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Joywave with little image at The Truman, Kansas City MO (2025-04-26)

JOYWAVE SETLIST Scared Buy American Obsession Tongues Hate to Be a Bother 787 Dreamliner Somebody New Life in a Bubble I Blew Brain Damage Yellowish Sunbeam Funny Thing About Opinions Coming Apart Traveling at the Speed of Light Dangerous (Big Data cover) It's a Trip! Swimming in the Glow Destruction (played twice!) little image SETLIST THE PRESSURE BLUE NOVACAINE (unreleased) OUT OF MY MIND HOME KILL THE GHOST (unreleased) RUN FOR FOREVER Bottles WORTH IT JOYWAVE TOUR DATES Apr 28 Fox Theatre Boulder, CO Apr 30 Treefort Music Hall Boise, ID May 2 Ace Of Spades Sacramento, CA May 3 Pappy + Harriet's Pioneertown, CA May 5 191 Toole Tucson, AZ May 6 Meow Wolf Santa Fe, NM May 7 Beer City Music Hall Oklahoma City, OK May 9 Eastside Bowl Madison, TN May 10 Saturn Birmingham, AL May 11 Vinyl Music Hall Pensacola, FL May 13 Culture Room Fort Lauderdale, FL May 15 Jannus Live St. Petersburg, FL May 16 The Albatross Jacksonville, FL May 17 Music Farm Charleston, SC May 19 The Grey Eagle Asheville, NC May 21 White Eagle Hall Jersey City, NJ May 22 Sherman Theater Stroudsburg, PA Jun 27 Hard Rock Outdoor Arena Cincinnati, OH 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 ...

Someone should have posted a sign: “Caution- Big Beats Ahead”-

When both bands on the bill position their drum kits up front along the stage edge, you get a pretty good idea that percussion and rhythm will be key, and some big beats will be dropping.

That turned out to be the case as the pride of Rochester NY, electro alt-pop rockers Joywave returned to Kansas City on their “Here to Perform Tour” at The Truman downtown, in support of last May’s “Permanent Pleasure” album (via Cultco, their own imprint on Hollywood Records).

The evening began with a well-received forty-minute set from Dallas alt-rock trio, little image, in support of their 2023 major label debut album, cleverly named Self Titled (via Hollywood Records).

The three (Jackson Simmons- vocals, guitar; Brandon Walters- bass, synth; Troy Bruner- drums) have been a band since high school and remembered their last time in town was at this same venue supporting Colony House in 2023. When Simmons asked if anyone was at that show, the response was mostly crickets, but he rebounded by saying that they hope to see us all at their next time through.

The set began with new single, “The Pressure” released in January and expected to be on their next album, and they also played other yet-to-be-released cuts, so seem very eager to let the new songs out into the wild.

The band’s alternative sound features a very caffeinated drummer in Bruner (who even set up part of his kit into some audience members’ hands, so he could play in [or would that be on?] the crowd), a touch of synth embellishment from Walters, and arrangements and vocals that are similar to Walk the Moon, Wheatus, and Phoenix and they still have a lot more to say, with Simmons promising the crowd they’d return.

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For Joywave, from the stage it looked like a night off at home. The stage was dimly lit and the curled up cat from the new album’s cover, was reproduced as a large inflatable that would sometimes rotate on a lazy susan type platform.

We say ‘night off’ because when we saw them live last time (co-headlining in 2022 in Lawrence), they were all ‘at work’- dressed in matching car wash attendant jumpsuits to support their previous album, ‘Cleanse’. This time, the band dressed in matching striped navy pajamas (one could say the “cat’s pajamas”, haha) which also seemed very comfortable to perform in.

The eighty-minute set began with one of the two singles that preceded the new album, “Scared”, then rarely-standing-still singer Daniel Armbruster introduced “Buy American” from the previous ‘Cleanse”’ as “the only song about tariffs- ever!”, getting the crowd to clap along with a simple wave of his hand.

Armbruster immediately endeared himself to the crowd, stating the band had extensively toured last year, but got home and realized they hadn’t played KC yet, so were back for another tour leg (jokingly mentioning the others on the schedule were just ‘fill dates’).

Despite a nagging sinus infection, Armbruster and the band (guitarist Joe Morinelli and drummer Paul Brenner; along with Kevin Mahoney- bass; Taylor Dubray - guitar, keys) were all musically locked in, especially on older classics like 2015’s “Somebody New” from their debut album, “How Do You Feel Now?”, which was just re-issued on Record Store Day with an additional song.

They played that bonus track, “Life in a Bubble I Blew” which was interesting to hear live, a decade-old track most just heard for the first time two weeks ago (though it was on the end of their 2016 EP SWISH). In addition, a deluxe version of the new record has also just been released, with a handful of live recordings and one new track, “Yellowish Sunbeam” (the image of which warms the cat on the album cover and was also performed live).

Armbruster announced that their longtime live engineer, James a KC native, was retiring at the end of the tour, to return home, to presumably start mixing jazz. He also mentioned his favorite song happened to be “Wishing Well” by Terence Trent D’Arby (from his 1987 debut, “Introducing the Hardline...”) and a song he would often cue up as the outro music for the band. A copy of the album appeared from backstage to be given to James, as a band ‘thank you’ but since he was manning the board in the back; it was transferred hand-by-hand by the audience, like a crowd surfer from the stage to him.

Armbruster announced the last four songs as “the hits section” and the introductory throb of their breakthrough hit with Big Data, “Dangerous” set the crowd loose. The quirky but catchy “It’s a Trip!” from 2017 followed, with “Swimming in the Glow” from the new album next, maybe not a true ‘hit’ yet, but some wishful thinking.

Unabashedly, Armbruster asked the crowd that wouldn’t like they like the night to end with ”the greatest song ever written!?!” as the band launched into “Destruction” ...played not once, but twice – “Double Destruction!!!” which had the crowd clapping along the whole time and even the most sheepish and shy, irresistibly drawn into dancing and head-bobbing. “Why be credible when you can be incredible?” reads the tracklisting of their SWISH EP that features nine versions of the song, and incredible it was, to hear it played live back-to-back.

Joywave was “Here to Perform” (living up to the tour’s title) and with an evening filled with big beats, a giant cat, playing in unified PJs, and a tribute to the greatness of Terence Trent D’Arby’s first record, the ‘pleasure’ felt after the show may not be ‘permanent’, but is likely one to remember for a long time.

ALL PHOTOS BY BRANDON CLASEN

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

JOYWAVE at The Truman, Kansas City MO (2025-04-26)

JOYWAVE at The Truman, Kansas City MO (2025-04-26)

JOYWAVE at The Truman, Kansas City MO (2025-04-26)

little image at The Truman, Kansas City MO (2025-04-26)

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

Djo at Palace Theatre (26 Apr 2025)

Djo at Palace Theatre (26 Apr 2025) Djo Setlist Runner Gloom Link Fool Charlie's Garden Basic Being Basic Lonesome Is a State of Mind Figure You Out Fly Delete Ya Chateau (Feel Alright) Gap Tooth Smile Roddy End of Beginning Potion -- Encore -- Back on You Flash Mountain with Post Animal Read More DJO 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 … 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 …

It was a busy weekend in the Twin Cities with both the Timberwolves and Wild hosting playoff games. The Wild were locked in a 3-3 tie with the Las Vegas Golden Knights as I made my way through downtown St. Paul, the game playing on multiple TV screens at Smorgie’s Bar, which had opened its garage door windows to the warm spring air.

As I passed the Xcel Energy Center, a security guard asked me if I was heading to the Wild game.

“Off to the Palace,” I replied.

The Palace was as packed as the Xcel by the time I arrived, which wasn’t unusual considering who was headlining.

