W♥M

Minneapolis: March 4 to March 7, 2017

Read More Tennis It's always good to see that Tennis will be back in Minneapolis on October 7th, celebrating their new album Ritual In Repeat (which came out September 9th on Communion Records). …

Here are some concerts taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from March 4 to March 7, 2017.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

TENNIS
at Triple Rock Social Club
Tuesday 03/07/17, 7pm ($15)
triplerocksocialclub.com

Husband/wife duo Tennis is back in town. Their forthcoming album Yours Conditionally will be out March 10th via Mutually Detrimental / Thirty Tigers.

We haven’t seen Tennis since 2014, so it’s good to see them back in town.

Overcoats to open. We saw the duo last May 2016 and noted that the two only found out days before the show that they were actually going out on tour with Matt Corby.

Tour dates:

03/01 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret
03/03 Salt Lake City, UT The State Room
03/04 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
03/07 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock
03/08 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
03/09 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall
03/10 Detroit, MI The Magic Bag
03/11 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern
03/14 Cambridge, MA The Sinclair
03/18 Philadelphia, PA Underground Arts
03/19 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
03/21 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
03/22 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom

Read More The Menzingers The Menzingers was next, showing up on stage after the inspirational speech from Independence Day. This pop-punk (although leaning more towards the punk side) band from Philadelphia …

Other shows in the area:

03/04/2017 Local Bad Bad Hats is headlining the 7th Street Entry.

03/04/2017 Former Daredevil Christopher Wright band member JE Sunde will be headlining the Turf Club in St Paul, in support of his sophomore LP Now I Feel Adored. The last time we saw Daredevil Christopher Wright, it was in 2012... so it’s been a while.

Tabah and Ayvah to open.

03/04/2017 Philadelphia punk band The Menzingers is playing the Cabooze in support of their fifth album After the Party. Jeff Rosenstock and Rozwell Kid to open.

We got a preview of their new album when we saw them in August 2016 and noted, “The Menzingers played two new songs, "Lookers" and "Thick as Thieves" which will be on their upcoming release After the Party which is due out yet this year.”

03/05/2017 BobaFlex is back in the Minnesota area, this time playing at Opinion Brewing Company in Newport.

03/06/2017 Black Joe Lewis is headlining First Avenue... his new album Backlash is available now. I’m wondering whatever happened to The Honeybears, or did he just decided to drop that name as it was just too long? Dams Of The West to open.

vu (vu@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

The Freakin' Weekend

This is the time of year in Minneapolis/St. Paul when it’s the height of summer and there are always more things to do, than there is time. So, with that in mind, here are a few other weekend options for this weekend, in addition to those already covered in our regular weekly guide:

Read More Prince Prince hopped a plane to Coachella last weekend to watch Outkast with Janelle Monae perform, but he’s back in Minnesota and has again opened the fabled doors of Paisley Park …

All Things Purple

Since Prince isn’t big into celebrating anniversaries (or even the very concept of time itself), First Avenue is picking up the baton and is hosting a Purple Rain 30^th Anniversary Dance Party and Costume Contest, Tonight in the Mainroom.  DJs will spin, a trivia contest, special food and drink and a cash-prize costume contest, highlight the night’s activities.

Details at first-avenue.com:

Celebrating 30 Years of Purple Rain

Costume Contest Prizes:
1st Place - $300 + 3 pairs of tix
2nd Place - $200 + 2 pairs of tix
3rd Place - $100 + 1 pair of tix

The celebration starts off in The Depot Tavern, who are hosting their own Purple Rain Party from 7-10pm leading up to the Dance Party & Costume Contest afterwards in the Mainroom.

The Depot's Purple Rain specialty drink will be on special and Purple Rain-themed donuts will be on hand courtesy of our friends at Glam Doll Donuts. And be sure to arrive by 8pm to compete for prizes in a Purple Rain trivia quiz, hosted by Danny Sigelman.

Listening Party

Not to be outdone, Paisley Park in Chanhassen opens on Saturday night for a Listening Party of presumably the new Plectrum Electrum album with band 3^rd Eye Girl, due out soon, as well as maybe cuts of a rumored solo LP.  The cover charge includes a mystery merchandise item and the usual shroud of uncertainty as to if Prince and/or band will actually perform, is again in question, as always.

Keep in touch with: @3rdeyegirl

Lowertown Blues Festival

Low Down Blues

Mears Park in St. Paul plays host to the Lowertown Blues Festival this Saturday, a Free Admission seven-hour event features multiple acts in concert, including two-time Grammy nominee Shemekia Copeland and multi-genre folk/rock/soul/blues group Hamilton Loomis Band. FYI, the new Green Line light-rail line into St. Paul gives this show extra-easy access to attend.

