W♥M

We♥KC- July 1-8, 2022 Upcoming Shows (Kansas City / Lawrence KS)

Read More Kenny Chesney Get out your cowboy boots and hats, as apparently, Minneapolis/St. Paul is a hotbed for country music. Garth Brooks has just started his record setting 11-show at Target Center, ...

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

This weekend it’s fireworks, picnics, barbecues, and summer heat- some additional heat and fireworks are supplied from upcoming concerts including the Arrowhead takeover of No Shoes Nation as Kenny Chesney and friends bring their big show to the fabled football stadium.

A couple arena shows, and some fine club/theater gigs make it a week to get out and support the return of live music.

Here’s what’s happening in the Kansas City/Lawrence, KS metro July 1^st – 8^th

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

Friday July 1

Bright Eyes w Hurray for the Riff Raff, Uptown Theater, $42-$47

It’s been a busy year for Bright Eyes fans as leader Conor Oberst and group have re-released their first albums, alongside a newly recorded six-song EP for each, with the first batch of three, out last month. The last new album was 2020’s Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was, which was their first in nine years.

With his core band on an extended hiatus, we caught Oberst solo as part of Rock the Garden 2015 and a memorable gig with Dawes both opening and serving as backup band, as well as his super-secret project with Phoebe Bridgers, Better Oblivion Community Center.

Be aware that vaxx proof is required and masks worn unless drinking. Hurray For the Riff Raff, the project of Alynda Segarra, opens the show who we’ve caught live with City and Colour and also as part of the Festival Palomino and has new album, Life on Earth to support.

Howard Hewett, Miki Howard and more, Music Hall, $61

A night of smooth and classic R&B – with performances by Hewett, Howard, Alexander O’Neal, Cherrelle, and Keith Washington and sounds by DJ Fresh.

Saturday July 2

Kenny Chesney w Dan + Shay, Old Dominion and Carly Pearce, Arrowhead Stadium. $40-$455

The big one! The 8-time CMA and Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year brings his Blue Chair Bay Rum Presents Here And Now 2022 Tour Fueled by Marathon to conquer Arrowhead, after selling out most shows since the trek began in late April.

This tour features 126 cutting edge overhead LED lights and a 220-foot-wide stage, with a strut into the sandbar area, with some nineteen trucks (sustainably down from 24) hauling everything across the country.

Support from rising female vocalist Carly Pearce, five-time ACM / four-time CMA Group of the Year Old Dominion and four-time GRAMMY winners Dan + Shay, make this a full evening and a true highlight of the summer concert season. Scattered storms are in the forecast, so pack a poncho.

Aldous Harding, Granada Lawrence. $22/$25

The beguiling New Zealand singer-songwriter returns with new song, “Old Peel” and new album Warm Chris, released in late March on 4AD. We caught her live most recently as a headliner in 2019 where we heard that new single, years before its eventual release.

Cardiff Wales singer-songwriter H Hawkline to open what will no doubt, be a very interesting show.

Tab Benoit, Knuckleheads, $35-$45

Louisiana-raised Delta Blues guitarist returns to the area with support from fellow guitarist and Deep Blues artist Lightnin Malcom to transform the venue into a true juke joint.

Liily, Bottleneck-Lawrence, $15-$18

Los Angeles alt-rock shoe gazers come to River City in support of debut record TV or Not TV. We caught the band live last fall in Minneapolis and wrote, “Singer, Dylan Nash, reminds me of a stoic Ian Brown, while the band, guitarist Sam De La Torre, bassist Charlie Anastasis, and drummer Maxx Morando, play post-punk, art-rock music.” Brooklyn’s Catcher, another new post-punk band, to open.

Sunday July 3

Todd Rundgren, Uptown, $39-$79

The prolific Rock & Roll Hall of Famer is out across America promoting his next album 'Space Force' on his Unpredictable Tour featuring band members Jesse Gress, Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince and Gil Assayas. Rundgren spent much of last year on his The Individualist, A True Star tour performing a full side of his classic album A Wizard, A True Star plus a set of career-spanning hits, and he’s been entertaining every time we’ve seen him previous.

Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls w/The Bronx, Liberty Hall, $35-$50

UK folk punk singer-songwriter has emerged from the pandemic as more ambitious than anyone else touring – in support of new album FTHC, he'll play all 50 states this summer, calling it the 50 States in 50 Days tour, which does allow for a few days off, but not many, “Well, I've been unable to tour properly for a couple of years now, and always said that when I could get back to it I'd do it properly."

We caught him live in 2019 and KC / Missouri fans won’t be left out either, as he’s scheduled a free 30min in-store at Mills Record Co. in Westport, that afternoon before the Lawrence show. The Bronx and Pet Needs are support acts.

Dirty Heads with Soja, GrindersKC. $49.50-$90

Dirty Heads have announced their 2022 US headlining tour titled “Let’s Get It Kraken” featuring special guest SOJA running through August. Last summer, they released their The Best of Dirty Heads, featuring new collaborations with Travis Barker and Aimee of The Interrupters. Band guitarist Duddy B also co-hosts The Rome and Duddy Show on the Consequence Podcast Network and (of course) has a new line of CBD products launching.

Rod Wave and friends, T-Mobile Center, $49-$275

Rod Wave (aka Rodarius Marcell Green) dropped his third album, Beautiful Mind, ahead of this tour and is bringing along Moneybagg Yo, Big Latto, Sleazy & Friends, for this last show of the leg.

His first album, Ghetto Gospel, reached number ten on Billboard's Top 200, and second album 2020’s Pray 4 Love, peaked at number two. Recent audience fights at some East Coast shows have not stopped the momentum of this popular arena show.

Read More Brandi Carlile After the first few songs, the band is joined on stage by none other than Brandi Carlile! Carlile actually sang backup on many of Ray's songs, including the encores.

Monday July 4 (Independence Day)

Tuesday July 5

Wednesday July 6

Brandi Carlile w Tanya Tucker, Katie Pruitt, July 6, Starlight. $29.50-$175

Minneapolis developed into a strong market for the six-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter, performer, and author, and so we were happy to watch that develop- seeing her in small clubs in 2007, having her play two of the most crowded Leinie Stage nights ever then eventually graduating to the Grandstand at the MN State Fair, and also headlining at the Basilica Block Party.

Since then, it’s been even more success and the Beyond These Silent Days summer tour stops in Kansas City, and is bring along country legend Tanya Tucker, who collab’d on 2019 hit album While I’m Livin’ with Carlile and Shooter Jennings, and just finished its follow-up.

Nashville singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt to open, in support of 2020’s Expectations, and who also recently released a couple of vintage Neil Young covers.

 

Thursday July 7

Strfkr with The Undercover Dream Lovers, and Das Kope, Granada. $27

Being No One, Going Nowhere is the title of the new fourth album with band leader Joshua Hodges considering it an invitation to get blissfully insignificant. That’s what he aimed to do when he exiled himself to the desert to create this record. And you’ve never heard Cyndi Lauper’s signature hit song live until you’ve heard the Portland indie band ‘s version of it.

Openers The Undercover Dream Lovers are the brainchild of LA-based psych indie DIY artist Matt Koenig, known for tracks "Good Luck" and "Come Home" and full-length album It's All in Your Head. 

Das Kope is a LA-based, Brazilian born, visual artist/musician whose debut album ‘Where I Live’, was self-released in 2020

Chris Isaak and Lyle Lovett, Starlight. $35-$159.50

Platinum-selling, GRAMMY-nominated musician and actor Isaak and four-time GRAMMY-winning singer, composer, and actor Lovett and his Large Band combine forces for a formidable double bill.