Joseph David Keery aka Djo has a successful side gig as an actor, landing a breakout TV role as Steve Harrington in the wildly successful Stranger Things. But before all that he was living in Chicago, attending DePaul University, studying theater and playing in a band that was the opening act.

Post Animal kicked off an early evening with a robust progressive rock sound. They are from Chicago with Dalton Allison on bass, Jake Hirshland on keys/guitar, Javi Reyes on guitar, Wesley Toledo on drums and Matt Williams on guitar. They are from Chicago and are on tour with Djo, supporting their latest album IRON with a release date of July 25^th.

Post Animal at Fine Line (17 June 2023)

Playing together since 2014, we last caught them in June, 2023, opening for Temples at Fine Line, writing, “Everyone in the band took turns to take lead vocals at some point in their set, so it felt like there was really no one band leader… The band looked like they were having a very good time on stage, often moving and invading each other’s space on stage.”

The egalitarian spirit was still alive as everyone took turns at the mic with songs like “Caving In”, “Setting Sun” and a crowd favorite, “Alabaster.” Then, a new song on their upcoming album, “Last Goodbye” which was co-written with Djo, who joined them on stage.

Djo left Post Animal on amicable terms for his side gig demanded more of his time. He also took his musical career in a solo direction, already supporting his third solo album, The Crux.

Djo took the stage with a full band, some of the members like Toledo and Reyes had played the set before. He also played the role as band member instead of a rock star by covering up his famous hair and filling the first few songs with strobe lights to give the concert photographers a challenge.

All was fun as his vibe was laid-back and West coast cool, at times speaking into the mic with songs like “Basic Being Basic” and “Delete Ya”. Everyone in the crowd knew all the lines and sang along to them as well as “Charlie’s Garden” and “Lonesome Is a State of Mind.”

It was a full crowd and a young crowd, and they seemed to connect to Djo’s songs about navigating a life in your twenties like “Figure You Out” which felt personal and “End of Beginning” which was about going back to Chicago and realizing things will never be the same.

“Another year older, another year wiser,” Djo said after the song. “Another year… We’ll see.”

Remaining Tour Dates

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

Post Animal (with Djo)

Post Animal Post Animal

Djo

Djo Djo

Djo

Djo (with Post Animal) at Palace Theatre (26 Apr 2025)

dave ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Martin Sexton at Dakota Jazz Club (26 Apr 2025)

Martin Sexton at Dakota Jazz Club (26 Apr 2025) Martin Sexton Setlist The Beatles: Abbey Road Come Together Something Maxwell's Silver Hammer Oh! Darling Octopus's Garden I Want You (She's So Heavy) Here Comes the Sun Because You Never Give Me Your Money Sun King Mean Mr. Mustard Polythene Pam She Came in Through the Bathroom Window Golden Slumbers Carry That Weight The End Her Majesty Diner Can't Stop Thinking 'Bout You Diggin' Me Glory Bound Ain't Nobody (Rufus and Chaka Khan cover) Hold On Hallelujah -- Encore -- This Little Light of Mine (traditional cover) You Are My Sunshine (traditional cover) Tour Dates 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 Read More Martin Sexton 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 … The Beatles The Beatles. Really, a giant of rock giants. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Apple Records/EMI recently re-released all of the Beatles albums re-mastered ..…

Martin Sexton stopped by for two shows at The Dakota in Minneapolis on Saturday. I caught the early show, with the tour titled The Martin Sexton Abbey Road Tour, in which, you guessed it, he’s doing a play through of The Beatles final album.

Martin Sexton is a veteran singer & songwriter who has been active on the folk rock scene since at least the early 1990’s. His tenacity in moving up from busking in Boston and self-producing his first album, the wonderful In The Journey. He’s a prodigious touring singer, routinely with 100 shows or more a year. And with as many albums as he has, he has a rich catalogue to draw upon in his concerts. Rolling Stone calls out his “soul marinated vocals” and that vocal strength certainly is his calling card.

Playing the entirety of Abbey Road as a solo performer is a fascinating challenge, as the album is complex and layered. Sexton showed instantly that he was game, with an echo effect and percussion off the electric guitar for Come Together. He also got the audience involved with singing along and rhyming in “Minne-appo-leeze”. He ended with an in person fade out by simply backing away from the microphone.

His first bit of patter gave us the background of his interest in music being linked to hearing Abbey Road at home as an early teen. “I’m doing this thing [the Abbey Road concert] because it led me to doing this thing [his music career]”. The song Something got us an extended open mouth whistle solo showing a creativity with limited options. It helped a tremendous amount that Sexton wasn’t trying to replicate the album, but reinterpreting it in his unique singing and playing style.

Oh! Darling was sensational, letting Sexton really sail with the vocals. His take on Octopus’s Gardenwas playful and hit the right idea with that number. Noting that I Want You (She’s So Heavy) completely changed his idea of what The Beatles were also put him in the hardest song of the evening for someone performing alone, but he pulled it admirably. As he finished, he noted “that’s the end of side A”. Sexton also switched to acoustic guitar to perform a country version of Here Comes the Sun. He worked in more audience sing along and some of his trade marked yodel. While Sexton used humor and talent to make it look easy, it was easy to take for granted how much work he was doing. Becausereally showed all of the complexities in guitar work, vocal modulation and pacing to hold that song together by himself.

Sexton moved quickly through several of the next songs, though putting a nice spin on Mean Mr. Mustard and scatting his way into She Came in Through the Bathroom Window. This medley style was key to keeping the audience engaged and making the whole thing more manageable. There was a proper pause before starting Golden Slumbers, which was perfectly suited to Sexton’s voice and guitar. The End is, well, nearly the end of the album and Sexton rocked it.

After a very brief break, Sexton came out and started a new set, back again to standing and on electric. He began with Diner, “the only song I have that has the word Minnesota in it”. A fun fact, he mentioned that the song’s origins come from being at Mickey’s Diner in downtown St. Paul and that he started writing the lyrics while sitting there. Sexton was in his element with songs from his great albums such as Black Sheep. When he got to Glory Bound, the audience burst into applause at the first chords. This was nearly perfect and had the audience nearly silent as they took it in. Hold On was a pandemic era song that was actually joyful and Sexton had more singing from the crowd (“I love that Twin Cities choir.”)

After Hold On, Sexton said his when his wife first heard it, she thought the lyrics were pretty similar to an 80’s rock song. Sexton amusingly discussed the “rock and roll river”, where there are so many songs with similar ideas or chord progressions, joking, “you put in a little, you take out a little”. He then proceeded to demonstrate it in action, singing part of his song, Hallelujah and then snippets of many songs using the same chord progression, including With Or Without You, Let It Be, Take Me On, and others, saying “I could do this all night”.

Sexton appeared one more time with an encore on a banjo with a special history, coming from his grandfather. He used it to sing two relatively short, but touching songs with This Little Light of Mineand You Are My Sunshine. And with that, Sexton had to go and get ready for the second show of the evening. That realization truly showed the professionalism and the love that Sexton has for this road he has chosen to travel.

