W♥M

We♥KC- August 8-15, 2022 Upcoming Shows (Kansas City / Lawrence KS)

Read More Courtney Barnett Melbourne's Courtney Barnett was previously here earlier this year, which we caught in Chicago, but now she's back with a full expanded North American tour.…

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

These may be called the “dog days” of summer, but there are no “dogs” in this week’s group of great area shows. If anyone got into Saturday’s Glass Animals secret acoustic promo-only show at a KC distillery, consider yourself very lucky.

With the heat continuing, take precautions for any outdoor shows. Kansas surprised the nation with their recent vote on the state amendment question, and now it’s time to go out, sip a cold one, and support live music.

Here’s what’s happening in the Kansas City/Lawrence, KS metro August 8^th– 15^th

(Several artists are still requiring precautions for entry, so check with the venue and/or assume vaccination proof, might still be required)

Monday Aug 8

Here and There Festival featuring Courtney Barnett, Lucy Dacus and Quinn Christopherson, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. $40.50-$60.50

‘Here And There’ is a concept partially born of Barnett’s love of curation. Barnett has owned a Melbourne-based label (Milk! Records) for a decade now and we’ve followed her ever since, even before her US successes. Most recent album is last November’s Things Take Time, Take Time.

For this first stop of the tour, Lucy Dacus joins up, who we saw flat on her back earlier this year in Lawrence, after slipping some discs in her back, but was determined to carry on with shows. 2021’s “Home Video” remains her latest full-length, but we’ve seen several new singles since.

Opening singer-songwriter Quinn Christopherson has set September 16 for the debut album release of Write Your Name in Pink.

Non-profit Sounds of Saving, have partnered on the tour, and their mission is to use the connection to music as a direct path to mental well being. The group on-site will include a representative from the local 988 call center, one mental health professional, and someone from Sounds of Saving.

Tim Heidecker (comedian), The Truman, $49.50

We’ve followed the eclectic comedian for years, both solo and as part of duo Tim and Eric, seeing them most recently in 2017. Newest album High School came out earlier this spring.

Thundercat, Grinders KC, $35-$75

On our radar for years, the aka Stephen Bruner is a bass-playing monster, as evidenced when he opened for Red Hot Chili Peppers in arenas years ago. Last studio release, It Is What It Is, won both GRAMMY and Libera Awards and he even appeared in couple episodes of the Disney+ series The Book of Boba Fett.

Red Fang, recordBar, $20

The Portland hard alternative four-piece band is back with 2021’s Arrows, and a tour which was delayed by the pandemic, but now back on course. Bell Witch & Aerial Ruin: Stygian Bough, which is a doom metal collaboration and Help slated to open. 

Tuesday Aug 9

Father John Misty w Suki Waterhouse, Arvest Bank at the Midland, $39.99-$59.99

WHM loves you, honeybear-- We’ve covered the aka Josh Tillman since well before he adopted his current stage name and the new record is Chloe and the Next 20^th Century, an ambitious fifth studio album under the FJM name, which he’s performed numerous times with a symphony orchestra.

We last caught him live, closing out the 2018 edition of Rock the Garden in Minneapolis.

Opening is Suki Waterhouse, the better half of actor Robert Pattinson and who dabbles in a little of everything- acting, modeling, and music, with newest singles being “Devil I Know” and “Wild Side”.

Anastasia (musical) at Starlight Theatre August 9-14, 2022

Inspired by the films, the transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

Anastasia features a book by playwright Terrence McNally, new score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) based on original direction by Tony Award® winner Darko Tresnjak with choreography by Peggy Hickey and tour direction by Sarah Hartmann.

Imagine Dragons w Macklemore, Kings Elliot, T-Mobile Center, $45.50-$155

Indie rockers out on their summer leg of their Mercury Tour, in support of latest releases, Mercury Act I and Act II. We’ve seen the band live numerous times, from their humble beginnings in tiny clubs, to part of NFL Superbowl and MLB All-Star Game weekends and they always seem to bring the excitement live, as well as remind us of positive mental health.