Isaak's best-known song is "Wicked Game," and he has acted in several films, also starring in his own TV series while Lovett, who also acts, has recorded thirteen albums since his debut in 1986. Live reports are that Lovett has stepped in for a song in Isaak’s set, which we love the interplay on a bill like this with two such respected longtime artists.

Bobby Rush, Knuckleheads, $20-$35

Blues Hall of Famer, six-time Grammy nominee, and 13-time Blues Music Award winner Rush has been making records for nearly 70 years, has more than 400 recordings, 75 career releases, 27 studio albums, and has an autobiography just out.

Rush, who is 87, is not done yet. 2020 album Rawer Than Raw was an all-acoustic effort that paid tribute to the blues history of Mississippi and won Best Traditional Blues Album.

Friday July 8

Machine Gun Kelly with Avril Lavigne and Iann Dior, T-Mobile Center. $29.50-$129.50

On top of the charts (and gossip columns with partner Megan Fox) album Mainstream Sellout released in March featuring singles “Ay” with Lil Wayne, “Emo Girl” with WILLOW, and “maybe” featuring Bring Me The Horizon.

His 52-stop first arena headlining tour includes special guests Avril Lavigne (who’s on a big comeback herself) and iann dior for this stop. MGK has amassed over 15.5 billion streams online, selling over 10 million album units, and we caught him before his big breakout success, opening for Imagine Dragons at a 2018 Super Bowl week show.

Ozark Mountain Daredevils w Kentucky Headhunters, Uptown Theater, $25-$75

With hits that include "Jackie Blue" and "If You Want To Get To Heaven," the Springfield, MO-based Daredevils have sold more than two million records since their early 70’s formation. Support from country rockers The Kentucky Headhunters and The Comancheros.

Man Man, Bottleneck, $20

Philly experimental rockers return in support of 2020’s trippy Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In-Between and even had a song in the Cyberpunk 2077 game. Live, when we saw them in 2015, it was uniquely a bit hard to define, saying you should just experience it, and we think the new show is probably similar. LA duo Hard Tays Night to open.

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

Flashback: Amy Ray (with Brandi Carlile) at the Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis (24 Oct 2008)

Read More Indigo Girls Indigo Girls is back with their latest One Lost Day (IG Recordings/Vanguard Records). We previously caught Amy Ray solo at the Turf Club in 2012 and at the Fine Line Music Café in 2008 … Brandi Carlile After the first few songs, the band is joined on stage by none other than Brandi Carlile! Carlile actually sang backup on many of Ray's songs, including the encores. I suppose she's currently on tour with Amy Ray? Carlile is set to … Arizona Arizona to open the show. Yep, the band’s not from Arizona, but it’s definitely a better sounding name than “New Jersey”. $15.50. …

If you grew up in the 80s, you know how influential folk rock duo Indigo Girls (Amy Ray and Emily Saliers) were to gay women everywhere. The Indigo Girls’ reach well into the 90s, thanks to being signed to major label Epic Records.

Since 2007, the Indio Girls released music on their label with more control in their sound and image, as well as concentrating personal solo albums. Amy Ray, in particular, continued to help independent musicians and releasing solo records like Didn't It Feel Kinder in 2008… Emily Saliers, meanwhile went into the restaurant business, as well as a professional author.

So, I got a chance to see Amy Ray at the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis on October 24, 2008, to promote her third solo record. It was a memorable night, as randomly, Brandi Carlile showed up on stage! What a surprise.

>>>
It was a great crowd that showed up last night at the Fine Line Cafe to see Indigo Girls' Amy Ray. Even Ray acknowledged the good turnout before playing "She's Got to Be."

Arizona (they're actually from North Carolina) was the opening act; they did a great job warming up the crowd and ended their set with "Whiskey Or Wine." But before they left the stage, Amy Ray joined them to play a song and this got the crowd to immediately move forward.

Amy Ray's band is like an all-star cast with Butchies' Kaia Wilson (guitarist), Melissa York (drums), Julie Wolf (keys) and I didn't catch the bassist's name, but he's from Minneapolis.

After the first few songs, the band is joined on stage by none other than Brandi Carlile! Carlile actually sang backup on many of Ray's songs, including the encores. I suppose she's currently on tour with Amy Ray? Carlile is set to tour overseas in Portugal and Switzerland in mid-November.

Ray rocked out Fine Line to her huge following, who could not get enough of Ray! The crowd was especially receptive to "SLC Radio".

An interesting highlight was when Kaia Wilson sang a song she wrote when her dog, Basket, caught an animal.

Didn't It Feel Kinder is out now on Ray's own non-profit label, Daemon Records. Be sure to check out Amy Ray on tour, all the guest appearances will make it worth your time! Starting in November, Jennifer O’Connor joins Ray on tour, so that should be even better!

Amy Ray (with Brandi Carlile) at the Fine Line Cafe, Minneapolis (24 Oct 2008)

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: August 22 to August 31, 2019

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from August 22 to August 31, 2019.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

Phantogram at Palace Read More Phantogram This Sunday's show is sold out, marking Phantogram's triumphant return to Minneapolis, in support of their new album Voices. … Bob Moses Canadian duo Bob Moses (also Grammy winners, btw) came out with guitars and keys a’ blazing with a badass drummer joining them (who’s name I never caught). Lead singer/guitarist Tom Howie was an ...

PHANTOGRAM
+ Bob Moses
Palace Theatre
Sun 08/25/2019 (6:30pm/$39.50)
palacestpaul.com

New York duo Phantogram (Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel) is back with their summer headlining tour. We’ve always liked these guys, and fairly excited about their new song “Mister Impossible”, which was a song that they’ve had an idea of it for a long time. After building their studio called Harmony West in Laurel Canyon, they put together the song in their own space. The song finalized last spring when they took it to Joshua Tree.

Bob Moses to open.

Tour dates:

August 16 Reno, NV Grand Theatre *
August 17 Ogden, UT Twilight Concert Series*
August 18 Denver, CO The Mission Ballroom
August 19 Estes Park, CO Stanley Hotel
August 20 Bellvue, CO Mishawaka Amphitheatre*
August 22 Council Bluffs, IA Stir Cove at Harrah’s*
August 23 Kansas City, MO KC Live!*
August 24 Chicago, IL The Riviera Theatre*
August 25 St. Paul, MN Palace Theatre*
August 27 Madison, WI The Sylvee*
August 28 Columbus, OH Express Live!*
August 29 Detroit, MI The Fillmore*
August 30 Toronto, ON Danforth Music Hall*
August 31 Clifton Park, NY Upstate Concert Hall
September 3 Boston, MA House of Blues*
September 4 New Haven, CT College Street Music Hall*
September 5 Brooklyn, NY Kings Theatre
September 6 Washington, D.C. The Anthem*
September 7 Raleigh, NC Hopscotch Music Festival
September 9 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle*
September 10 Birmingham, AL Avondale Brewing Company*
September 12 Houston, TX White Oak Music Hall*
September 13 Dallas, TX The Bomb Factory*
September 14 Austin, TX Stubb’s*
September 15 El Paso, TX Lowbrow Palace*
September 16 Phoenix, AZ The Van Buren*
September 18 Tucson, AZ The Rialto Theater
September 21 Pomona, CA The Fox Theater Pomona
September 22 Las Vegas, NV Life Is Beautiful
November 22 San Diego, CA Wonderfront Music Festival

* with Bob Moses

Other shows in the area:

MN State Fair 2019 Iron Maiden 2019 Tour Hovvdy/Lomelda at 7th Street Alex Lahey at Turf Club Demons & Wizards at Skyway Nathaniel Rateliff at Surly Brewing Fest Read More Minnesota State Fair Despite my protests, we end up going to the Minnesota State Fair every year. This is the "Great Minnesota Get-together", where everyone goes to enjoy eating something on a stick… Nathaniel Rateliff I think Nathaniel Rateliff and his band The Night Sweats have finally made it. It's hard to believe that we've been writing about him since 2013....

MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Thu 08/22/2019-Mon 09/02/2019
mnstatefair.org

The annual Minnesota State Fair is back, this year running August 22 to Labor Day, September 2nd. I won’t be listing every bands set to attend, but the major ones. Please note in addition to the concert ticket, you’ll also need to spend an entry fee into the fair.

We don’t go every year, as it’s very expensive to attend. On top of the entry fee, the fried foods are marked up - so for a family of four, you’re looking to drop over $150 easily. Personally speaking, I rather take that money and go to smaller concerts or buy yourself some CDs or DVDs.

The last time we went was on Labor Day in Sep 2017, because we had the day off work.

Schedule:

Thu 08/22/2019 Barenaked Ladies, Hootie & The Blowfish

Thu 08/22/2019 Belinda Carlisle

Fri 08/23/2019 Max, Why Don't We, Eben

Sat 08/24/2019-Sun 08/25/2019 Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone

Sat 08/24/2019 Dierks Bentley, Caylee Hammack

Sun 08/25/2019 Clint Black, Trace Adkins, Terri Clark

Mon 08/26/2019 The Classics IV, "The Happy Together Tour", Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Turtles, Tommy James & The Shondells, The Cowsills, Chuck Negron, The Buckinghams

Tue 08/27/2019 "Weird Al" Yankovic

Wed 08/28/2019 Daryl Hall & John Oates, G. Love & Special Sauce

Thu 08/29/2019 Logic, Prof

Fri 08/30/2019 Lauren Jauregui, Lionel Richie

Sat 08/31/2019 Mavis Staples, Savannah Conley, Brandi Carlile

Sun 09/01/2019-Mon 09/02/2019 Dessa

Mon 09/02/2019 ZZ Top, Cheap Trick

IRON MAIDEN
+ The Raven Age
Xcel Energy Center
Mon 08/26/2019 (6:30pm/$35)
xcelenergycenter.com

Iconic band Iron Maiden is back, and they’re headlining the Xcel Energy Center in St Paul.

Show up early to check out English melodic metalcore band The Raven Age, a band founded by guitarists Dan Wright and George Harris in 2009.

Tour dates:

Aug. 17 - Pittsburgh, Pa. @ PPG Paints Arena
Aug. 19 - Nashville, Tenn. @ Bridgestone Arena
Aug. 22 - Chicago, Ill. @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 24 - Indianapolis, Ind. @ Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
Aug. 26 - St Paul, Minn. @ Xcel Energy Center
Aug. 28 - Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Bell MTS Place
Aug. 30 - Edmonton, Alberta @ Rogers Place
Aug. 31 - Calgary, Alberta @ Scotiabank Saddledome
Sept. 03 - Vancouver, British Columbia @ Pepsi Live
Sept. 05 - Tacoma, Wash. @ Tacoma Dome
Sept. 06 - Portland, Ore. @- Moda Center
Sept. 09 - Sacramento, Calif. @ Golden 1 Center
Sept. 10 - Oakland, Calif. @ Oracle Arena
Sept. 13 - Las Vegas, Nev. @ MGM Grand Garden Arena
Sept. 14 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Bank of California Stadium
Sept. 17 - Phoenix, Ariz. @ Talking Stick Resort Arena
Sept. 19 - Albuquerque, N.M. @ Isleta Amphitheater
Sept. 21 - Dallas, Texas @ Dos Equis Pavilion
Sept. 22 - Houston, Texas @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell
Sept. 25 - San Antonio, Texas @ AT&T Center
Sept. 27 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Sports Palace
Sept. 29 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Sports Palace
Sept. 30 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Sports Palace
Oct. 04 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil @ Rock In Rio
Oct. 12 - Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Velez Sarsfield Stadium
Oct. 15 - Santiago, Chile @ Estadio Nacional

HOVVDY and LOMELDA
+ Nadine
7th St Entry
Tue 08/27/2019 (7pm/$13)
first-avenue.com

Lomelda and Hovvdy are on a co-headlining tour for their Covers split EP (Double Double Whammy Records). Both bands are longtime friends from Texas.

Nadine to open.

Tour Dates:

8/22 - Oxford, MS - Proud Larry's
8/23 - Nashville, TN - DRKMTTR
8/24 - Columbus, OH - Big Room Bar
8/25 - Milwaukee, WI - The Back Room
8/26 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
8/27 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
8/29 - Omaha, NE - Reverb Lounge
8/30 - Columbia, MO - Cafe Berlin
8/31 - Norman, OK @ Opolis
9/1 - Denton, TX - Andy's Bar

ALEX LAHEY
+ Kingsbury
Turf Club
Wed 08/28/2019 (7pm/$16)
turfclub.net

Australian songwriter Alex Lahey is headlining the Turf Club in support of her new album The Best Of Luck Club (Dead Oceans).

Los Angeles’ Caroline Kingsbury, billed as Kingsbury will open.

Tour Dates:

Tue. Aug. 13 - Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
Wed. Aug. 14 - Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
Fri. Aug. 16 - Austin, TX @ Antone’s
Sat. Aug. 17 - Dallas, TX @ Deep Ellum Art Co.
Mon. Aug. 19 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Tue. Aug. 20 - Nashville, TN @ Exit / In
Thu. Aug. 22 - Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
Fri. Aug. 23 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Sat. Aug. 24 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Sun. Aug. 25 - Allston, MA @ Great Scott
Tue. Aug. 27 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Wed. Aug. 28 - St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
Sat. Aug. 31 - Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot
Sun. Sep. 1 - Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
Tue. Sep. 3 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge

DEMONS & WIZARDS
+ Lizzy Borden & TYR
Skyway Theatre
Thu 08/29/2019 (6:30pm/$39.50)
skywaytheatre.com

Legendary metal band Demons & Wizards is headlining the Skyway Theatre in Minneapolis this August 29th. This is the band’s first shows in 19 years.

Lizzy Borden and TYR to open.

Tour Dates:

August 17 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
August 20 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SODO
August 21 - Vancouver, BC - The Commodore
August 22 - Portland, OR - Roseland
August 24 - Denver, CO - The Summit Theater
August 26 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Live
August 28 - Chicago, IL - Concord Music Hall
August 29 - Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theater
August 31 - Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
September 1 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre
September 4 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
September 5 - New York, NY - Playstation Theater
September 7 - Atlanta, GA - Progpower

NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS
+ Hiss Golden Messenger
Surly Brewing Co. Festival Field
Fri 08/30/2019 (5:30pm/$49.50/Sold Out)
surlybrewing.com

The very popular Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats sold out the Surly Brewing show on August 30th, thanks to being the #1 most played artist and #1 most played song (“You Worry Me”).

Special guests Hiss Golden Messenger to open.

