W♥M

St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025

St Patrick's Day Parade (17 Mar 2025) Read More Irish The popular holiday show Irish Christmas in America is coming to Minneapolis, at the Dakota Jazz Club, on November 25, 2024. The long-running show, now in its 19th year …

Billed as “The Greatest St Patrick's Day Parade in the Nation”, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebrates the large Irish heritage and clans that resides in the St Paul and Minneapolis area. Look around and seeing a sea of green tells you that the Irish pride runs deep.

The parade starts at Rice Park in Downtown St Paul (5th Street and Market Street) and travels along 5th Street until its end at Mear Park in Lowertown (5th Street and Sibley Street).

The actual parade took about an hour and had representations from all the Irish clans, music (usually bagpipers), dancers, and Irish businesses. There weren’t any floats. The only vehicles were some police cars and a firetruck.

There were a lot of green beads, balls, candy, silly spray, and, funny enough, potatoes, thrown to the audience. This is a fun time for the whole family… despite the chilly wind and low temperature.

After the parade, people were invited to head down to the CHS Field and continue the celebration with the crowning of the 2025 Miss Shamrock and Mr. Pat, music, and, of course, grab a drink from your favorite Irish pub.

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Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Lúnasa at Pantages Theatre (14 March 2025)

Lúnasa at Pantages Theatre (14 Mar 2025) Tour Dates 15 Mar Old Town School Chicago, IL 16 Mar St.Patrick's Day Festival Henderson, NV 17 Mar Lensic Performing Arts Center Santa Fe, NM 18 Mar KiMo Theatre Albuquerque, NM 21 Mar Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Kent, WA 22 Mar Vashon Center Vashon, WA 25 Mar Alberta Rose Theatre Portland, OR 26 Mar Patricia Valian Reser Center Corvallis, OR 27 Mar Cage Free Concerts Ashland, OR 28 Mar Presidio Theatre San Francisco, CA 29 Mar Miners Foundry Nevada City, CA 30 Mar Kuumbwa Jazz Center Santa Cruz, CA Vuart The Flutist (Vuart) Read More Lúnasa Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with traditional Irish band Lúnasa (featuring bassist Trevor Hutchinson of The Waterboys on bass). You can buy a copy of their new album …

Irish band Lúnasa played a double set of Irish/Celtic traditional music at the Pantages Theatre on Friday, March 14, bringing in a long weekend of Irish celebration with St Patrick’s Day on the horizon.

Before their show, the head of Celtic Junction Arts Center, Cormac Ó Sé, came out to introduce the band. He was excited to bring back the band, having just booked Lúnasa at the same theatre last year, on March 1st, 2024, along with Daoirí Farrell and Jigjam. He also mentioned that the first time he saw the group, it was in Australia, 26 years ago.

With that said, Lúnasa came on stage, from left to right: flutist Kevin Crawford, piper Cillian Vallely, fiddler Colin Farrell, guitarist Ed Boyd, and bassist Trevor Hutchinson. The band was named after Lughnasadh, an ancient harvest festival, and they play both traditional and contemporary Irish music.

Kevin did most of the talking, introducing a set of songs (usually three songs). They started with a couple of tracks that they released on Live in Kyoto (featuring ten new tracks recorded live at Taku Taku club in Japan). Most of these new songs were written by Cillian, who has a certain style of song writing. His go-to is to write a good first and third acts… the middle doesn’t really matter. Usually the third song in their mini-sets picks up, often inspiring the audience to clap along. So that last song is quite upbeat and ends with a strong finish.

As the concert continues, you learn a piece of each band member. For example, Trevor, the bassist, has a mad idea of renting identical vans and slowly swapping the engine… one piece at a time. My favorite is Ed, who was pointed out as having a wrinkled shirt because he didn’t bring an iron on tour. Ed took that and ran with it, adding that the clothing was causing chafing. Before we had the opportunity to ask, “you don’t want to know, but it’s my upper thighs.”

Highlight of their set was for one of their songs, a group of Kickin' It Irish dancers danced their way on stage. It was really fun, and had me looking up these dancers and found out that it was created in 2013 to feature Championship dancers from O’Shea Irish Dance. There are four more Kickin’ It Irish shows - March 15 (two shows), March 16, and ending on St Patrick’s Day at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. This will be a great way of celebrating all-things-Irish.

The band would then return with a second set of their show. The second set is a little loose and not as structured as the first set. The band could probably play for another six hours, pulling from their vast discography (over eight albums to choose from). The band admitted that they need to move with the times, as people don’t want to buy CDs. Instead, thanks to Trevor’s idea, they are selling music (with unreleased videos) on USB thumb drives. And if you don’t like it, “You can always put good stuff on it.”

Lúnasa’s Live in Kyoto is out now.

Cormac Ó Sé Kickin' It Irish

Kickin' It Irish

Lúnasa

Lúnasa

Lúnasa at Pantages Theatre (14 March 2025)

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Minneapolis: This Week (03/16/2025)

What’s happening this week.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Spencer Sutherland at Varsity Theater (11 Mar 2025) Read More Spencer Sutherland Soulful/R&B singer Spencer Sutherland will be headlining the 7th Street Entry on February 11. Check out the singer before his debut album. … Cloe Wilder Charlotte Sands with Senses and Cloe Wilder at Amsterdam Bar & Hall Charlotte Sands is currently on tour in support of her debut album can we start over?. Sands’ tour will stop in at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall …

11 Mar 2025 Tuesday

Spencer Sutherland
with Cloe Wilder
at Varsity Theater
livenation.com

Soulful singer/songwriter Spencer Sutherland is touring in support of the sophomore album, The Drama. The tour will stop by the Varsity Theater, in Minneapolis, on March 11, 2025.

Los Angeles-based, Florida-raised Cloe Wilder to open. Her debut EP Teenage Lullabies came out when she was 14, in 2021, and went viral with over 10 million total streams. Her latest single is called “Cigarette.”

Wilder was last seen in Minnesota with Charlotte Sands, in March 2024.

Tour dates:

Sun, Feb 23rd: Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren

Feb 25th: Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theatre

Feb 26th: El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace

Feb 28th: Austin, TX @ Scoot Inn

Mar 1st: Dallas, TX @ The Echo Lounge & Music

Mar 2nd: Houston, TX @ The Bronze Peacock

Mar 5th: Fayetteville, AR @ George’s Majestic Lounge

Mar 7th: Kansas City, MO @ Madrid Theatre

Mar 8th: St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall

Mar 11th: Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater

Mar 12th: Chicago, IL @ House of Blues

Mar 14th: Nashville, TN @ Basement East

Mar 15h: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

Mar 17th: Charlotte, NC @ The Underground

Mar 19th: Washington, DC @ Union Stage

Mar 20th: Philadelphia, PA @ Foundry

Mar 22nd: Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall

Mar 23rd: New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

Mar 26th: Toronto, CA @ Opera House

Mar 27th: Columbus, OH @ Bluestone

Mar 29th: Denver, CO @ Summit

Apr 1st: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot

Apr 3rd: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore

Apr 4th: Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco

Apr 5th: San Diego, CA @ House of Blues

Apr 8th: Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room

LØLØ at 7th St Entry (11 Mar 2025) Read More LØLØ LØLØ is a Canadian singer/songwriter who was first noticed by music listeners with her viral interpretations of popular songs from the perspectives of their subjects. Soon, she similarly flipped her script, crafting ...

11 Mar 2025 Tuesday

LØLØ
with GUS
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Canada’s LØLØ, not to be confused with American singer-songwriter and actress Lolo (aka Lauren Pritchard), is headlining the 7th Street Entry, on March 11, 2025, as part of the U Tour Me on tour. She was last seen in Minneapolis in July 6, 2024, with Jxdn as headliner.

GUS to open.

Tour dates:

Feb 19 The Red Room Boston, MA

Feb 20 Mercury Lounge @ New York, NY

Feb 21 PhilaMOCA @ Philadelphia, PA

Feb 23 The Atlantis @ Washington, DC

Feb 25 The Masquerade @ Atlanta, GA

Feb 27 Three Links Deep Ellum @ Dallas, TX

Feb 28 The Secret Group @ Houston, TX

Mar 1 Spiderhouse Ballroom @ Austin, TX

Mar 3 Valley Bar @ Phoenix, AZ

Mar 5 Moroccan Lounge @ Los Angeles, CA

Mar 7 Kilby Court @ Salt Lake City, UT

Mar 8 Lost Lake Lounge @ Denver, CO

Mar 11 7th St Entry @ Minneapolis, MN

Mar 12 Beat Kitchen @ Chicago, IL

Mar 13 Lager House @ Detroit, MI

Mar 14 Velvet Underground @ Toronto, ON

Jun 6 Rock am Ring 2025 @ Nürburg, Germany

Jun 8 Rock im Park 2025 @ Nürnberg, Germany

Jun 11 Donington Park Circuit @ Derby

Jun 12 Nova Rock 2025 @ Nickelsdorf, Austria

Jun 14 Download Festival 2025 @ Derby

Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy at First Avenue (12 Mar 2025) Read More Jason Narducy Actor Michael Shannon and musician Jason Narducy are celebrating R.E.M.’s celebrated 1983 debut album, Murmur. All shows on the tour will feature Shannon (vocals) and Narducy (guitar) along with Jon Wurster (drums) ... R.E.M. One of the most important albums, R.E.M.'s Murmur was re-released yesterday as a Deluxe Edition by Universal Records. What sets this release apart from the original 1983 …

12 Mar 2025 Wednesday

Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy
and friends play R.E.M.'s 'Fables of the Reconstruction' and more
with Dave Hill
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

You guys know I love R.E.M. and was pretty excited that Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy was playing Murmur last year.

This year, the duo will be playing Fables of the Reconstruction, the third R.E.M. album… and I’ll confess that it is not one of my favorite records. Of all the songs on that album, my favorite is Driver 8 (which incidentally was stolen by Grant Morrisson and used in Doom Patrol).

Jason Narducy at the Cedar Cultural Center (28 Oct 2023)

We previously saw Jason Narducy in Oct 2023 and wrote, “He started off like a tempest and ultimately broke a guitar string, 30 seconds into his first song. So, while he was putting on a new guitar string, it was “story time”. He actually has a lot of “story time”, as this would not be the first. He has a lot to say, because like Mould, Narducy has a long-running career in music. He started with his punk band Verboten in the 80s. That band inspired Dave Grohl to pursue music. He had a stripped down duo with cellist Alison Chesley, and a full rock band with Alison called Verbow in 90s. Narducy would play Verbow’s “Holiday” near the end of the set.”

Dave Hill to open.

Tour Dates:

Feb. 14 - Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriets

Feb. 15 - Los Angeles, CA @ Bellwether

Feb. 16 - Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up

Feb. 18 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore

Feb. 21 - Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre

Feb. 22 - Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall

Feb. 24 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue

Feb. 25 - St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall

Feb. 27 - Athens, GA @ 40 Watt

Feb. 28 - Athens, GA @ 40 Watt

March 1 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle

March 3 - Richmond, VA @ The National

March 4 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club

March 6 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

March 7 - Boston, MA @ Royale

March 8th - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel

March 12 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave

March 13 - Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom

March 14 - Chicago, IL @ Metro

March 15 - Evanston, IL @ SPACE

Soccer Mommy at First Avenue (13 Mar 2025) Read More Soccer Mommy The stage transition was brief (made seemingly shorter by a female-empowered audio mix of Sonic Youth, Lush, and Avril Lavigne tracks) as the five touring members of Soccer Mommy took to the stage for .… Hana Vu California’s Hana Vu is back on tour to support her new album Romanticism. The theme and promotional photos seems to suggest it was influenced by Caravaggio’s paintings. .…

13 Mar 2025 Thursday

Soccer Mommy
with Hana Vu
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Nashville songwriter and musician Soccer Mommy (Sophie Allison) is touring in support of the new album Evergreen. The tour will stop by First Avenue, in Minneapolis, on March 13, 2025.

Soccer Mommy at Granada Theater (10 April 2022)

We saw Soccer Mommy in April 2022, and said, “The stage transition was brief (made seemingly shorter by a female-empowered audio mix of Sonic Youth, Lush, and Avril Lavigne tracks) as the five touring members of Soccer Mommy took to the stage for their eighty-minute headlining set. They were additionally helped out by PDM’s bassist Marina Aguerre for opening song, “Bloodstream”, the opener from 2020’s Color Theory, that muses about loneliness and chasing that elusive joy.”

Hana Vu to open.

Hana Vu at 7th Street Entry (05 Sep 2018)

We first saw Hana Vu in Sep 2018, on her very first tour: “After spending 30 hours driving in a car, Hana Vu was happy and relieved to finally play for us. Although Vu had written and recorded three albums (about 30 songs) since 2014, this was the first time the group went out on a national tour, with the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis a first stop for the band. Vu mentioned early in their set, “This is our first time not in California. The first time ever.””

Tour Dates:

2/18 - Birmingham, AL - Saturn %

2/19 - New Orleans, LA - Tipitina’s %

2/20 - Dallas, TX - The Studio at The Factory %

2/21 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall %

2/22 - Austin, TX - Radio/East %

2/24 - Santa Fe, NM - Meow Wolf %

2/25 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre %

2/27 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern %

2/28 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore %

3/3 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox %

3/4 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre %

3/5 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom %

3/7 - Boise, ID - Treefort Music Hall %

3/8 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot %

3/10 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre %

3/12 - Kansas City, MO - The Truman %

3/13 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue %

3/14 - St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall %

3/15 - Nashville, TN - Brooklyn Bowl %

4/26 - Lisbon, PT - Lisboa ao Vivo $

4/27 - Madrid, ES - Sala Copernico $

4/28 - Barcelona, ES - Sala Apolo 2 $

4/30 - Zurich, CH - Papiersaal $

5/1 - Fribourg, CH - Fri-Son $

5/2 - Milan, IT - Legend $

5/3 - Munich, DE - Ampere $

5/4 - Cologne, DE - Artheater $

5/6 - Brighton, UK - Chalk $

5/7 - Bristol, UK - SWX $

5/8 - London, UK - Hackney Church $

5/9 - Leeds, UK - Project House $

5/11 - Dublin, IE - Vicar Street $

5/13 - Glasgow, UK - SWG3 TV Studio $

5/14 - Manchester, UK - New Century Hall $

5/16 - Paris, FR - Le Trabendo $

5/17 - Amsterdam, NL - London Calling Festival

5/18 - Brussels, BE - Les Nuits Botanique

5/20 - Hamburg, DE - Nochtspeicher $

5/21 - Berlin, DE - Lido $

5/22 - Warszawa, PL - Klub Hybrydy $

* support from L’Rain
^ support from Tomberlin
% support from Hana Vu
$ support from Bored at My Grandma’s House

Lúnasa at Pantages Theatre (14 Mar 2025) Read More Lúnasa Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with traditional Irish band Lúnasa (featuring bassist Trevor Hutchinson of The Waterboys on bass). You can buy a copy of their new album Cas at this upcoming all ages, seated show. …

14 Mar 2025 Friday

Lúnasa
at Pantages Theatre
first-avenue.com

Pre-game your St Patrick’s Day with Irish traditional band Lúnasa at the Pantages Theatre, in Minneapolis, on March 14. The band now features guest artist award-winning fiddler Colin Farrell (from Manchester, England), bassist Trevor Hutchinson (former member of The Waterboys, piper and Riverdancer, Cillian Vallely, flutist Kevin Crawford, All-Ireland fiddle champion Sean Smyth (founding member of Donal Lunny’s Coolfin), and guitarist Ed Boyd (worked with with Flook and Kate Rusby.)

As with many Irish bands (and especially true with large ensemble), they don’t often play in our area. In fact, the last time we mentioned the band, was in March 2018. If you missed them seven years ago, now is your chance to see the group.

Tour Dates:

12 Mar The Ark Ann Arbor, MI

13 Mar Garver Feed Mill Madison, WI

14 Mar Pantages Theatre Minneapolis, MN

15 Mar Old Town School Chicago, IL

16 Mar St.Patrick's Day Festival Henderson, NV

17 Mar Lensic Performing Arts Center Santa Fe, NM

18 Mar KiMo Theatre Albuquerque, NM

21 Mar Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Kent, WA

22 Mar Vashon Center Vashon, WA

25 Mar Alberta Rose Theatre Portland, OR

26 Mar Patricia Valian Reser Center Corvallis, OR

27 Mar Cage Free Concerts Ashland, OR

28 Mar Presidio Theatre San Francisco, CA

29 Mar Miners Foundry Nevada City, CA

30 Mar Kuumbwa Jazz Center Santa Cruz, CA

Adrian Younge at Turf Club (14 Mar 2025) Read More Adrian Younge 10-piece ensemble The Midnight Hour, featuring Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge headlined the Turf Club on Sunday, October 6th. Playing before the show and between bands was Sound ... Jazz is Dead Billed as Le Jazz Est Mort (Jazz is Dead), the show will bring legendary psychedelic jazz-funk group Cortex (bandleader Alain Mion), to perform Troupeau Bleu in its entirety. ...

14 Mar 2025 Friday

Jazz Is Dead ft. Adrian Younge
with a 10 piece orchestra
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

Jazz is Dead founder and composer Adrian Younge announced a tour in support of Something About April III, the final album-length installment of his psychedelic soul trilogy with a unique Brazilian twist. The record comes out April 18 on Linear Labs.

The upcoming tour, complete with a full 10-piece orchestra, will come to the Turf Club, on pi day, March 14, 2025.

Midnight Hour at Turf Club (06 Oct 2019)

We saw Adrian Younge, with the The Midnight Hour, in Oct 2019 and said, “Younge mentioned that the group was last in town about a year ago and was pleased to see the same fans returning to see them again. When he noticed many fans were in the back, he joked, “Is there a band playing back there? Because we’re up here!” Immediately the audience gathered around the front of the stage.”

Jazz is dead, long live jazz!

Tour dates:

3.1 - 529 - Atlanta, GA

3.2 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA

3.4 - Sultan Room - Brooklyn, NY

3.7 - Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA

3.8 - La Sala Rossa - Montreal, QC

3.9 - Lee's Palace - Toronto, ON

3.12 - Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL

3.14 - Turf Club - Minneapolis, MN

3.15 - Marquis Theater - Denver, CO

3.26 - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA

3.27 - Aladdin Theater - Portland, OR

4.1 - Cornerstone - Berkeley, CA

4.5 - Quartyard - San Diego, CA

Teeling’s St. Patty’s Party at Maharaja’s (15 Mar 2025) Read More Irish The popular holiday show Irish Christmas in America is coming to Minneapolis, at the Dakota Jazz Club, on November 25, 2024. The long-running show, now in its 19th year …

15 Mar 2025 Saturday

Teeling’s St. Patty’s Party
at Maharaja’s Rock & Roll Headquarters
instagram.com/maharajasgifts

Looking for something to do this St Patrick’s Day? How about checking out the Teeling’s St. Patty’s Party at Maharaja’s. This free event is part of the Lucky Palooza West 7th Street Extravaganza, celebrating all-things Irish and green beer.

Typically, these events are all-day, however music lineup may not go on until later in the day. Also, since this is taking place outside, weather may impact the schedule.

Details of the event:

Maharaja’s Rock & Roll Headquarters | Back Parking Lot
205 7th Street West, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Saturday, March 15th
10:00am – 1:00am
Free Event | 21+

In Partnership with Bacardi & Saint Paul Events Center

Please join us for event highlights including:

Heated canopy tent

Full bar with awesome drink specials

Live music & dance floor

Fun onsite activations & giveaways

Easily accessible portable restrooms

Fire pits & lounge area

Ticketed VIP upgrade experience available

Food & snack booths

The Main Stage will be jamming! Check out the featured lineup:

MARIA ISA, the “Rep who Raps” is St. Paul’s favorite daughter, serving as Ward 65B’s Minnesota House Representative while her legion of artistic fans know her as a singer, songwriter, actress, rapper, activist and international recording artist.

JAMES PATRICK continues his mission to share the joy of making music everyday as the co-founder of Slam Academy, the nationally renowned Ableton Certified Training Center.

DJLOW is a radio DJ turned club and event specialist. He has curated everything from sold-out dance parties at First Ave to some of the best weddings.

Watch for more announcements to come, including Main Stage artists!

Ray Bull at 7th St Entry (16 Mar 2025)

16 Mar 2025 Sunday

Ray Bull
with Tyler Berrier
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

NYC indie-pop duo Ray Bull (Tucker and Aaron) is headlining the 7th Street Entry, on March 16, 2025, in support of his new EP Little Acts Of Violence (arriving February 21 via AWAL).

About their EP, Tucker shares: “‘Little Acts Of Violence’ has been a year plus in the making. In that time we’ve written hundreds of songs, so it’s really tough figuring out which songs speak to each other and belong to the same process. It felt like these songs fought their way to the top of the pile and now have become their own world.”

Tyler Berrier to open.

Tour Dates:

Mar 7, 2025 The Atlantis Washington, DC

Mar 8, 2025 The Foundry Philadelphia, PA

Mar 9, 2025 The Sinclair Boston, MA

Mar 11, 2025 The Garrison Toronto, ON

Mar 12, 2025 The Loving Touch Detroit, MI

Mar 14, 2025 Ace of Cups Columbus, OH

Mar 15, 2025 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL

Mar 16, 2025 7th St Entry Minneapolis, MN

Mar 18, 2025 Duck Room St Louis, MO

Mar 20, 2025 Masquerade Altar Atlanta, GA

Mar 21, 2025 Local 506 Carrboro, NC

Apr 12, 2025 The Independent San Francisco, CA

Apr 14, 2025 Polaris Hall Portland, OR

Apr 15, 2025 Madame Lou's Seattle, WA

Apr 17, 2025 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT

Apr 19, 2025 Globe Hall Denver, CO

Apr 23, 2025 The Rebel Lounge Phoenix, AZ

Apr 24, 2025 Voodoo Room San Diego, CA

Apr 25, 2025 Troubadour Los Angeles, CA

May 14, 2025 - May 17, 2025 The Great Escape Festival Brighton, England

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Gaelic Storm at Pantages Theatre (07 March 2025)

Gaelic Storm at Pantages Theatre (07 Mar 2025) Gaelic Storm Setlist Whiskey Johnny The Night Pat Murphy Died Johnny Jump Up Teacher's Snow Day Don't Go for 'the One' Scalliwag Johnny Tarr Wake Me Up Liverpool Judies Northampton Pickup Darcy's Donkey Kiss Me I'm Irish -- Encore -- Don't Worry Be Happy (Bobby McFerrin cover) Freeborn Man (Jimmy Martin cover) Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver cover) Tell Me Ma Tour Dates Mar 13 Menomonie, WI · Historic Mabel Tainter Center Feb 28 DeKalb, IL · Egyptian Theatre Mar 1 Dubuque, IA · Diamond Jo Casino Mar 3 Des Moines, IA · Hoyt Sherman Place Mar 5 Iowa City, IA · The Englert Theatre Mar 6 Omaha, NE · Steelhouse Omaha Mar 8 Madison, WI · Barrymore Theatre Mar 9 Wausau, WI · The Grand Theater Mar 11 Green Bay, WI · Meyer Theatre Mar 12 Milwaukee, WI · The Pabst Theater Mar 14 Chicago, IL · House of Blues Mar 15 Chicago, IL · House of Blues Mar 16 Akron, OH · Goodyear Theater Mar 23 Wilmington, DE · Grand Opera House Mar25 Harrisburg, PA · XL Live Mar 26 Northampton, MA · Academy of Music Mar 27 Boston, MA · The Wilbur Mar 28 Troy, NY · Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Read More Gaelic Storm Kansas City Irish Fest offers attendees the chance to see some of the top Irish-themed entertainment which includes 150 performers over 7 stages- Gaelic Storm, Red Hot Chili Pipers … Reverend Peyton Bluegrassy The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is headlining the Turf Club on Wednesday. They aren’t really a big band... kind of like there are no women in Bare Naked Ladies. Dumpy Jug Bumpers …

Beloved Celtic band Gaelic Storm returned to the Pantages Theatre, in Minneapolis, last night, thanks to Sue McLean & Associates (SMA).

Opening the show was Twin Cities Metro Pipe Band, who was not listed on the official poster and show announcement. The large nine-piece band, dressed in Scottish highland traditional outfits, features mostly bagpipers with some snare drums and a bass drum. As you would guess, they played traditional Celtic instrumental songs.

Next up was Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band with Reverend Peyton on guitars, his wife Breezy Peyton on washboard, and drummer Jacob Powell.