Martin Sexton at Dakota Jazz Club (26 Apr 2025)

thaddeus ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Flashback: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at First Avenue (25 May 2003)

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at First Avenue (25 May 2003) Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Setlist Sin Taxi (Do Not Feed the) Oyster Dynamic Calories (Unknown) Phantasies Water and a Seat Vanessa From Queens Craw Song Animal Midnight Jo Jo's Jacket (Unknown) Dark Wave Witch Mountain Bridge Us -- Encore -- Church on White Jenny & the Ess-Dog (Replacements cover) Old Jerry Tour Dates Feb 17 2003 The Blackbird, Portland, OR, USA Feb 25 2003 Bimbo's 365 Club, San Francisco, CA Mar 21 2003 Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR Apr 30 2003 Club Congress, Tucson, AZ May 3 2003 Emo's, Austin, TX May 8 2003 Echo Lounge, Atlanta, GA May 9 2003 The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC May 10 2003 Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC May 16 2003 Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA May 14 2003 Irving Plaza, New York, NY May 15 2003 Irving Plaza, New York, NY May 20 2003 Beachland Ballroom , Cleveland, OH May 22 2003 Saint Andrew's Hall, Detroit, MI May 23 2003 Metro, Chicago, IL May 24 2003 Todd Wehr, Milwaukee, WI May 25 2003 First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN May 31 2003 Berbati's Pan, Portland, OR Jul 18 2003 Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn, NY Aug 13 2003 Tweeter Center , Mansfield, MA Aug 18 2003 Tweeter Center, Camden, NJ Aug 20 2003 Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD Aug 21 2003 Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH Aug 23 2003 Alpine Valley Music, East Troy, WI Aug 24 2003 UMB Bank Pavilion, Maryland Heights, MO Aug 26 2003 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO Aug 28 2003 USANA Amphitheatre, West Valley City, Aug 31 2003 White River Amphitheatre, Auburn, WA Nov 30 2003 Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CA Dec 1 2003 El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA Dec 3 2003 Slim's, San Francisco, CA Dec 5 2003 Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR Dec 6 2003 Showbox Comedy , Seattle, WA Dec 13 2003 Double Door, Chicago, IL Read More Pavement I wasn't expecting Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks to play any Pavement songs, but I was sure hoping he would (I'm not the only one hoping, everybody in the audience … Azita Opening up the show was Azita, from Chicago. She spend her entire set behind the Cedar's piano, which had a tall back, so she had to play in an awkward position with her back to some of the crowd. She commented that the Cedar ...

At this point, I’ve seen Pavement (one of my first concert in 1994) and band leader Stephen Malkmus half a dozen times now. It is because when I was living in Fresno, California, we claimed Pavement as a “local band” (when in fact they are from Stockton). If you look at the map, there’s Merced, Modesto, and then Stockton, north of Fresno. Still, we were proud of Pavement and their international stardom when they blew up with “Cut Your Hair”.

Malkmus at the Electric Fetus (12 June 2005)

I’ve shaken hands with members of Pavement, and eventually did formally meet Malkmus at the Electric Fetus for an autograph in June 2005: “Earlier in the day, Malkmus was at the Electric Fetus to do an in-store performance and a meet & greet. I had him sign my Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain deluxe reissue. Malkmus is great, he was friendly and did not mind signing Pavement stuff (unlike some difficult artists). He even let me take a picture of him.”

Recently, I found out I’ve seen Malkmus in 2003, via a ticketstub I found while cleaning out my basement to move to Florida. A few things I should point out about the ticket - it is a complimentary ticket (#12). Let me explain how the First Avenue/7th Street Entry complimentary ticket system work, if you aren’t familiar. In the early days, in order to drive up attendance for some shows, First Ave staffs would give you free tickets to random shows if you are one of the first few people standing in line for one of their shows.

Since I was an avid concert goer (and generally one of the first people in line), I have received hundreds of free concert tickets. Including free tickets to see Le Tigre, Mogwai, and many others. Of course, getting a comp ticket doesn’t guarantee entry into the show. Once capacity is reached or a show is sold out, First Ave can refuse entry. I’ve never been turned away, that’s because I’m usually one of the first people in line.

I personally think that was a great system, as it awarded the most diehard First Ave fans and it does boost up attendance and also let fans discover (and become) fans of some unknown bands.

For this particular show, it was 21+ and over… and if I recall, generally 21+ shows do not do well on a late-night Sunday show (the show started at 9:30pm because shows took place much later back then). I used to stay to the encore, so waking up early to work on Monday morning was a real struggle for me.

Azita at Fillmore (28 Apr 2024)

Looking at the ticket, what is really cool is that Azita was the opening band! We saw Azita with Fred Armisen in Apr 2024 and mentioned, “ Drag City recording artist Azita Youssefi (aka AZITA), from Scissor Girls, opened the show with a music set. She played some songs from Year and How Will You?, including the title track, early in her set. She apologized to the audience and recognized that most people weren’t expecting a music set. She even joked that her show is “Music for Comedians”, because Fred’s show is called “Comedy for Musicians”. Later on, she joked that Fred’s set is, “gonna be different, just a heads up.” Azita ended her 30-min with a lively song, “Gotta Get It.””

2003 Tour Dates (setlist and touring information provided by setlist.fm).

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at First Avenue (25 May 2003)

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Yukimi at Fine Line (25 Apr 2025)

Yukimi at Fine Line (25 Apr 2025) Yukimi Setlist Intro/Prelude Make Me Whole Stream of Consciousness Break Me Down Eli Nam Sad Makeup Runaway No Prince Pink Cloud (Little Dragon song) Peace Reign Army Dreamers (Kate Bush cover) Winter Is Not Dead -- Encore -- Rules of School Jaxon Feels Good to Cry Tour Dates 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 Read More Yukimi 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 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 …

It was an extremely busy Friday night in downtown Minneapolis with a regular season baseball game of the Twins hosting the Angels at Target Field and Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs with the Timberwolves hosting the Lakers at Target Center. Just a few blocks over, and with a lot fewer jerseys, Yukimi headlined a show at Fine Line.

AKKO opened the evening. AKKO (full name Andrew Koalska) is a DJ and multi-instrumentalist from Saint Paul. This is a DJ set up, and AKKO is playing a lot of original beats and music here. The starting point was a deeply funky electronic sound. Layering in the electronic keys and other sounds on top of the programmed percussion, he has a real sense of style. This is the kind of DJ electronica that gets people grooving. And with AKKO in a controlled dancing while manipulating all of his instrumentation, the crowd slowly warmed up to the beats.

By the time the first sampled lyrics hit and were part of a transition to the next section of the set, AKKO had picked up the rhythmic pace. A horns heavy section continued to pull people closer to the stage. This was a tough assignment, as the dance heavy set from AKKO probably wasn’t what the audience was expecting for an opener. But his upbeat stage presence may have helped him win the day. AKKO continued to work his way through a 40 minute set and left the stage, likely with a few new fans.

Yukimi (full name Yukimi Nagano) is a Swedish singer & songwriter. She’s best known as the lead vocalist for the electronic music group Little Dragon, a long-time band that formed in high school in the late 1990’s and has been together with the original line up ever since. They have released seven albums, including the Grammy nominated Nabuma Rubberband. Yukimi released her debut solo album, For You, in late March of 2025 and is in the middle of her North American tour in support of the album.

Yukimi was electric, in sunglasses and with an open Japanese fan on hand (also the backing motif of three large fans behind the band), she came out soulful on Make Me Whole. She got to the first of a set of percussion instruments she used throughout the evening. A quick hello to the audience and the band continued on. The band was a quintet, with guitar, bass, keyboards and drums backing Yukimi’s vocals. Break Me Down was described as a song written to “get back to a better space”, and Yukimi’s vocals once again had a blues style that the music is centered on. A cute note that the next song, Eli Nam, got the requisite “aww’s” from the audience.

Erik Bodin, from Little Dragon, was on drums and often back up vocals and clearly had some fans in the crowd. The rest of the band was great support, with four vocal parts in the song Sad Makeup. Yukimi noted that she was pleased to have finally gotten the album out, and it is clearly a labor of love for her. Thankfully, it’s also exceedingly listenable musically. Runaway highlighted Yukimi’s alto voice, and was the first to have some noticeable vocal reverb effects. This one also featured a funk keyboard and bass riff that was used to allow Yukimi to introduce the band.

Although this may be a debut album and tour, Yukimi and team (particularly Bodin) have the wealth of experience to lean on, so it should be no surprise that the pacing and ordering of the songs, and the latter between was fully professional. There didn’t seem to be any wasted moments and things ramped up and got more complex, particularly on the closing of No Prince. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we got a Little Dragon cover, with the band playing Pink Cloud. After a quick “band meeting” where Erik gave instructions to the band, we started Peace Reign with everyone but the keyboardist on various percussion. It was goofily fun and the audience ate it up.

Slowing it down a little in tempo didn’t keep things any less fun, with a Kate Bush cover of Army Dreamers. After completing the main set, the band returned for an encore. Bodin started things off on stage by himself with an extended drum solo, with the rest of the band following to play Rules of Schoolwith another long drum solo and flute in this total jam session. Finishing up with Feels Good to Cry, Yukimi and crew rode out of Minneapolis on a high note.

AKKO

AKKO AKKO

AKKO

Yukimi

Yukimi Yukimi Yukimi Yukimi

Yukimi at Fine Line (25 Apr 2025)

thaddeus ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Five for Fighting (with string quartet) at Liberty Hall, Lawrence KS (2025-04-25)

Five for Fighting (with string quartet) at Liberty Hall (2025-04-25) FIVE FOR FIGHTING SETLIST World The Riddle Easy Tonight Two Lights 100 Years Four for Fighting (string quartet medley) Chances Ocean If God Made You I Just Love You (with Olivia Lee) Superman (It's Not Easy) -- Encore -- Cats in the Cradle (Harry Chapin cover) with Lace & Lee FIVE FOR FIGHTING TOUR DATES (String Quartet tour dates) APR 26 #The Admiral Omaha, NE APR 27 #The Cotillion Ballroom Wichita, KS APR 29 #City Winery St. Louis, MO APR 30 #Park Theater Mcminnville, TN MAY 2 #The Ludlow Garage Cincinnati, OH MAY 3 #The Flagstar Strand Theatre Pontiac, MI MAY 4 #Goodyear Theater Akron, OH MAY 7 #City Winery Nashville, TN MAY 11 #Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte, NC MAY 13 #City Winery Atlanta, GA MAY 14 #Newberry Opera House Newberry, SC MAY 17 #City Winery Pittsburgh, PA MAY 19 #Rams Head On Stage Annapolis, MD MAY 20 #Birchmere Alexandria, VA (full band dates with Vertical Horizon) AUG 13 *TempleLive Columbus Columbus, OH AUG 14 *Arcada Theatre St Charles, IL AUG 16 *Scissortail Park Play Pavilion Oklahoma City, OK AUG 17 *Bomb Factory Dallas, TX AUG 19 *Arvada Center Arvada, CO AUG 20 *Avalon Theatre Grand Junction, CO AUG 22 *The Union Event Center Salt Lake City, UT AUG 23 *Knitting Factory Boise, ID AUG 24 *Knitting Factory Spokane, WA Read More Five for Fighting Since most of you work on the weekdays, I suggest Saturday’s show, featuring Grammy nominated, platinum-selling artist Five for Fighting (aka John Ondrasik). The full band features drummer Randy Cooke …

With food, everything seems better with bacon; with songs, everything seems better with strings!-

We’ve seen it already with so many long-term acts- from Elton John to Metallica, Kiss, and Yes, to hear their songs put to a classical arrangement, whether with a full symphony or some smaller grouping.

For 90’s hitmakers Five for Fighting who opened their 2025 String Quartet Tour in downtown Lawrence at Liberty Hall, the case was again made that songs transform and become better. If not better, then certainly enhanced, and made bigger-sounding and more elegant.

The evening began with a friendly twenty-minute set from NYC female folk duo, Lace & Lee who brought the spirit of 1960s and 70s storytelling, with a fresh best-friends-who-finish-each-other’s-sentences vibe. Caroline Lace and Olivia Lee started collaborating together at NYU Tisch after meeting on a train and discussing their love of a fantasy book, and even have a song about going into a city Walgreens to buy strawberries. So, some charming very slice-of-life songs, and the pair mentioned they’re about to enter the studio to record an EP.

===

John Ondrasik aka Five For Fighting has had a long and illustrious musical career that actually started back in the days of hair metal and working with the likes of Whitesnake/Quiet Riot bassist Rudy Sarzo. After grunge changed the musical landscape, Ondrasik found himself back on piano where he musically began, eventually getting signed and on the radio and having his songs featured in high rotation on almost every Triple-A (album adult alternative) station in the country (like Minneapolis station Cities 97).

He’s re-invented himself a bit in the meantime since, getting more placements in film and tv soundtracks, and still gigs with a full band (his tour with Vertical Horizon starts in August after this tour ends) in-between doing these string quartet runs. This configuration has carried on for more than a decade and has been preserved on a self-released 2018 live album.

The ninety-minute set began with the 2006 Top15 single, “World” that lyrically asked, “What kind of world do you want?” a question that’s asked maybe even louder today, than two decades ago.

“Easy Tonight”, the band’s first hit, was played early in the set, prefaced by Ondrasik admittedly having mixed feelings about the song now considered an “oldie”, and a funny story about hearing it played, after sitting down at a wine bar in Lake Tahoe.

Ondrasik had always been a supporter of the military, entertaining troops abroad, offering guest list passes to military families, and he always plays a song in the set as tribute- this time being the poignant “Two Lights”, the title track from that same 2006 album.

As he wondered aloud about the history of the theater, he had heard that it was about 100 years old (113 actually, but close enough) and said if he happened to have an appropriate song to play, this would be the perfect time... So, cue up hit single, “100 Years” which he remarked in still used in weddings, graduations, and even funerals, with the key being at whatever age you might be, you generally fall into the era of one of the verses.

The musical highlight of the night was undoubtedly the medley performed by the string quartet (Matt Szemela; Melissa Tong; Chris Cardona, and Topeka, KS’ own Emily Brausa on cello), mixing classical numbers with the likes of a-ha, Led Zeppelin, and Queen songs, even working in “Carry On My Wayward Son” and Wichita Lineman” snippets for the Kansas crowd.

Szemela again shined on a musical duet with Ondrasik on “If God Made You” and the sweet “I Just Love You” was prefaced by the story of Ondrasik sent to an ashram retreat in hopes of finding inspiration for his next album, only to find out how much effort the schedule and workshops took, with the one bit of relief at the end of the day, being able to have a short conversation with his then-young daughter. As the song played, Olivia Lee from the openers joined in the chorus and the surprise reveal was that she was the daughter that inspired the song.

The band’s biggest hit, “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” had turned 24-years-old Ondrasik said, and admitted how proud he was to have performed it during the 9/11 Tributes, and how within the last few weeks, it has found renewed life as a collaboration tribute to the Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

The one-song encore turned out to be, not a FFF song, but a familiar cover, as the band tends to work in at the end of these shows. Although the lyrics and keys to Simon & Garfunkel’s “America” sat propped on his piano all night, Ondrasik instead chose what he considered a “perfect or near-perfect” song, Harry Chapin’s “Cats in the Cradle” which they slightly sped up to play as more of a waltz.

And with a final bow and wave, the night was over, and with Five for Fighting, it was just like we thought- everything’s better with strings!

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

FIVE FOR FIGHTING at Liberty Hall, Lawrence KS (2025-04-25)

FIVE FOR FIGHTING at Liberty Hall, Lawrence KS (2025-04-25)

FIVE FOR FIGHTING at Liberty Hall, Lawrence KS (2025-04-25)

LACE and LEE at Liberty Hall, Lawrence KS (2025-04-25)

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

Minneapolis: This Week (05/04/2025)

What’s happening this week.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Circa Waves and Friday Pilots Club at First Ave (29 Apr 2025) Read More Friday Pilots Club Chicago’s Friday Pilots Club (formed in 2017 by vocalist Caleb Hiltunen and bassist Drew Polivick) will headline the 7th Street Entry, on October 23, 2024, in support of their debut album ... Bugsy Instead, Emily Schoonover from Bugsy stepped in at the last minute. The rest of the band comprised of singer Callie Marino, guitarist Wilson Zellar, guitarist Noah Topliff, and drummer Alex Gray. ....