Macklemore is currently rolling solo (without Ryan Lewis) but we saw the duo bring the house down ten years ago at the MN State Fair. Newest singles are “Next Year” w/Windsor and Ryan Lewis, and the new “Chant” with Tones and I.

Kings Elliot is a buzzworthy Swiss-born, London-based young new artist, who released EP Chaos in my Court late last year and a preorder is up for upcoming EP, Bored of the Circus with featured single, “Butterfly Pen.”

Murder by Death Lemonade Park, $32

Bloomington, IN indie rockers just released new album, Spell/Bound last week and we last saw them in 2016. Their electric cello sound gives a haunting goth edge to their sound and this Tour from the Crypt show also features Amigo the Devil and Samantha Crain, who we just caught live in May.

Ian Sweet / BNNY / Pure XTC, recordBar, $15

She’s aka Jillian Medford, an alternative singer-songwriter from LA and is out in support of 2021’s Show Me How You Disappear. We literally just caught this show, days ago in Minneapolis.Chicago’s BNNY has their debut album just out now.

Wednesday Aug 10

Sleigh Bells w N3PTUNE, The Truman. $30-$60

The Brooklyn noise pop duo is on the road supporting Texis, (with its current single “Justine Go Genesis” ) released at the end of last year and has been a band for almost fifteen years now. We caught them live in Fall 2016 when their last album signaled a bit of a sound change.

Black Pistol Fire with The Shooks, recordBar. $20

Quite simply one of the most incendiary live acts to currently grace a live stage, this Toronto via Austin TX duo mixes post punk rock with a Southern edge and is in support of last year’s Look Alive album. We caught them live in 2021 and in 2017 and were happily taken aback each time by their efforts. They’ve recently been dropping in a Childish Gambino and older Fleetwood Mac cover into their live sets.

(Updated: Lillie Mae has decided to bow out of the tour, instead working on a "secret project")

Ballyhoo! and Shwayze, Bottleneck. $20

The Maryland reggae pop/punk band are Warped Tour veterans and put out the Planet Sad Boi EP last year, with latest single, “The Front Porch”, out most recently. Alt hip-hop opener Schwayze (aka Aaron Smith) last released 2019’s Beach Boy album, so is likely due for new music.

Thursday Aug 11

Brett Young, Kansas City Live! $30-$70

The country pop singer’s latest album is last year’s Weekends Look a Little Different These Days, a happy result of the birth of his new daughter Presley, and the Orange County native also released a Christmas album last year. Live, he’s recently worked in a John Hiatt cover song among his own hits.

Friday Aug 12

Incubus with Sublime with Rome, Aquadolls, Azura Amphitheater. 

UPDATE: BONNER SPRINGS KS, MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO AND TINLEY PARK, IL SHOWS NOW POSTPONED

Michael Franti & Spearhead, Grinders KC, $35-$75

It’s always a “good day for a good day” when Michael Franti & Spearhead play, and their joyous vibe of feel-good, life-affirming music, is what everyone needs as we slowly move past the pandemic. We caught them live recently, last fall at an outdoor street party in Lawrence, and even performing as only a trio, everyone was thoroughly entertained and in appreciation of the return of live music.

The new release Follow Your Heart was released in June and reflects our shared struggle of the last couple years and encourages listening to your inner voice and being your authentic self.

Santa Fe Klan, Uptown Theater, $59.50-$85

Hip hop artist from Guanajuato, México, aka Ángel Quezada is out on his 15-stop Mar y Tierra Tour. With six albums under his name, he was a finalist of MIDEM´s “Talent Accelerator” and named The Latin Youth´s voice.

Drake White, Power and Light District, $20

We just caught the Alabama native live last month as part of the massive three-day Country Stampede at the Heartland in Topeka with an hour-long set on the second stage, and he returns to the area in support of his March full-length The Optimystic.

Goatwhore, Granada. $20

After sharing Spring stages with Gwar and Brujeria, the New Orleans black metal band headlines a night not for the faint of heart. Comments guitarist Sammy Duet, “We’re excited to be back on the road … Expect absolute debauchery and chaos, maniacs!”

Starcrawler, recordBar, $15

LA pop punk band has a brand-new album out, She Said, with latest single, “Stranded” and has been working in a frantic Ramones cover into current live sets. The Bad Ideas scheduled to open.

Saturday Aug 13

Decemberists with Brigid Mae Power, Grinders KC, $35-$99

Calling it the Arise from the Bunkers! Tour, count us as fans of the longtime Portland indie band, with the band celebrating over two decades. Singer-songwriter Colin Meloy also has a book coming this fall. Live, we caught them in a memorable show back in 2015 and more recently, they’ve been ending their main set with a cover of The Smiths’ “Ask.”

The Lumineers with Gregory Alan Isakov, T-Mobile Center. $49-$89

Out on their Brightside Tour, in support of fourth studio album of the same name, the core band is just a duo, Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, though they bring a full band with them.

The Colorado indie folk group recorded a cover of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” as a bonus track for the new album and live their recent twenty-five song set includes a cover of Tom Petty’s “Walls.” We caught them as part of a stacked lineupp at Target Center in Minneapolis in 2017.

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Knuckleheads. $20

The Austin TX blues funk rock band always invites you to “come to my party” and this venue seems the ideal place to see them live. We caught them in the summer of 2014 at the Tour de Fat Beer and Bike Festival and previous to that, at First Avenue in Minneapolis the previous Autumn. In 2020, they released single, “Five Dollars.”

Sunday Aug 14

Melissa Etheridge, Liberty Hall, $69-$199

The pride of Leavenworth, KS returns to her home state for a relatively intimate show in support of One Way Out (on BMG Records). The album is composed of unreleased songs written in the late 80's and early 90's, but recorded recently with her original band, with two songs recorded live at the Roxy in LA in 2002. Expect all the previous hits played live as well. (Note: vaxx status is required)

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Uptown. $45-$249

It’s fabulous! RuPaul’s Drag Race World Tour returns with an all-new production for 2022 - an experiment gone wrong has sent the audience spiraling through time with no way of returning to the present. Join Kameron Michaels, Rose, Vanessa Vanjie, Yvie Oddly and finalists from the upcoming 14th Season on a journey through iconic periods of history in hopes of finding your way back to 2022.

Oliver Tree, Arvest Bank at the Midland, $29.50-$59.50

The Santa Cruz, CA singer-songwriter/rapper has his second studio release out, Cowboy Tears supposedly a final album which follows up 2020's Ugly Is Beautiful which reached #1 on Billboard's Rock chart. Recent single “I Hate You” is not on the new LP. JAWNY, Huddy slated to open.

Sleeping With Sirens with Don Broco, Point North and Garzi, The Truman. $32-$55

The Orlando post hardcore alt-rock group is out on a 24-date summer U.S. tour dubbed "Ctrl + Alt + Delete" with KC being the final show on the leg. Their most recent record, 2019's How It Feels to Be Lost, featured songs "Leave It All Behind" and "Agree to Disagree" and single "Bloody Knuckles," came out last year, though we’re interested to hear their version of The Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris”.

Monday Aug 15

take a day off

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

We♥KC - September 16-30 2021 Upcoming Shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

2021-09-18 Torres recordBar  2021-09-19 Alanis Morissette / Garbage  2021-09-20 Rufus Wainwright and José González at Uptown   2021-09-21 Shinedown and Struts Azura   2021-09-22 Glass Animals at Azura   2021-09-23 Wood Bros at Knuckleheads   2021-09-24 Faith No More at Grinders   2021-09-28 cleopatrick at recordBar   2021-09-29 Kevin Gates at Uptown   2021-09-29 Mt Joy at Grinders   2021-09-29 Future Islands at Liberty Hall   2021-09-30 311 at Grinders   Read More Glass Animals The latest UK buzz band, Glass Animals, recently just sold out their show at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis, last night, September 9th...

Fall is typically one of the busiest times to see live shows, Even with health protocols, the season is getting busier, leading into Rocktober, Vu from W♥M’s favorite month!

In the Kansas City / Lawrence, KS area, several postponements and a cancellation or two (see below) and Simple Plan recently dropped out of the New Found Glory show, replaced by Less Than Jake.

 

Similarly, Liz Phair dropped off the Alanis Morissette/Garbage bill, but has been replaced with Cat Power (who can be brilliant or puzzling, depending on the night). Please check with the venue and artist beforehand, for any health restrictions or last-minute changes.

Last month in the KC area was filled with live highlights – Foo Fighters serenading protesters on a flatbed truck, Wilco were not able to play outdoors due to weather so turned on a live webstream to give everyone a free backstage concert, and KC’s own Waxahatchee began her tour to end last month with a sold-out show, and help from partner Kevin Morby. 

Not sure how Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real and The Allman Betts Band shows got scheduled the same night (there is definite audience crossover), classic stalwarts Kansas will play a nearby homecoming show, and country fans will get to see Little Big Town up close, opting for two theater shows instead of one big arena gig.  

Here’s what’s happening in the area for the last half of September

(a few recommended shows are highlighted below):

Thursday September 16

Dance Gavin Dance with Animals As Leaders and more, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. $27.50-$35

Kane Brown w Restless Road, Chris Lane, Russell Dickerson, T-Mobile Center. $35-$75

Wild Feathers, Bottleneck Lawrence, $20.

Sub Urban and Bella Poarch, RecordBar. CANCELED

Lucinda Williams, Knuckleheads. (postponed to Jan 15)

Friday September 17

John Pizzarelli Trio, Folly. $20-$55

Sara Evans, Ameristar. $55-$209

Here Comes the Mummies, Knuckleheads. $35.

Saturday September 18

Torres w/ Ariana and the Rose, recordBar. $12-$50
Vu previewed her new album Thirstier (on Merge Records)which came out in July and upcoming tour here. “I’ve been conjuring this deep, deep joy that I honestly didn’t feel for most of my life,” she says of the new release. “I feel like a rock within myself. And I’ve started to feel that I have what it takes to help other people conjure their joy, too.”

Albert Cummings, Knuckleheads. $18.50

Grand Funk Railroad, Ameristar. $40-$175

The Mountain Goats (solo) w/ Sophia Boro, Granada Lawrence. $24

Randy Rainbow, Uptown (Postponed to Jan 15, 2022)

Sunday September 19

Alanis Morissette w Garbage, Cat Power T-Mobile Center, $46.50-$146.50

Monday September 20

Rufus Wainwright and José González, Uptown. $35-$79
On the heels of last year’s Unfollow The Rules, Wainwright just released The Paramour Sessions, recorded live at a famous Los Angeles mansion.  We’re very much looking forward to hearing ‘You Ain’t Big’, played early in the set which name-checks “Topeka” and “Lawrence, KS” and he’s also been playing a cover of Neil Young’s “Harvest”. (Vu previewed the Minneapolis show here). 

Swedish singer-songwriter González(who we've seen solo and w/ Junip) has a new single "Swing" out now, and like Wainwright deserves your attention live, so hope for no audience chatter. 

Avatar w/ Magic Sword, Tallah, The Truman. $28.50-$55

Dead Sara, recordBar. $12

Tuesday September 21

Shinedown with The Struts and Zero 9:36, Azura Amphitheater. $35-$124.50

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Uptown. $35-$49.50
One of Willie Nelson’s sons and his band has very much come into his own, after backing Neil Young and others for so long, while cultivating their own career and recordings.  The latest is A Few Stars Apart (on Fantasy Records) released in June, but fans know the live element is where the band really shines. Vu previewed their upcoming Minneapolis show here

Allman Betts Band w/ Marc Ford, Knuckleheads. $28.50-$48.50

Son Little, Bottleneck Lawrence, $18.

