W♥M

Flashback: Metric at First Avenue, Minneapolis (13 June 2009)

Setlist Dead Disco Grow Up and Blow Away Help I'm Alive Sick Muse Stadium Love Gold Guns Girls Gimme Sympathy Twilight Galaxy Front Row -- Encore -- Monster Hospital Live It Out Read More Metric I've seen Metric twice (four times if you count Emily Haines solo or Broken Social Scene), so you know I love this little Canadian band. Their Rock the Garden's set was very similar to their …

At this point in time, I've already seen Metric a few times, but the band was still strugglingly to make waves in America (it didn't help that lead singer Emily Haines left the group temporarily to try going solo). They had a big debut hit with "Combat Baby" in 2003, but the Canadian band was largely ignored by America. All that changed with Metric's fourth album Fantasies, which the album was on the short list for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize for "Canadian Album of the Year", and won the "Alternative Album of the Year" at the 2010 Juno Awards. The album was red hot, and you can tell with the completely sold out show at First Avenue in June 2009.

>>>
Metric played to a very packed First Avenue last night. The show was sold out in advance (plus all the reserves at the door were immediately sold out), so let's just say Minneapolis can't get enough of this Canadian band.

Before we get to them, we have two very different bands opening up for Metric. First up was cute boy/girl duo, Smile Smile. I didn't quite catch what they were saying but Jency Hirunrusme said something like how they were so glad to be in Minneapolis from Kansas. What's wrong with Kansas ? They didn't really specify. They seem like they're a couple, like The Submarines or KaiserCartel.

Saddle Creek's recording artist Sebastien Grainger brought the rock, all in that crazy cokecola jumpsuit. At one point Mr Grainger slid across the stage on his knees - he didn't get too far as the performing stage was tiny due to all the other equipment. But I laughed to myself seeing that. As for the music, well best not think too hard (or think at all) when you hear them. They seem like a really fun band, at least the band seems to enjoy themselves.

I've seen Emily Haines live at the Varsity Theater on her solo record, Knives Don't Have Your Back, and between the audience and the venue, it was like night and day. Haines' solo material and live performance is a lot mellower. I don't know if it's the same fans, but last night's audience was mostly younger 18-23 year olds. The audience dance and sung along to every song.

When Emily Haines isn't rocking out the keyboard, she's rocking the wireless mic in her disco-y glittery dress. She would play for chunks of five songs and then talk. And when she talks, it's actually long conversations. I did remember hearing her thank Radio K and talking about the Minneapolis' shitty weather. All true.

Perhaps the long talk was meant for the rest of the band gearing up to play the next song (in this case, the first talk-break was before "Gimme Sympathy" and after "Help I'm Alive"). Right after the first encore, "Monster Hospital", she did another long conversation. I didn't catch call the banter, something about music in 2009 or something like that. It didn't make a whole lot of sense, the words were just recited like it was from a poem or something.

PS, Usually I'll just grab the setlist at these shows, but when I asked the guy at the stage, he said to me, "They've gone green, their setlist are on the monitor." Wow, this is a first.

Metric at First Ave, Minneapolis (13 June 2009)

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

Flashback: Blitzen Trapper at First Avenue, Minneapolis (18 Feb 2009)

Read More Blitzen Trapper Blitzen Trapper will be taking over the First Avenue main room on Sunday, October 4th and you will definitely want to be there. I have never been able to see these …

I have seen Blitzen Trapper at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on July 29, 2007.

Blitzen Trapper at Triple Rock Club, Minneapolis (29 July 2007)

I can say it now, but when I saw them at the Triple Rock, it wasn’t a very good turnout, due to the fact it was a Sunday night. The band was really late to the venue because of roadwork on Highway 61. It wasn’t the band’s finest hour, especially going on cold without a soundcheck.

Fortunately, for Lara’s show, at First Avenue, on February 18, 2009, the show was “packed”...

>>>
Originally scheduled to perform at the Varsity Theatre in Minneapolis, Blitzen Trapper outdid themselves with fan-age and the show was moved to the much larger First Ave. “Danceteria.” Even so, the club was packed—not packed in the fun way, when a girl can casually rub against a sweaty young hipster and still play coy, but packed like a big awkward sardine tin, with the majority of the crowd standing, immobile, clutching Red Stripes and sort of doing the head bob. Weird, huh. I mean, Blitzen Trapper are certainly no Dance Band, but you’d think they’ve earned a few arm thrusts, maybe some leg spasms, at least a pogo or two (the shit’s going to rain on me for that comment; pogo = bad)*.

Blitzen Trapper have been described as “experimental folk,” but I say this with a smirk, as it seems these days, any band that writes lyrics concerning farms or hills or serial killers is deemed “folk-y”**. Similarly, any band that uses synth as a garnish (and not as a main course, a la New Wave/proponents of New Wave), gets a broad ‘experimental’ tagged onto their name. Thus, “experimental folk” is born; though, I have some problems with calling a band whose frontman occasionally enters the Tom Petty sing-talk-groove territory “experimental.” 2008’s Furr may have folk-ish tendencies, but it also rocks (kinda) hard (“Sleepytime in the Western World” sounds positively 70s and makes me think of being inside some dive and throwing a drink in a man’s face).

On Wednesday, I managed to arrive at First Ave. just as opener Alela Diane was finishing her set (unreliable public transportation; cigarette). Unfortunately for me (and also for Alela Diane fans), the crowd chatter was so obnoxiously loud that instead of music, I heard entire conversations about bangin’ chicks (classy crowd chatter). The talking might not have seemed so obvious had Diane’s vocals and instrumentation been more suited to the large venue (the Varsity would fit her perfectly). It wasn’t her fault, and it wasn’t the crowd’s fault (maybe it was the crowd’s fault a little—give children more space and they feel the need to be unruly); still, the lukewarm beginning did not bode well for the rest of the evening.

By the time Blitzen Trapper took the stage most of the chatter had dissipated. This was the first time I’d seen BT live, but from what I’ve heard, they have a reputation as an inconsistent live act. General consensus within the blogging community has been ambivalence—this was not one of their stellar performances. Still, I would hardly call the show bad. For now I’ll give them the benefit of doubt: switching to a big, dirty historic concert hall from a smaller, curtain-festooned, lounge setting could potentially be vexing. I enjoyed live versions of “Not Your Lover,” “Black River Killer” (my favorite strange little gothic country narrative), and the abovementioned “Sleepytime in the Western World.” The band looked good (I made a comment about how singer Eric Earley sort of looks like Jeff Tweedy from a great, great, great distance), sounded good, played good. It was one of those “good” shows: no surprises, no special energy, no funny in-between song jokes, no extra credit. A solid B show (B- if you factor in the apathetic crowd).

Blitzen Trapper is currently on tour with Alela Diane supporting. The next few dates are East Coast shows; for more information, visit their Myspace or Website.

*At one point during the show I did notice that somewhere in the horizon, near the stage, far from our standing place, a small group of girls were doing something that resembled dancing!

**I’ve done it. More than once.

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

Flashback: The Faint at First Avenue, Minneapolis (14 Nov 2008)

Setlist Get Seduced Glass Danse Dropkick the Punks Take Me To The Hospital Forever Growing Centipedes Psycho Call Call Posed to Death Desperate Guys Machine In The Ghost Birth I Disappear I Treat You Wrong The Geeks Were Right Worked Up So Sexual Paranoiattack -- Encore -- The Conductor Southern Belles in London Sing Agenda Suicide Read More The Faint Modern synth/Dark Wave/Danse band The Faint just released their Capsule: 1999-2016. The retrospective collects their early classics with new classics from their 2016

This was the first time I saw The Faint, at First Avenue in Minneapolis on November 14, 2008. The group was closing out their North American tour for their fifth album, Fasciinatiion, and was about to head over the UK. I was already a big fan of their album Danse Macabre, so I was very much looking forward to seeing the group. Unfortunately, since the tour was for the new album, the band played a lot of new songs… not all of them were bad, but just that fans weren’t used to the new stuff.

Since then, I’ve seen the band numerous times, and they really put on a fun show. It’s all about creating a sort of dance light show, and Todd Fink usually is amazing to watch.

>>>
Minneapolis is the last stop for famed The Faint before heading off to Scotland, England, Germany, Italy, and Spain, before heading back stateside in mid-December. UK concert goers should be in for a real treat, as these guys put on a spectacular light show consisting of part rave, part Casio-crashing, part discotheque, but all fun.

Everyone in the band was dressed in dark clothing, except for singer Todd Fink, who came out with tinted circular glasses/goggles and dressed up as a mad scientist or chemist. He does his same dance he does for all the songs, smiling and laughing the whole time, while the rest of the band do their thing. I will have to say that "Dapose" rocked out pretty hardcore on the guitar.

There was a long experimental noise intro before "The Geeks Were Right", which was well-received, although I suspect fans weren't used to their new songs.

Speaking of which, and I won't spend too much time on this, the audience seem to be a lot of younger kids (with black marked "X" on their hands indicating they are under 21), and they all seem to be really into their hair.

Setlist

The ended their set with a three song encore, including the very last song, Agenda Suicide, which is not listed on their set list.

I should also mention the two warm-up band, His Mischief and Baby Walrus. His Mischief was a three piece band from St Paul, they sounded more power-pop/rock - like they might be more in their elements opening up for Motion City Soundtrack.

As for Baby Walrus, they are from Nebraska, and they seem to be more blues-influenced, with a bit of Ben Folds with the keyboard-thing. I don't know the song they ended their set, but it was really good.

The Faint at First Avenue, Minneapolis (14 Nov 2008)

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

Flashback: Broken Social Scene at First Avenue, Minneapolis (13 Oct 2008)

Read More Broken Social Scene One of the most important Canadian band Broken Social Scene is making their return to Minnesota at the Palace Theatre next Thursday. The all-star collective …

It looks like Lara and Dolly decided to do math problems over at the Broken Social Scene show at First Avenue in Minneapolis on October 13, 2008. As you may, or may not, know, practically every musician in Canada is a member of BSS, including Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, that woman from Metric (Emily Haines), that woman from Stars (Amy Millan), etc. Seriously, everyone is a member of Broken Social Scene.

>>>
Here is a math problem: At any given moment a few dozen Broken Social Scene band members exist on this planet, creating Music! (M!), either collectively or individually. If k = Kevin Drew, b = Brendan Canning, i = instruments and their humans, and f = previous female vocalists with established solo careers and/or have been featured in Apple commercials, then solve for M!:

(k + b) + 20i) – 2f = M!

Watching BSS perform on Monday was similar to watching a math genius write some really long complex equation on a chalkboard: confusing, nauseating, awesome, mentally painful, impressive, bizarre-o, nice. It’s literally impossible for me to describe the show in a logical, succinct fashion because in order to do so I would probably need to create new words like “bogglebang” and “fantizzle“ and I’m just really tired. Instead, what follows is a bulleted list of highlights from the show, immediately followed by some lowlights. Both lists are underlined:

List of Highlights

Brendan Canning (“beardy”) literally leaping into the air, defying age and science (and answering the question: what would Peter Pan look like if he grew up and didn’t shave for ten years?).

Kevin Drew peeling off a used band-aid and tossing it into the audience (not on eBay yet).

Two men in business casual dress high-fiving each other after a particularly awesome/nauseating “song.”

On a similar note, the ratio of hipsters to normal people was surprisingly not 500:2.

KD attempting to crowd surf but actually sort of walking off the stage into the audience. I think he was giving hugs.

Sam Goldberg of curiously (and probably ironically) named Canadian group Hawaii singing THE SEXIEST SONG EVER: “Three Thousand Miles.”

LOUD. At one point Goldberg mouthed “loud” to a bandmate. Yeah, I know dude, I’m standing right in front of a giant speaker.

BSS fans are easy to please! KD promised to “rock his guts out” for us but could have stood on stage eating a sandwich, judging by the crowd’s apeshit reaction to every single song (even the bad ones).

Some Lowlights

The “impromptu jam” inspired the dude in front of me to initiate air drumming.

A large cluster of unwashed youth obstructed my view of the large cluster of unwashed musicians; stepping on (my own) gum was also upsetting.

This may be sacrilegious to say, but: sometimes the dizzying instrumental outros made me feel like I needed to use the bathroom.

Adorable Liz Powell (of Land of Talk) contributed pretty lady sounds to the man mix but had to leave early due to strained vocal cords (or maybe she was gettin’ some backstage. Who knows, really).

Lowlights notwithstanding, BSS was pretty fucking awesome (am I right, apeshit fans? Yeah! Trumpets!). I’m going to guess that the reason why the band has such a loyal, diverse following is their ability to produce accessible “experimental” music, in the same vein as The Flaming Lips or a more convoluted Arcade Fire. You can dance like a crazy person or you can just, you know, stand there and robotically move your head, it doesn’t matter. That’s the beauty of this type of music—it’s embracing (and forgiving). Supposedly the band played, like, seventeen encores and then KD refused to leave the stage or something. We didn’t stay. Another thing about accessible experimental rock shows is that you can leave any time and still feel fulfilled and generally positive about life (take that, techno!).

Broken Social Scene is currently on tour, through November (select dates with Land of Talk). Visit their website for more information.

* This is also one of three ways that math can be applied to real life. The other ways are: calculating tips and teaching math.

Broken Social Scene at First Avenue, Minneapolis (13 Oct 2008) photo by Dolly

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

Flashback: Doves at First Avenue, Minneapolis (07 July 2001)

Read More Doves 10. SFA - Ice Hockey Hair 09. Doves - Pounding 08. Teenage Fanclub - Sparky's Dream …

Cheshire’s Doves recently announced their new album The Universal Want, due out September 11, 2020. You can pre-order the album on their official website dovesofficial.com … where you can hear the new song “Prisoners” on youtube.com.

The Universal Want will be Doves’ long-awaited fifth, their first album in eleven years. The band (featuring twin brothers Jez Williams and Andy Williams with Jimi Goodwin) went on a long hiatus in 2010.

Anyway, with the new album coming out later this year, I thought it’ll be fun to talk about the band in a Flashback article.

I caught Doves at the height of their popularity, during their The Last Broadcast tour in 2001/2002, at both First Avenue on July 7, 2001, and Fine Line Music Café on June 12, 2002. I don’t have scrapbook information on the Fine Line show, but I came away with buying one of their grey “DOVES” T-Shirt and their album The Last Broadcast as a memento from the show.

As for First Avenue show, I do have some clippings and advertisements from the local weekly newspaper, The City Pages.

Doves in City Pages (July 2001)

Since my memory is so poor, you’ll have take the clipping as the truth: Kevin Tihista and Matthew Jay opened the show at this 21+ show. Tickets were $10 in advance, and $12 at the door.

At the time (in 2001), The Last Broadcast had not come out, but they were clearly working in those songs (like “Hit the Ground Running”) in their 2001 set.

This was a great time for concert-going, from what I can recall. If you show up to the show early enough (when doors open at 6pm), the venue would often give out free complimentary tickets to future shows (that probably didn’t sell well for pre-sale). For a time, you can probably see the majority of shows at First Avenue for free, if you were willing to just check out random shows.

Hopefully, a cure for the COVID-19 will arrive soon, and life will return to normal. And maybe we can get to see Doves, live in concert again, for their promotional tour for The Universal Want. Anyway, if you haven’t seen the new “Prisoners” video, click below. It’s a good song, and there’s never been truer words sung: “Hello old friend, it’s been a while… ”

Doves - Prisoners

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

First Avenue and Prince: Before the Rain exhibits at Minnesota History Center, St. Paul

About First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota's Mainroom Your all-access pass to the stars, the shows, and the stories of the legendary club that put Minnesota music on the map. Exterior entrance of First Avenue, 7th Street Entry. Black and white photo by Daniel Corrigan. Since 1970, First Avenue & 7th St. Entry have been at the heart of the Minnesota music scene. Celebrate the musicians, the employees, and the regulars who called First Avenue their rock 'n' roll home. About Prince: Before the Rain Minnesota photographer Allen Beaulieu helped shape the icon we know today as Prince. As Prince's personal photographer and friend, he had access to Prince that few photographers have had, before or since. Based on Beaulieu's photography book, Prince: Before the Rain, the exhibit includes album cover outtakes, live performance shots, and rare behind-the-scenes candids. Read More Prince The two big shows on this date will be the Prince Tribute Concert (featuring Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan) at Xcel Energy Center and Sia at Target Center...

(Note: like most other public buildings, the Minnesota History Center is currently closed, but we invite you to check out the exhibits once this public health crisis subsides)

Celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this coming week, First Avenue & 7th St. Entry have been the heart of the Minnesota music scene since its first show (featuring Joe Cocker) in a converted bus station originally called The Depot, then Sam's. That fabled history is documented in a unique exhibit now on display called First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota's Mainroom at the Minnesota History Center.

Filled with decades of memorabilia showcasing renowned national, international and local acts, the exhibit is all-access pass that brings the club into sharp focus as to how and why it has flourished over five decades of presenting live music.

The beginning hallway of the exhibit features an impressive collage of monthly calendar flyers from its heyday, with numerous acts who would later play arenas and stadiums (like U2 who composed part of 'October' during their first soundcheck there), penciled in alongside bands that have been forgotten over time.

A front corner of the exhibit highlights the club's 70's-era days as a danceteria and the tenure when it was known as Uncle Sam's, complete with a lighted disco dance floor with accompanying videos and ephemera from the period.

A battered first cash register, graffiti wall with stickers, numerous photographs, and backroom documents are many of the mini kiosk displays seen along the way. Heralded national bands that began in Minnesota are given their own individual displays, including a speaker and lyric-filled drum kit from Husker Du, sneakers and a Gibson Les Paul from Soul Asylum, and even the actual touring van from hip-hop collective Doomtree.

A small theater features a mini-movie about the club running every twenty minutes, a wall of impressive silkscreen gig posters is located near the back, and interactive displays let you write in your most memorable shows attended, and guests can even customize their own First Avenue star.

Of course, a good amount of the exhibit is dedicated to Prince, who gave First Avenue even more acclaim and awareness, when the club was used as a central location in 1984's Purple Rain. His famous purple suit is there, along with associated memorabilia and even fan-made memorial tributes left after he passed, are on display. Additionally, an unused version of his famous motorcycle in the film, is located in the museum's main lobby downstairs.

As a bonus, a sister exhibit called Prince: Before the Rain is located nearby and features photographic prints from friend and early official photographer Allen Beaulieu, covering the time period from the late 70's to just before Purple Rain.

Based on Beaulieu's photography book of the same name, the exhibit includes album cover outtakes, live performance shots, and rare behind-the-scenes candid images that provide an insider's visual insight into the musical legend.

We were on-hand for the official opening of the Before The Rain exhibit last October, celebrated with a group discussion featuring Beaulieu, Prince guitarist Dez Dickerson, and DJ Kevin Cole, moderated by Andrea Swensson of The Current. Each of the panel related stories and memories from the time period that provided additional detail into Prince's early days, his association with the club, and meteoric rise into the public eye.

The exhibits were initially due to run only until May 3^rd, but with Paisley Park's annual Celebration delayed into the fall, and the museum currently closed due to virus concerns, expect an extended run for both exhibits, once all is re-opened. Additionally and related, a documentary on First Avenue is premiering on the local Minneapolis public television channel on March 30.

Prince PR motorcycle

Prince exhibit

Prince exhibit

Purple Rain suit

Theater mini movie

DoomTree van

Husker Du drumkit

Soul Asylum display

sticker wall

poster display

Uncle Sams dancefloor

Uncle Sams items

History Center hallway

History Center hallway

Al Beaulieu / Andrea Swensson

Dez Dickerson / Kevin Cole

Al Beaulieu

Dez Dickerson

First Avenue and Prince: Before the Rain at Minnesota History Center, St. Paul

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

Peter Hook & the Light at First Avenue, Minneapolis (02 Nov 2019)

Peter Hook at First Avenue Setlist Technique Set Fine Time All the Way Love Less Round & Round Guilty Partner Run Mr. Disco Vanishing Point Dream Attack 🖭 Your Silent Face Republic Set Regret World Ruined in a Day Spooky Everyone Everywhere Young Offender Liar Chemical Times Change Special 🖭 Avalanche -- Encore -- Exercise One Disorder Shadowplay Isolation Ceremony Touched by the Hand of God World in Motion Temptation Love Will Tear Us Apart Read More Peter Hook Peter Hook’s last Minneapolis show at the Fine Line Music Café in November 2014 remained one of my favorite shows of that year. He played THREE sets (well technical two full sets and ... DJ Jake Rudh This is billed as a Transmission (aka DJ Jake Rudh) / BNLX release show, but music fans may want to take note that at nearly midnight, The Ocean Blue is scheduled to appear. …

It’s so good to have Peter Hook (billed as Peter Hook & the Light) , back in town to play some classic Joy Division and New Order songs. As you know, New Order has yet to make their way here, so the original bassist is filling in a much-needed love and celebration of those early New Order hits.

Prior to Peter Hook taking the stage and playing music between sets was DJ Jake Rudh, from Transmission. As you know, Rudh is a big fan of New Order and Joy Division, naming his radio show after a Joy Division song.

After Hook finished his show, Rudh would close out the show with a dance party, playing music videos of UK bands from the 80s and 90s.

If you were keeping up, Peter Hook was previously playing Substance throughout 2016 and 2018.

With 2019, Hook decided to revisit and play every song from New Order’s albums Technique and Republic… both albums were very popular in the UK (having hit #1 on the UK charts in 1989 and 1993 respectively). There’s also an interesting story behind those two albums, Technique was possibly the last album that Factory issued for New Order before they went bankrupted… while Republic was picked up by major label Qwest/Warner Bros Records - making it the most popular New Order album in America (thanks mostly to terrific hits like “Regret” and “Ruined in a Day”).

Like many Americans, Republic was really the first New Order album that I bought, so it’s a little special to hear the album played live… not just the hits, but the weird album tracks.

As I’ve previously mentioned, it’s challenging for bands to play entire album from start to finish, mostly because of constantly re-tuning or playing with different instruments… plus, many times, when bands put songs in certain order for their albums, they don’t think that those songs can be played live.

I don’t know Technique quite as well, but I can tell that the last song on Republic, “Avalanche”, was played from a tape (since it was an instrumental track closing out the record).

All the songs were played expertly, and was how I remembered them sounding from the albums. Sometime bands would “mix it up” live, but thankfully, Hook kept it faithful to the studio recordings.

The “encore”, or rather the third Peter Hook set, started with all Joy Division songs… before returning to New Order’s “Ceremony” and “Touched by the Hand of God”. The encore songs were bonus, and they were songs fans wanted to hear… although it would’ve been nice to hear “She’s Lost Control” (which they didn’t play). Still no complaints here, “Isolation” was just as good to hear live.

What made the show special was hearing “World in Motion”. The official 1990 England national football song was on the setlist because Peter Hook said, “because I f***** love it.” It is really a wonderful song, especially when the audience screams back, “En-ga-land!”

The rap portion was handled by a fan (singing the part of England footballer John Barnes). After the song, the fan proposed marriage to his girlfriend, who came on stage to accept the ring.

Overall, a very special show, especially for the newly engaged couple.

Peter Hook ended strong with a double-whammy of New Order’s “Temptation” and Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. The latter song has always been a favorite to end his set, and you can tell when you hear everybody on the dance floor singing back the lyrics.

Remaining tour dates:

11/04/2019 Venue, Vancouver BC
11/05/2019 Neptune Theatre, Seattle WA
11/07/2019 Wonder Ballroom, Portland OR
11/08/2019 The Fillmore, San Francisco CA
11/09/2019 The Wiltern, Los Angeles CA
11/11/2019 Emo’s, Austin TX
11/12/2019 Variety Playhouse, Atlanta GA

Peter Hook & the Light at First Avenue, Minneapolis (02 Nov 2019)

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

Peter Hook & the Light at First Avenue, Minneapolis (02 Nov 2019)

Peter Hook at First Avenue Setlist Technique Set Fine Time All the Way Love Less Round & Round Guilty Partner Run Mr. Disco Vanishing Point Dream Attack 🖭 Your Silent Face Republic Set Regret World Ruined in a Day Spooky Everyone Everywhere Young Offender Liar Chemical Times Change Special 🖭 Avalanche -- Encore -- Exercise One Disorder Shadowplay Isolation Ceremony Touched by the Hand of God World in Motion Temptation Love Will Tear Us Apart Read More Peter Hook Peter Hook’s last Minneapolis show at the Fine Line Music Café in November 2014 remained one of my favorite shows of that year. He played THREE sets (well technical two full sets and ... DJ Jake Rudh This is billed as a Transmission (aka DJ Jake Rudh) / BNLX release show, but music fans may want to take note that at nearly midnight, The Ocean Blue is scheduled to appear. …

It’s so good to have Peter Hook (billed as Peter Hook & the Light) , back in town to play some classic Joy Division and New Order songs. As you know, New Order has yet to make their way here, so the original bassist is filling in a much-needed love and celebration of those early New Order hits.

Prior to Peter Hook taking the stage and playing music between sets was DJ Jake Rudh, from Transmission. As you know, Rudh is a big fan of New Order and Joy Division, naming his radio show after a Joy Division song.

After Hook finished his show, Rudh would close out the show with a dance party, playing music videos of UK bands from the 80s and 90s.

If you were keeping up, Peter Hook was previously playing Substance throughout 2016 and 2018.

With 2019, Hook decided to revisit and play every song from New Order’s albums Technique and Republic… both albums were very popular in the UK (having hit #1 on the UK charts in 1989 and 1993 respectively). There’s also an interesting story behind those two albums, Technique was possibly the last album that Factory issued for New Order before they went bankrupted… while Republic was picked up by major label Qwest/Warner Bros Records - making it the most popular New Order album in America (thanks mostly to terrific hits like “Regret” and “Ruined in a Day”).

Like many Americans, Republic was really the first New Order album that I bought, so it’s a little special to hear the album played live… not just the hits, but the weird album tracks.

As I’ve previously mentioned, it’s challenging for bands to play entire album from start to finish, mostly because of constantly re-tuning or playing with different instruments… plus, many times, when bands put songs in certain order for their albums, they don’t think that those songs can be played live.

I don’t know Technique quite as well, but I can tell that the last song on Republic, “Avalanche”, was played from a tape (since it was an instrumental track closing out the record).

All the songs were played expertly, and was how I remembered them sounding from the albums. Sometime bands would “mix it up” live, but thankfully, Hook kept it faithful to the studio recordings.

The “encore”, or rather the third Peter Hook set, started with all Joy Division songs… before returning to New Order’s “Ceremony” and “Touched by the Hand of God”. The encore songs were bonus, and they were songs fans wanted to hear… although it would’ve been nice to hear “She’s Lost Control” (which they didn’t play). Still no complaints here, “Isolation” was just as good to hear live.

What made the show special was hearing “World in Motion”. The official 1990 England national football song was on the setlist because Peter Hook said, “because I f***** love it.” It is really a wonderful song, especially when the audience screams back, “En-ga-land!”

The rap portion was handled by a fan (singing the part of England footballer John Barnes). After the song, the fan proposed marriage to his girlfriend, who came on stage to accept the ring.

Overall, a very special show, especially for the newly engaged couple.

Peter Hook ended strong with a double-whammy of New Order’s “Temptation” and Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. The latter song has always been a favorite to end his set, and you can tell when you hear everybody on the dance floor singing back the lyrics.

Remaining tour dates:

11/04/2019 Venue, Vancouver BC
11/05/2019 Neptune Theatre, Seattle WA
11/07/2019 Wonder Ballroom, Portland OR
11/08/2019 The Fillmore, San Francisco CA
11/09/2019 The Wiltern, Los Angeles CA
11/11/2019 Emo’s, Austin TX
11/12/2019 Variety Playhouse, Atlanta GA

Peter Hook & the Light at First Avenue, Minneapolis (02 Nov 2019)

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

Tiffany Young at First Avenue, Minneapolis (01 Nov 2019)

Tiffany Young at First Ave Tiffany Young Setlist Run for Your Life Over My Skin Heartbreak Hotel TALK Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus cover) Yellow Light Independent Woman (Destiny’s Child cover) Teach You I Just Wanna Dance Invincible Lee Hyori (Lee Hyori cover) Invitation (YMGA cover) Run Devil Run (Girls’ Generation song) Runaway The Flower Lips on Lips In My Blood (Shawn Mendes cover) Born Again Magnetic Moon Run for Your Life (reprise) Read More Tiffany Young Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany Young will be headlining First Avenue this November 1st. Young is an American, but was discovered by South Korean entertainment agency SM Entertainment at the age of fifteen. …

K-Pop fans flocked to see Tiffany Young on her headlining First Avenue show, in Minneapolis, on November 1st.

There were no opening bands, so this all-ages show ended typically earlier than normal shows. For those over 21 years old, you can access First Avenue’s balcony to buy liquor and watch the show from above. The majority of fans didn’t care about viewing the show from above, as they would rather be up in front on the dancefloor, waving their LED Tiffany Young light sticks and singing along.

If you didn’t know, Young is an American (born and raise in California), but moved to South Korea to join in Girls’ Generation (and later joining its subdivision group Girls’ Generation-TTS). The all-girls group became one of South Korea’s most popular K-Pop band in the world.

Young went solo in 2016 with the release of I Just Wanna Dance. Her second EP, Lips on Lips, came out in February 2019, via Transparent Arts.

Tiffany Young’s latest “Magnetic Moon” Tour is the most expansive and ambitious tour yet for Young. Previously she did one or two “warm-up” dates, but generally those shows only saw Young at major cities, such as New York or Los Angeles.

In keeping with the “Magnetic Moon” theme, there is a large moon in the background on stage. The moon changes colors, depending on the songs. With only two EPs (but with more written and waiting for recording), Young exhausted her set with all her original songs.

The rest of the set features cover songs, including the Miley Cyrus-approved cover of “Wrecking Ball” and fan-approved Girls’ Generation’s “Run Devil Run”.

Young is joined by a couple of musicians (on keyboard and drums), they are generally in the background, as the real star is Tiffany Young and her two backup dancers. The dancers, often flanking Young on the left and right side, comes and goes when they are needed. Each song had a unique dance choreography, so it’s visually fun to watch the performance.

Remaining Tour Dates:

Tue 11/12/2019 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh, NC

Wed 11/13/2019 The Buckhead Theatre Atlanta, GA

Fri 11/15/2019 White Oak Music Hall Houston, TX

Sat 11/16/2019 Trees Dallas, TX

Mon 11/18/2019 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO

Wed 11/20/2019 The Crescent Ballroom Phoenix, AZ

Thu 11/21/2019 The Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA

Tiffany Young at First Avenue, Minneapolis (01 Nov 2019)

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

Tiffany Young at First Avenue, Minneapolis (01 Nov 2019)

Tiffany Young at First Ave Tiffany Young Setlist Run for Your Life Over My Skin Heartbreak Hotel TALK Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus cover) Yellow Light Independent Woman (Destiny’s Child cover) Teach You I Just Wanna Dance Invincible Lee Hyori (Lee Hyori cover) Invitation (YMGA cover) Run Devil Run (Girls’ Generation song) Runaway The Flower Lips on Lips In My Blood (Shawn Mendes cover) Born Again Magnetic Moon Run for Your Life (reprise) Read More Tiffany Young Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany Young will be headlining First Avenue this November 1st. Young is an American, but was discovered by South Korean entertainment agency SM Entertainment at the age of fifteen. …

K-Pop fans flocked to see Tiffany Young on her headlining First Avenue show, in Minneapolis, on November 1st.

There were no opening bands, so this all-ages show ended typically earlier than normal shows. For those over 21 years old, you can access First Avenue’s balcony to buy liquor and watch the show from above. The majority of fans didn’t care about viewing the show from above, as they would rather be up in front on the dancefloor, waving their LED Tiffany Young light sticks and singing along.

If you didn’t know, Young is an American (born and raise in California), but moved to South Korea to join in Girls’ Generation (and later joining its subdivision group Girls’ Generation-TTS). The all-girls group became one of South Korea’s most popular K-Pop band in the world.

Young went solo in 2016 with the release of I Just Wanna Dance. Her second EP, Lips on Lips, came out in February 2019, via Transparent Arts.

Tiffany Young’s latest “Magnetic Moon” Tour is the most expansive and ambitious tour yet for Young. Previously she did one or two “warm-up” dates, but generally those shows only saw Young at major cities, such as New York or Los Angeles.

In keeping with the “Magnetic Moon” theme, there is a large moon in the background on stage. The moon changes colors, depending on the songs. With only two EPs (but with more written and waiting for recording), Young exhausted her set with all her original songs.

The rest of the set features cover songs, including the Miley Cyrus-approved cover of “Wrecking Ball” and fan-approved Girls’ Generation’s “Run Devil Run”.

Young is joined by a couple of musicians (on keyboard and drums), they are generally in the background, as the real star is Tiffany Young and her two backup dancers. The dancers, often flanking Young on the left and right side, comes and goes when they are needed. Each song had a unique dance choreography, so it’s visually fun to watch the performance.

Remaining Tour Dates:

Tue 11/12/2019 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh, NC

Wed 11/13/2019 The Buckhead Theatre Atlanta, GA

Fri 11/15/2019 White Oak Music Hall Houston, TX

Sat 11/16/2019 Trees Dallas, TX

Mon 11/18/2019 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO

Wed 11/20/2019 The Crescent Ballroom Phoenix, AZ

Thu 11/21/2019 The Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA

Tiffany Young at First Avenue, Minneapolis (01 Nov 2019)

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