Tour Dates:

August 19—Vail, CO—Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
August 21-22—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre
August 25—Columbia, MD—Merriweather Post Pavilion
August 29—Moorhead, MN—Sister Cities Smokeout
September 11—Forest Hills, NY—Forest Hills Stadium
September 14—Fredericton, Canada—Harvest Jazz
September 17—Philadelphia, PA—Mann Center
September 20—Louisville, KY—Bourbon & Beyond
September 22—Franklin, TN—Pilgrimage Music
September 29—Dana Point, CA—Ohana Fest

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Basilica Block Party Day1 at Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis (07 July 2017)

Brandi Carlile Setlist The Things I Regret Raise Hell Again Today The Eye Keep Your Heart Young My Song Dreams Amazing Grace (traditional /John Newton cover) That Wasn’t Me The Mother Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash cover) The Story Turpentine Going to California (Led Zeppelin cover) -- Encore -- Wherever Is Your Heart Mad World (Tears for Fears cover) The Shins Setlist Caring Is Creepy Australia Name for You Mine's Not a High Horse Girl Inform Me Gone for Good Mildenhall Saint Simon Kissing the Lipless So Now What Painting a Hole The Rifle's Spiral Half a Million Phantom Limb Simple Song -- Encore -- The Fear New Slang Sleeping Lessons NEEDTOBREATHE Setlist Great Night Feet, Don't Fail Me Now No Excuses Money & Fame / Whatta Man (Salt‐N‐Pepa cover) /band intros Wanted Man Drive All Night Something Beautiful (acoustic) Stand by Me (Ben E. King cover) (acoustic) Lay ‘Em Down Hard Love The Outsiders Brother John Paul White Setlist I Remember You (solo) Black Leaf The Martyr The Once and Future Queen Hate the Way You Love Me Fight for You Hope I Die I've Been Over This Before Simple Song What's So Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold) (Dan Seals cover) Can't Get It Out of My Head (Electric Light Orchestra cover) Friday, July 7 Great Clips Stage Brandi Carlile NEEDTOBREATHE John Paul White The Roosevelts PreferredOne Stage The Shins Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Cobi Star Tribune Stage Night Moves Jaedyn James & the Hunger Nick Jordan Read More Basilica Block Party The 20th Anniversary of the Basilica Block Party is taking place on Friday (July 11) and Saturday (July 12). I have mentioned before that it's not a great place to see music (because of the talkers....

“Can I get a witness?!” How about 10,000+ of them—

On one of the best weather weekends of the year thus far, thousands descended on the grounds of The Basilica of Saint Mary in downtown Minneapolis for the annual two-day Basilica Block Party. 

The festival began in 1995 as a fundraiser to help pay for the structural restoration of The Basilica and today, proceeds from the event benefit The Basilica Landmark, which preserves, restores, and advances it for all generations. In addition, a portion of all proceeds go to The Basilica’s St. Vincent de Paul outreach program, which provides services to those in need.

Ten acts were spread across three stages for each night- the Main Stage (sponsored by Great Clips) located in a back lot behind the building along the highway, a Church Stage (sponsored by Preferred One) out front, and a smaller local stage (sponsored by Star Tribune) .

Star Tribune Stage

Nick Jordan opened the local stage, named the area Best R&B singer last year by City Pages and who has his latest EP, Dividends, due out next month, with a release show set for the 7^th St Entry on August 4. Jordan has a polished sound that melds r&b, funk, soul, and house, and is compelling live.

Jaedyn James & The Hunger followed, a South Minneapolis sprawling 10-piece funk love soul group in its third year, and who released their debut, RAW, in 2016.

Night Moves is a stalwart on the local scene, having formed in 2009 and still headed by the duo of John Pelant and Micky Alfano. The group’s latest Pennied Days has also spawned an EP, Carl Sagan-The Pennied Days Sessions (Domino Records) with UK tour dates upcoming for the slow groove, cosmically twangy group.

Preferred One Stage

Cobi, a Grand Marais, MN native who was once in the Boston indie-pop band Gentleman Hall opened the day’s entertainment on this front stage, notable for sloped grassy areas, where fans could watch casually.  The bluesy singer released a buzzworthy single, ‘Don’t You Cry for Me’ last year, along with follow up, ‘Prophet Story’, ahead of a more full-length release and his loyal local fans gave his trio a warm reception. 

Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness has seemed to fully shed his past successes as frontman for Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate, gaining even greater acclaim in this latest musical venture.  The pianist had the crowd with him from his beginning hit, ’Fire Escape’ and is in support of sophmore effort, Zombies on Broadway (Vanguard Records), released in February.

The Shins were among the most anticipated acts to see of the weekend, and the Portland band didn’t disappoint with a ninety-minute set supporting Heartworms (Columbia Records) released in March, and their first in five years.  Playing just under half the new album, the band re-acquainted themselves with their audience, playing a diverse mix from their four other full-lengths as well, and any fears there were to some rust to shake off, (in terms of live performance) were quickly dismissed.

Great Clips Stage

The Roosevelts opened the main stage on a night that featured an Americana lineup as the Nashville-band played a short harmonic rock set with 70’s vocal influences, in support of 2016’s self-released The Greatest Thing You’ll Ever Learn and who returns to the area for an Aug. 5^th fundraising appearance in nearby Hastings.  

John Paul White (better known as formerly one-half of folk duo The Civil Wars) was next, White coming out first alone, commenting “If you’re wearing a suit, then you’re warm” in the late afternoon sun.  The singer and his band are out in support of last year’s Beulah (self-released on Single Lock Records via RED Distrib), an effort he said first had no intention of doing, though the songs were forcing their way out of him.

White’s quiet and mostly sad songs seemed a little out of place on a festival’s big outdoor stage next to a highway (“that’s a first”, he quipped), but for the patient and attentive, the dividends were abundant. Highlights included ‘Simple Song’ (about his grandfather and from a Southern Family compilation) and covers of ‘Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)’ (by Dan Seals, but which he teased was by Luke Bryan) and his set-closing slow burn of ELO’s “Can't Get It Out of My Head’.

NEEDTOBREATHE is a South Carolina band we’ve covered several times in the last couple years, and continues to impress us live as they get bigger and more well known, in support of last year’s Hard Love (Atlantic Records), which is soon to reissue with even more content.  The Christian leaning rock band led by the Rinehart brothers (Bo and Bear) is best seen in their own full headlining set, but even in a truncated outdoor festival appearance, treats the show as if they were in a sold-out arena. 

Opening with ‘Good Night’ set the tone for a stomping good hour-long set and following with that ‘Feet, Don't Fail Me Now’ kept momentum in high gear.  The audience was more secular this night, though several still held hands on high, during many of their more spiritual songs.  The Rinehart’s middle two-song acoustic set made for a nice change, starting with ‘Something Beautiful’, the song successful enough to “get us out of a van and into a bus”. Finishing with the anthems, ‘The Outsiders’ and ‘Brother’, this was a band with enough poise and stage presence to easily headline the night.

BRANDI CARLILE remains such a musical fixture here, she considers it a second home (“it’s good to be back in my home-away-from-home!”, she exclaimed).  She and her Seattle-based band (featuring as always, twins Tim and Phil Hanseroth) is in support of her own latest, The Firewatcher’s Daughter (ATO Records) and Cover Stories (Legacy Recordings), a compilation of other artists covering songs from 2007’s The Story.  “We’ve all been together for such a long time, us and you, haven’t we?” she gushed, ever impressed by the positive outpouring from the local crowd during her ninety-minute set. 

‘Keep Your Heart Young’ was actually written in town by Tim Hanseroth and caused a sing-a-long, ‘Dreams’ took us back to her busking days at Pike Place Market, ‘The Mother’ was written with her young daughter in mind, and a Johnny Cash cover kept the crowd clapping along with fever (“you guys are taking years off my life”, Carlile expressed).