The Indiana band is a country blues band, but I would also throw in a type of ‘driving’ Americana music as well. Peyton likes to write a catchy note and work around that in his song, like “Pot Roast and Kisses”, which was my favorite on their set. Peyton’s personal favorite was “Ways and Means”, from their 2021 album Dance Songs for Hard Times.

Peyton had at least seven guitars on stage, and he promised that they were going to use all of them (or at least try to get to all of them). One of the guitars was made out of an ax! It looks tiny … and deadly.

They played a couple of songs from their new album Honeysuckle (which came out in Feb 2025), including the title track.

They were pretty good, and very engaging. Hope to see them come back as headliner soon.

Gaelic Storm is on their “Roll out the Barrel” Tour… which is rolling out the barrel of fun. In fact, before the band took the Pantages stage, their walk on music was “Beer Barrel Polka” to get us in the mood for the theme.

The Celtic band started in Santa Monica, playing traditional Irish and Scottish music, as well as writing original Celtic folk and rock songs. Their music debut in the Titanic (1997) soundtrack, and since then have been bringing their music to a wide audience as a touring band.

Gaelic Storm at Irish Fair (12-13 August 2016)

We saw Gaelic Storm in August 2016 and wrote, “Celtic rock band Gaelic Storm lived up to their name, as they played through the storm… then came back for more— The occasion was the annual Irish Fair of Minnesota, held on Harriet Island, just south of downtown St. Paul, and where the band has played before to become a crowd-pleasing favorite. On the first of two nights, a summer rainstorm whipped about challenging the fairgoers, but Saturday night’s weather turned near perfect and the band and crowd were in a celebrating mood.”

Last year (2024), on Gaelic Storm’s “The Mighty Tour 2” with the band High Kings, their lead guitarist Steve Twigger stepped down due to health concern. Twigger officially retired in early 2025, so the current band features singer and harmonica player Patrick Murphy, guitarist Parker Hastings, drummer Ryan Lacey, bagpiper Pete Purvis, and fiddler Natalya “Netallica” Kay.

Murphy is very charismatic, often going very goofy facial expressions and always joking. Being the only original band member he does stand out a little, as the rest of the band looks very young, such as Natalya Kay standing beside Pete Purvis and Parker Hastings (who replaced Twigger).

In Gaelic Storm tradition, the band is known as being a live band. Many of the fans in the audience have seen the band at least once or twice… so they keep returning whenever Gaelic Storm is in town. They have a very strong fanbase in Minneapolis, so, of course, you can expect them to return on their next tour.

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Pantages Marquee

Twin Cities Metro Pipe Band Reverend Peyton

Netallica

Gaelic Storm Gaelic Storm

Gaelic Storm

Gaelic Storm at Pantages Theatre (07 March 2025)

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Minneapolis: November 23 to November 28, 2024

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

23 Nov 2024 Pond with Fazerdaze at First Avenue Read More Pond The thing about Perth, Australia's Pond is that three band members is actually in another, more successful Australian band Tame Impala. Although, it would seem that Pond …

23 Nov 2024 Saturday

Pond
with Fazerdaze
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Australian band Pond is touring in support of Stung!. The tour will stop in at First Avenue, in Minneapolis, on November 23, 2024.

Pond at 7th Street Entry (24 Oct 2018)

We saw Pond in Oct 2018 and wrote, “Fresh from their recent appearance at Desert Daze, Australia’s Pond (not to be confused with American 90s band Pond) has sold out their 7th Street Entry appearance. It shouldn’t be a surprise, given how hot psych rock is at the moment... and the fact that Pond’s members are also in the incredibly popular Tame Impala.”

Fazerdaze to open.

Tour dates:

11.12.24 - Royale - Boston, MA

11.13.24 - Brooklyn Steel - Brooklyn, NY

11.14.24 - Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA

11.16.24 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC

11.17.24 - Mr. Smalls Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA

11.19.24 - Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON

11.20.24 - St. Andrew’s Hall - Detroit, MI

11.22.24 - Vic Theatre - Chicago, IL

11.23.24 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN

11.28.24 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC

11.29.24 - Neptune Theatre - Seattle, WA

11.30.24 - Revolution Hall - Portland, OR

12.3.24 - The Warfield - San Francisco, CA

12.5.24 - The Wiltern - Los Angeles, CA

24 Nov 2024 iDKHOW with ALEXSUCKS at First Avenue Read More iDKHOW By complete contrast, The Welcome to Hellvetica Tour co-headlined by I Dont Know How But They Found Me and Joywave, which played the Granada Theater in Lawrence, KS, was anything but boring …

24 Nov 2024 Sunday

iDKHOW
with ALEXSUCKS
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Salt Lake City RIAA Gold-certified musical I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, or shortened to iDKHOW will be headlining First Avenue’s mainroom, on November 24, 2024.

I Don’t Know How But They Found Me (30 August 2022)

We saw I Don’t Know How But They Found Me in August 2022 and said, “The secret is out about Salt Lake City band I Dont Know How They Found Me (no apostrophe and shortened as iDKHOW) and members Dallon (ex Panic! at the Disco) Weekes and drummer Ryan Seaman. The band’s sometimes bombastic and retro-tinged sound struck gold with breakout single, “Leave Me Alone” and 2020 full-length, Razzmatazz and their fan base continues to grow, made evident by a packed (and mostly female) front railing along the barricade that seemed to know almost every lyric.”

ALEXSUCKS to open.

Tour dates:

10/27 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

10/29 – Phoenix, AZ – The Nile Theater

11/01 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues

11/03 – New Orleans, LA – Joy Theater

11/04 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City

11/06 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live

11/07 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade (Heaven)

11/08 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz

11/09 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live!

11/11 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre

11/12 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom

11/14 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore

11/15 – Boston, MA – Big Night Live

11/16 – Rochester, NY – Water Street Music Hall

11/18 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall

11/19 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!

11/21 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall

11/22 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe

11/24 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue

11/25 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown

* FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE

25 Nov 2024 Irish Christmas In America at Dakota Jazz Club Read More Irish We just missed them in Kansas City. They have been here in Minnesota before for the Irish Fair. They regretted that they couldn’t stay after the show as they were jet setting to Pennsylvania, then overseas, then back to Ireland …

25 Nov 2024 Monday

Irish Christmas In America
at Dakota Jazz Club
dakotacooks.com

The popular holiday show Irish Christmas in America is coming to Minneapolis, at the Dakota Jazz Club, on November 25, 2024.

The long-running show, now in its 19th year, is produced by Sligo fiddler Oisin Mac Diarmada, and this year will bring in special guest singer Caitriona Sherlock, a vocalist from Monaghan who won the All-Ireland titles for singing in 2013 and 2017.

Full band lineup:

Caitríona Sherlock, vocals
Oisín Mac Diarmada, producer / fiddle
Gráinne Hambly, Irish harp /concertina
Samantha Harvey, dance / piano
Caoimhín Ó Fearghaíl, flute / uilleann pipes
Patrick Doocey, guitar

Irish Christmas in America Tour Dates:

11.23 | Des Moines, IA – Temple Theatre

11.24 | Des Moines, IA – Temple Theatre

11.25 | Minneapolis, MN – Dakota

11.26 | Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater

11.27 | Richmond, VA – The Tin Pan

11.29 | Colorado Springs, CO – Stargazer’s Theater

12.01 | Northglenn, CO – Parsons’s Theatre

12.02 | Burbank, CA – Garry Marshall Theatre

12.03 | Escondido, CA – California Center for the Arts

12.04 | Sacramento, CA – The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center

12.05 | Modesto, CA – Gallo Center for the Arts

12.06 | Saratoga, CA – Montalvo Arts Center - Tickets 12.07 | Chicago, IL – Old Town School of Folk Music

12.08 | Traverse City, MI – Dennos Museum Center

12.10 | Athens, GA – The Classic Center

12.11 | Pinehurst, NC – Bradshaw Performing Arts Center

12.12 | Frederick, MD – New Spire Arts

12.13 | Jim Thorpe, PA – Penn’s Peak

12.15 | Phoenix, AZ – Musical Instrument Museum

12.16 | Phoenix, AZ – Musical Instrument Museum

12.17 | Pocatello, ID – Stephens Performing Arts Center

12.19 | Cincinnati, OH – Ludlow Garage

12.20 | Cleveland, OH – Music Box Supper Club

12.21 | Old Saybrook, CT – Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center

12.22 | Cranston, RI – The Park Theatre

27 Nov 2024 Cole Diamond's Twangsgiving at Turf Club Read More Line Dance with Billie While the next band was being setup in the lawn, the dance lawn was taken over by Line Dance with Billie, who did two sessions (both different). Perhaps it was hard and follow what Billie was doing …

27 Nov 2024 Wednesday

Cole Diamond's Twangsgiving
ft. Tropical Depression ( Alan Jackson Tribute )
+ dance lessons from Line Dance with Billie
with Boot Cut and Cowboy Thoughts
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Cole Diamond and friends at the Twangsgiving show the night before T-Day.

You get to hear some Alan Jackson covers by Tropical Depression, as well as Line Dance with Billie.

Line Dance with Billie at American Swedish Institute (14 Sep 2024)

You might recall we saw Line Dance with Billie in Sep 2024 and noted, “While the next band was being setup in the lawn, the dance lawn was taken over by Line Dance with Billie, who did two sessions (both different). Perhaps it was hard and follow what Billie was doing (or people were just drunk), but, and I hate to say it, the audience was doing a terrible job! It didn’t really matter if you follow the steps or synchronize with your dancing partner, as long as you were having fun and laughing, that’s what counts.”

Boot Cut and Cowboy Thoughts to open.

Cole Diamond writes:

Thanks to all the ghouls and goblins at @dustysbiggreenbooth last night. Also, shout out to @scott_mcph3rson for sitting in on drums and @jeffrey_robert_larson for always being the best dressed. Little bit of a tight squeeze but we made it out alive. Next up we have a nice little weekend in Wisconsin on the horizon. ✌🏻🪨💎

11/01 @concordia_ballroom - La Crosse, WI
11/02 @themousetraptavern - Eau Claire, WI

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Screaming Orphans at Minnesota State Fair (02 Sep 2024)

Screaming Orphans Rooted in traditional Irish music, Celtic pop-rock band Screaming Orphans draws from a diverse set of influences to focus on melody-driven songs with pop and rock strains and to explore new and exciting songwriting and performance concepts. These four sisters are known for a powerful, award-winning sound that combines their own original melodic old-school pop songs with a unique and modern take on traditional Irish music and song. Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage Schedule Sept. 1 & 2 Screaming Orphans 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm, 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm Read More Minnesota State Fair Of course, this was the great Minnesota State Fair, one of the largest, if not the largest?, in the country, and draws in thousands of Minnesotans. There are plenty of entertainment, fun for the whole family! … Screaming Orphans This event is free and open to the public. For the full schedule, head over to irishfair.com The year’s bands include Screaming Orphans, Screaming Orphans, and Eileen Ivers. 3pm, free. …

With so much to do at the “Great Minnesota Get Together,” it takes a lot to capture the attention of such a huge crowd at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell stage. The Screaming Orphans said it themselves after their first set that they would understand if we didn’t make it back for their second set … but with talent so pure and in spades, I wanted to see both sets from 1 - 1:45 and 2:30 - 3:15 pm on the last day of the Minnesota State Fair on September 2, 2024.

The band consists of four sisters - Joan, Angela, Gráinne and Marie Thérèse.

The two blondes spoke mostly and explained that the two brunettes do the “playing,” that they were the musicians; however, the whole family was encouraged to play anything they wanted while growing up. And yes, they do have parents, they neither do a ton of screaming nor are they actual orphans. In fact, they asked the crowd to scream at one point because it would make the violin player play even faster. It was a name brought up by a friend and they liked it. Their mother sang ballads so a lot of their sound has that background rooted in tradition but they have a mix of pop and rock. The punk band Flogging Molly was pumped through the speakers prior to their soundcheck.

Too many times had they heard “Danny Boy” butchered covered in bars by other bands so instead they sang for us “Step it Out, Mary.” They ended the first set with a cover of The Turtles’ “Happy Together.” The second set ended with a cover of The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” with a plea to the audience to sing the post chorus part in the original song that goes “Da-Da da da” as “Shot of Vodka, shot of vodka, and a rum and a rum and a coke.”