Additional information at lowertownbluesfestival.com

Tour de Fat

Bikes, Beer, and Black Joe

New Belgium brewery again brings its Tour de Fat festival back to Loring Park this Saturday.  The completely free event features a bike parade, vendors and booths, beer on tap (of course), and a handful of musical acts, headlined by Black Joe Lewis, who closes the festival with their rock/funk/soul blend, at around 4pm.

Event details: newbelgium.com

10 Thousand Sounds Music Festival

Downtown Sounds

Local Alt-weekly City Pages will close off downtown streets around 10^th Street on Saturday, for six hours of music and their 2^nd Annual 10 Thousand Sounds Music Festival.  Food and beverage choices should be plentiful and the multi-genre music lineup is closed out by up-and-coming dreamy indie-folk duo, Sylvan Esso, and local heroes of dual percussion and trip-hop, Poliça.

City Pages has all the details: citypages.com

Great Midwest Rib Fest

BBQ and Tunes

Mystic Lake Casino in nearby Prior Lake is the scene for the inaugural Great Midwest Rib Fest, happening all weekend.  In addition to eight of the country’s best rib cookers vying for cash prizes and trophies, an art festival is on site and entertainment from the likes of Paul Revere and the Raiders and the Oak Ridge Boys, and is Free Admission.

The eatin' starts at mysticlake.com

Ted Nugent at Medina

Motor City Madman in Medina

For those hunters that can’t get enough from the Rib Fest, everybody’s favorite Uncle Ted, Ted Nugent returns to these parts on Sunday, with a headlining show at the Medina Entertainment Center.  Expect a generous helping of the classics as well as cuts from his new, Shut Up & Jam (Frontiers Records), which even features the meat-loving anthem, “I Love my BBQ”.

Details at medinaentertainment.com.

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Black Joe Lewis w/ Pickwick at First Avenue, Minneapolis (10/01/13) concert review

Setlist Young Girls Black Snake Stove Make Dat Money Come to My Party Vampire Mudslide Mustang Ranch Guilty Skulldiggin’ Dar Es Salaam The Hipster Sugarfoot Mamma’s Queen Surfin Bird Booty City Big Booty Woman I’m Broke My Blood Ain’t Runnin’ Right Bobby Booshay Bitch I Love You Tour Dates Oct 3 Norman, OK @ Univ of Oklahoma Nov 22 Baton Rouge, LA @ Chelsea's Café Nov 25 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Nov 26 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge Nov 27 Boise ID @ Neurolux Nov 29 Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre Nov 30 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Dec 01 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom Dec 02 Humboldt, CA @ Humboldt Brews Dec 03 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore Dec 05 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre Dec 06 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues Dec 07 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress Dec 08 El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace Read More Black Joe Lewis Austin TX-based Black Joe Lewis has just released a new album,Electric Slave (Vagrant Records), and is back on the road with a full tour to support, including an October 1st date in the Mainroom at First Avenue . ..…

As the screen rose up to reveal the mainroom stage at First Avenue, a shriek similar to the one that starts James Brown’s ‘I Feel Good’ filled the room. Black Joe Lewis played guitar with his teeth and bass player Bill Stevenson threw his instrument up almost to the ceiling… and that was just during the first song. In support of their latest effort, Electric Slave (Vagrant Records), the Texas band brought the fire, funk, and soul to a 100 min. performance Tuesday night.

PICKWICK

The evening began with a beefier-than-expected set from Seattle indie sextet, Pickwick, promoting their debut full-length, Can’t Talk Medicine (Small Press Records). Mid-tempo tunes like the album's opener, ‘Halls of Columbia’ and single ‘Hacienda Motel’ went off as expected, but the rest of their 45min. set was loud and direct, anchored by souled-out guitar riffs. Lead singer Galen Disston also somewhat resembles Aaron Johnson in ‘Kick-Ass’ and moved and shook with a similar clumsy ferocity.

Named after a 60’s NYC music label (that moved to Minneapolis in the ‘70s), the band endeared itself to crowd early on, mentioning their love of playing the city for the first time back in early April and driving through a blizzard to get here.

Black Joe Lewis

“Everything’s bigger in Texas” they say, and Austin-based Black Joe Lewis brought their full platter of soul, R & B, funk, punk, garage, and blues to a diverse crowd of young and old, mostly male, with couples scattered about the floor. The guitarist was ably backed by bass and drums and an enthusiastic three-piece horn section (Jason Frey, Derek Phelps, Joseph Woullar), that instigated the crowd most of the evening. The set concentrated on most of the new album, which is more guitar-laden, but the horns were also turned up in the mix and proved to be vital during most of the songs performed.

Photo of Setlist

Wasting little time and playing selections in almost rapid-fire succession, the greatest crowd reactions seemed to be toward the older, more funk/R&B songs like ‘Mustang Ranch’, ‘Sugarfoot’, and ‘I’m Broke’, though it might have been due to the unfamiliarity of the newer tracks. The one political statement was Lewis dedicating ‘Guilty’ to George Zimmerman, he of the recent headlining Trayvon Martin case. The back half of the set really seem to catch fire with newest single ‘Skulldiggin’ and the main set closing cover of ‘Surfin’ Bird’ (which has its roots in MN as well).

