ Special Guest J. Robbins
# w/ Special Guests Winged Wheel

BRENN! at Fine Line (19 Apr 2025) Read More Brenn! Breakout singer/songwriter Brenn! (not to be confused with Norway’s brenn) is currently on his “Crossing County Lines Tour” and will be stopping by the 7th Street Entry on May 6, 2024. ...

19 Apr 2025 Saturday

BRENN!
with asiris
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

Tuscaloosa singer-songwriter BRENN! returns to Minneapolis this April 19, 2025. Brenn was last seen in Minneapolis in May 2024.

The singer’s new song “Franklin House” is available now via via Darkroom Records / Westward Recordings.

asiris to open.

Brenn!’s Days on End Tour

Mar 27 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre

Mar 28 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West

Mar 29 – Nashville, TN – The Mil

Apr 2 – Houston, TX – Bronze Peacock

Apr 3 – Austin, TX – The Parish

Apr 4 – Dallas, TX – Club Dada

Apr 7 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar

Apr 8 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey

Apr 9 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall

Apr 11 – Portland, OR – Holocene

Apr 12 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lou's

Apr 14 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court

Apr 15 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater

Apr 17 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall

Apr 18 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave

Apr 19 – Minneapolis, MN –The Fine Line

Apr 22 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi

Apr 23 – Columbus, OH – A&R Bar

Apr 25 – Toronto, ON – Drake Underground

Apr 26 – Montreal, QC – Ministere

Apr 29 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair

May 1 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

May 2 – Philadelphia, PA –The Foundry

May 3 – Washington, DC – Songbyrd

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

DC Comics Style Guide: A Disappointment

DC Comics Style Guide (2024) Read More DC Comics I’ve previously mentioned that the very first comic book that I purchased with my own money, a whole $1, was Crisis on Infinite Earths #1. I didn’t know it then, but this little comic book forever …

This is a rare book report for DC Comics Style Guide, a book that eventually came out in very late 2024 and early 2025. Originally scheduled for an August 2024 release, it was delayed a few times due a custom PMS metallic silver ink on the cover.

Standards Manual reprinted the book for the public for the first time in over forty years. It was a pretty big deal José Luis García-López fans (and George Perez fans because he drew some Teen Titans style guide). It really is a shame that DC Comics basically hid these pages from the public, because the Style Guides were meant for internal uses. Like most fans, I was confused why DC Comics decides to license this book to a third-party company.

Originally announced in May 2024 as 1982 DC Style Guide, the 1982 name suggested that there will be future books, such as the 1984 or 1985 editions. Maybe it is to avoid the confusion, but they eventually dropped the 1982 in the title, and is now simply called DC Comics Style Guide.

My situation is unique in that I was not going to be home from December 2024 to March 2025. Since the book was delayed into early 2025, it meant that I wasn’t actually home to receive the book. For most people the four months delay wasn’t going to be a problem, but for those who are moving or traveling or celebrating an anniversary or birthday, timing is everything! If the book had delivered in August or prior to December, I would have been a happy camper. It would have been pretty awesome to bring the book with me on my long Winter Hibernation. After this horrible experience, I don’t think I’ll ever pre-order anything (in fact, I cancelled my Fallout Pip-Boy).

My biggest complaint about the DC Comics Style Guide is they didn’t make it clear that this “reissue” is basically a very high-quality photocopy of Standards Manual’s book. There were no efforts made to enhance or fix any blemishes. For example, some pages are wrinkled, some pages have torn three-holes, some pages have ghosting text, some pages have smudges, some pages have miscoloring… all pimples and imperfections are on display here. This is such a disappointment, because for years, I had seen beautiful pages online, because they digitally removed the holes or fixing blemishes, etc.

They officially list the book as 368 pages, which makes for a very nice beefy spine… but in reality, only half of those pages have artwork with the back of its page is blank (no printing). Some pages are the back of folders (which is basically blank pages). I felt they could have saved some trees or pass the savings to the consumers if they used less pages.

If you are a fan of García-López or a fan of DC Comics, you probably already own the book, so it doesn’t really matter what I say. For those on the fence about dropping $95 on this book, I can definitely not recommend this book to you.

I wish that DC Comics would put out an official book. They have the source material or original print films… or if they don’t, they have the resources to clean up and make the artwork presentable.

Smudges Ghost Text

Skin Colors too Pink

Wrinkled Pages

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Belfast Cowboys at Turf Club (17 Mar 2025)

The Belfast Cowboys at Turf Club (17 Mar 2025) From The Belfast Cowboys 400 Bar It was 23 years ago today the Belfast Cowboys played our first show (at the 400 Bar on Saint Patrick’s Day 2002)! After all that time, we’re still getting our rock ‘n’ roll thrills. Mark Lindsay, singer for Paul Revere and the Raiders, as well as “Arizona” the ear worm from about 50 years ago, played a song of ours on his show on Little Steven’s Underground Garage this weekend! Celebration at the Turf Club starts tonight at 7 PM sharp! Happy St Paddy’s Day! Read More Belfast Cowboys This 9-piece The Belfast Cowboys to open. Tour dates: 03/15/16 Saint Paul, MN Turf Club 03/16/16 Iowa City, IA The Mill 03/17/16 St. Louis, MO Off Broadway Nightclub .…

A pretty last-minute decision found me at Turf Club on St. Patrick’s day to see locals The Belfast Cowboys. A brass heavy band that “specializes in the music of Van Morrison”, they were a pretty perfect band for the holiday, at a venue suited for it as well (green being the dominant color).

The nine-piece band has a full brass section, multiple guitars, keys and drums. Lead singer Terry Walsh, asked, “Is it seven yet? We want to be prompt.” The first song, You Make Me Feel So Free had the full brass sound, including a great sax solo. The band was in the spirit, with some adorned in various types of St. Patrick’s Day accoutrements (sparkly green tie, green bowler hat, etc.). Walsh said, “It isn’t summer yet, but it’s coming”, as the band launched into a cover of Chuck Prophet’s Summertime Thing that included a brass riff on Summer in the City.

Turning twenty-three years old as a band today, we got the joke that The Belfast Cowboys are about three times older than The Beatles. Noting that it had just been played on Little Steven’s Underground Garage, we got a goofily serious version of (It’s Not Easy) Bein’ Green. The band got back to Van Morrison with the song Domino that included some coordinated dance moves from the four brass players, as well as a brilliant take on Wet Leg’s Chaise Lounge. Our first bit of harmonica (from Walsh) was an intro to an upbeat Bright Side of the Road. The crowd was in full dance mode, and clearly, many were long time fans of the band. The band gave takes on several genres from rock to some bluesy moments, always supported by those horns. A version of John Henry that was “for the bartender” led into the audience getting to request a song. Into the Mystic had some more coordinated dancing, and the playfulness of the band was infectious. Days Like This continued the Van Morrison numbers and really gave the entire band the chance to shine. Southside was back in more blues rock territory, with an excellent bass line. A few more songs, including Wild Night, led to the end of the first set.

Set two started off with a team drink, but also a pair of guests (Brian and Rodney, in from the west coast) reuniting the original four members of the band playing Fisherman’s Blues and then a cover of the late Slim Dunlap’s Times Like This. They then returned to the night’s original lineup and the brass section was back into the action with That Summer Feeling. The Belfast Cowboys had gotten into a groove and Real Real Gone played into their strengths. We got a few longer numbers alternating solos for brass and the guitars, such as in a rendition of Can’t Hardly Wait. It was a pretty tremendous showing as they hit some of the bigger Van Morrison songs on their way to the end of the evening and for both band and crowd, it was a holiday well spent.

Belfast Cowboys

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Belfast Cowboys

Belfast Cowboys at Turf Club (17 Mar 2025)

thaddeus ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025

St Patrick's Day Parade (17 Mar 2025) Read More Irish The popular holiday show Irish Christmas in America is coming to Minneapolis, at the Dakota Jazz Club, on November 25, 2024. The long-running show, now in its 19th year …

Billed as “The Greatest St Patrick's Day Parade in the Nation”, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebrates the large Irish heritage and clans that resides in the St Paul and Minneapolis area. Look around and seeing a sea of green tells you that the Irish pride runs deep.

The parade starts at Rice Park in Downtown St Paul (5th Street and Market Street) and travels along 5th Street until its end at Mear Park in Lowertown (5th Street and Sibley Street).

The actual parade took about an hour and had representations from all the Irish clans, music (usually bagpipers), dancers, and Irish businesses. There weren’t any floats. The only vehicles were some police cars and a firetruck.

There were a lot of green beads, balls, candy, silly spray, and, funny enough, potatoes, thrown to the audience. This is a fun time for the whole family… despite the chilly wind and low temperature.

After the parade, people were invited to head down to the CHS Field and continue the celebration with the crowning of the 2025 Miss Shamrock and Mr. Pat, music, and, of course, grab a drink from your favorite Irish pub.

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Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

SXSW 2025

SXSW (07-15 Mar 2025) My Biggest Regrets Not chatting about new artists and the industry with Steve Lamacq "The Godfather" when I ran into him at Creek and the Cave. Missing at least 4-5 unbelievable artists Not networking with enough people and learning more Biggest Artists I Missed Mellt Somebody Someone Grace Sorenson Quiet Light My Biggest Tips Focus on the artists and make it more accommodating for them. Allow artists to play as many unofficial shows as they want and encourage more live shows during the daytime for attendees and artists. Read More SXSW Once again, SXSW (South by Southwest Music Festival) is returning to Austin, Texas. This year marks the festival’s 38th annual event. Like previous years, there are a million bands. ....

Thirteenth year to what could be the end of a new beginning at one of my favorite weeks of the year: South by Southwest (SXSW).

The odds seems stacked against the 2025 SXSW festival—with surging prices, budget issues, and a downsized line-up of 1,000 less bands than normal, including two of my favorites, Yuuf and Elín Hall, who dropped out before the festival. And yet, I had the time of my life. It turned out to be a much better than anticipated festival.

If you listened to a good chunk of the artists and did a little research, you could make a pretty decent 5-day schedule. One of the best parts of SXSW is even if you're not blown away by 25-30 artists, you can still see 3 of your top 10 artists 2-3 times. However you roll, I do a hybrid and catch usually my top 5 to 7 artists twice and still see 100+ bands. I'm quick like a cat at all the shows where if I'm not feeling the first song or two, I'm hopping on a Lime scooter faster than Shazam! 

I was blessed to have two venues very close for daytime parties. They had the deepest lineups all day long at High Noon (Paste Magazine) and Lazarus Brewery (Music for Listeners). At night time if you got a full slate you have to be ready to go all over the place but I would say anywhere central by 7th and Red River is a good spot to be where your close to venues with multiple stage like Palm Door on 6th Street, Swan Dive, Mohawk, and ot

Main tips for future SXSW attendees, listen to loads of bands, make a schedule (day/night), don't drink until the night showcases so you can fly on the scooter to and from all the rad day parties mostly on E 6th. Network with loads of people, bands, label, film, everyone at the fest. Get a nice variety of venues with backyards, churches, and all the cool venues all over the city!

Let’s cut to the spectacular new artists at this year's fest!

Below is a list of my top 20 Performances at SXSW

1. Surely Shirley @ Creek and the Cave (Aussie sweet hearts, Lake Street Dive meets the supremes get ready to dance!)
2. Delivery @ Lazarus (As crazy as king gizzard and had a stage invasion to end the night!)
3. Jazmin Martin @ Marlow (Sault meets Janelle Monoe)
4. Holy F**k @ Mohawk (Trippy Toronto Psychbeats, LCD)
5. Go Cactus @ Low Down Lounge (Spanish Ramones and Clash, Wild energy on stage!)
6. Lizzie Berchie @ Palm Door on 6th (British Embassy)
7. Los Juanos @ Lamberts
8. Personal Trainer @ Lazarus Brewery
9. Voxtrot @ Mohawk
10. Ellur @ Palm Door on 6th (British Embassy)
11. Billianne @ Paste Magazine Party (Biggest Surprise Artist At SXSW)
12. Hanorah @ Saxon Pub (Amy Winehouse potential)
13. Monobloc @ Paste Magazine Party (High Noon) (new Strokes sound)
14. Sophia Rogers @ Hotel Vegas (Lake Street Dive Potential, unreal vocals)
15. Band of Horses @ Stubbs (They still got it!)
16. Weird Blood @ Lazarus Brewery
17. Willie McGee Band @ Secret House Show
18. Makeout Reef @ 13th Floor
19. Pavey Ark @ Lazarus Brewery (E. 6th)
20. His His @ Swan Dive
    
    Honarable Mentions - Pavari, Yndling, Dead Gowns, Cactus Lee, Radio Free Alice, The Vanns, Coldwave, Mall Girl, Yoshika Colwell

Weird Bloom at Lazarus Brewery (13 Mar 2025) photo courtesy of Anet Prinz

Hanorah at Saxon Pub (12 Mar 2025)

Hanorah at Saxon Pub (12 Mar 2025)

Weird Bloom at Lazarus Brewery (13 Mar 2025) photo courtesy of Anet Prinz

Jazlyn Martin at Marlow (14 Mar 2025)

Willy McGee's Band? at Secret House (09 Mar 2025)

Voxtrot at Mohawk Outdoor (14 Mar 2025)

Surely Shirley at Creek and the Cave Backyard (14 Mar 2025)

Surely Shirley at Creek and the Cave (14 March 2025)

brody ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com