There were a lot of people who had donned their Screaming Orphans T-shirts for the show. We just missed them in Kansas City. They have been here in Minnesota before for the Irish Fair. They regretted that they couldn’t stay after the show as they were jet setting to Pennsylvania, then overseas, then back to Ireland and wouldn’t return to the states until December. They are working on a Christmas album next, so hopefully if we do catch them again, there will be more new music to listen to.

Screaming Orphans at Minnesota State Fair (02 Sep 2024)

quynh ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Ber at Minnesota State Fair (25 August 2024)

25 August 2024 Minnesota State Fair at Minnesota State Fairground Ber Setlist Better Man Feels So Easy I'm Not in Love Superspreader Halfway Boys Who Kiss You in Their Car Somebody That I Used to Know (Gotye cover) Same Effect Middle of Nowhere Your Internet Sucks Whatever Forever with Eric on tambourine Read More Minnesota State Fair The annual Minnesota State Fair is kicking off August 24 and will continue until Labor Day, September 4th. The two week-ish event will feature over 900 Shows with … … Ber Before being terrorized by a killer shark off the coast of Cape Cod, south Minneapolis was treated to the songs of local musicians Ber and Anni XO right off the shore of Lake Harriet. ...

“I’ve never sang in front of pork chops smoke before,” Ber said on her first set at the MPR stage, at the great get-together, the Minnesota State Fair, on a hot Sunday.

Ber at First Avenue (06 Oct 2022)

Unlike her previous appearances, such as her first show at First Avenue, with Sigrid, in Oct 2022, this Minnesota State Fair show is all acoustic. Not great, as the acoustic music, mostly handled by Brian, does not drown out all the excitement of the spin-the-wheel next door.

We previously mentioned that Ber (originally from Minnesota) moved to London and was ‘discovered’ by Zane Lowe and Travis Mills of Beats 1 and BBC Radio One. When we saw her in 2022, we mentioned that she was working on her debut EP. That EP was called And I’m Still Thinking About That, and since then, she’s released Halfway and Room For You (her latest).

Highlight of her set was her cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” The original song was somewhat of a duet, the boy parts sung by Goyte, while the girl part was by Kimbra. The first part of the song, you only hear the perspective of Goyte… it isn’t until Kimbra comes in, do you hear the story from her perspective. It’s really a sad and emotional song, and was faithfully covered by Ber… except she sings both parts.

We also got the secret story behind “Your Internet Sucks”, which I’ve always thought was about a British boy that she dated for a year. She tells us one time she was making homemade potato gnocchi for his visit. She said it would take a good three hours to get it ready, and he showed up after driving an hour. He wanted to rest, so she left him alone for a few hours. When she finally came to get him, the whole time he was playing Fortnite on his iPad. Anyway, the song wishes that he has all the inconvenience of life… including the curse of bad internet. That’s cold, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

She ended her set with “Whatever Forever”, with Eric on tambourine.

Of course, this was the great Minnesota State Fair, one of the largest, if not the largest?, in the country, and draws in thousands of Minnesotans. There are plenty of entertainment, fun for the whole family!

If music isn’t your cup of tea, there are corn art, live farm animals, all the food-on-a-stick that you can afford to eat, etc. We saw the Timberworks Lumberjack Show at North Woods Stage, and nearby caught The Chipper Experience, a bit of comedy and magic, at the Family Fair Stage. We previously saw the amazing yo-yo skills of Mark Hayward at the same stage. He jokingly called one of his yo-yo “skullcrusher”, as he demonstrated the “deadly” eye of the hurricane trick to a mother and her daughter.

Dan Patch Park & Stage celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a variety of guests like the Aztec Dance Group and Buffalo Weavers. Over at MPR, they also had Social Dance with Native News, doing demonstrating and teaching a two-step traditional dance to the audience.

Of course, we were there for the music. The biggest free stage is the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage, who brought in Rochester, New York’s McKinley James, a 22 year old bluesman.

Kazual was a vocals/a cappella-esque family band of three brothers and a cousin, from Atlanta, Georgia. They mostly covered songs, such as the Temptations, DeBarge, and Justin Timberlake.

Tennessee’s The Dryes (Derek and Katelyn) are big Dolly Parton fans, with their single “Dolly Would”. They also covered “9 to 5” with “Island in the Stream”.

The second-best free stage is the Shell’s Stage at Schilling (in the West End Market). We like the stage, but it’s located all the way west and we didn’t make it out that way much (since most of the smaller stages are located in the center). We only caught High & Rising, a “groovy grass” band from Wisconsin.

Adam Daniel at Minnesota State Fair (06 Sep 2021)

Adam Daniel was officially listed at The Hangar, but he managed to sneak in Nici Peper, from Wisconsin, and her first time at the Fair. We previously mentioned Peper opened for Erik Koskinen in Feb 2020. We previously saw Daniel in Sep 2021.

Some restaurants’ events aren’t officially listed on the official MN State Fair’s website, but they would also bring in musicians. We kind of found out Wayne and the Boys was playing at Giggles’ Campfire Grill or that Shane Martin was playing at RC's BBQ. O’Gara mostly brough in Irish entertainment, such as Traditional Irish Piper. Cafe Caribe brought in Chris Lawrence Band, while French Créperie brought in Steve Johnson. International Bazaar Stage always has world music, we saw Pan Dimensions. The Department of Natural Resource brought in Red Rock Swing Band who played every hour or so.

Those are just some of the random bands we saw. Some were by accident; some we intentionally went to their show to check them out. There’s never a dull moment. It is a bit exhausting, walking all of the place… but where else can you get this kind of experience?