29 Apr 2025 Monday

Circa Waves and Friday Pilots Club
with bugsy
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Liverpool’s indie powerhouse Circa Waves and Chicago’s Friday Pilots Club are co-headlining First Avenue on April 29, 2025.

Circa Waves’ album Death & Love Pt.1 is out now. Look for Part 2 later this year.

bugsy at MN Yacht Club Festival (20 July 2024)

bugsy to open. We saw the band in July 2024 and said, “Over at the Skipper stage, local indie group Bugsy is playing their biggest stage yet. They were clearly excited to be there and was so grateful for the opportunity. Emily Schoonover said that they weren’t included originally, but with some effort and connection and good luck, they’re on stage to entertain us!”

Tour dates:

April 19 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club

April 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer

April 21 - Boston, MA - Royale Boston

April 22 - New York, NY - Webster Hall

April 24 - Toronto, ON - Velvet Underground

April 26 - Indianapolis, IN - HI-FI Annex

April 27 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall

April 28 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues - Chicago

April 29 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue

May 1 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre

May 3 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge

May 5 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom

May 6 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox

May 8 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore

May 9 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre

Matthew And The Atlas at 7th St Entry (29 Apr 2025)

29 Apr 2025 Tuesday
Matthew And The Atlas
with Foreign Fields
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Matthew And The Atlas to headline the 7th Street Entry on April 29, 2025.

Wisconsin’s indie folk band Foreign Fields to open. Their new album What It Cost came out last September.

Tour Dates

Apr 23, 2025 The Word Barn Exeter, NH

Apr 24, 2025 Club Passim Cambridge, MA

Apr 25, 2025 Cafe Wha? New York, NY

Apr 26, 2025 118 North Wayne, PA

Apr 27, 2025 Pie Shop Washington, DC

Apr 29, 2025 7th St Entry Minneapolis, MN

Apr 30, 2025 Three Three Five Green Bay, WI

May 1, 2025 Shank Hall Milwaukee, WI

May 2, 2025 Old Town School of Folk Music - Szold Hall Chicago, IL

May 3, 2025 Duke's Indy Indianapolis, IN

May 6, 2025 The Monarch Music & Arts Community Louisville, KY

May 7, 2025 The Southgate House Revival - Revival Room Newport, KY

May 8, 2025 The Basement Nashville, TN

May 9, 2025 Cherry Street Tavern Chattanooga, TN

May 10, 2025 Eddie's Attic Decatur, GA

May 11, 2025 Barley's Tap Room Knoxville, TN

May 14, 2025 Fox Cabaret Vancouver, BC

May 15, 2025 The Sunset Tavern Seattle, WA

May 16, 2025 Trout Lake Hall Trout Lake, WA

May 17, 2025 McMenamins White Eagle Saloon Portland, OR

May 20, 2025 Folsom Hotel Saloon Folsom, CA

May 21, 2025 The Lost Church San Francisco, CA

May 22, 2025 The Crêpe Place Santa Cruz, CA

May 23, 2025 Ojai Deer Lodge Ojai, CA

May 24, 2025 Hotel Cafe Los Angeles, CA

Jun 3, 2025 Dalston Eastern Curve Garden London, UK

Sep 26, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025 Kernowfornia Festival Looe Beach, UK

Save Ferris at Turf Club (01 May 2025) Read More Save Ferris Having been absent from the music scene since 2003, I’m happy to report that ska-punk band Save Ferris (named after Ferris Bueller's Day Off) will be in town this Saturday, March 11th at the …

01 May 2025 Thursday

Save Ferris
with Keep Flying
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

Ska fans rejoice, Save Ferris is returning to the Twin Cities, playing the Turf Club, in St Paul, on May 1st, 2025.

Keep Flying to open.

Tour dates:

4/26 - Chicago, IL- @chopshopchi

4/27 - Grand Rapids, MI - @pyramidschemegr

4/28 - Madison, WI - @highnoonmadison

4/29 - Milwaukee, WI - @shank_hall

4/30 - Des Moines, IA - @xbklive

5/1 - Minneapolis, MN - @turfclubmn

5/2 - Omaha, NE - @waiting_room

5/3 - Lawrence, KS - @thebottleneck

5/4- Wichita, KS -@waveict

5/5 - Tulsa, OK - @vanguardtulsa

5/7 - Nashville, TN - @thebasementeast

5/8 - Greenville, SC - @radioroomgreenville

5/9 - Raleigh, NC - @kingsraleigh

5/ 11 - Orlando, FL - @hoborlando

5/13- Jacksonville, FL - @jackrabbitslive

5/14- Pensacola, FL - @pensacolahandlebar

5/16- Houston, TX - @lastconcertcafe

5/17 - Dallas, TX - @ferriswheelers

5/18- Oklahoma City, OK - @89thstreetokc

5/20 - St. Louis, MO -@oldrockhousestl

Papooz at Turf Club (02 May 2025)

02 May 2025 Friday

Papooz
with Cornelia Murr
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

French band Papooz is on tour in support of Resonate. The duo (Ulysse Cottin and Armand Penicaut) will stop in the Turf Club, in St Paul, on May 2, 2025.

US-based, London-born singer-songwriter Cornelia Murr to open.

Tour dates:

MAR 27 L’Olympia Paris, France

APR 21 The Pearl Vancouver, BC

APR 22 Neumos Seattle, WA

APR 23 Mississippi Studios Portland, OR

APR 25 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA

APR 26 Teragram Ballroom Los Angeles, CA

APR 27 Casbah San Diego, CA

APR 28 Valley Bar Phoenix, AZ

APR 30 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO

MAY 01 recordBar Kansas City, MO

MAY 02 Turf Club St Paul, MN

MAY 03 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL

MAY 05 Union Stage Washington, DC

MAY 06 Racket NYC New York, NY

MAY 07 The Sinclair Cambridge, MA

MAY 09 Grizzly Fuzz Québec, QC

MAY 10 Club Soda Montreal, QC

MAY 11 Lee's Palace Toronto, ON

JUN 19 Festival Cabourg Mon Amour Cabourg, France

AUG 27 Delta Festival 2025 Marseille, France

Steven Copes Plays Prokofiev’s First Violin Sonata at Ordway Concert Hall (02-03 May 2025) Read More SPCO Orchestra fans, join us for the seventh annual Musician Appreciation Concert, taking place on March 1, 2025. This one-night-only program celebrates the Saint Paul ...

02 May 2025 Friday
03 May 2025 Saturday
Steven Copes Plays
Prokofiev’s First Violin Sonata
at Ordway Concert Hall
thespco.org

Taking place this Friday and Saturday, at the Ordway Concert Hall, in St Paul, is Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s latest event: Steven Copes Plays Prokofiev’s First Violin Sonata. Details below.

Approximate length 1:38

Change and transformation are the equalizers of all humanity. With ethereal quietude and steeliness, this sentiment carries through Ukrainian composer Zoltan Almashi’s Mariupol (Maria’s City) for String Orchestra, an ode to the city of Mariupol and the unwavering spirit of the Ukrainian people that underscores the transformation of a city and a people forever changed. The ominous winds in Sergei Prokofiev’s Violin Sonata No. 1, performed by Concertmaster Steven Copes, speak across time to Almashi’s Mariupol, where the voices of ancestors growl in the wind of the graveyard that once was a city.

The arrangement of Violin Sonata No. 1 is made possible by support from Michael Hostetler and Erica Pascal.

The Hold Steady at Fine Line (01-04 May 2025) Read More The Hold Steady The Hold Steady had songs for Apple Valley and gave sound advice like “heart break hurts but you can dance it off.” After their second to last song Finn said, “It’s come to that part of the evening …

01 May 2025 Thursday
02 May 2025 Friday
03 May 2025 Saturday
04 May 2025 Sunday

The Hold Steady
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

I know the poster say low ticket sales for Friday’s show… but I’m pretty sure all the Minneapolis dates for The Hold Steady have sold out. That’s how popular they are. Four shows, sold out. They could probably book the whole month and still do well… Minneapolis just loves these guys.

The Hold Steady at Minnesota Yacht Club Festival (20 July 2024)

We saw The Hold Steady in July 2024 and said, “They started their Yacht show with “Constructive Summer” and a dedication to former Twins star Joe Mauer’s induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Finn also changed the original lyrics of “Raise a toast to St. Joe Strummer, I think he might've been our only decent teacher” to “Raise a toast to St. Joe Mauer, I think he might’ve been the greatest ever catcher.” What a dedication. Finn also joked about his outfit. He said he bought the suit, thinking he would wear it on fancy occasion, like a real Kentucky gentlemen. Of course, he’s never invited to those social events… so he’s very thankful that the Yacht Club asked the band to play - so he is proudly wearing the yachtiest suit.”

Tour dates:

May 1, 2025 7th Street Entry (7th St Entry) Minneapolis, MN

May 1, 2025 - May 3, 2025 7th Street Entry & First Avenue

May 2, 2025 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN

May 3, 2025 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN

May 4, 2025 Fine Line Minneapolis, MN

Jul 26, 2025 Alpine Valley Music Theatre East Troy, WI

Sep 6, 2025 The Stage at Suffolk Downs Boston, MA

Sep 13, 2025 Bourbon & Beyond Louisville, KY

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 18 to May 22, 2025

Read more Jacksonville.

honestav at The Albatross (18 May 2025) 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. …

18 May 2025 Sunday
honestav
with Damien Styles
at The Albatross
blacksunshinebooking.com

Rising alternative recording artist and songwriter honestav is touring in support of his Deluxe Edition of hara-kiri EP. He will be headlining the Albatross (previously known as Underbelly) on May 18, 2025.

honestav at Fine Line (19 Mar 2025)

We saw honestav in Mar 2025 and said, “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.”

Damien Styles to open.

Tour dates:

5/5 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair

5/6 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry

5/7 – Washington, DC – The Atlantis

5/9 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend

5/10 – Asheville, NC – Eulogy

5/11 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm

5/13 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn

5/14 – Atlanta, GA – The Loft

5/16 – Tampa, FL – Crowbar

5/17 – Orlando, FL – The Social

5/18 – Jacksonville, FL – Underbelly

5/21 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues

5/22 – Houston, TX – House of Blues

6/12 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room

6/13 – Des Moises, IA – Wooly’s

6/18 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre

6/20 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom

6/21 – San Diego, CA – Music Box

6/22 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory

6/24 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent

6/25 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater

6/26 – Seattle, WA – Neumos

6/28 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory

6/29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell

Brit Floyd at Florida Theatre (20 May 2025) Read More Brit Floyd Brit Floyd, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. The famed tribute band returns with a new stage production to perform highlights from The Wall, The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish ...

20 May 2025 Tuesday
Brit Floyd
at Florida Theatre
blacksunshinebooking.com

The Pink Floyd cover band Brit Floyd is bringing their Wish You Were Here show to the Florida Theatre, in Jacksonville, on May 20, 2025.

Tour Dates:

25th Apr • Oakdale Theatre • Wallingford, Ct

26th Apr • Orpheum Theatre • Boston, Ma

27th Apr • The F. M. Kirby Center • Wilkes-Barre, Pa

28th Apr • Paramount • Huntington, Ny

30th Apr • Wind Creek Event Center • Bethlehem, Pa

1st May • Wind Creek Event Center • Bethlehem, Pa

2nd May • Lyric Opera House • Baltimore, Md

3rd May • Hard Rock Live At Etess Arena • Atlantic City, Nj

5th May • Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater • Syracuse, Ny

6th May • Mayo Performing Arts Center • Morristown, Nj

7th May • Vets • Providence, Ri

9th May • Giant Center • Hershey, Pa

10th May • Warner Theatre • Washington, Dc

11th May • Performing Arts Center • Durham, Nc

13th May • Peabody Auditorium • Daytona Beach, Fl

14th May • Hertz Arena • Estero, Fl

16th May • Ruth Eckerd Hall • Clearwater, Fl

17th May • Fillmore At Jackie Gleason Theater • Miami, Fl

18th May • King Center • Melbourne, Fl

20th May • Florida Theatre • Jacksonville, Fl

21st May • Saenger Theatre • Pensacola, Fl

22nd May • Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre • Atlanta, Ga

23rd May • Palace Theatre • Louisville, Ky

24th May • Rose Music Center At The Heights • Huber Heights, Oh

27th May • Devos Performance Hall • Grand Rapids, Mi

29th May • Fox Theatre • Detroit, Mi

30th May • Genesee Theatre • Waukegan, Il

31st May • Riverside Theater • Milwaukee, Wi

1st June • Riverside Theater • Milwaukee, Wi

3rd June • Midland Theater - Kansas City, Mo

5th June • Red Rocks Amphitheater • Morrison, Co

6th June • Pikes Peak Center - Colorado Springs, Co

8th June • Findlay Toyota Center - Prescott Valley, Az

10th July • Arizona Financial Theatre • Phoenix, Az

11th July • The Greek (With Alan Parsons) • Los Angeles, Ca

12th July • Cal Coast Credit Union (With Alan Parsons) • San Diego, Ca

13th July • Lee’s Family Forum • Henderson, Nv

15th July • Grand Sierra Resort (With Alan Parsons) • Reno, Nv

16th Jul • Grand Sierra Resort (With Alan Parsons) • Reno, Nv

18th July • Ironstone Amphitheatre (With Alan Parsons) • Murphys, Ca

19th July • Warfield Theatre • San Francisco, Ca

20th July • Mountain Winery • Saratoga, Ca

22nd July • Keller Auditorium • Portland, Or

23rd July • Marymoor Live • Redmond, Wa

24th July • Queen Elizabeth Theatre • Vancouver, Bc

26th July • First Interstate Center For The Arts • Spokane, Wa

27th Jul • Egyptian Theatre • Boise, Id

29th July • Maverik Center • Salt Lake City, Ut

31st July • Kiva • Albuquerque, Nm

1st Aug • Wagner Noel Pac • Midland, Tx

2nd Aug • Acl Live At The Moody Theater • Austin, Tx

3rd Aug • Bayou Music Center • Houston, Tx

5th Aug • Texas Trust Cu Theatre • Grand Prairie, Tx

6th Aug • Municipal Auditorium • Shreveport, La

7th Aug • Tulsa Theater • Tulsa, Ok

9th Aug • Mark C. Smith Concert Hall • Huntsville, Al

10th Aug • Tennessee Theatre • Knoxville, Tn

12th Aug • Everwise Amphitheater • Indianapolis, In

14th Aug • Pnc Pavilion • Cincinnati, Oh

5th Aug • Jacobs Pavilion • Cleveland, Oh

16th Aug • Kresge Auditorium • Interlochen, Mi

17th Aug • Rose Music Center • Huber Heights, Oh

19th Aug • Broadview Stage At Spac • Saratoga Springs, Ny

21st Aug • Maine Savings Amphitheatre • Bangor, Me

22nd Aug • Casino Ballroom •Hampton Beach, Nh

24th Aug • Tanger Center For Performing Arts • Greensboro, Nc

25th Aug • Wilson Center • Wilmington, Nc

26th Aug • Ovens Auditorium • Charlotte, Nc

27th Aug • Township Auditorium • Columbia, Sc

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 .…

22 May 2025 Thursday
23 May 2025 Friday
24 May 2025 Saturday
25 May 2025 Sunday
Jacksonville Jazz Festival
at Tailgaters Parking
jacksonvillejazzfest.com

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

FRIDAY • MAY 23, 2025

Let's Ride Brass Band 4:30 PM

Spyro Gyra 6:00 PM

Maysa 7:45 PM

Kool & the Gang 9:30 PM

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

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

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

Paul Simon at Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis MN (2025-04-23)

Paul Simon at Orpheum Theatre (April 20, 22, 23 2025) PAUL SIMON SETLIST      -- Set 1: Seven Psalms -- The Lord Love Is Like A Braid My Professional Opinion Your Forgiveness Trail of Volcanoes The Sacred Harp with Edie Brickell Wait with Edie Brickell -- Set 2: Graceland -- Slip Slidin' Away Train in the Distance Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkel song) The Late Great Johnny Ace St. Judy's Comet Under African Skies with Edie Brickell Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War Spirit Voices Mother and Child Reunion Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard -- Encore -- 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel song) The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel song) Tour Dates April 26 Kansas City, MO Midland Theatre April 28 St. Louis, MO Stifel Theatre April 29 St. Louis, MO Stifel Theatre May 07 Dallas, TX AT&T Winspear Opera House May 08 Dallas, TX AT&T Winspear Opera House May 11 Nashville, TN The Ryman May 13 Nashville, TN The Ryman May 14 Nashville, TN The Ryman May 17 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre May 18 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre May 21 Chicago, IL Symphony Center Orchestra Hall May 23 Chicago, IL Symphony Center Orchestra Hall May 24 Chicago, IL Symphony Center Orchestra Hall May 27 Toronto, ON Massey Hall May 29 Toronto, ON Massey Hall May 30 Toronto, ON Massey Hall June 06 Vienna, VA Wolf Trap June 07 Vienna, VA Wolf Trap June 10 Boston, MA Boch Center - Wang Theatre June 12 Boston, MA Boch Center - Wang Theatre June 13 Boston, MA Boch Center - Wang Theatre June 16 New York, NY Beacon Theatre June 18 New York, NY Beacon Theatre June 20 New York, NY Beacon Theatre June 21 New York, NY Beacon Theatre June 23 New York, NY Beacon Theatre June 26 Philadelphia, PA Academy of Music June 28 Philadelphia, PA Academy of Music June 29 Philadelphia, PA Academy of Music July 07 Long Beach, CA Terrace Theater - Long Beach PAC July 09 Los Angeles, CA Disney Hall July 11 Los Angeles, CA Disney Hall July 12 Los Angeles, CA Disney Hall July 14 Los Angeles, CA Disney Hall July 16 Los Angeles, CA Disney Hall July 19 San Francisco, CA Davies Symphony Hall July 21 San Francisco, CA Davies Symphony Hall July 22 San Francisco, CA Davies Symphony Hall July 25 Vancouver, BC The Orpheum July 26 Vancouver, BC The Orpheum July 28 Vancouver, BC The Orpheum July 31 Seattle, WA Benaroya Hall August 02 Seattle, WA Benaroya Hall August 03 Seattle, WA Benaroya Hall Read More Simon & Garfunkel This song was co-written by Paul Simon of Simon & Garfunkel. I have included S&G's version of Red Rubber Ball here... although there's never been an official studio recording... …

(Reporting and photos from our fan-in-the-stands, John "PBS" Rafalski)

‘Farewell’ was not necessarily goodbye after all-

After a recent SNL50 special singing “Homeward Bound” with Sabrina Carpenter, legendary folk icon Paul Simon announced he would un-retire from live concerts (in the spirit of Cher, Kiss, and countless other acts) and head out once more on the road, for the first time since 2018 on his “Quiet Celebration Tour”.

Instead of larger venues, the 20-city/50-show tour is playing concert halls and theaters, usually for multi-night stands in major cities, and centered on Simon’s most recent album, 2023’s Grammy-nominated “Seven Psalms” as well as more intimate arrangements of his older and more familiar songs from his six-decade catalog.

We caught him on the last of his three nights at the Orpheum in Minneapolis, for this Fan-In-The Stands report. His ten-piece band includes 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. Also along is his longtime wife (and ex-New Bohemian), Edie Brickell, who predictably sings very well with Simon, especially on the newest album’s last two tracks and the pair’s harmonies on the familiar “Under African Skies” from 1987’s classic LP, “Graceland.”

Simon’s severe hearing loss had necessitated a complete re-design of the stage setup, and his production team worked with the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss to surround himself with monitors, among other enhancements, to make live performance again possible.

The theme and sound of “Seven Psalms” both was a reflection of the opening set and echoed a similar tone to the entire performance- the 83-year-old Simon while thinner vocally, emoting in a way to make every lyric viable as more of a self-reflection on his own life.

This was the voice of an experienced soul looking back with a contemplative contentment and a mature and profound sense of joy; spiritual in nature, though not necessarily religious in tone (which makes calling the tour a “quiet celebration,” even more fitting).

After an intermission, the second set began in a more casual, bluesy mood, with Simon dressing down from his dark suit to a less-formal ballcap, jeans, and purple velour zip-up and the familiar beginning sounds of the title track from “Graceland” getting people on their feet. But it wasn’t that multi-Grammy Award winning album that was more of the focus; instead, there were a handful of songs from 1983’s somewhat overlooked “Hearts and Bones” record.

Whatever strength was lessened in his voice was more than bolstered by the sound of his large band and the strumming of longtime guitarist Stewart, still as tall and imposing as ever.

Simon’s low-key charm and wit was evident on the brief stories between songs, especially those that the crowd didn’t know every word to- “Train in the Distance” – a 70s’era Simon working up a break-up themed lullaby for his then-young son and “The Late Great Johnny Ace” was inspired by a lesser-known blues singer’s accidental death and branched out to reference the famous gun-related deaths of other cultural icons.

“St Judy’s Comet” was named in tribute to a Zydeco drummer from Louisiana and “Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War” imagined the French surrealist painter and his wife transplanting to mid-century NYC.

And like a sweet pastry and demitasse, the final satisfying and classic songs were those ingrained into the popular culture for decades, begging for a sing-along, played with glee by the band, and left the crowd with smiles from the best kind of musical comfort food.

In one last gesture, Simon was left alone with his black acoustic guitar under a spotlight for a final closing, “Sound of Silence,” one of his signature songs delivered in a way that brought together both the hushed and reflective tone of the opening set, and the more joyous and hit-filled familiarity of the second set. What resulted following as band members all re-emerged for a final bow, was loud sustained applause for this “quiet celebration” ...and still maybe not the final goodbye for Paul Simon.

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

  PAUL SIMON at Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis MN (2025-04-23)

  PAUL SIMON at Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis MN (2025-04-23)

  PAUL SIMON at Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis MN (2025-04-23)

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

Jax: May 15 to May 17, 2025

Read more Jacksonville.

Kameron Marlowe at FIVE (15 May 2025) Read More FIVE The most exciting thing is that there is a new music venue in Jacksonville called FIVE, their website said they are open for business in January 2025… but looking at their calendar …

15 May 2025 Thursday
Kameron Marlowe
with Preston Cooper
at FIVE
fivejax.com

Remember Five? We mentioned them in Dec 2024, saying the venue was going to open in January 2025 … however, it seems the venue hasn’t opened to the public yet. However, it looks like their first official show is BoyWithUke on May 13 and their second is Kameron Marlowe on May 14.

Preston Cooper to open.

Tour dates:

Apr 24 Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion Portsmouth, Va

Apr 25 Credit One Stadium Charleston, Sc

Apr 26 Stephen C. O'connell Center Gainesville, Fl

May 01 The Sylvee Madison, Wi

May 02 Neon Cactus West Lafayette, In

May 15 Five Jacksonville, Fl

May 16 Sand In My Boots 2025 Gulf Shores, Al

May 24 Carson Valley Inn Casino Minden, Nv

Jun 05 Cma Fest 2025 Nashville, Tn

Jun 13 Old Settlers Days 2025 Rockton, IL

Jun 14 The Country Fest 2025 North Lawrence, Oh

Jul 10 Country Boom 2025 West Salem, Wi

Jul 11 Madison County Fair 2025 Madison, Ne

Jul 12 Greenville Lions Catfish Extravaganza 2025 Greenville, Wi

Jul 18 North Of Nowhere Music Festival 2025 Peterborough, On

Jul 24 Brookshire Grocery Arena Bossier City, La

Jul 25 Coca-Cola Amphitheater Birmingham, Al

Jul 26 Bulls, Bands, & Barrels Winston Salem, Nc

Jul 31 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, Co

Aug 01 Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre West Valley City, Ut

Aug 02 Big Sky Brewing Co. Amphitheater Missoula, Mt

Aug 08 Sikeston Jaycee Boothill Rodeo 2025 Sikeston, Mo

Aug 09 Iowa State Fair 2025 Des Moines, Ia

Aug 21 Yqm Country Fest Dieppe, Nb

Aug 23 New York State Fair 2025 Syracuse, Ny

Aug 28 Shenandoah County Fair 2025 Woodstock, Va

Aug 30 Wyoming County Community Fair Meshoppen, Pa

Sep 04 United Supermarkets Arena Lubbock, Tx

Sep 05 Foster Communications Coliseum San Angelo, Tx

Sep 06 The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion The Woodlands, Tx

Oct 04 Field & Stream Festival 2025 Winnsboro, Sc

Oct 09 St Joseph Civic Arena Saint Joseph, Mo

Oct 10 Tyson Events Center Sioux City, Ia

Oct 11 Ralph Engelstad Arena Grand Forks, Nd

Oct 16 Ford Wyoming Center Casper, Wy

Oct 17 The Summit Arena Rapid City, Sd

Oct 18 Bismarck Event Center Bismarck, Nd

Nov 22 St. Pete Country Fest 2025 St. Petersburg, Fl

Joywave at The Albatross (16 May 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 ...

16 May 2025 Friday
Joywave
with Little Image
at The Albatross
blacksunshinebooking.com

Rochester-based band Joywave will be headlining The Albatross (formerly known as Underbelly), on May 16, 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 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

Mary Gauthier at Waterworks (17 May 2025)

17 May 2025 Saturday
Mary Gauthier
with Jaimee Harris
at Waterworks
historiccoastculture.com

Grammy-nominated American folk singer-songwriter and author Mary Gauthier will be playing the Waterworks, in St Augustine, on May 17, 2025.

Mary Gauthier writes:

NEW SHOW! Jaimee Harris and I will be at The Waterworks as a part of their Live from The Waterworks series on May 17th in St. Augustine, FL! It is always a pleasure to play in St. Augustine. Don't miss it! Get your tickets at the link. eventbrite.com

Tour dates:

Apr 25 Private Home in Rolando (near SDSU) San Diego, CA

May 17 The Waterworks St. Augustine, FL

Jun 4 Wed The Triple Door Seattle, WA

Jun 6 Mount Baker Theatre Bellingham, WA

Jun 8 St James Community Square Vancouver, BC

Jun 10 Polaris Hall Portland, OR

Jun 12 Freight & Salvage Berkeley, CA

Jun 14 McCabe's Guitar Shop Santa Monica, CA

Jun 15 McCabe's Guitar Shop Santa Monica, CA

Jun 20 The Redbird Listening Room New Braunfels, TX

Jun 21 The Chicken Farm Art Center San Angelo, TX

Jun 22 Saxon Pub Austin, TX

Jun 27 White Water Tavern Little Rock, AR

Jun 28 Memphis Alano Club Memphis, TN

Jul 20 The Carleton Halifax, NS

Jul 21 The Carleton Halifax, NS

Jul 23 Stan Rogers Folk Festival 2025 Canso, NS

Aug 2 Canmore Folk Music Festival Canmore, AB

Aug 26 Steve Poltz Song Factory Big Indian, NY

Aug 29 Guthrie Center Great Barrington, MA

Oct 19 The Queen's Hall Edinburgh

Oct 21 St Luke's Glasgow

Oct 22 Mandela Hall Belfast

Oct 23 CIT Cork School of Music Cork, Ireland

Oct 26 Hawks Well Theatre Sligo, Ireland

Oct 27 Town Hall Theatre Galway, Ireland

Oct 28 Pavilion Theatre Dún Laoghaire, Ireland

Oct 29 Pavilion Theatre Dún Laoghaire, Ireland

Terror at The Albatross (17 May 2025) Read More Terror Metal band Knocked Loose will be at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall in St Paul on Friday, March 23rd. Show up early to check out Jesus Piece and Terror. NOTE: Year of the Knife .…

17 May 2025 Saturday
Terror
with Spirit World and Pest Control
at The Albatross
blacksunshinebooking.com

Terror is headlining the The Albatross (FKA Underbelly), in Jacksonville, on May 17, 2025.

Spirit World and Pest Control to open.

Tour dates:

Apr. 19, 2025 Dallas, TX Granada Theater

Apr. 21, 2025 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater

Apr. 22, 2025 Mesa, AZ The Nile Theater

Apr. 23, 2025 Las Vegas, NV Fremont Country Club

Apr. 24, 2025 San Diego, CA House of Blues San Diego

Apr. 25, 2025 Anaheim, CA House of Blues Anaheim

Apr. 26, 2025 Los Angeles, CA The Bellwether

Apr. 27, 2025 Berkeley, CA The UC Theatre

Apr. 29, 2025 Portland, OR Roseland Theater

Apr. 30, 2025 Seattle, WA The Showbox

May 1, 2025 Boise, ID Treefort Music Hall

May 2, 2025 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot

May 3, 2025 Denver, CO The Oriental Theater

May 4, 2025 Omaha, NE Waiting Room Lounge

May 5, 2025 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater

May 6, 2025 Chicago, IL House of Blues Chicago

May 7, 2025 Detroit, MI The Majestic Theatre

May 8, 2025 Buffalo, NY Amvets Medallion Post 13

May 9, 2025 Montreal, QC Club Soda

May 10, 2025 Toronto, ON The Concert Hall

May 11, 2025 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival 2025

May 12, 2025 New Kensington, PA Preserving Underground

May 13, 2025 Covington, KY Madison Live!

May 14, 2025 Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl Nashville

May 15, 2025 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade

May 16, 2025 Tampa, FL The Orpheum

May 17, 2025 Jacksonville, FL Underbelly

May 19, 2025 Louisville, KY Mercury Ballroom

May 20, 2025 Asheville, NC The Orange Peel

May 21, 2025 Harrisonburg, VA The Golden Pony

May 22, 2025 Maspeth, NY Knockdown Center

May 23, 2025 Troy, NY No Fun

May 24, 2025 Worcester, MA Palladium

May 25, 2025 Reading, PA Reverb

May 26, 2025 Baltimore, MD Baltimore Soundstage

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