The encore started right with the “booty block” of ‘Booty City’ and ‘Big Booty Woman’ but lost some momentum as it continued another 30 min, though ending nicely with a sharp ‘Bitch I Love You’. Still tabbed as an underground act, Black Joe Lewis shines on its melting pot of sound and is an experience to see live.

Black Joe Lewis at First Avenue, Minneapolis (10/01/13)

john () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ blackjoelewis.com ♥ pickwickmusic.com

At First Avenue: Black Joe Lewis, Tricky, and PAPA

Read More Black Joe Lewis So, the live show was the first time I experienced Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, both in name and music... and they were GREAT. I love the high energy and the movie projection (of black entertainers mixed with weird . …

BLACK JOE LEWIS
blackjoelewis.com

Austin TX-based Black Joe Lewis has just released a new album,Electric Slave (Vagrant Records), and is back on the road with a full tour to support, including an October 1st date in the Mainroom at First Avenue in Minneapolis.

Though the band remains the same, they’ve dropped the “and the Honeybears” from their name, but still retain the blues/garage sound that first brought them national acclaim. Think a cross of James Brown and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins fronting The Stooges and you’re part of the way there in describing their sound.

For a ferocious guitar night of funk, soul and fuzz rock, Black Joe Lewis has turned up their wall of sound, in hopes of getting your attention, which won’t disappoint, if the lead single, ‘Skulldiggin’, is any indication. Seattle-based indie-soul sextet Pickwick opens on the Midwest dates, and are worth arriving early for as well.

Tour Dates:

Sept 26 New York, NY @ Terminal 5 #
Sept 28 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop %
Sept 30 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner %
Oct 1 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue %
Oct 2 Lincoln, NE @ Bourban Theatre %
Oct 3 Norman, OK @ Univ of Oklahoma %
Nov 22 Baton Rouge, LA @ Chelsea's Café
Nov 25 Denver, CO @ Bluebird
Nov 26 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
Nov 27 Boise ID @ Neurolux
Nov 29 Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre
Nov 30 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw
Dec 01 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Dec 02 Humboldt, CA @ Humboldt Brews
Dec 03 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
Dec 05 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
Dec 06 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
Dec 07 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress
Dec 08 El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace

% = w/ Pickwick
# = w/ Okkervil River, Pickwick

Read More Tricky The show was very upbeat, and they seemed to be having a lot of fun playing. They seemed to have a good dynamic with each other and seemed to play off each other's energy and such. …

TRICKY
trickysite.com

Sure, you're thinking, "didn't we already talk about Tricky's U.S. tour" last June? This is just a reminder that Tricky is finally here in the United States - starting October.

NOTE: The First Avenue show will take place October 8th!

UPDATE: The guy just cannot get a break!! Looks like October will have to be rescheduled once again due to U.S. Visa again.

10/01/13 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
10/02/13 New York, NY Webster Hall
10/03/13 Boston, MA Royale Nightclub Boston
10/05/13 Washington, DC U Street Music Hall
10/06/13 Toronto, ON Virgin Mobile Mod Club
10/08/13 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
10/09/13 Chicago, IL Metro / Smart Bar
10/10/13 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom
10/12/13 Dallas, TX House Of Blues
10/13/13 Houston, TX House Of Blues
10/14/13 Austin, TX Emo's
10/16/13 Lawrence, KS Granada Theatre
10/17/13 Englewood, CO Gothic Theatre
10/19/13 "Treasure Island Music Festival"
10/23/13 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
10/25/13 "Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Summit"

Read More Cold War Kids The show was very upbeat, and they seemed to be having a lot of fun playing. They seemed to have a good dynamic with each other and seemed to play off each other's energy and such. …

PAPA
papatheband.com

Playing tonight at First Avenue in Minneapolis is PAPA, a duo (Darren Weiss and Danny Presant) from Los Angeles.

The two, described by BBC1 as "Stooges and Interpol and all the purposeful rock bands past and present all rolled into one" is currently on a national tour with Cold War Kids, in support of their debut LP called Tender Madness.

Tour dates:

09/26 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue*
09/27 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall*
09/28 Detroit, MI St. Andrews Hall*
09/29 Indianapolis, IN The Vogue*
09/30 Bloomington, IN The Bishop
10/01 Chicago, IL Schubas
10/04 Kansas City, MO Czar Bar
10/05 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge
10/18 Boston, MA House of Blues Boston*
10/19 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer*
10/21 Providence, RI Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel*
10/22 New York, NY Terminal 5*
10/24 Washington, DC 9:30 Club*
10/26 Richmond, VA The National*

* with Cold War Kids

john + vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic