W♥M

We♥KC- November 1-6, 2022 Upcoming Shows (Kansas City / Lawrence KS)

Read More Kevin Morby Former bassist for Woods and frontman of The Babies, Kevin Morby is back with his third solo album Singing Saw, out now on Dead Oceans Records. …

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

(Apologies for the website difficulties and picture-loading of late- our TypePad host has been going under maintenance which should be done soon)

Happy November (or Movember if mustache-growing for the month is still a thing). The big KC news was the announcement of Taylor Swift’s Eras Stadium Tour, which includes a July stop at Arrowhead, but there’s plenty of shows to catch until then.

Warm temps so far, the Chiefs are winning, and the Royals have a new manager, so hope springs eternal.

PSA- Clocks Fall back this Saturday night, and don’t forget to vote next Tuesday (or before).

Here’s what’s happening in the Kansas City/Lawrence, KS metro November 1st-6th.

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

Tuesday Nov 1

Wednesday Nov 2

Cory Wong, The Truman, $25-$50

Being Minneapolis-based, we’re fans of Wong, his guitar work, and blend of R&B, funk pop and rock. The latest album is this year’s Power Station and live, he showcases both with his Strat and the jokes and personality he imbues on stage. He could be seen earlier in his career on several of Prince’s weekly jam sessions and was on The Voice and has made a name for himself on his own terms.

Thursday Nov 3

Casting Crowns, Cable Dahmer Arena. $29-$129

The longtime Florida Christian rock band has a new album, Healer, out and the stacked lineup basically guarantees an evening of inspirational music to elevate the spirits and hearts.

Kevin Morby and The Photographs w Coco, Knuckleheads, SOLD OUT

One of Kansas City’s favorites, the new album is called This is a Photograph, and has been released to great reviews and Morby’s appeared on late night television and the recent ACL Festival stream to promote the new record. Instead of KC as an inspiration, Morby traveled to Memphis for the new record, even recording some of it in Sam Phillips’ famed Sun Studios.

David Lowery, Lawrence Arts Center, free

The Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven vocalist to discuss his decades long music career, his fight for artists’ rights, and the future of music in the digital age. After a short intermission, he will perform an intimate acoustic set. Part of Lawrence Public Library's 780s series.  more info: 780s Series | Lawrence Public Library (lplks.org)

Shovels & Rope with Tré Burt, Knuckleheads. $24.50

The Charleston SC Americana folk duo are out on their Manticore Tour, from the album of the same name released in Feb on Dualtone Records. Live, they’ve been working in Lou Reed and T-Rex covers into recent encores. We caught them live in Denver, way back in 2013.

Kevin Hart, T-Mobile Center, $49.50-$159.50

Out on The Reality Check Tour, the good news is that Hart is back in town, playing a place with plenty of seats. The not-so-good news for early ticket buyers, was his planned multi-night stand at the much-smaller Kauffman Center, was scrubbed for this huge one-night show instead. Expect laughs, nonetheless.

Friday Nov 4

Carly Rae Jepsen w Empress Of, Uptown, $40.50-$56.50

Don’t just Call It Maybe – the Canadian pop star is on The So Nice Tour, her first since 2019 and has managed to last in the fickle world of pop music. A longtime Vancouver resident, she’s since re-located to LA and is out in support of new album, The Loneliest Time, her sixth full-length with a title track that features Rufus Wainwright.

Arrive early for opener Empress Of (aka Lorely Rodriguez), in support of her new Save Me EP and who we very much liked, when we saw her headline in 2016.

Keiko Matsui, Folly,$25-$45

The acclaimed jazz keyboardist/composer released her latest album, Echo, in 2019 and she’s previously worked alongside Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Hugh Masekela, and Bob James among others.

Riff Generation, Medallion Theater, $25

November installment featuring a new jazz ensemble that cultivates new music alongside Kansas City’s fabled heritage of the genre. Part of a stand-alone performance series of new, highly collaborative compositions in a modern examination of the Kansas City “riff style.” Musicians audition for a one-year residency and perform these works in a variety of settings.

IV & the Strange Band Knuckleheads, $15

Coleman Williams is the great-grandson of famed Country singer Hank Williams, and released their debut album this June, Southern Circus is out now via a label Shooter Jennings runs. Their sound has been described as “a dour concoction of dark roots, mixed with a DIY punk and metal attitude, much music similar to his dad Hank3’s style of music than their predecessors." They’ve been playing a Bad Brains cover live as well, if that gives you any more indication of influences.

Saturday Nov 5

Susan Werner, Lied Center- Lawrence, $19-$35

Composing songs that slide between folk, jazz and pop, Werner has been recording and touring for more than 25 years. From her 1995 major label debut, Last of the Good Straight Girls to a 2007 “agnostic gospel” hymn album, The Gospel Truth to 2018’s Cuban flavored An American in Havana and the Americana of 2020’s Flyover Country, her style keeps evolving and remaining fresh.

Her latest recording of original songs, The Birds of Florida, was released in January 2022.

The Smithereens with Marshall Crenshaw, Knuckleheads

UPDATE: Rescheduled to March 23, 2023

Gloria Trevi, T-Mobile Center, $50-$225

On her massive Isla Divina Tour, Mexican pop singer Trevi promises fans a conceptual tour that’s a “journey of freedom.” “‘Isla Divina’ is a world where there are no wars, no pandemic, no violence, no protests,” Trevi said during a press conference in Miami. “It’s a world without diseases, where we can laugh and sing, where there is equality. It’s a beautiful world, one that we all dream of and have inside our hearts.”

Sunday Nov 6

El Shirota, recordBar, $12

The 90’s inspired noise rock quartet who formed in 2012 in Chiluca, México and has been releasing music since 2013 with their debut EP, Chiluca No Es Satélite. The latest record is Tiempos Raros released through Modesto, CA independent label Devil In the Woods.

They made a big impression at Foro Indie Rocks! In Mexico City over the weekend and it might just be time to see what the buzz is all about. Oxytoxin and the Jorge Arana Trio are listed as support.

I Prevail w/ Pierce the Veil, Fit for a King, Stand Atlantic, Uptown. $45-$75

A stacked lineup headlined by Michigan post hardcore band I Prevail, in support of third full-length, True Power, released in August and latest single, Self Destruction”. The True Power Tour lives up to its name with three solid support acts.

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

Empress Of at Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul (19 May 2016)

Empress Of Setlist Water Water    (Beyonce “Formation” transition) Threat Kitty Kat Standard Icon    (Aaliyah “One in a Million” transition) Need Myself Realize You    (Prince "Controversy" transition) Woman is a Word    (Bowie/Queen "Under Pressure" transition) Makeup    (Florence + the Machine "You Got the Love" trans.) How Do You Do It Tour Dates June 1 Barcelona, ES Barts June 2 Barcelona, ES Primavera Festival June 4 Copenhagen, DK Distortion Festival June 5 Berlin, DE Berghain Kantine June 6 Hamburg, DE Turmzimmer June 7 Brussels, BE Botanique June 8 Paris, FR Pop up Du Label June 10 Porto, PT Primavera Festival June 12 London, UK Field Day Festival June 13 Manchester, UK Guilvers June 14 London, UK Moth Club June 16 Amsterdam. NL De School June 17 Hilvarenbeek, NL Best Kept Secret Festival July 15-17 Chicago, IL Pitchfork Festival Read More Empress Of We randomly caught Empress Of (aka Lorely Rodriguez) when she opened up for Kimbra in Rocktober 2014. Well Rodriguez is back, this time in support of her latest Me album. … RONiiA Closing out the event will be local Roniia (stylized as RONiiA). This is the group lead by Nona Marie Invie, who you may know was from the popular Dark Dark Dark group. … Dizzy Fae The second show will be at the small 7th Street Entry, with openers Dizzy Fae and Izell Pyramid. …

Another month, another show with wiiings…!

Energy beverage drink Red Bull currently sponsors a monthly music series in several cities called Red Bull Sound Select that brings acts, both up-and-coming as well as established, into smaller clubs, for a reduced admission with pre-event RSVP.

For May in Minneapolis/St. Paul, the headliner was Los Angeles-based electronic pop artist, Empress Of who put on a 40 min. performance that showed how much music a single person can create in a live setting.

This installment of the series was curated by local label Totally Gross National Product, who boasts an impressive array of area artists ranging from Poliça to Fog to Solid Gold and others.

RONiiA

One of those label artists was opener RONiiA, who has recently put out an EP called Sisters. The three-piece includes singer Nona Marie Invie (of Dark, Dark, Dark), Mark McGee (of Marijuana Deathsquads) and Fletcher Barnhill (of Joint Custody) and mostly plays sparse and somewhat downbeat electronic music with vivid lyrics.

Dizzy Fae

The middle act was 17yr old newcomer Dizzy Fae, who just has a small handful of songs to her name at this point, but is quickly gaining local buzz. Backed by DJ So Na, Fae brought a dreamy electronica tinged with R&B to such songs as ‘Color Me Bad’ and ‘Complexion’.

Fae impressed many in the crowd (handfuls were there specifically to see her, it was obvious), even Lizzo, who was also present and “feeling good as hell” (though she didn’t perform). Fae closed with the unreleased ‘Aftermath’ and any fans of FKA Twigs or Morcheeba, are advised to check her out.

Empress Of

The stage was then cleared and set for the headliner, Empress Of (aka Lorely Rodriguez), armed with not much more than a simple Akai MPK225 25-key Midi Controller, a laptop, and basic electronic percussion.  The 25yr old (who looks half her age) jumped about in a black mid-length skirt and fully buttoned black blouse, which resembled a private school outfit.

Playing much of her debut album, Me (XL Recordings/Terrible), Rodriguez skillfully segued each song into the other, often using clipped versions of parts of more familiar songs by the likes of Beyonce, Prince, Queen, and others, to help transition into the next.

Setlist

‘Need Myself’, in particular, was a fervent dose of self-dependent lyrics set to a throbbing beat that definitely caught the audience’s ear.  There was a pop feel to most of the songs, which were also sonically adventurous and somewhat experimental, with diary-like, confessional lyrics, and all coming from the work of a single person on stage, though sounding like a full band.

‘Woman is a Word’ brought a message of empowerment, ‘Make Up’ was about making (and breaking) your own rules of life, and set closer, ‘How Do You Do It’ brought a potential obsession to life in the form of playful synth cutting through a driving rhythm.

From the crowd’s response, they seemed to gain wings of their own from the performance with most in the front dancing the entire set, and Empress Of is just learning to fly – where things take her is worth following.

The Red Bull Sound Select series continues on June 18 with a more urban vibe, featuring sets from Atlanta’s Lil Yachty as well as Jace (Two-9) and Drelli, with additional DJ sets, curated this time, by Greenroom Magazine.

Empress Of at Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul (19 May 2016)

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

Minneapolis: September 22, 2015

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area on September 22, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Beach House One thing about Beach House that stands out above the rest is their mysterious stage performance. Victoria belts out her exquisite lyrics from under her infamous locks of hair, always keeping the crowd …

BEACH HOUSE
at First Avenue
Tuesday, 09/22/2015, 7:30pm ($25/Sold Out)
first-avenue.com

Don't have a ticket to this sold out Beach House show next Tuesday, September 22nd? No problem, there are still some tickets available for their second night, September 23rd.

Jessica Pratt to open. You may recall that we previously mentioned that she was in town last July at the Cedar Cultural Center. She will be showcasing some tracks from her latest album On Your Own Love Again, available now on Drag City.

Tour dates:

09/17 in Columbus, OH at Newport Music Hall*
09/18 in Cincinnati, OH at Bogart's*
09/19 in Royal Oak, MI at Royal Oak Music Theatre*
09/21 in Milwaukee, WI at Pabst Theatre*
09/22 in Minneapolis, MN at First Avenue*
09/23 in Minneapolis, MN at First Avenue*
09/25 in Omaha, NE at Slowdown*
09/26 in Lawrence, KS at Liberty Hall*
09/27 in St. Louis, MO at The Pageant*
09/28 in Memphis, TN at Minglewood Hall*
09/29 in Tulsa, OK at Cain's Ballroom*
10/03 in Birmingham, AL at Saturn*
10/04 in Nashville, TN at Ryman Auditorium*
10/06 in Atlanta, GA at Buckhead Theatre*
10/07 in Asheville, NC at Orange Peel*
10/08 in Saxaphahaw, NC at Haw River Ballroom*

*all dates with Jessica Pratt

Read More Ibeyi French Cuban twins, Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Díaz (daughters of the late Cuban percussion Anga Díaz), are known on stage as Ibeyi. They announced their first ever North American tour ...

IBEYI
at Mill City Nights
Tuesday, 09/22/2015, 8pm ($20)
millcitynights.com

NPR named Ibeyi's album as one of their "25 Favorite Albums of 2015" and also named Ibeyi one of their "Favorite Artists of 2015."

We previously caught the twin sisters (Naomi and Lisa-Kainde Diaz) at the Cedar Cultural Center last March 2015, and wrote, "The combination of vocals, traditional Cuban instruments, and electronic loops/beats, gave Ibeyi's music a broad appeal to both old and young world music fans."

Viktor Taiwo to open.

Tour dates:

09/18/15 Mayan Theatre Los Angeles
09/19/15 Symbiosis Gathering Oakdale
09/22/15 Mill City Nights Minneapolis
09/23/15 Thalia Hall Chicago
09/24/15 The Ready Room St Louis
09/26/15 Mercy Lounge Nashville
09/27/15 Terminal West Atlanta
09/28/15 Haw River Ballroom Graham
09/30/15 9:30 Club Washington
10/02/15 Webster Hall New York
10/03/15 Royale Boston
10/04/15 Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre Montreal
10/09/15 Ancienne Belgique Brussels
10/10/15 La Cartonnerie Reims
10/12/15 Le Trianon Paris
10/13/15 La Vapeur Dijon
10/14/15 Nancy Jazz Pulsations Nancy
10/16/15 Ouest Park Festival Le Havre
11/02/15 Concorde 2 Brighton
11/03/15 Koko London
11/04/15 Trinity Bristol
11/06/15 Oobleck Birmingham
11/07/15 Brudenell Leeds
11/08/15 Gorilla Manchester
11/10/15 King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut Glasgow
11/18/15 Le Bikini Toulouse
11/19/15 Paloma Nimes
11/20/15 Théâtre de Villefranche Villefranche Sur SaÔne
12/08/15 Melkweg Oude Zaal Amsterdam
12/09/15 Mojo Club Hamburg
12/11/15 Kesselhaus Berlin
12/12/15 Kantine Cologne
12/13/15 Technikum Münich

Read More Man Man Man Man, the alt-experimentalists from Philadelphia are back on the road after a stint with Gogol Bordello, in support of their latest, last year’s On Oni Pond (ANTI- Records). …

MAN MAN
at Turf Club
Tuesday, 09/22/2015, 7:30pm ($16)
turfclub.net

We caught Man Man at a music festival in 2009, and they were clearly the stand-out highlight of that show. The high energy band will be back in Twin Cities on September 22nd at the Turf Club.

Like we have previously mentioned last year, the band is still touring in support of On Oni Pond (ANTI- Records).

Shilpa Ray to open. If the name sounded familiar, she used to be in a "Goth burlesque"-esque band called Shilpa Ray and her Happy Hookers. Since going solo, she's released three albums - her latest Last Year's Savage is out now on Northern Spy Records.

Tour dates:

09/14/15 Petaluma, CA Lagunitas Brewing Co
09/15/15 Eugene, OR WOW Hall
09/16/15 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre
09/17/15 Vancouver, BC Venue
09/18/15 Seattle, WA Neumos
09/19/15 Spokane, WA The Bartlett
09/22/15 Saint Paul, MN Turf Club
09/23/15 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
09/24/15 Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop
09/25/15 Harrisburg, PA The Abbey Bar
09/26/15 Rocktown Beer & Music Festival
10/18/15 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Bowl

Read More Wavves After a brief intermission, fellow So Cal garage punk/pop cohorts Wavves blasted in with an equally relentless 52min set (no encore, apparently not ‘punk’ to do so). “Idiot” appropriately started their set ..… Twin Peaks This is the Chicago Twin Peaks band... I wonder if they will get sued once Showtime start their David Lynch and Mark Frost's Twin Peaks production in 2016? ...

WAVVES
at Varsity Theater
Tuesday, 09/22/2015, 6pm ($20)
varsitytheater.org

The last time we saw Wavves, it was in 2013 and we wrote, "Other highlights included “Sail to the Sun” and “Green Eyes”, ending with a jagged cover of Sonic Youth’s “100%” and ”Post Acid”, that left both band members and crowd exhausted, but exhilarated."

Chicago's Twin Peaks (no relationship to David Lynch) is possibly the other co-headliner.

Since you're all familiar with Wavves and Twin Peaks, let me tell you about the other two other bands:

Recently, Bay Area quartet SWMRS (Swimmers) released their debut single "Miley", which i-D Magazine described as "the most punk tribute to Miley Cyrus ever." Singer Cole Becker explained, "I was trying to explore my relationship to Miley Cyrus as this person who has been a presence in my life since I was really young. I feel like I grew up with her... I think it's just the fact that she does exactly what she wants. I think it's really rare to see somebody doing that. She's a business commodity, but seems to have maintained a lot of creative autonomy, which I think is super punk rock. And the fact that she's standing up for sexual freedom and gender fluidity - I think that's really important, and something that not a lot of pop stars are doing."

Steep Leans is the solo project of songwriter Gray Somers. He recently signed to Ghost Ramp and released his debut LP, Grips On Heat, which Noisey is currently streaming the album from now until it's release date on September 18th (in four days).

Wavves Tour Dates:

09/08/15 - Seattle, WA @ Neptune *
09/09/15 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *
09/10/15 - San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo's *
09/11/15 - Orange County, CA @ Constellation *
09/12/15 - Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour *
09/14/15 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom *
09/15/15 - San Diego, CA @ North Park *
09/16/15 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom *
09/18/15 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk *
09/19/15 - Dallas, TX @ Prophet *
09/20/15 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada *
09/21/15 - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre $
09/22/15 - Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity $
09/24/15 - Milwaukee @ Rave $
09/25/15 - Chicago, IL @ The Vic $
09/26/15 - Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre $
09/27/15 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House $
09/29/15 - Columbus, OH @ Newport $
09/30/15 - Philadelphia, PA @ TLA $
10/02/15 - Brooklyn, NY @ St Vitus $
10/03/15 - New Haven, CT @ College Street $
10/05/15 - Boston, MA @ Paradise $
10/06/15 - New York, NY @ Irving $
10/07/15 - Washington DC @ 930 Club $
10/08/15 - Chapel Hill @ Local 506 $
10/09/15 - Athens, GA @ 40 Watt $
10/11/15 - Houston, TX @ HOB Peacock $

* w/ Twin Peaks and Swimmers
$ w/ Twin Peaks and Steep Leans

Read More Empress Of Lorely Rodriguez, otherwise known as Empress Of, was just in Minneapolis a few weeks ago opening up for Jungle. She seemed quite at home on stage, singing and dancing …

EMPRESS OF
at 7th Street Entry
Tuesday, 09/22/2015, 7:30pm ($10)
first-avenue.com

We randomly caught Empress Of (aka Lorely Rodriguez) when she opened up for Kimbra in Rocktober 2014. Well Rodriguez is back, this time in support of her latest Me album.

Abra and Cruel Love to open the show.

"Me & You" tour dates:

09/16/15 Allston, MA Great Scott
09/17/15 POP Montréal
09/18/15 Toronto, ON Drake Hotel
09/19/15 Waterloo, ON Starlight Social Club
09/20/15 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
09/22/15 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
09/25/15 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret
09/27/15 Portland, OR Holocene
09/29/15 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
10/01/15 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
10/02/15 Phoenix, AZ Valley Bar
10/03/15 El Paso, TX Lowbrow Palace
10/05/15 Austin, TX The Mohawk
10/06/15 Houston, TX Rudyard's
10/09/15 III Points Festival
10/10/15 St. Petersburg, FL The Bends
10/11/15 Atlanta, GA Eyedrum
10/12/15 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle - Back Room
10/13/15 Norfolk, VA The Parlor On Granby
10/14/15 Washington, DC DC9
10/28/15 Cambridge Cambridge Junction
10/29/15 London Roundhouse
11/01/15 Antwerp, Belgium Muziekcentrum Trix
11/02/15 Luxembourg, Luxembourg Den Atelier
11/04/15 Cologne, Germany Kulturkirche
11/05/15 Prague, Czech Republic Roxy Prague
11/06/15 Warsaw, Poland Proxima
11/08/15 Stockholm, Sweden Debaser Medis
11/09/15 Oslo, Norway Rockefeller Music Hall
11/10/15 Copenhagen, Denmark Amager Bio
11/11/15 Berlin, Germany Berghain
11/12/15 Milan, Italy Tunnel
11/14/15 Madrid, Spain Joy Eslava

Read More Miracles of Modern Science Mean Dreams Miracles of Modern Science Original Release Date: August 14, 2015 Copyright: 2015 Miracles of Modern Science Total Length: 31:57 ...

MIRACLES OF MODERN SCIENCE
at Honey
Tuesday, 09/22/2015, 08:45pm ($5)
honeympls.com

New York's Chamber Pop band Miracles of Modern Science will be at Honey on September 22nd to promote their latest Mean Dreams album.

Also appearing: Treading North and Lunar Bedrooms. Both local bands have odd self-description, with Treading North as "dream funk" and Luna Bedrooms as "ghost pop."

I'm a big fan of sissy rock, myself.

Tour dates:

09/14 Rendezvous (Seattle, WA)
09/15 The Railway Club (Vancouver, BC)
09/17 Tom Grainey's (Boise, ID)
09/18 The Garage on Beck (Salt Lake City, UT)
09/19 Tuft Theater @ Swallow Hill (Denver, CO)
09/22 Honey (Minneapolis, MN)
09/23 Lion's Pause, St Olaf College (Northfield, MN)
09/25 The Hideout (Chicago, IL)
09/26 Midpoint Music Festival (Cincinnati, OH)
09/30 Maiden Alley Cinema (Paducah, KY)
10/01 Springwater Supper Club (Nashville, TN)
10/03 Silver Dollar Room (Toronto, ON)
10/05 Flour City Station (Rochester, NY)

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

Kimbra at the Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis (30 Oct 2014)

poster Kimbra Setlist Teen Heat Carolina 90s Music Settle Down Nobody But You Something in the Way You Are Everlovin’ Ya Goldmine Two Way Street Rescue Him Madhouse Cameo Lover Love In High Places Miracle -- Encore -- As You Are Come Into My Head Tour Dates 11/01 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall 11/06 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom 11/07 Philadelphia, PA - World Café Live 11/08 Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall 11/09 Allston, MA - Brighton Music Hall Read More Kimbra More than somebody that you used to know-- New Zealand-born Kimbra is back, touring in support of her second album, The Golden Echo (Warner Bros. Records). Produced by Kimbra and Rich Costey … Empress Of Empress Of will open the show. Empress Of is the solo project of 23 year old artist Lorely Rodriguez. …

New Zealander Kimbra just played the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis last night.

Empress Of

Lorely Rodriguez, otherwise known as Empress Of, was just in Minneapolis a few weeks ago opening up for Jungle. She seemed quite at home on stage, singing and dancing... that is until she started to speak and introduce the band (which I thought I heard was Spencer on keys and Michel on drums). She sounded nervous, but perhaps overwhelmed at the large early turnout.

I got the sense that her songs were deeply personal to her, as she sings about not wanting to feel alone, yearning for love, and forgetting the painful past. She did a couple of songs from her Systems EP (Terrible Records), including "No Means No".

Most people probably heard of Kimbra on Gotye's breakthrough hit duet song "Somebody That I Used To Know" (which she and Gotye won Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo on the Grammy Awards... which was an achieve as she's only the third New Zealander to win a Grammy). But to be fair, Kimbra's been paying her dues with her debut Vows in 2011, but with the Gotye song, it certainly help bring attention to this truly unique artist.

I believe the first time Kimbra was here in Minnesota, it was as opener to Gotye in 2012, but since then, she's been back in Minneapolis as headliner, selling out the Varsity Theater in October 2012. Many of those fans who attended the Varsity show are back to see Kimbra at the Fine Line Music Café last night, lining up at the venue, before the doors were opened. It is always a good indication of how dedicated the fanbase is, especially for such a chilly Minnesota night.

Kimbra, in her typical theatric flair, she came out in a reversal shag coat, singing "Teen Heat"... but then quickly shed it to reveal a custom metallic shiny skirt! Almost everyone with a camera phone raised it up to snap a photo. You can tell Kimbra loved it and played it up, dancing and singing her heart out.

Half of the set was dedicated to her new album The Golden Echo, which came out in August via Warner Bros. From hearing the new songs live, they sounded really fun live, particularly the set closer "Miracle", which Kimbra described the song as "a song about gratitude and celebration".