Though deviating slightly from the setlist, a couple of covers helped close the evening, including a sparse take on Led Zeppelin’s ‘Going to California’ to end the main set, and John Paul White coming back to help sing their cover of Tears for Fears’ ‘Mad World’, a subtle statement on the current world state of affairs and a low-key version that sounded part TFF/ part Gary Jules.

Night Moves

volunteers	selfies	Night Moves
The Roosevelts	The Roosevelts	Nick Jordan

Nick Jordan

Cobi

Cobi

John Paul White

John Paul White

John Paul White

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness at Basilica Block Party, Basilica St. Mary (07 July 2017)

Andrew McMahon

Andrew McMahon

NEEDTOBREATHE setlist

NEEDTOBREATHE

NEEDTOBREATHE

The Shins

The Shins at Basilica Block Party, Basilica St. Mary (07 July 2017)

The Shins

Brandi Carlile Setlist

Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile at Basilica Block Party, Basilica St. Mary (07 July 2017)

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

Minneapolis: July 07 to July 08, 2017

Here are some concerts taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from July 07 to July 08, 2017.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Basilica Block Party The 20th Anniversary of the Basilica Block Party is taking place on Friday (July 11) and Saturday (July 12). I have mentioned before that it's not a great place to see music (because of the talkers.... Brandi Carlile After the first few songs, the band is joined on stage by none other than Brandi Carlile! Carlile actually sang backup on many of Ray's songs, including the encores. … Walk The Moon The latest song, "Shut Up And Dance" was the #1 song on Spotify charts... and it's a good indication of what's to come when they release their sophomore album on RCA Records later this year..…

BASILICA BLOCK PARTY
at Basilica St. Mary
07/07/17-07/08/17 (5pm/$60)
basilicablockparty.org

The annual Basilica Block Party starts next Friday, July 7th and spill over to Saturday. Tickets are $60 per day, or if you bought early bird tickets, they were discounted to $55.

We’re big fans of the event, with Basilica Block Party 2015 as one of our all-time favorite shows.

This year, fan-favorites Brandi Carlile and Walk The Moon will be taking the headliner stage.

Please note, there are three stages and their set time overlaps - so either be prepared to see only partial sets or “camp out” at your favorite stage.

Friday, July 7: Great Clips Stage Brandi Carlile NEEDTOBREATHE John Paul White The Roosevelts PreferredOne Stage The Shins Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Cobi Star Tribune Stage Night Moves Jaedyn James & the Hunger Nick Jordan

Saturday, July 8: Great Clips Stage WALK THE MOON Gavin DeGraw Ben Rector Julia Brennan PreferredOne Stage AWOLNATION Walk Off The Earth Enemy Planes Star Tribune Stage Nooky Jones Jackson & The Roosters J.S. Ondara

Read More Bauhaus As you can see from his setlist (which does not list encores), he had wedged in three Bauhaus songs in the middle of his set. Those songs were well-received... as for most of the well-known songs. . .…

POPTONE
at First Avenue
Saturday 07/08/17 (8pm/$20)
first-avenue.com

Poptone is Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins, of Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, and Tones on Tail. Joining the duo to form Poptone will be Haskins’ daughter Diva Dompé, formerly of the Los Angeles rock band Blackblack.

We’re obviously fans, so if you grew up in the same time period, you really need to be at First Avenue on Saturday.

For this retrospective tour, Poptone will play songs from all their previous bands, heavily leaning on the rare Tones On Tail songs. Expect to hear dance classics ‘Ok This Is the Pops’ and ‘Go!’

Transmission’s DJ Jake Rudh will play music videos before the show.

Tour Dates:

07/06 - St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall **
07/08- Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
07/09 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
08/03 - Asbury Park, NJ @ The Stone Pony **
08/04 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero Theatre **
08/05 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza **
08/08 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club **
08/11 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage **

Read More Hippo Campus The crowd at the music stage began swelling very early on, as local favorites Hippo Campus played first, with a spirited 40 min. set that included new single, ‘South’ (EP out Oct 2 on Grand Jury Records) .…

HIPPO CAMPUS and POLIÇA
at Bayfront Park
Saturday 07/08/17 (4:30pm/$25)
bayfrontfestivalpark.com

This is a really solid event. If you live in Duluth, or willing to drive from Minneapolis, the show looks outstanding.

We previously have seen all headlining bands before, with Hippo Campus recently in March 2017 and noted, “The buzz for Hippo Campus at their homecoming show was simply amazing. As soon as the band took the stage, a hundred cellphones went up in the air to record every moment of the band. The audience was generally young teenagers, but that is expected for a semi-rare all-ages weekend show at First Avenue. The last time we saw Hippo Campus, they were definitely one of the key attractions to Rock the Garden 2016. Their RTG 50-min set “wowed the many in the crowd who were there to see them play a danceable mix of familiar and some yet-to-be-released songs.” Some of those preview songs are now available on their debut record landmark (Grand Jury Records). ”

This show is presented by First Avenue, The Current, and KUMD. Since this is an open area, so the show will go on rain or shine.

Lineup:

Hippo Campus

Polica

Low

Remo Drive

J.S. Ondara

Read More Haerts Also, as tradition goes, we stopped by the Leinie Lodge Bandshell to catch a little set from Texas-born, Louisiana-based Marcia Ball playing some old time rock and blues on her keyboard. …

Other shows in the area:

07/07/2017 Don’t know how is it that Chicano Batman hasn’t been sued by DC Comics, but the band is thriving with their recent release of Freedom is Free via ATO Records (Billboard consider the album as “Best Albums of 2017 So Far”). Khruangbin will open the Turf Club in St Paul... the event is sold out. Brainstory is also on the bill. 8pm, $20.

07/07/2017 Former Drive By Trucker’s Jason Isbell (billed as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit) and The Mountain Goats will be at the new Palace Theatre in St Paul this Friday. The Mountain Goats’ Goths is out now on Merge Records. The show is sold out. 7pm, $49.50.

07/08/2017 Jared & The Mill and Canyon Spells will be playing the 7th Street Entry on Saturday. 8pm, $12.

07/08/2017 Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Michelle Branch will be headlining the Fine Line Music Café on Saturday, in support of her new Hopeless Romantic album from Verge Records. No opening band listed on the venue’s website, but her poster shows Haerts. 8pm, $30.

07/08/2017 Today, Philadelphia four-piece, by way of New York, Palm is headlining the Turf Club in St Paul. Their new EP Shadow Expert is out now on Carpark Records. Palberta will open. 8pm, $10.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: June 11, 2016

Read More Blondie This was a very painless article for me to write, because I am, as you have probably guessed, I am a Blondie fan. I already had several of their albums …

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area on June 11, 2016.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

BLONDIE
at Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater
Saturday, 06/11/16, 8pm ($67)
suemclean.com

One of our favorites, Blondie is playing an intimate show at the Minnesota Zoo this Saturday. I believe this show may be sold out (even at $70 a ticket), as I went to the venue’s website and they have taken off their ticket options.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers is touring for their ‘Greatest Hits’ record Blondie 4(0)-Ever, available now.

Tour Dates:

06/10/16 Waukegan, IL Genesee Theatre
06/11/16 Apple Valley, MN Minnesota Zoo Amph
06/12/16 Milwaukee PrideFest
07/22/16 Snoqualmie, WA Mountain View Plaza
07/24/16 Divide Music Festival
09/07/16 Salt Lake City, UT Red Butte Garden
09/09/16 L.A. County Fair
09/10/16 San Diego, CA Observatory North Park

Read More Andy Black REPUBLIC RECORDS is releasing Andy Black The Shadow Side on 5/6/2016. Widely known as the front man of Black Veil Brides, Black s debut solo album carves a brash …

ANDY BLACK
at Mill City Nights
Saturday, 06/11/16, 5:30pm ($15/$20)
millcitynights.com

Andy Black (front man of Black Veil Brides) is currently touring in support of his debut record The Shadow Side, in stores now, courtesy of LAVA/Republic Records.