Dinosaur Jr., The Truman (Postponed to TBA)

Wednesday September 22

Glass Animals w/ binki,  Azura Amphitheater. $25-$39.50
Their highly successful tour continues, in support of last year’s Dreamland (on Universal Music) and held over from its beginning instantly sold-out gigs in small clubs (their March 2020 show at recordBar in KC was one of our last shows before pandemic lockdown), and are now playing to much larger, proper-size audiences. “Heat Waves” remains on heavy airplay and the song we couldn’t get out of our head for over a year now. 

Be sure to show up early for opener binki, a NYC-based genre-blending musician born to Kenyan immigrants, whose debut EP, Motor Function (on FADER label) with single “Invisible Fence” just dropped last month. 

Bianca Del Rio, Folly, $39.50-$212.

New Found Glory w/ Less Than Jake, Uptown. Ticket prices TBA.

Grouplove, Liberty Hall. $30

New Found Glory and Simple Plan, Uptown. $31-$40

The Wailers, Grinders Crossroads, Free.

Thursday September 23

The Wood Brothers w/ Andrea von Kampen, Knuckleheads (moved from The Folly). $26-$39.50
The Americana trio hits the road again, in support of last year’s Kingdom on My Mind (on Thirty Tigers Records), Blending folk, gospel, jazz and blues, ...what other band covers the obscure group, Little Bob & The Lollipops?

Be sure to arrive early for opener von Kampen, whose new album That Spell, was just released on Fantasy Records.  She often collaborates with her brother David, who does string arrangements, and is Lincoln, NE based, so might bring some of her fanbase to town and just played this same venue in June, opening for Punch Brothers. 

Kansas, Prairie Band Casino Mayetta, $65

Bad Bad Hats w/Alyssa Murray, recordBar. $15

Shakey Graves, The Truman. $27-54.

Andy Mineo, Uptown (Postponed to Fall 2022, TBA).

Friday September 24

Little Big Town with Nightfall, Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland. $35-$115

Oak Ridge Boys, Ameristar. $30-$110

Pecos & The Rooftops, Granada. $13

Faith No More, Grinders. $47-$100

Jameson Rodgers, The Truman. $15-$30

Saturday September 25

Little Big Town with Nightfall Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland. $35-$115

America, Lied Center. $21-$55

Don Felder, Ameristar. $45-$170

Tacos & Tequila Festival with Ludacris, Twista, Mario and more, Legends Field. $39-$99

Sunday September 26

Boney James, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. $34.50-$49.50

Lauren Daigle w/ Ellie Holcomb, T-Mobile Center. $26.50-$122

Samia with Savannah Conley, recordBar. $15

Monday September 27

The Brook & The Bluff,  recordBar. $15-$18

Yung Bleu with Ann Marie, Seddy Hendrix and Noby, The Truman. $27.50-$55

Tuesday September 28

cleopatrick at recordBar, $12.50
The buzzing Canadian DIY duo released their debut album Bummer, in June (on Thirty Tigers) a title we can all relate to after the last eighteen months(!), with lead track “Victoria Park” of which vocalist Luke Gruntz says, “It's our thesis, our first impression. The proverbial icebreaker. It's named after a real Victoria Park here in Cobourg, Ontario”.  Having already played Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and Reading/Leeds Festivals, this is a chance to see them up close. 

Wednesday September 29

Kevin Gates, Uptown Theater, $45
A major playa in the hip-hop game, Baton Rouge native Gates has almost twenty mixtapes to his name and two previous albums, both of which went Top Five.  The KHAZA Tour also features openers DDG and Gang51e June and expect a mix of previous bangers, alongside a taste of the new album to come. 

