W♥M

Year of the Dragon

Happy Lunar New Year! It’s the year of the Dragon.

Read more When Animals Attack.

Constant Surprises (Little Dragon cover) by Miso Extra Read More Little Dragon The last time we saw Sweden’s Little Dragon was in May 2015 and we said, “I'm happy to report that Little Dragon is all grown up. Since we last saw the Swedish band in November 2009 …

Little Dragon
little-dragon.net

There’s actually a couple of Little Dragon news. The band released Slipping into Color EP on Ninja Tune, and went on a world tour last year with April + Vista (who collaborated with the EP).

Little Dragon (28 May 2015)

The Grammy-nominated Swedish band didn’t play Minneapolis last year, but we did see them in May 2015, and said, “I'm happy to report that Little Dragon is all grown up. Since we last saw the Swedish band in November 2009 (six years ago), the band has grown in terms of sound, stage, and fanbase. With the larger stage of First Avenue's mainroom, the band had custom diamond light setup with a massive backdrop image. Musically, the band is doing more dance club, even tribal, sound. This music appeal to a new larger legion of club music ... only a little more diverse with various ethnic groups.”

Also there is a new Little Dragon cover song “Constant Surprises” by London-based, mixed heritage singer, producer and rapper Miso Extra.

Speaking about “Constant Surprises”, Miso explains, “I adore the band Little Dragon and the lyrics in this song particularly resonate with me as I am often prone to daydreaming. To me this song serves as a beautiful reminder to count my blessings.”

Imagine Dragons invites you to Super Bowl LVIII Read More Imagine Dragons With over 14,000 fans in attendance at Imagine Dragons last appearance in Minnesota, I can tell you that the band has massive appeal to a younger demographic. …

Imagine Dragons
imaginedragonsmusic.com

The Super Bowl is taking place this Sunday. This year, the National Football League of the United States will be in Las Vegas, and they’ve already scheduled Usher to play their much-watched halftime show… much to the disappointment of fans of Imagine Dragons, who actually is from Las Vegas.

That still didn’t stop the band from raffling off two tickets to Super Bowl 58. The grand prize winner (Rebekah M. from Sacramento) won a round trip travel and three nights at a hotel, plus a $500 gift card.

Rebekah wrote, “I donated because I love helping out organizations that have causes with PURPOSE, selfishness of donating towards something bigger than yourself is amazing and you could only hope to spread some love.”

Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Imagine Dragons’ Tyler Robinson Foundation, which supports pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Thanks to Imagine Dragons and Fandiem.com for organizing the raffle.

House of the Dragon: Season 2 Read More Game Of Thrones With bitterness of the last two seasons of Game of Thrones still fresh in my mind, I wasn’t looking forward to the prequel House of the Dragons… or as the kids are calling it, “Hot D”. Going into House of the Dragons .…

House of the Dragon
hbo.com

In many ways, House of the Dragon made me love George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones again. The last two seasons of the original television show was so awful, it really made people embarrassed for recommending the show to friends.

With HotD, it resets the board. We’re introduced to brand new characters, taking place 150 years before the first season of Game of Thrones. All of these characters in HotD are new to us, and the first season of House of the Dragon, sets up a great story.

If you didn’t know, it tells the story of a king’s children who ends up in a civil war to claim the throne. Each side of the family believes they are the true heir.

What sets HotD apart from Game of Thrones, is that in this timeline, dragons, although rare, exists and commanded by the Targaryens family. We know that after the civil war, that all the dragons died out.

Anyway, we’re excited about the upcoming new season. HotD will be back with Season 2, available sometime this Summer 2024.

According to winteriscoming.net, HBO is currently re-shooting scenes for HotD, mostly indoors filming. They did note, “That said, we've wondered if these reshoots in particular were complicated by the fact that most of the second season of House of the Dragon was filmed at a time when Hollywood writers (and then actors) were on strike. The strikes shut down productions all around the world, but the House of the Dragon shoot was allowed to continue, mainly because the bulk of it took place in England, which is governed by different, more anti-competitive labor laws than is the United States.”

Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Wall Calendar: 50th Anniversary Edition Read More Dungeons & Dragons From the creators of Divinity: Original Sin 2 comes a next-generation RPG, set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Choose from 12 classes and 11 races from the D&D Player's Handbook and …

Dungeons and Dragons
dnd.wizards.com

With the 50th Anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons (originally published in January 1974), there’ll be plenty of new 50th Anniversary D&D merch coming in 2024, as compiled by dexerto.com: “There’s plenty of merch coming to Dungeons & Dragons in 2024, from dice sets, trays, and so much more.”

Upcoming releases below:

Descent into the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth – 2024

Vecna: Eve of Ruin – 2024

Quests from the Infinite Staircase – 2024

2024 Player’s Handbook – 2024

Dungeon Master’s Guide – 2024

Monster Manual – 2024

Check out all the upcoming D&D merch items below:

Dungeons & Dragons 50th Anniversary Vintage Set: July 1, 2024

Dungeons & Dragons 50th Anniversary Commemorative Set: July 1, 2024

Dungeons & Dragons 50th Anniversary Then/Now set: July 1, 2024

Dungeons & Dragons Shadow Light Dice Tray

Dungeons & Dragons Art Edition Dice Tray: Erol Otus

Dungeons & Dragons Signature Art Edition Dice Tray: Jeff Easley

Dungeons & Dragons Signature Art Edition Dice Tray: Larry Elmore

Dungeons & Dragons Art Edition Dice Tower: Erol Otus

Dungeons & Dragons Signature Art Edition Dice Tower: Jeff Easley

Dungeons & Dragons Signature Art Edition Dice Tower: Larry Elmore

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com ♥ bsky/weheartmusic

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

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

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

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

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

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

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

Monday Aug 8

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

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

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

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

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

Tim Heidecker (comedian), The Truman, $49.50

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

Thundercat, Grinders KC, $35-$75

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

Red Fang, recordBar, $20

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

Tuesday Aug 9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Murder by Death Lemonade Park, $32

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

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

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

Wednesday Aug 10

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

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

Black Pistol Fire with The Shooks, recordBar. $20

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

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

Ballyhoo! and Shwayze, Bottleneck. $20

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

Thursday Aug 11

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

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

Friday Aug 12

Incubus with Sublime with Rome, Aquadolls, Azura Amphitheater. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drake White, Power and Light District, $20

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

Goatwhore, Granada. $20

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

Starcrawler, recordBar, $15

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

Saturday Aug 13

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

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

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

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

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

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Knuckleheads. $20

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

Sunday Aug 14

Melissa Etheridge, Liberty Hall, $69-$199

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

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Uptown. $45-$249

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

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

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

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

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

Monday Aug 15

take a day off

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

Imagine Dragons at EA Sports Bowl, The Armory, Minneapolis (01 Feb 2018)

Imagine Dragons Setlist I Don't Know Why It's Time Gold Whatever It Takes I'll Make It Up to You Mouth of the River Yesterday Start Over Demons Rise Up On Top of the World I Bet My Life Thunder with K.Flay Believer Walking the Wire Radioactive Read More Imagine Dragons With over 14,000 fans in attendance at Imagine Dragons last appearance in Minnesota, I can tell you that the band has massive appeal to a younger demographic. … Machine Gun Kelly Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area on November 13, 2016. NOTE: This is the same night that Machine Gun Kelly (with Mod Sun) will play the Varsity Theater (Sold Out). … EA Dragon Age: Inquisition is currently on sale on EA's Origins system for $39.99. It's the standard edition, which is fine for most people. …

Super Bowl Week in Minneapolis officially kicked into high gear as its newest concert venue (rehabbed to life in one of downtown’s oldest buildings) The Armory hosted its first proper concert as EA Sports Bowl presented Imagine Dragons. 

Stay tuned for a more detailed report, but we wanted to get the setlist, pictures and initial notes up as soon as possible. 

The red carpet was filled with numerous sports and culture celebrities and the venue itself is overall impressive and holds approx. 8,400 – a perfect niche between places like the smaller Roy Wilkins and the twice-as-large Target Center and Xcel Energy Center.

Opening act Machine Gun Kelly surprised the audience by bringing up hot hip-hop trio Migos mid-set, playing an hour-long set alternating between slicing verse and shredding guitar. 

Instead of being bored watching the set change between acts, EA Sports hosted game competitions that saw Jamie Foxx face UFC Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson on the just-released UFC 3 game and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara face Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in a game of Madden 18.

Imagine Dragons brought their arena-ready sound to a venue half the size, connecting with the crowd on tracks from the new record, as well as previous radio favorites.  K. Flay even joined the band on stage mid-set, for their re-imagined ‘Thunder’ and singer Dan Reynolds gave a heartfelt speech about depression before the band’s ‘Demons’.

All in all, a great night at a promising new venue—stay tuned for more details!

Imagine Dragons TOUR DATES

02/16/2018 Merksem, Belgium Antwerps Sportpaleis
02/17/2018 Luxembourg, Luxembourg Rockhal
02/19/2018 Amsterdam, Netherlands Ziggo Dome
02/22/2018 Paris, France AccorHotels Arena
02/24/2018 Birmingham, UK Genting Arena
02/26/2018 Dublin, Ireland 3Arena
02/28/2018 London, UK O2 - London
03/01/2018 London, UK O2 - London
03/03/2018 Manchester, UK Manchester Arena
03/04/2018 Glasgow, UK The SSE Hydro
03/16/2018 Lollapalooza Argentina
03/17/2018 Lollapalooza Chile
03/20/2018 Asuncion, Jockey Club del Paraguay
03/22/2018 Rio De Janeiro, KM De Vantagens Hall
03/24/2018 Lollapalooza Brazil
04/03/2018 Paris, France AccorHotels Arena
04/04/2018 Floirac, Bordeaux Metropole Arena
04/06/2018 Barcelona, Spain Palau Sant Jordi
04/07/2018 Madrid, Spain WiZink Center
04/09/2018 Montpellier, France Arena Montpellier
04/10/2018 Lyon, France Halle Tony Garnier
04/12/2018 Munich, Germany Olympic Hall
04/13/2018 Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadion
04/15/2018 Vienna, Austria Wiener Stadthalle
04/16/2018 Prague, Czech Republic O2 Arena
04/18/2018 Oberhausen, Konig - Pilsener Arena
04/19/2018 Frankfurt, Festhalle - Messe Frankfurt
04/22/2018 Hamburg, Barclaycard Arena
04/25/2018 Oslo, Norway Oslo Spektrum Arena
04/26/2018 Stockholm, Sweden Ericsson Globe
05/12/2018 Perth, Australia Perth Arena
05/15/2018 Melbourne, Margaret Court Arena
05/16/2018 Melbourne, Margaret Court Arena
05/18/2018 Boondall, Brisbane Entertainment Centre
05/19/2018 Sydney, Australia Qudos Bank Arena
05/21/2018 Auckland, New Zealand Spark Arena
05/23/2018 Wellington, New Zealand TSB Bank Arena
08/29/2018 Moscow, Russia Dynamo Central Stadium
08/31/2018 Kiev, Ukraine Olympic Stadium

EA Sports Bowl Red Carpet

EA Sports Bowl Red Carpet: Travis Kelce

EA Sports Bowl Jamie Foxx

EA Sports Bowl Red Carpet: Kris London

EA Sports Bowl Red Carpet: Kareem Hunt

EA Sports Bowl Red Carpet: Patrick Peterson

EA Sports Bowl Foxx vs Johnson

EA Sports Bowl Kamara vs Kelce

Armory back of Arena view

Migos

Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly

Imagine Dragons with K.Flay

Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons at Armory, Minneapolis (01 Feb 2018)

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

Rocktober: October 15 to October 17, 2017

Rocktober: Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from October 15 to October 17, 2017.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More The Lone Bellow Brooklyn based country trio The Lone Bellow are returning to a sold out show in Minnesota's The Turf Club. The band are touring in support of their second album Then Came The Morning ...

THE LONE BELLOW
+ Mt. Joy
Fine Line Music Café
Sunday 10/15/2017 (7pm/$20)
finelinemusic.com

The Lone Bellow will be headlining the Fine Line Music Café this Sunday. The last time they were in town, it was at October 2015 and we said, “The highlight of their show was the encore, a cover of Prince's "Purple Rain". The band said they were recording the live performance and will make it available to their fans... "but please don't tell Prince." At the end of the song, the Varsity Theater blew in a slow, snow-like confetti from the ceiling... which under purple lighting made it look like a real 'purple rain'.”

Of course, that was before Prince died, so let’s hope they cover the song again, exclusively for Minneapolis.

The Lone Bellow’s new album Walk Into A Storm is out now.

Tour dates:

Oct 10 - Thalia Hall - Chicago, IL^
Oct 11- Thalia Hall - Chicago, IL^
Oct 13 - Majestic Theatre - Madison, WI ^
Oct 14 - The Englert Theatre - Iowa City, IA ^
Oct 15 - Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, MN ^
Nov 01 - Bijou Theater - Knoxville, TN*
Nov 02 - Variety Playhouse - Atlanta, GA*
Nov 05 - Iron City Birmingham - Birmingham, AL*
Nov 06 - Charleston Music Hall - Charleston, SC*
Nov 07 - Neighborhood Theatre - Charlotte, NC*
Nov 09 - Haw River Ballroom - Saxapahaw, NC*
Nov 10 - 9:30 Club - Washington D.C.*
Nov 12 - Infinity Hall Hartford - Hartford, CT*
Nov 14 - State Theatre - Portland, ME*
Nov 15 - House of Blues - Boston, MA*
Nov 16 - Higher Ground - South Burlington, VT*
Nov 17 - Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA*

*w/ The Wild Reeds
^w/ Mt. Joy

Read More Hoodie Allen NYC indie rapper Hoodie Allen got the festivities started with an energetic 40 min. set, playing to a crowd that was clearly his fanbase. Starting with ‘Fame’, a recent collaboration with Chiddy Bang …

HOODIE ALLEN
+ Luke Christopher / Myles Parrish
First Avenue
Sunday 10/15/2017 (6pm/$30)
first-avenue.com

Hoodie Allen is touring in support of his third studio album The Hype. We saw the rapper in September 2013 and noted, “NYC indie rapper Hoodie Allen got the festivities started with an energetic 40 min. set, playing to a crowd that was clearly his fanbase. Starting with ‘Fame’, a recent collaboration with Chiddy Bang, the 25 year-old rapper got everyone moving immediately concentrating mostly on tracks from his most recent self-released full-length, All American, mashing up songs and keeping the set momentum moving (even U mascot Goldy Gopher jumped on stage to join in).”

The Hype World Tour Dates

10/10: Columbus, OH @ Park Saloon
10/11: Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room
10/12: Chicago, IL @ The Vic
10/14: Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
10/15: Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave
10/16: Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
10/18: St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
10/19: Kansas City, MO @ The Truman
10/20: Denver, CO @ Gothic
10/22: Salt Lake City, UT @ Complex
10/24: Portland, OR @ Roseland
10/25: Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theater
10/26: Seattle, WA @ Showbox
10/28: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
10/29: Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
10/30: Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda
11/1: Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee
11/3: Dallas, TX @ Granada
11/4: Houston, TX @ House of Blues
11/5: San Antonio, TX @ Aztec
11/8: Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
11/9: Orlando, FL @ Plaza Live
11/10: Atlanta, GA @ Centerstage
11/12: Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore
11/13: Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theater
11/15: Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom
11/17: Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
11/18: Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix
11/19: Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews
11/21: Boston, MA @ House of Blues
11/22: Washington, DC @ The Fillmore
11/24: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
11/25: New York, NY @ Playstation

Read More Imagine Dragons With over 14,000 fans in attendance at Imagine Dragons last appearance in Minnesota, I can tell you that the band has massive appeal to a younger demographic. … K.Flay After a short set by hip-hop songstress K. Flay (who we previously saw at a Go 96.3 show and was still promoting last year’s Life as a Dog (Bummer Picnic Records), this co-headlining bill ... Grouplove Grouplove is based out of Los Angeles, and their debut self-titled EP was released on January 25th via Canvasback Music. They were handpicked to open for Florence + The Machine …

Other shows in the area:

THE OBSESSED
+ Cobalt
7th Street Entry
Monday 10/16/2017 (7:30pm/$15)
first-avenue.com

The Obsessed is set to re-issue their self-titled debut record on Relapse Records. The Doom metal band will be headlining the 7th Street Entry this Monday.

Tour dates:

10/10/2017 Bossanova Ballroom - Portland, OR
10/12/2017 Studio Seven - Seattle, WA *
10/13/2017 The Pin - Spokane, WA *
10/16/2017 7th St. Entry - Minneapolis, MN *
10/17/2017 Cactus Club - Milwaukee, WI *
10/18/2017 Barauerhaus - Lombard, IL *
10/19/2017 Woodward Theater - Cincinnati, OH *
10/20/2017 Trixies - Louisville, KY *
10/21/2017 Chameleon Club - Lancaster, PA *
10/24/2017 Saint Vitus - Brooklyn, NY *
10/25/2017 The Cafe at Parlor - Newport, RI *
10/26/2017 Voltage Lounge - Philadelphia, PA *
10/27/2017 Metro Gallery - Baltimore, MD *

^ w/ Iron Tongue
* w/ Cobalt

IMAGINE DRAGONS
+ K.Flay, Grouplove
Xcel Energy Center
Monday 10/16/2017 (6:30pm/$39.50)
xcelenergycenter.com

I’ll never forget seeing Imagine Dragons at the Varsity Theater… now they regularly sell out stadiums. The band will be at the Xcel Energy Center this Monday.

Tour dates:

Oct 10 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place
Oct 11 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
Oct 13 Salt Lake City, UT USANA
Oct 14 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
Oct 15 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room
Oct 16 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
Oct 18 Chicago, IL United Center
Oct 19 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
Oct 21 Cincinnati, OH U.S. Bank Arena
Oct 23 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center
Oct 24 Newark, NJ Prudential Center
Oct 26 Québec City, QC Le Centre Videotron
Oct 27 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
Oct 29 Boston, MA TD Garden
Nov 1 Buffalo, NY KeyBank Center
Nov 2 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
Nov 4 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Nov 5 Washington, DC Verizon Center
Nov 7 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
Nov 8 Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center Nov 10 Orlando, FL Amway Arena
Nov 12 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Nov 13 Dallas, TX American Airlines Arena
Nov 16 Anaheim, CA Honda Center

LIL PEEP
Amsterdam Bar and Hall
Tuesday 10/17/2017 (6pm/$20)
amsterdambarandhall.com

Lil Peep is playing the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St Paul in support of his debut album Come Over When You’re Sober (Part One).

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

Tom Walker at Charlie's on Prior, Prior Lake, MN (15 June 2017)

Setlist Rapture Radioactive (Imagine Dragons cover) Just You and I Fly Away With Me Play Dead (The 4AM mix) Me Myself and I Shaking Tour Dates 06/23/2017 Pilton UK Glastonbury Festival 08/20/2017 Gampel, Switzerland Open Air 08/27/2017 Portsmouth, UK Southsea Seafront Read More Tom Walker Blessings - EP [Explicit] Tom Walker May 12, 2017 Copyright: (P) 2017 Relentless Records under exclusive licence to Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited Record Company ....

“Manchester” wasn’t “by the sea”—

…but instead along the banks of Prior Lake, as Manchester, UK singer-songwriter Tom Walker made a brief stop in the Twin Cities suburb, to perform a short acoustic set and introduce himself during his first time in the area.

The musician, originally from Glasgow and now based in London, recently released his debut EP, Blessings (Relentless/Epic Records) was selected as Elvis Duran’s Artist of the Month appearing on the Today Show and single ‘Just You and I’ has topped 12 million Spotify streams.  After a sold out stint opening for George Ezra, Walker is on a brief radio promotional tour and joined local station Cities 97 as part of their Live on the Lake series that features local musicians, developing artists, and some established names, playing at a lakeside establishment on Thursday afternoons over the summer.

“We’ve come all the way from rainy England” Walker remarked, doing some last minute tuning as he and his percussionist started their half hour set with ‘Rapture’, from the EP.  The happy hour outdoors crowd was typically over-boisterous but slowly came more around as Walker continued, next with his stripped version of Imagine Dragons’ ‘Radioactive’, something he hopes his songs will become in the States.

‘Just You and I’ would follow, with Walker in hat and sunglasses, taking in the dockside view as the blustery wind swept things about, and swelled water currents.  ‘Play Dead’ was originally recorded in the middle of the night (thus being dubbed the 4AM mix) and ‘Me Myself and I’ was not the De La Soul song, but a Walker original that recalls his bus rides in London that took him to mysterious places, sometimes without a way back.

“If you fancy a little moving… why not?!” Walker mentioned before closing with a skiffle sounding ‘Shaking’, a surefire toe-tapper though the crowd found it hard to move on the narrow deck area.

Walker has released a new single, ‘Heartland’ with full-length presumably on the way soon, and plays to a much bigger audience back home in England this weekend, taking part in the massive Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, UK, but we hope to see him back locally for a full-length proper gig, once the album is released.

Tom Walker at Charlie's on Prior, Prior Lake, MN (15 June 2017)

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

Imagine Dragons w/ Metric, Halsey at Xcel, St Paul (09 June 2015)

Imagine Dragons Setlist Shots Trouble It's Time Forever Young (Alphaville cover) Smoke and Mirrors Polaroid I'm So Sorry Summer Gold Bleeding Out Demons Dream Hopeless Opus Amsterdam Release On Top of the World Friction I Bet My Life Radioactive -- Encore -- The Fall Metric Setlist Stadium Love Too Bad, So Sad Speed the Collapse Help I'm Alive Cascades Synthetica Gold Guns Girls Breathing Underwater The Shade Halsey Setlist Castle Empty Gold Hold Me Down Ghost Hurricane Tour Dates 06/13/15 Milwaukee, WI BMO Harris Bradley 06/15/15 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena 06/16/15 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center 06/18/15 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena 06/19/15 Pittsburgh, PA Consol Energy Center 06/22/15 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena 06/23/15 Auburn Hills, MI Palace Of Auburn Hills 06/24/15 Buffalo, NY First Niagara Center 06/27/15 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center 06/29/15 Newark, NJ Prudential Center 06/30/15 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center 07/01/15 Boston, MA TD Garden 07/03/15 Montreal, QC Bell Centre 07/04/15 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre 07/06/15 Washington, DC Verizon Center 07/07/15 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena 07/08/15 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena 07/10/15 Tampa, FL Amalie Arena 07/11/15 Sunrise, FL BB&T Center 07/13/15 Memphis, TN FedExForum 07/14/15 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena 07/16/15 Houston, TX Toyota Center 07/17/15 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center 07/18/15 Stateline, NV Lake Tahoe Outdoor 07/20/15 Anaheim, CA Honda Center 07/21/15 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena 07/24/15 Inglewood, CA Forum 07/25/15 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center 07/27/15 Denver, CO Pepsi Center 07/28/15 Salt Lake City, UT EnergySolutions 07/30/15 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena 07/31/15 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome 08/01/15 Boise, ID Taco Bell Arena Read More Imagine Dragons With over 14,000 fans in attendance at Imagine Dragons last appearance in Minnesota, I can tell you that the band has massive appeal to a younger demographic. … 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 … Halsey Halsey (stagename for Ashley Frangipane) has a debut EP Room 93 is set for release on October 28th via Astralwerks. W♥M fans will know ...

Over 13,000 fans showed up to see Imagine Dragons return to the Xcel Energy Center in St Paul last Tuesday, June 9th. The Las Vegas band is currently on their Smoke + Mirrors Tour.

Halsey photo: Jayme Halbritter

The show started with a technical difficulty that pushed Halsey (an anagram of singer Ashley) to start six minutes late. I didn't think they actually fix the problem with the video screen until Metric came on stage... As a result of the late start, the band had to drop two songs from their set list to maintain the strict music schedule.

Joining Halsey on stage was jazz keyboardist Greg Spero (who had family in Minnesota) and drummer Nate Lotz. Strange, but absent on stage were her guitarists when we first saw Halsey on her first ever tour with the Kooks.

Halsey previewed some songs ("Castle", "Hold Me Down", and "Ghost") from her forthcoming Badlands album, set for release August 28, 2015, on Astralwerks.... however, she ended her set with her most popular song "Hurricane".

Metric photo: Jayme Halbritter

Our favorite Canadian band Metric was up next, with a high energy dance-centric set, consisting of only newer material: 2009's Fantasies ("Stadium Love", "Help I'm Alive", and "Gold Guns Girls"), 2012's Synthetica (Title track, "Speed The Collapse", and "Breathing Underwater"), and from the forthcoming Pagans in Vegas ("Too Bad, So Sad", "Cascades", and "The Shade").

Singer Emily Haines is always fun to watch, often doing her rollerskate and hands waving dancing moves. My favorite was for "Cascades", Haines brought out a shawl or cape and stood over the upflowing fan to create this nice visual flowing cloth dance.

The message was clear, Metric love writing and performing music... otherwise they wouldn't have done this for the past 17 years. Haines also joked that the music help her look 26.

While I love the band, I fear that the days of them doing old favorites from Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? are long gone. The current Metric band, as it is, will only play newer material. Which I can understand, musicians have to change and grow.

When Pagans in Vegas comes out in September 2015, hopefully Metric will be stopping by Minneapolis on their headline tour.

Dan Reynolds photo: Jayme Halbritter

As soon as Imagine Dragons entered the room to a dramatic gigantic moving display, the entire audience immediately stood up to a thunderous cheer.

We've been watching and covering Imagine Dragons since their early days at smaller club shows (Triple Rock, Varsity Theater), and we're incredibly happy to see them do so well with these big stadium shows. The band is incredibly thankful and grateful for everyone in their lives for making them such a success, calling out Cities97's Paul Fletcher and singer Dan Reynolds thanking his wife (Aja Volkman of Nico Vega).

In the seven years that Imagine Dragons toured as a band, this is the first tour that they've incorporated lasers into their shows... and they utilized the lasers near the end of the set. Combining with the smoke machine, the lasers created an unforgettable look and feel to their show.

The band ended their set with their most popular song "Radioactive", which got the biggest audience reaction and sing-alongs... however, I felt the highlight of their set was for their encore song "The Fall", which featured images of trees and falling leaves... complete with flowing confetti from the ceiling!

Imagine Dragon's second studio album Smoke + Mirrors is out now on Interscope Records/KIDinaKORNER.

Imagine Dragons at Xcel Energy Center, St Paul (09 June 2015) photo courtesy of Jayme Halbritter Photography, jaymehalbritter.com

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

Minneapolis: June 9, 2015

Read More Starsailor You know, I've never really gotten into Starsailor. They never quite made it as big as the bands of their time (well not here anyway) and I'm ashamed to say that I've always had one of their singles (given to me by god know ....

Here are some concerts taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area for June 9, 2015. This is an incredibly busy night for us.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

EMBRACE w/ Starsailor
at Mill City Nights
Tuesday, 06/09/15, 8pm ($22.50/18+)
Details: millcitynights.com

English band Embrace is back on a rare US tour in support of their latest self-titled album, which came out last year 2014.

Post-Britpop band Starsailor is also making a rare Minneapolis appearance. The band basically broke up in 2009, despite their best effort to kick off their fourth studio album All The Plans.

After going into extended hiatus, the band reunited to play some festivals: Summer in the City at Castlefield Bowl, Rock Zottegem festival in Belgium, and Pentaport Rock Festival in South Korea. It would seem that the reunion is good for the band that they've decided to co-headline the tour with Embrace this Summer.

This should be a great bill for nostalgic fans.

Tour dates:

06/01/15 Anaheim, CA House Of Blues
06/03/15 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
06/06/15 Seattle, WA Neumos
06/09/15 Minneapolis, MN Mill City Nights
06/10/15 Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge
06/11/15 Toronto, ON Danforth Music Hall
06/14/15 Boston, MA Royale Nightclub Boston

Read More Imagine Dragons Forget 2014 being the “Year of the Horse” according to the Chinese calendar, 2013-14 has clearly been the Year of the Dragon. The Las Vegas quartet … Metric I've seen Metric twice (four times if you could 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 … Halsey Halsey (stagename for Ashley Frangipane) has a debut EP Room 93 is set for release on October 28th via Astralwerks. W♥M fans will know ...

IMAGINE DRAGONS
at Xcel Energy Center
Tuesday, 06/09/15, 6:30pm ($29.50 - $69.50)
Details: xcelenergycenter.com

With over 14,000 fans in attendance at Imagine Dragons last appearance in Minnesota, I can tell you that the band has massive appeal to a younger demographic. The Minnesota show actually was originally scheduled (as per their tour poster), but the band love playing here that they added the date eventually on their tour itinerary.

As much as we love Imagine Dragons, we're actually pretty excited equally for the two openers: Canada's Metric (who we last saw at Rock the Garden 2013 and State Theatre in 2012) and Halsey (who blew us away at her support show for The Kooks in 2014).

With these types of stadium show, if you want to catch the opening band, be sure to show up before doors open (6:30pm), as getting into the event can be time consuming because of tight security and just the sheer amount of fans in the building.

North American tour dates:

06/03/15 Portland, OR Moda Center
06/05/15 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
06/06/15 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
06/08/15 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
06/09/15 Saint Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
06/10/15 Omaha, NE CenturyLink Center Omaha
06/12/15 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
06/13/15 Milwaukee, WI BMO Harris Bradley Center
06/15/15 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena
06/16/15 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
06/18/15 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
06/19/15 Pittsburgh, PA Consol Energy Center
06/22/15 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
06/23/15 Auburn Hills, MI Palace Of Auburn Hills
06/24/15 Buffalo, NY First Niagara Center
06/27/15 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
06/29/15 Newark, NJ Prudential Center
06/30/15 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center
07/01/15 Boston, MA TD Garden
07/03/15 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
07/04/15 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
07/06/15 Washington, DC Verizon Center
07/07/15 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena
07/08/15 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
07/10/15 Tampa, FL Amalie Arena
07/11/15 Sunrise, FL BB&T Center
07/13/15 Memphis, TN FedExForum
07/14/15 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
07/16/15 Houston, TX Toyota Center
07/17/15 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
07/18/15 Stateline, NV Lake Tahoe Outdoor
07/20/15 Anaheim, CA Honda Center
07/21/15 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena
07/24/15 Inglewood, CA Forum
07/25/15 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center
07/27/15 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
07/28/15 Salt Lake City, UT EnergySolutions
07/30/15 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
07/31/15 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome
08/01/15 Boise, ID Taco Bell Arena

Read More Catfish and the Bottlemen Back in December 2014, we tipped you guys off this new British sensation Catfish and the Bottlemen with their album The Balcony. It's only been a few months, but the band has…

CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN
at Varsity Theater
Tuesday, 06/09/15, 8pm ($16.50/18+)
Details: varsitytheater.org

Buzz band Catfish and the Bottlemen just sold out their entire UK Tour (which isn't until October 2015!) In some of these cases, I've met some UK fans that will fly into the US to see their favorite bands (because these are more intimate US shows).

We previously saw the band earlier this year, which John described:

Their landmark album, Cracked Rear View is the 16th best-selling album, anchored by singles ‘Hold My Hand’ and ‘Only Wanna Be with You’… and … err, waitaminute… This isn’t them. This isn’t about Hootie and the Blowfish, or the past. This is about the future- this is about Catfish and the Bottlemen.

Catfish and the Bottlemen is returning to Minneapolis next Tuesday, June 9th.

Tour dates:

06/03/15 Portland, OR Moda Center
06/05/15 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
06/06/15 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
06/08/15 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
06/09/15 Saint Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
06/10/15 Omaha, NE CenturyLink Center Omaha
06/12/15 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
06/13/15 Milwaukee, WI BMO Harris Bradley Center
06/15/15 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena
06/16/15 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
06/18/15 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
06/19/15 Pittsburgh, PA Consol Energy Center

Read More Purity Ring Purity Ring's Shrines is one of the most uniquely excellent albums of the year. Taking a dark, gothic tone and applying it to extremely catchy pop, the group has earned a spot as a frontrunner … Braids Los Angeles' Islands is releasing Ski Mask this September 17th on Manqué Music. In addition to the new record, the band also announced a string of headlining tour dates in North America this fall. … Born Gold Formerly known as Gobble Gobble, a band that sounds like it was born from a bad Thanksgiving family get together (even though they're Canadians). Well the turkey …

PURITY RING
at First Avenue
Tuesday, 06/09/15, 9:30pm ($20/Sold Out)
Details: first-avenue.com

Embarrassingly enough, I've mistaken Canadian duo Purity Ring as emo band The Promise Ring (who I saw live with Ash many years ago). I think they mean the same thing, right? The duo (singer Megan James and instrumentalist Corin Roddick) is so popular that they've sold out concert at First Avenue on June 9th... forcing the band to quickly add an a second all-ages show at 5pm.

Montreal's Braids, who we previously saw with Wye Oak at the Fine Line in May 2014, will open the show with San Francisco by the way of Canada, Born Gold.

Tour dates:

06/02/15 New York, NY Terminal 5
06/03/15 New York, NY Terminal 5
06/04/15 South Burlington, VT Higher Ground
06/05/15 Montreal, QC Metropolis
06/06/15 Field Trip Music & Arts Festival
06/07/15 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre
06/08/15 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
06/09/15 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
06/10/15 Winnipeg, MB Garrick Centre
06/12/15 Calgary, AB MacEwan Hall Ballroom
06/15/15 Vancouver, BC The Vogue Theatre
06/16/15 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
06/17/15 Portland, OR McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
06/19/15 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
06/20/15 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
06/22/15 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom
06/23/15 Las Vegas, NV Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas
07/17/15 RBC Bluesfest
07/23/15 Melbourne, Australia 170 Russell
07/24/15 Melbourne, Australia 170 Russell
07/25/15 Splendour In The Grass
08/15/15 Maha Music Festival
08/22/15 FYF Festivala
09/25/15 Midpoint Music Festival
09/26/15 Pygmalion Music Festival
10/10/15 Corona Capital Festival

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

When Animals Attack: Fish vs Bears

Read more When Animals Attack!

Read More Catfish and the Bottlemen British breakout band Catfish and the Bottlemen have just won the Introducing Award for “Best New Act” at this year’s BBC Music Awards. The band performed “Kathleen,” the lead single off their debut LP The Balcony …

CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN
catfishandthebottlemen.com

British music fans should look to North Wales' Catfish and the Bottlemen, who recently won the BBC Music Awards' "Best New Act". Catfish and the Bottlemen will be releasing their debut album The Balcony domestically on January 6th, via Communion Records. To celebrate the album, they've already booked to perform at "Late Show with David Letterman" on January 7. They'll likely perform the album's single "Kathleen", which recently reached #1 on Sirius XM’s Alt Nation and is also charting in the top 40 on Alternative Radio Charts.

Look for the band in the USA for a national tour this February/March:

02/08 San Diego, CA The Merrow
02/09 West Hollywood, CA Troubadour
02/10 San Francisco, CA The Independent
02/12 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios
02/13 Seattle, WA Barboza
02/14 Vancouver, BC Media Bar
02/17 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge
02/19 Kansas City, MO Record Bar
02/21 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
02/23 St. Louis, MO Firebird
02/24 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
02/26 Columbus, OH The Basement
02/28 Detroit, MI Shelter
03/01 Lansing, MI Mac’s Bar
03/03 Toronto, ON The Garrison
03/04 Montreal, QC Divan Orange
03/05 Boston, MA Great Scott
03/06 Philadelphia, PA MilkBoy
03/07 Buffalo, NY Studio at Waiting Room
03/09 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
03/11 Washington, DC DC9
03/12 Richmond, VA The Camel
03/14 Nashville, TN The High Watt
03/15 Atlanta, GA Vinyl

Read More Panda Bear Panda Bear (aka Noah Lennox, of Animal Collective) has a forthcoming solo album for Domino Records. He'll be previewing the new songs on his upcoming North American tour around May 2014, stopping by many big festivals …

PANDA BEAR
pbvsgr.com

Did you all catch Panda Bear's "Boys Latin" on Adult Swim earlier this week? The song is their second single from their forthcoming Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper album (set for release Jan 13, 2015 via Domino).

Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper will be available in Standard CD and 2xLP formats, and Limited Edition Deluxe 2xCD and 3xLP formats. The Limited Edition Deluxe 2xCD and 3xLP includes the 4-song Mr Noah EP (available now digitally) in addition to the album in deluxe packaging. Exclusive bundles that include a limited edition T-shirt and lithograph are available via the Animal Collective webstore. All pre-orders come with an instant download of the Mr Noah EP.

Panda Bear Tour Dates

03/04/15 - London, UK - Brixton Electric
03/05/15 - Brussels, Belgium - L’Orangerie
03/06/15 - Paris, France - Gaité Lyrique
03/08/15 - Where The Wild Things Are Festival
03/10/15 - Berlin, Germany - Certain People
03/11/15 - Lisbon, Portugal - Teatro Maria Matos
03/12/15 - Braga, Portugal - GNRation

BRIEFLY

IMAGINE DRAGONS imaginedragonsmusic.com Multi-platinum, Grammy Award winning rock band Imagine Dragons recently released their video for "I Bet My Life" on vevo.com. The song is from the upcoming second album, set for release in 2015 via KIDinaKORNER/Interscope. We previously caught the band in town in March 2014 where they barely made it to the venue on account of unforeseen flight delays from SXSW.

WILD BEASTS wild-beasts.co.uk We previously mentioned this UK Wild Beasts band when they went on tour last year. The band is back with Present Tense - Special Edition, which is a reissue of their original album, plus a bonus disc of remixed material from various artists like Factory Floor, Juan Atkins, Lone, East India Youth, Sohn. Two previously unheard tracks, titled "Soft Future" and "Blood Knowledge" can be heard on Soundcloud.

SMALL BEAR RECORDS indigosmallbear.bandcamp.com Record label Small Bear Records have recently announced the digital reissue of Clara Barker's acclaimed debut album Indigo, following the release of her second album Fine Art & The Breslins earlier in 2014. Indigo, originally released in March 2010, will come with remastered tracks and one new additional song, "Christmas In New York". Clara Barker's Indigo re-issued on 05 December 2014, via Small Bear Records.

PONY BWOY facebook.com/PonyBwoy Minneapolis-based electronic R&B duo Pony Bwoy (Jeremy Nutzman and Hunter Morley) has recently released their sophomore album när-kə on December 9th. The album is said to be full of complex texture, and soul, incorporating elements of intimate late-night chill zone lullabies to shoegaze electronics. Check out their video for "ether/or " on YouTube.

FISHBOY yofishboy.com Denton, TX's Fishboy is releasing An Elephant on January 20th, 2015. Originally set at an earlier release date, but a series of delays from faulty test pressings, bad color vinyl issues, and two broken stampers, moved the date to 2015. Fishboy is the nickname earned by Eric Michener, who apparently swallowed a fish at the Dallas World Aquarium. Since 2001, he's been making music under the Fishboy name.

HAWK hawkofficial.com Iowa's Hawk (not to be confused with 80s glam rockers Hawk or 80s power pop Hawks), are Julie Hawk (vocals & guitar), Matthew Harris (guitar), Chris Handsley (bass) and Sam Campbell (drums). Look for their album in 2015 on Veta Records. The preceding single "Hush" is available now.

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

Minneapolis Music Guide: July 6 - July 12, 2014

Here is a guide of some Minneapolis (and St Paul) live concerts and events taking place next week: July 6 - July 12. This week we're "spilling" over to Wisconsin because of Minnesota's flooding problems (which has already caused A Taste of Minnesota to move location).

Read More Summerset Marine Veterans from Marine Corps recruiting station Milwaukee and participants in The Wounded Warrior Project will be gathering on July 4, 2014 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Marcus Amphitheater …

SUNDAY, JULY 6
HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Summerfest

John and I talked about Milwaukee's Summerfest on our Minnesota Music Festivals Podcast, but it ended up on the cutting floor because of: (1) It's not Minnesota, and (2) It was confusing with "Somerset, Wisconsin": Soundtown (in Somerset) and Summer Set (again, in Somerset).

Summerfest is certified by the Guinness World Records, the festival is "The World's Largest Music Festival" (based on its 75-acre coverage). Yes, bigger than Glasto.

Lineup for their last day:

Melissa Etheridge
Bombino
Cheap Trick
No Quarter - Led Zeppelin Trib.
Domenic Marte
Ismael Miranda
Crowder
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Jake Bugg
The Orwells
Jacob Martin Band
The Fatty Acids
Cole Swindell
Usher
Bebe Rexha

 

Read More Hip-Hop Last night I had the privilege to speak to one of hip-hop’s newest artists, Raz Simone about his new album Cognitive Dissonance. This is his second album since going solo in 2013 and I spoke with him …

MONDAY, JULY 7
7TH STREET ENTRY
Pledge Empire Records

Still recovering from the July 4th holiday?

The party is just getting started with Pledge Empire Records' homecoming The Greater Good Tour show at 7th Street Entry*.

Based in the Twin Cities, Pledge Empire Records describes themselves as "The People's Label" as 'The Best Independent Label in the World'!

Lineup:

Sti-Lo Reel
Ced Linus
$Ota-Kold
Karma
Trinh And Amos
New Era
Eljin
Spkr Frkr

* Note: The entire show will be recorded live by Dreams & Wonderlands Ben Seide.

Read More Sarah McLachlan Taking advantage of the Circuit City closeouts, I bought Sarah McLachlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Legacy Edition for $8. This is not a bad deal, considering that amazon lists it for $24.98 …

TUESDAY, JULY 8
STATE THEATRE
Sarah McLachlan

Even though I could never spell Sarah McLachlan's name, she is one of my favorite musician.

McLachlan is currently in the USA on her tour in support of her latest album Shine On, out now on Verve Records.

Jul. 3, 2014 Kansas City, MO Starlight Amph
Jul. 5, 2014 Chicago, IL Ravinia
Jul. 6, 2014 St. Louis, MO Fox Theatre
Jul. 8, 2014 Minneapolis, MN State Theatre
Jul. 9, 2014 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre
Jul. 11, 2014 Cincinnati, OH PNC Pavilion
Jul. 12, 2014 Detroit, MI Meadowbrook Music
Jul. 13, 2014 Toledo, OH Zoo Amphitheatre
Jul. 14, 2014 Lewiston, NY Artpark
Jul. 16, 2014 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga PAC
Jul. 18, 2014 Bangor, ME Waterfront Pavilion
Jul. 19, 2014 Boston, MA Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
Jul. 20, 2014 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Jul. 22, 2014 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Jul. 23, 2014 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Jul. 24, 2014 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center
Jul. 26, 2014 Vienna, VA Filene Center
Jul. 27, 2014 Charlottesville, VA nTelos Wireless
Jul. 29, 2014 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
Jul. 30, 2014 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amph
Aug. 1, 2014 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre
Aug. 2, 2014 Austin, TX ACL Live
Aug. 3, 2014 Dallas, TX AT&T Performing Arts

Read More Veruca Salt Veruca Salt – original members Nina Gordon (guitar/vocals), Louise Post (guitar/vocals), Steve Lack (bass), and Jim Shapiro (drums) – will release their first new material in ...

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9
THE VARSITY THEATER
Veruca Salt w/ Battleme

Possibly one of my favorite moment this year was when I was told that Veruca Salt reformed! Yes, that's right, the original team (Nina, Louise, Steve, and Jim) are back together, recording new music and will be heading out on tour!

It has been a long, long time, but I absolutely cannot wait to hear their classic songs "Seether", "Get Back", "All Hail Me", "Spiderman '79" -- heck, play the whole American Thighs album live, I'm on board all the way!

Opening up for VS is Battleme, which Emily described as looking like "the lovechild of Joseph Arthur and Frank Zappa."

07/09/14 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
07/10/14 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom
07/11/14 Cincinnati, OH @ Bunbury Music Festival
07/12/14 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
07/13/14 St. Louis, MO @ Firebird
07/14/14 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
07/21/14 Washington, DC @ Black Cat
07/22/14 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
07/24/14 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
07/25/14 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
07/26/14 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall

Imagine Dragons w/ The Naked and Famous, Nico Vega at Xcel Center, St. Paul (12 March 2014) concert review

Imagine Dragons Into the Night Tour Poster Imagine Dragons Setlist Fallen Tiptoe Hear Me It's Time Who We Are Rocks The River Amsterdam Cha-Ching (Till We Grow Older) Tom Sawyer (Rush cover) 30 Lives Demons On Top of the World Radioactive -- Encore -- Bleeding Out (intro) / Monster / Nothing Left to Say Naked and Famous Setlist A Stillness Punching in a Dream Girls Like You Rolling Waves All of This I Kill Giants Hearts Like Ours No Way (Quiet) Young Blood Nico Vega Setlist Dance Gravity Back of My Hand No Home I Believe (Get Over Yourself) I'm on Fire Beast Naked & Famous Tour Dates 04/12/14 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 04/14/14 Las Vegas, NV Brooklyn Bowl 04/16/14 Tempe, AZ The Marquee 04/19/14 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 04/25/14 "Groovin The Moo" (Oakbank) 04/26/14 "Groovin The Moo" (Maitland) 04/27/14 "Groovin The Moo" (Canberra) 05/03/14 "Groovin The Moo" (Bendigo) 05/04/14 "Groovin The Moo" (Townsville) 05/23/14 Sasquatch! Music Festival 05/26/14 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot 05/27/14 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater 05/28/14 Omaha, NE Slowdown 06/03/14 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater 06/04/14 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall 06/05/14 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE 06/08/14 Richmond, VA The National 06/10/14 Orlando, FL The Beacham 06/11/14 Miami, FL Grand Central Read More Imagine Dragons It's apparent to me, hearing the sold out audience singing along to 99% of Imagine Dragons' Night Visions album, that these guys are well loved. According to their setlist, they played these songs in order: Intro … The Naked and Famous Sounds a bit saucy, but The Naked and Famous are actually an indie-alt electronic pop band hailing from Auckland, New Zealand. The five-piece is currently on tour, in support of their 2nd and latest full-length, … Nico Vega You know I love Nico Vega, the band is always fun to see live, although I'm sad to see Minneapolis isn't part of their itinerary. This new tour is with Crash Kings. I'm not entirely sure what the tour is in support of…

It almost didn’t happen… and Austin, TX would have been to blame.

With over 14,000 inside the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, and Los Angeles band, Nico Vega, and New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous warming up the crowd, staff and security were antsy as the main act was nowhere to be seen… or even in the state.

Las Vegas breakout act, Imagine Dragons had just co-headlined the inaugural U.S. version of the iTunes Festival, a fest within a fest, at Austin’s massive South by Southwest. Unforeseen delays and flight schedules delayed the band leaving Texas, and had them touching down less than an hour before their scheduled set time in St. Paul. But, with less than 20 minutes to spare, the band arrived to perform a 100 min. performance of arena-sized bombast and spectacle.

Aja Volkman

All three bands took advantage of the larger stage setup and catwalk which extended into the middle of the crowd, including quartet Nico Vega, who has toured often with Imagine Dragons, and is prepping release of their upcoming album, Lead To Light (Five Seven Music). Lead singer Aja Volkman (who happens to be married to Dragons singer Dan Reynolds) skipped and bounced back and forth down the extension (not barefoot though), singing with the growl of an Alanis Morissette and the knife edge of The Kills’ Alison Mosshart.

Nico Vega

Playing mostly newer songs, including ‘Beast’ from recent EP, Fury Oh Fury (Five Seven Music), the band connected with the audience in a way that few third acts on an arena bill do, and was well received with newest single, ‘I Believe (Get Over Yourself)’, from their upcoming Spring release.

Naked and Famous

Auckland’s The Naked and Famous then took then the stage for a moody and impactful 40 min. set of songs drawn from their latest effort, In Rolling Waves (Fiction, Republic, Somewhat Damaged) as well as 2010’s Passive Me, Aggressive You, on a grey-tinged set designed like the deconstructed flower on the new album’s cover. Starting slowly with ‘A Stillness’ and co-lead singer Alisa Xayalith cooing, “still, still, be still”, the song built momentum with its electronica soundscapes and pulsing synth beat.

Thom Powers & Alisa Xayalith

Co-lead Thom Powers took over vocals for ‘Girls Like You’, with Xayalith providing dreamlike harmonies, singing the bridge, then joining Powers for the final verse. The new album’s title track followed, with its yearning lyric, “take a piece or just walk away, like rolling waves”, then the thumping, ‘All of This’ from the band’s debut.

‘Hearts Like Ours’ bright synth riffs and boy/girl vocals belied its dark lyrics while b-side ‘No Way (Quiet)’ lay down a sense of introversion over crashing electronica and drum beats. Final song, ‘Young Blood’ was best received; a high-tempo’d with hopeful lyric, ” Trying to find the in-betweens, Fall back in love eventually”.

As good as the band was on the massive stage, they would be more ideal in connecting further at a club or small theater, so let’s hope a headlining tour is in the cards for later this year.

Imagine Dragons

Forget 2014 being the “Year of the Horse” according to the Chinese calendar, 2013-14 has clearly been the Year of the Dragon. The Las Vegas quartet (Dan Reynolds- vocals/drum; Ben McKee- Bass/keys; "Wing" Sermon- guitar; Daniel Platzman- drums; along with touring member Ryan Walker) has gone from playing small clubs and opening for bands like AWOLNATION, to filling major arenas, in just a couple of years. The band’s only full-length, Night Visions (Interscope) is still riding high in the charts, co-helmed by UK hip-hop producer Alex Da Kid (Nicki Minaj, B.O.B., Rihanna) and with four powerful singles.

The band wasted no time in striking with its anthemic, arena-ready sound, as evidenced on opener, ‘Fallen’, clearly studying the “big sound in a big room” lessons of Muse, U2, and Coldplay. Cryo jets shot steam up vertically and percussion was everywhere on stage, an earmark of the band’s sound, on display prominently in second song, ‘Tiptoe’.

Photo of Imagine Dragon Setlist

Singer Reynolds reminisced about the band’s beginnings as the intro to hit, ‘It’s Time’; likely the first song most of the crowd heard from the band, and was probably forgiven for constantly mentioning “Minneapolis”, even though they were across the river in St. Paul.

Sound production was its usual impeccable in this hockey arena and the stage was adorned with a Pink Floyd-style circular video screen above metal tree silhouettes with hanging shining lanterns and the stage had two side elevated ramps (with a drum present on each) in addition to the gang-planked catwalk out front. Each member’s solo was built in as an intro to one of their songs, such as guitarist Sermon intro-ing ‘Amsterdam’, as rail train images floated by on the screen.

Dan Reynolds

Singer Reynolds mentioned harkening back to “the songs of our parents” (which made me feel old), as the band struck up an authentic cover of Rush’s ‘Tom Sawyer’, another calculated arena-size song choice. A heartfelt ’30 Lives’ followed, dedicated to a 17yr. old that lost his cancer battle, then the 1-2-3 knockdown punch of hits, ‘Demons’, ‘On Top of the World’, and ‘Radioactive’, to end the set breathlessly.

After that, the encore of medley ‘Bleeding Out/Monster/Nothing Left to Say’ was somewhat anti-climatic, but the performance, like the show’s sometimes stilted pacing, is from a relatively new band, blindsided by its sudden fame, and still finding its way.

The real question (and no doubt, pressure) is how they will ever top the success level they’ve already reached, with their next album. Will they amp the percussion up further, to include marching bands and Japanese Kodo drummers, try to make every song stadium-sized, or try to crossover by using rappers on song interludes; it’s hard to say, but in this, the “Year of the Dragon”, you can’t help but pay attention.

Imagine Dragons at Xcel Center, St. Paul (12 March 2014)

john () ♥ weheartmusic.com