During one of her scheduled 'talk' time, Kimbra mentioned how she felt 'connected' to Minneapolis, "the home of funk soul" (referring to, but not naming, Prince). Obviously Gotye and Kimbra are massively influenced by the Purple One, having acknowledged this previously during the Grammy Awards and also in various magazine interviews.

Setlist

The setlists were not given to the fans by her roadies, but as photo evidence here, we can show you that Kimbra did scheduled in some reminders, like thanking Empress Of ... but the oddest thing on her list at the very end was "Never Gonna Give You Up", which is a Rick Astley song. Since the text is in red, we can speculate that perhaps the song was optional.

I've only run into a few rare cases where setlists were not given to fans in the front, it is usually because the artist requests this for whatever reason, or they plan on reusing it for tomorrow night, or if the artist want to save it for themselves (a few musicians keep a tour diary for themselves). There is a strong case for the second option since there is no clear indication of "Fine Line" listed anywhere on the set, they were likely just going to reuse it for Chicago's show.

Kimbra and Empress Of are wrapping up their US tour, stopping in Chicago on November 1st, and ending the tour in Allston on November 9th. All limited VIP packages (which includes meet & greet and photo op) for Kimbra are sold out.

Kimbra at the Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis (30 Oct 2014)

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

Rocktober: October 30, 2014

Read More Kimbra Kimbra is the only female act at Maitland! Song of the show is Maccabees' "Pelican", from their third album Given to the Wild. Bonus: Guitar Wolf is on tour! …

Here are shows taking place in Minneapolis/St Paul on October 30, 2014.

KIMBRA with Empress Of
at Fine Line Music Café
Thursday 10/30/14, 7:30pm
$20: finelinemusic.com

More than somebody that you used to know-- New Zealand-born Kimbra is back, touring in support of her second album, The Golden Echo (Warner Bros. Records). Produced by Kimbra and Rich Costey (Foster The People, Interpol, Muse), it features contributions from acclaimed bassist Thundercat, Daniel Johns (Silverchair) and famed string arranger Van Dyke Parks.

Empress Of will open the show. Empress Of is the solo project of 23 year old artist Lorely Rodriguez.

Tour Dates:

10/24 Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory*
10/25-10/26 Life Is Beautiful Festival
10/27 Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue*
10/28 Denver, CO - Sherman St Event Center*
10/30 Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Café*
11/01 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall*
11/06 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom*
11/07 Philadelphia, PA - World Café Live*
11/08 Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall*
11/09 Allston, MA - Brighton Music Hall*

* w/ Empress Of

Read More Agnes Obel Last one of the night Agnes Obel. Very dark orchestral songs. They were all slow building and had the crowd all paying rapt attention. She filled the church, and once done, the church emptied fast. …

AGNES OBEL with Jennifer Castle
at Dakota Jazz Club
Thursday 10/30/14, 7pm
$35: dakotacooks.com

With the recent release of the deluxe edition of Agnes Obel's hit second album Aventine and double LP of 2010's Philharmonics, both via Play It Again Sam/PIAS, Obel will be back in America to support the re-issues.

The new deluxe edition of Aventine includes a second CD with new songs "Under Giant Trees," "Arches," and "September Song," live versions of the singles "The Curse," "Words Are Dead," and "Aventine," plus a David Lynch remix of "Fuel To Fire" and a Daniel Matz reworking of "Dorian."

Regarding the remix, Twin Peaks' director/writer David Lynch had this to add, "I loved doing this remix. I was turned onto Agnes' music through my record label...I think she has a most beautiful voice and can do things with her voice that are unique and extraordinary."

Upcoming North American tour dates:

10/30 Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis, MN
11/01 Park West, Chicago, IL
11/02 Stoughton Opera House, Madison, WI
11/04 Harbourfront Centre Theatre, Toronto, ON
11/05 Harbourfront Centre Theatre, Toronto, ON
11/06 Higher Ground. Burlington, VT
11/08 Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
11/09 (le) Poisson Rouge, New York, NY
11/10 The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA
11/11 L'Olympia, Montreal, QC
11/13 Le Palais Montcalm, Quebec City, QC

Read More Ben Frost Australian composer and producer Ben Frost recently announced a string of North American tour dates (read the full story at news.weheartmusic.com). He's currently touring in support of his latest album AURORA …

BEN FROST with Andrew Broder
at Amsterdam Bar and Hall
Thursday 10/30/14, 7pm
$15: amsterdambarandhall.com

Recording artist Ben Frost (not to be confused with pop artist Ben Frost) will be in North America in support of his acclaimed album, A U R O R A.