Mt. Joy and Trampled By Turtles, Grinders. $34.50-$134
We’ve covered Mt. Joy previously (here), most memorably when the band joined The Lone Bellow on stage to cover Tom Petty and released their second full-length, Rearrange Us, last June during the pandemic. 

Of course, we love Trampled by Turtles as well, the Northern Minnesota band’s short-lived Palomino Festival(here) was one of our annual favorites to cover.

Future Islands, Liberty Hall Lawrence. $26-$30
The Baltimore band with a known reputation for their live shows is returning, in support of last October’s As Long As You Are (on 4AD), their sixth release.  Vocalist Samuel Herring is mesmerizing to watch and the Calling Out in Space Tour maybe references all the billionaires in rockets or maybe the 59-dates the band is playing, some with Modest Mouse and Hinds in Europe and the UK, following the North American dates. 

Jukebox the Ghost, The Truman. $20-$25

Colony House, Granada Theater Lawrence $18-$20.

Thursday September 30

311 w/ Iration,Iya Terra, Grinders. $45-$99

Amir El Saffar and the Two Rivers Ensemble, Lied Center Lawrence. $14-$25

Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Knuckleheads. $20

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

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

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears and Those Darlins at the Cedar, Minneapolis (04/03/11)

Tour Dates 04/08/11 Boise, ID - Neurolux* 04/09/11 Seattle, WA - Crocodile* 04/10/11 Portland, OR - Soul'd Out 04/11/11 Arcata, CA - Humbolt Brews 04/13/11 San Fran, CA - Independent* 04/14/11 Santa Cruz, CA - Rio* 04/15/11 Coachella Music Festival 04/29/11 Oxford, MS - Double Decker 04/30/11 Norman Music Festival 05/01/11 McDowell Mountain Music 05/06/11 N Orleans - One Eyed Jacks 05/10/11 Montreal, Can - Metropolis+ 05/11/11 Ottawa - Bronson Centre+ * with Those Darlins + with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears and Those Darlins stopped by and played to a sold-out show at The Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis on April 3^rd.

I've lost count of how many times I've seen Those Darlins, it's probably their sixth time here. The last time I saw them, I noted that they did a bunch of new songs (about 8 of them), but they eventually gave in and did fan favorites.

THOSE DARLINS

With perhaps a shorter setlist because they were the opener, they pretty much did only new songs from their album, Screws Get Loose.

They started off the set strong with "$" ("the green in my pocket ain't no friend of mine"), followed by eight or nine new songs, including: "Be Your Bro", Kelley's song (don't know the name of this one), "Waste Away", "Mystic Mind" (Jessi is looking freakish on this song), "BUMD", and, of course, "Screws Get Loose".

After the new songs, I did remember them doing "Red Light Love" and "Night Jogger". My favorite is "Funstix Party", which I'm pretty sure offended some people in the audience. Awesome!

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 psychedelic liquid).

Their music, is a combination of blues, with some funk, and lots of brass and horns. I thought the horns would be used on one or two songs, but practically every song had the loud tubular sound.

If they stuck to the setlist closely, you'll see that the music played was from their two albums, Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! and Scandalous, both on Lost Highway Records.

They ended their set with an epic version of "Please", parts one and two. They came back with two more songs for the encore, but I didn't know what they were.

I wish I was more of Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears fan to tell you more about their songs that were played, but I reckon you'll have a good time if you do end up seeing them live. Although, I will confess, the garage rock music of Those Darlins and soul sound of Black Joe Lewis did not mix well. I do think that when Sharon Jones joins Joe Lewis later on their tour, that those two bands will be fantastic.

BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS

PS, I did manage to purchase Those Darlins' first pressing of the vinyl to Screws Get Loose, it came with a fold-out poster and a free digital download. If you rather just own the MP3s, Amazon is having a sale for their album for $3.99. Sale ends this week. Also, another tip: if you buy a full album, you also get an upgrade to 20GB on your Amazon Cloud Player!

vu ()

♥ www.blackjoelewis.com ♥ www.thosedarlins.com