Already Black’s first single, ‘We Don’t Have To Dance’ has gone viral (7.1 million YouTube/VEVO views, 3+ million Spotify streams, etc.)

Opening the show will be Colours, a duo consisting of Kyle Tamo on vocals and Morgan Alley on drums. Colours has been called “100 Bands You Need To Know” by Alternative Press.

Their debut album Ivory is out now on Victory Records.

“The Homecoming Tour”

6/6 Dallas, TX Trees
6/7 San Antonio, TX The Rock Box
6/8 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
6/10 Omaha, NE Slowdown
6/11 Minneapolis, MN Mill City Nights
6/13 Cleveland, OH Agora
6/14 Pittsburgh, PA Altar Bar
6/15 Toronto, ON The Opera House
6/17 Pontiac, MI The Crofoot
6/18 Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge
6/19 Lawrence, KS Liberty Hall
6/21 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
6/22 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
6/24 Seattle, WA The Showbox
6/25 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
6/27 Orangevale, CA The Boardwalk
6/28 San Francisco, CA Social Hall SF
6/30 San Diego, CA Observatory North Park
7/1 Mesa, AZ Nile Theater
7/2 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre

Read More The Avett Brothers The Avett Brothers I've previously written about these guys before, I said they were real-life North Carolina brothers, Scott & Seth Avett. What are they up to lately? Well for starters … Brandi Carlile I'll never forget the first time I saw Amy Ray in 2008, Brandi Carlile just randomly showed up at the show! I want to say that starting in 2012, these Brandi Carlile …

THE AVETT BROTHERS
at Target Center
Saturday, 06/11/16, 6pm ($44.50-$64.50)
targetcenter.com

The Avett Brothers (real life brothers Scott & Seth Avett) is headlining the Target Center in Minneapolis. Their latest True Sadness is available now on American/Republic Records.

Special guest Brandi Carlile to open. Carlile’s The Firewatcher’s Daughter is out now on ATO Records.

Spring & Summer Tour Dates:

6/9 St. Louis, MO Chaifetz Arena*
6/10 Milwaukee, WI BMO Harris Arena
6/11 Minneapolis, MN Target Center*
6/14 Deadwood, SD Deadwood Mountain
6/16 Muskogee, OK G Fest
6/18 Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion
6/19 Austin, TX Austin City Limits Live
7/4 Portland, ME Thompson’s Point
7/7 Syracuse, NY Landmark Theatre
7/8 Chautauqua, NY Chautauqua Amph
7/9 Toledo, OH Toledo Zoo Amph
7/15 Louisville, KY Forecastle Festival
7/21-22 Troutdale, OR Edgefield
7/23 Kent, WA ShoWare Arena
7/25 Nampa, ID Ford Idaho Center Amph
7/26 Salt Lake City, UT Red Butte Garden Amph
8/12 Portsmouth, VA Portsmouth Harbor Center
8/13 Brooklyn, NY Coney Island Boardwalk
9/8 Boone, NC Appalachian State University
9/9 Columbus, OH Express Live- Outdoor
9/20 Las Vegas, NV Brooklyn Bowl Vegas
9/22 Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeak Energy Arena
9/24 Southaven, MS Landers Center
7/28 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
7/29 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
7/30 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
9/16 Lincoln, CA Thunder Valley Casino Resort
9/16-18 Del Mar, CA Kaaboo Del Mar

*w/Brandi Carlile

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: December 27 - December 31, 2014

Here are some shows taking place in Minneapolis/St Paul from December 27 to December 31, 2014. Since the third week of December is the Christmas holiday, there actually aren't a lot of shows that are booked.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Hope Country Opener Hope Country's singer Brent Johnson had a lot of good things to say about both Joseph and Judah, particularly how he didn't want to play after checking out their soundchecks. …

QUIETDRIVE
at Varsity Theater
Saturday 12/27/14, 7pm ($20)
varsitytheater.org

Remember how I saw Hope Country and told you that his next appearance will be at the Quietdrive's show at the Varsity Theater? Well, that's this show, taking place December 27th.

Hopkins-based Quietdrive formed in 2002 and apparently have done an Annual Holiday show since 2004 (as this is the band's 10th Annual Holiday Show). Their major label debut album When All That's Left Is You came out on 2006, but since 2009, have gone back to their independent roots.

Their upcoming The Ghost of What You Used to Be is expected to come out digitally on December 16th, via Sneaker 2 Bombs.

Expect some special surprise this year:

Tickets for our 10th annual holiday show just went on sale at quietdrivemusic.com. Join us in Minneapolis for our yearly musical celebration! We also have something special up our sleeves for this year...

Read More Aby Wolf Having Aby Wolf sing harmonies and trade verses was one of the smartest band decisions she’s made, and fellow Doomtree member Cecil Otter, spit fire, guesting on ‘Little Mercy’.This was a very tight and athletic-like …

MN EXPRESS
at Cedar Cultural Center
Sunday 12/28/14, 7pm ($10)
thecedar.org

MN Express is a new program that took five Minnesota artists on a ten-day tour around the state in October 2014.

Vocalist Aby Wolf, bassist Nick Gaudette, guitarist Kyle Sobczak, fiddler Sara Pajunen, and saxophonist Nathan Hanson, are the musicians participating in the inaugural MN Express tour.

The Cedar wrote how all these artists came together:

These songwriter/composers are all former participants of The Cedar's 416 Club Commissions Program which is funded by the Jerome Foundation and designed to support the creation of new works by Minnesota’s emerging artists. Each show was a unique collaborative performance that presented an evolved version of the artists’ commissioned works as well as new material created for the tour.

Now, after touring Austin, Duluth, Grand Rapids, Morris, and Northfield, the MN Express comes home to The Cedar, and gives the Twin Cities a chance to see what their outstate neighbors have been enjoying!

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and culture heritage fund.

Read More New Order For the first time in America, Peter Hook & the Light are performing New Order's Low-Life and Brotherhood start to finish all across North America. We were lucky enough to enjoy the live rendition at the sold out Fine Line Music Café … The Smiths The film stars Emily Browning, and in one scene, you can see Browning wearing The Smiths' Meat is Murder T-Shirt. Browning is no stranger to The Smiths, as she's heard singing "Asleep" in Sucker Punch (2011). …

BLUE MONDAY: A WEEKLY DANCENIGHT
at Triple Rock Social Club
Monday 12/29/14, 9pm (Free)
thecedar.org

As you heard on our latest podcast, I've mentioned how much I love New Order... and any New Order fan might know that this weekly Monday night dance club's name Blue Monday is taken from one of New Order's most popular songs.

Here is how Blue Monday described the free dance club:

9pm till close 21+ free admission

$3 well drinks
$3 PBR Tallboys
$5 Indeed Daytripper Tallboy

Blue Monday is a weekly dance night hosted by the Triple Rock Social Club and Patrick Donohoe (CLAPS) and Benjamin Jones (TFATT) every Monday.

Blue Monday features a mix of classic 80’s dance and New Wave hits.

From ABC to Xymox a little something for everyone who loves to dance.

BLUE MONDAY (every Monday at the Triple Rock).

Trivia #1: Blue Mondays is a Minneapolis New Order tribute band.

Trivia #2: The cover art used here is lifted from The Smiths' Meat is Murder, which in turn was a still taken from the 1969 film Year of the Pig.

Read More Brandi Carlile After the first few songs, the band is joined on stage by none other than Brandi Carlile! Carlile actually sang backup on many of Ray's songs, including the encores. I suppose she's currently on tour with Amy Ray? Carlile is set to …

BRANDI CARLILE
at Varsity Theater
Tuesday 12/30/14, 7pm ($65 - Sold Out)
varsitytheater.org

I'll never forget the first time I saw Amy Ray in 2008, Brandi Carlile just randomly showed up at the show!

I want to say that starting in 2012, these Brandi Carlile holiday shows have been very successful. Even at general admission of $65 per ticket for 12/30 and $100 for 12/31, both shows sold out.

Tour dates:

12/10/14 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre
12/30/14 Varsity Theater (Cities 97 presents)
12/31/14 Varsity Theater (The Current presents)
01/17/15 Cayamo Cruise
01/18/15 Cayamo Cruise
01/19/15 Cayamo Cruise
01/20/15 Cayamo Cruise
01/21/15 Cayamo Cruise
01/22/15 Cayamo Cruise
01/23/15 Cayamo Cruise
01/24/15 Cayamo Cruise

Read More Poliça Even the second night of a two-night homestand, sold out and full of family and friends, couldn’t make Poliça lead singer Channy Leaneagh be less shy and more outgoing—not that anyone really minded. …

POLICA w/ Marijuana Deathsquads
at Turf Club
Wednesday 12/31/14, 8pm ($20 - Sold Out)
turfclub.net

Celebrate the end of 2014 with Poliça and Marijuana Deathsquads... that is if you were lucky enough to have purchased tickets before it sold out. The show was announced November 11th, and by the 14th, all tickets were all gone.

Earlier in October, Poliça released the Raw Exit 10" on Mom+Pop, the 10" is the physical compliment to the Shulamith (Deluxe Edition) and featured 4 brand new tracks.

If you already own , no problem, the tracks are available as individual downloads.

Raw Exit 10" Tracklisting:

1. Raw Exit
2. Baby Blue
3. Great Regret
4. You Don't Own Me

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Black Friday 2013

Read More Black Friday It's that time of the year: Black Friday, this Friday! It's tradition, I'm heading out in the bleak morning of Black Friday to these stores: Best Buy, Target, and Wal-Mart. …

BLACK FRIDAY
theblackfriday.com

It's that time of the year again, Black Friday. Like last year, it's more like Black Thursday, as Kmart, Walmart and are opening their doors at 12am, 6pm, and 8pm, respectively.

If things goes well (especially if items are in stock), I'm hoping to score these:

The Last of Us (PS3) - $25 - Walmart

Beyond Two Souls (PS3) - $25 - Walmart

The Wolverine (BD) - $3.96 - Walmart

The truth is, I would ideally like to get these things, but often I ended up not getting them because they are out of stock or they sometime offer other (unadvertised) deals. We'll see how this plays out, but I'd just be happy if I can get the Last of Us video game for that price.

This year, Target's Black Friday deals aren't very good - with selections that doesn't appeal to me at all. They also seem to concentrate on the higher-ticketed items. I don't really need it, but the iPod 5th Generation is on sale for $179 ($229 minus $50 Target Gift Card) looks mighty tempting.

Best Buy is only advertising DVDs for their television sales. I'm only interested in Blurays, but like many of these things, I won't know it until I see it in the stores.

Read More Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. (aka Detroit duo of Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott) recently just dropped a GoldenboyZ Remix of "If You Didn't See Me (Then You Weren't On …

DALE EARNHARDT JR JR
daleearnhardtjrjr.com

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. will be releasing a special Black Friday Black Vinyl edition of their record The Speed of Things. The standard edition was released earlier in October via Warner Bros.

Details about the Black Friday Vinyl is that it's limited to only 3000 copies, and will be on sale Friday, November 29th. After wrapping up a string of dates with Atlas Genius, the band will begin their headlining tour in 2014 (dates with * indicates with support from Chad Valley).

02/13 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop*
02/14 Cincinnati, OH - 20th Century Theatre*
02/15 Indianapolis, IN - Deluxe *
02/16 St. Louis, MO - Old Rock House*
02/17 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge*
02/18 Atlanta, GA - Terminal West *
02/20 Dallas, TX @ Trees*
02/21 Houston, TX - Fitzgerald's Upstairs*
02/22 Austin, TX - Emo's*
02/24 Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad*
02/25 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress*
02/27 San Diego, CA - The Casbah*
02/28 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre*
03/01 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore*
03/03 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge*
03/05 Seattle, WA - Neumos*
03/07 Salt Lake City, UT - State Room*
03/08 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater*
03/10 Lawrence, KS - Bottleneck*
03/12 Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line*
03/13 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall*
03/14 Chicago, IL - Metro*
03/15 Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar*
03/18 Toronto, ON - The Hoxton*
03/20 Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall*
03/21 Washington DC - 9:30 Club*
03/22 Millvale, PEA - Mr. Smalls Theatre*
03/23 Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater*
03/24 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer*
03/26 New York, NY - Webster Hall*

Read More The Lone Bellow How hard does The Lone Bellow vocalist/guitarist Zach Williams work? He was pooled in sweat, red-faced with blood vessels bulging, out of breath, …

THE LONE BELLOW
thelonebellow.com

A limited run of The Lone Bellow/Brandi Carlile split 7" orange vinyl will be released on Black Friday, November 29th in celebration of Record Store Day via Descendant Records. The split 7"includes two tracks (Carlile's "Raise Hell" and The Lone Bellow's "You Never Need Nobody") from fan favorites during the time the bands toured together.

The Lone Bellow are currently out on a headlining tour with Aoife O'Donovan, and Ivan & Aloysha ending on The Late, Late show with Craig Ferguson on Dec. 13th. They've already sold out their California tour dates!

Dec. 1 - Denver, CO / Bluebird+
Dec. 4 - Salt Lake City, UT / State Room+
Dec. 6 - Vancouver, BC / Venue+
Dec. 7 - Seattle, WA / Tractor Tavern*
Dec. 8 - Portland, OR / Aladdin Theater +
Dec. 10 - San Francisco, CA / Independent+
Dec. 11 - Los Angeles, CA / Troubadour +
Dec. 12 - Los Angeles, CA / Troubadour+

* with Aoife O'Donovan
+ with Ivan & Aloysha

SECRET STASH RECORDS
secretstashrecords.com

Secret Stash Records, the label based out of Minneapolis and specializing in collectible vinyls is releasing a very limited pressing of Peter King's Omo Lewa with Coke bottle green vinyl with pink splatter. The 12" is on sale this Friday November 29th.

The record is a followup to their re-issue of King's African Dialects, and bringing back these rare Orbitone Records back into print.