Tour dates:

10/24/14 - Toronto, CAN - The Garrison
10/25/14 - Mexico City, MEXICO - Mutek.MX2014
10/28/14 - Los Angeles, CA - Club Los Globos
10/29/14 - San Francisco, CA - 1015 Folsom
10/30/14 - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam
10/31/14 - Chicago, IL - Constellation
11/05/14 - Bologna, ITALY - roBOt Paths
11/06/14 - Torino, ITALY - Club To Club
11/07/14 - Rome, ITALY - Romaeuropa Festival
11/08/14 - Bari, ITALY - Time Zones
11/10/14 - Brighton, UK - The Haunt
11/11/14 - Bristol, UK - Thekla
11/12/14 - Birmingham, UK - Capsule
11/13/14 - London, UK - St John Church
11/14/14 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla
11/15/14 - Leeds, UK - Howard Assembly Room
11/20/14 - Utrecht, NET - Le Guess Who? Festival
11/21/14 - Bern, SW - St. Ghetto Festival
11/23/14 - Moscow, RUS - Pipl Club
11/22/14 - Electro-Mechanica Festival
11/23/14 - Moscow, RUS - Pipl Club
12/06/15 - Rio De Janeiro, BR - Novas Frequências
01/11/15 - Sydney, AUS - Sydney Opera House
01/15/15 - Hobart, TAS - Mona Foma Festival
02/05/15 - Melbourne, AUS - HiFi Bar

Read More Jay Nash The Hotel Café is a singer/songwriter venue located in Los Angeles, California. Jay Nash Official Site MySpace iTunes …

THE CONTENDERS (JAY NASH + JOSH DAY)
at 7th Street Entry
Thursday 10/30/14, 8pm
$10: first-avenue.com

Vermont-based singer/songwriter Jay Nash and Nashville-based drummer Josh Day have teamed up as The Contenders. Their debut EP Meet the Contenders will be out next month, November 18th (digital), but you can pick up the vinyl if you see them on this tour.

Opening up the 7th Street Entry show on Thursday will be local musician Luke Redfield.

Contenders tour dates:

Oct 24 High Watt Nashville, TN
Oct 25 Off Broadway St Louis, MO
Oct 28 Cedar Valley House Concerts Cedar Falls, IA
Oct 29 Slowdown Omaha, NE
Oct 30 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN
Nov 01 Wildwood Park Station Marshfield, WI
Nov 03 SPACE Evanston, IL
Nov 04 Rumba Cafe Columbus, OH
Nov 05 Club Café Pittsburgh, PA
Nov 12 Soda Bar San Diego, CA
Nov 13 Bogies Westlake, CA
Nov 14 Hotel Café Los Angeles, CA
Nov 15 Leo's Oakland, CA
Nov 16 Standing Sun Winery Buellton, CA
Nov 19 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR
Nov 20 Barboza Seattle, WA
Nov 21 Caffe Mela Wenatchee, WA

still from New Society at ICA Boston Read More Miranda July I remember the first time I saw Me and You and Everyone We Know, I couldn't get that "pooping back and forth" icon out of my head. So, that, in a nutshell, is what I thought of Miranda July, who wrote …

MIRANDA JULY
at McGuire Theater
Thursday 10/30/14, 8pm
$30: walkerart.org

Not a typical music concert, but I thought I'd also mention that writer/filmmaker Miranda July will be at the McGuire Theater in Minneapolis as part of her performance of "New Society". She will also be appearing on Halloween at the McGuire if you cannot make it on Thursday.

Here is the description from the Walker's website:

Performer/writer/filmmaker Miranda July risks all with a unique experiment in collaboration. This hilarious and moving performance artfully blends fiction and real life in a startling chronicle of time, love, and group faith. On this very special night, July tests the limits of what is possible given two hours and a room full of strangers.

The Walker has had an ongoing relationship with the cross-disciplinary artist. Most recently, July’s second feature film The Future, praised by critics as “surreal, precious, devastating, and brilliant” (Playlist), had its area premiere at the Walker in 2011, after screenings at the Sundance and Berlin film festivals.

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