NOTE: Only the first 350 copies come on limited edition coke bottle green vinyl with pink splatter, so act fast if you really need it. The standard edition LP and CD versions of this title won't be available until January 21, 2014.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

Amy Ray at the Fine Line Cafe, Minneapolis (10/24/08)

Amy Ray and Brandi Carlile at the Fine Line Cafe, Minneapolis (10/24/08) ♥ photo by vu

Amy Ray Tour Dates 10/25/08 Maintainance Shop Ames 10/26/08 High Noon Madison, WI 10/ 28/08 High Dive Champaign, IL 10/29/08 Metro Chicago, Illinois 10/31/08 Beachland Ballroom & Tavern Cleveland, Ohio 11/01/08 Mr Smalls Theater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 11/ 02/08 Tralf Music Hall Buffalo,NY 11/04/08 The Mod Club Toronto,ON 11/05/08 Higher Ground Ballroom Burlington, VT 11/07/08 Somerville Theater Somerville, Massachusetts 11/08/08 Pearl Street Upstairs Northampton, MA 11/10/08 Toad’s Place New Haven, Ct 11/12/08 Bowery Ballroom New York 11/13/08 North Star Bar Phila, PA 11/14/08 9:30 Club Washington DC 11/15/08 Capital Ale House Richmond, VA 11/18/08 Jewish Mother Virginia Beach, VA 11/19/08 Cat’s Cradle Carborro, Nc 11/21/08 Orange Peel Asheville, NC 11/22/08 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA Read More Riot Grrrls http://weheartmus... I've always been fond of this music genre, which started in the early 90s through music and fanz...

It was a great crowd that showed up last night at the Fine Line Cafe to see Indigo Girls' Amy Ray. Even Ray acknowledged the good turnout before playing "She's Got to Be."

Arizona (they're actually from North Carolina) was the opening act; they did a great job warming up the crowd and ended their set with "Whiskey Or Wine." But before they left the stage, Amy Ray joined them to play a song and this got the crowd to immediately move forward.

Amy Ray's band is like an all-star cast with Butchies' Kaia Wilson (guitarist), Melissa York (drums), Julie Wolf (keys) and I didn't catch the bassist's name, but he's from Minneapolis.

After the first few songs, the band is joined on stage by none other than Brandi Carlile! Carlile actually sang backup on many of Ray's songs, including the encores. I suppose she's currently on tour with Amy Ray? Carlile is set to tour overseas in Portugal and Switzerland in mid-November.

Ray rocked out Fine Line to her huge following, who could not get enough of Ray! The crowd was especially receptive to "SLC Radio".

An interesting highlight was when Kaia Wilson sang a song she wrote when her dog, Basket, caught an animal.

Didn't It Feel Kinder is out now on Ray's own non-profit label, Daemon Records. Be sure to check out Amy Ray on tour, all the guest appearances will make it worth your time! Starting in November, Jennifer O’Connor joins Ray on tour, so that should be even better!

Links: amy-ray.com myspace.com/amyray arizonatheband.com myspace.com/arizonatheband 

EZ EPs II

Brandi Carlile - The Story Brandi Carlile BRANDI CARLILE brandicarlile.com ♥ brandicarlile.co.uk ♥ myspace.com Speaking of ridiculously hot, the first time I saw a picture of Brandi Carlile, I knew I was in love. She had shorter hair back then and had a boyish charm to her looks, reminiscent of Louise Wener (here's an example). She recently released her iTunes-only EP called Live from Boston, and it was a real pleasure to listen to. Of the four songs, I thought "The Story" was easily, easily the best. Her emotionally charged lyrics is best experienced live. By the way, a close second was her Johnny Cash cover "Folsom Prison Blues". You can purchase the EP via iTunes only, the most popular digital music store, so chances are, you probably already have an account. Incidentally, the reason why the 4-track is listed at $4.99, it is because it comes bundled with a video for "Josephine". As a bonus, enjoy her cover version of Radiohead's "Creep", recorded at The All About The Music Festival 2006. If you like what you heard, you can buy a superior recording from the same Live in Boston set via iTunes.

The Safes-Sight of All Light The Safes THE SAFES www.thesafes.com ♥ myspace.com Released last week (Sep 23th), the Safes' Sight of All Light EP are a great mix of rock n roller. Rolling Stones calls it "Atomic Pop", while Paste Magazine compares them to The Kinks and The Who... so apparently the popular press loves these guys. The five-track fourth Safes release does start off strong and rocking, especially with the first track, "Sight of All Light". It looks like, starting in October, they are heading out for a national tour, be sure to check them out. Tour Dates 10/09 Champaign, IL @ The Courtyard 10/10 Carbondale, IL @ PKs 10/11 Saint Louis, MO @ Lemmons 10/12 Kansas City, MO @ Fred P. Otts 10/13 Wichita, KS @ The Anchor 10/15 Austin, TX @ Club 1808 10/16 Denton, TX @ J&J's 10/17 Albuquerque, NM @ Atomic Cantina 10/18 Phoenix, AZ @ Rubyroom 10/19 San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick 10/20 Los Angeles, CA @ The Cat Club 10/21 Oakland, CA @ The Stork Club 10/22 San Francisco, CA @ The Hemlock Tavern 10/23 Salt Lake City, UT @ Burt's Tiki Lounge 10/24 Denver, CO @ Bender's 10/25 Omaha, NE @ Universe 11/01 Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks 11/02 Long Branch, NJ @ The Brighton Bar 11/03 Arlington, VA @ Galaxy Hut 11/04 Richmond, VA @ Rumors Boutique 11/05 Baltimore, MD @ Joe Squared 11/06 New York, NY @ Pianos 11/07 Boston, MA @ O'Briens 11/08 Philadelphia, PA @ Mojo 13 11/09 Danbury, CT @ Larry's 11/10 Sheffield, MA @ Off The Beat N' Track 11/11 New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine 11/12 State College, PA @ Bar Bleu 11/26 Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen

Mark Williams-Giving Up Mark Williams MARK WILLIAMS markwilliamsmusic.com ♥ myspace.com Mark Williams didn't give me much to work with. The EP is a five-track CD-R with no album artwork. No offense to anyone, but I have different priorities when it comes to music reviews and CD-R, demos, & MP3s are at the bottom of my list. I will mention that there was something in the package that did make me take a notice: there was a Lipton Herbal Peach Tea. I'm not saying to bribe me, but it was one of those WTF moment. So, his EP is called Shallow Eyes. I could not find any album artwork online, so I'm using a picture of his band. The whole EP has a Motion City Soundtrack feel to it, but slower. I would even bet Shallow Eyes would sound better live than what's on recording. I see a lot of potential in Williams, he's only 16, right now, it should be interesting to watch him as he grows up, and perhaps take up a different musical direction. Whatever it takes for me to be a lifetime musician, that’s what I’m going to do. The band's already found early success by being included on last Summer's Warped Tour. They are playing an upcoming show in Stroudsburg: 15 Nov 2008 Sherman Theater - INVINCIBLE CLOTHING SHOW! Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Bryn Christopher - The Quest Bryn Christopher BRYN CHRISTOPHER brynchristopher.com ♥ myspace.com People tells me that they discover new music "Grey's Anatomy". I mean, who looks for new music on television shows? Well apparently it does work, and Interscope Records invested in having Bryn Christopher's "The Quest" to appear on an upcoming season of Grey's - so watch for it if you're already a fan of the show. "The Quest" is a lead-in single (released September 16th) to his January 13th, 2009 album called My World, and if the song is any indication I would have to guess that the album is pop/soul. If you like that genre, you definitely need to give "The Quest" a listen. The story I got out of the Quest was that he wrote the song on his mobile phone, and is about his brother's experience as a solider in Basra. He just finished up a few dates in the US, and is now heading through the UK supporting The Script: Tour Dates 22 Nov 2008 Barrowlands - Glasgow 23 Nov 2008 Academy - Leeds 24 Nov 2008 Academy - Newcastle 26 Nov 2008 Academy 1 - Manchester 27 Nov 2008 UEA - Norwich 28 Nov 2008 Academy - Bristol 30 Nov 2008 Academy - Birmingham 1 Dec 2008 Academy - Oxford 2 Dec 2008 Shepherd’s Bush Empire - London 3 Dec 2008 Shepherd’s Bush Empire - London * Supporting The Script

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