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Lindsey Stirling at Armory (24 Aug 2024)

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Hozier at Azura Amphitheater, Bonner Springs, KS (2024-08-09)

HOZIER SETLIST De Selby (Part 1) De Selby (Part 2) Jackie and Wilson From Eden Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene Dinner & Diatribes Francesca It Will Come Back Like Real People Do I, Carrion (Icarian) Abstract (Psychopomp) Would That I Too Sweet Almost (Sweet Music) (with band introductions) Eat Your Young Movement Take Me to Church Encore: Cherry Wine (acoustic from B Stage) Unknown/Nth (band joins, from B Stage) Nina Cried Power (w/Melissa McMillan) Work Song (with Joy Oladokun) JOY OLADOKUN SETLIST Taking Things for Granted Keeping the Light On Changes sunday / One of Us (Joan Osborne cover snippet) Somebody Like Me Drugs We’re All Gonna Die look up   HOZIER TOUR DATES AUG 10 BOK Center Tulsa, OK AUG 13 Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Maryland Heights, MO AUG 14 Pinnacle Bank Arena Lincoln, NE AUG 16 Breese Stevens Field Madison, WI AUG 17 Xcel Energy Center Saint Paul, MN AUG 20 Canada Life Centre Winnipeg, Canada AUG 21 Sasktel Centre Saskatoon, Canada AUG 23 Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary, Canada AUG 24 Rogers Place Edmonton, Canada AUG 27 First Interstate Arena Billings, MT AUG 28 Ford Wyoming Center Casper, WY AUG 30 Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre Greenwood Village, CO AUG 31 First Credit Union Amphitheatre West Valley City, UT SEP 3 Ford Idaho Center Arena Nampa, ID SEP 4 Hayden Homes Amphitheater Bend, OR SEP 6 Gorge Amphitheatre Quincy, WA SEP 7 RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater Ridgefield, WA SEP 9 Golden 1 Center Sacramento, CA SEP 10 Shoreline Amphitheatre Mountain View, CA SEP 13 Tucson Arena Tucson, AZ SEP 14 North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre Chula Vista, CA SEP 17 Kia Forum Inglewood, CA SEP 18 Kia Forum Inglewood, CA SEP 20 Kia Forum Inglewood, CA SEP 21 iHeartRadio Music Festival Las Vegas, NV SEP 22 Isleta Amphitheater Albuquerque, NM SEP 24 Frost Bank Center San Antonio, TX SEP 25 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion The Woodlands, TX SEP 26 Paycom Center Oklahoma City, OK SEP 28 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival Franklin, TN SEP 29 All Things Go Columbia, MD NOV 5 RAC Arena Perth, Australia NOV 6 RAC Arena Perth, Australia NOV 8 The Drive North Adelaide, Australia NOV 10 Torquay Common Torquay, Australia NOV 12 Sidney Myer Music Bowl Melbourne, Australia NOV 13 Sidney Myer Music Bowl Melbourne, Australia NOV 15 Qudos Bank Arena Sydney, Australia NOV 16 Roche Estate Pokolbin, Australia NOV 18 Riverstage Brisbane City, Australia NOV 20 Spark Arena Auckland, New Zealand NOV 22 Wolfbrook Arena Christchurch, New Zealand NOV 23 Wolfbrook Arena Christchurch, New Zealand Read More Hozier Irish singer-songwriter Hozier is enjoying a sold-out American tour this Winter. He's touring in support of his eponymous debut self-titled studio album, which hit #1 on the Irish chart and #2 in the US charts. ....

One of the most popular voices from Ireland came to the heartland as folk-rock singer-songwriter Hozier played a long sold-out show in front of 18,000 fans outdoors at Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, KS, just west of Kansas City.

===

The evening began with the pleasant surprise of a support set from Nashville via Arizona folk/pop/roots singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun, still in support of full-length, Living Proof (out via Verve/Forecast/Republic). (If we read the poster closer, we’d have known that Canadian Allison Russell was only opening the first set of dates of the tour).

We’d seen the singer headline last year at The Truman in Kansas City so were familiar, and the thirty-five-minute performance began with Oladokun demurely introducing herself and the band by saying, “Hi, I’m Joy. These are my friends- they’re very weird and we’re going to play some songs together” before launching into “Taking Things for Granted”, a song we knew from previous, was about a childhood birthday experience.

Like previous, Oladokun re-enforced how any change does not wear well- even the little things apparently as the name change of the HBO Max streaming service to simply “Max”, was enough to disgruntle the singer, prefacing the fact before the song, “Changes”.

Neil Young was a musical inspiration for “sunday”, a song which was combined with a verse or two from Joan Osborne’s modern classic, “One of Us” and the Weezer-influenced “We’re All Gonna Die” usually finishes the set, but they wisely changed things up to finish with the message of positivity in “look up”- reminding the audience to value the smallest beautiful things in life, and that you, and your loved ones all matter in this world.

====

The third and latest album from Newcastle, Ireland folk rock singer-songwriter Hozier (aka Andrew Hozier-Byrne) is titled Unreal Unearth (via Rubyworks/Island/Columbia) and unreal has to be the perfect word for the singer’s return to the forefront of the cultural zeitgeist after debuting with hit single, “Take Me to Church” more than a decade ago.

The recent album has topped the charts in the US, UK and his native Ireland among other places, and current single “Too Sweet” is everywhere- crossing formats and on the radio constantly at the moment.

We caught him last in 2019, pre-pandemic and selling out the 2181 capacity State Theatre in Minneapolis. Flash-forward a few years, and he’s playing in venues that hold six times that size (like this one) and is still selling them out – unreal!

The spanning two-hour set began as the new record does, with “De Selby (Parts 1 and 2)”, an ethereal set of tracks inspired by a character in a Flann O’Brien novel that explores darkness as a connection, and ended with Hozier singing in his native Irish, as a canopy of projected evening stars surrounded he and his eight-piece band.

The projections behind the stage were massive and mostly composed of scenes and elements found in nature, while Hozier himself seems to have barely aged in the last decade, staying the same- tall height, similar hairstyle, and with the same wardrobe of a plain jean jacket and pants.

The rabid crowd got a taste of new music with the anti-war song, “Nobody’s Soldier” from the upcoming “Unaired” EP (out this week) which reveals three songs mostly inspired by the poet Dante’s “Inferno” that were written for the full-length but didn’t make it.  They're described as “"songs that might have made it to the circles of gluttony, limbo, violence, and the outward 'ascent' respectively” according to the artist.

He’d take time to marvel at the size of the crowd, which stretched all the way up the hill on the grass, also reading the high-held sign of someone concussed but still attending and gave a shout-out to someone’s dad. He was proud enough of his sharp band to introduce them twice; once following hit “Almost (Sweet Music)” from sophomore album Wasteland, Baby! and again during the encore.

Mega radio hit, “Too Sweet” from the addendum Unheard EP was unceremoniously slipped into the setlist about two-thirds through, with Hozier casually thanking everyone for his first Number One in seven countries, including the US. Call it the Irish humble brag, as almost every other artist would play their biggest song last and extend it into something three-times its original length, for no good reason.

The new album’s lead single, “Eat Your Young” found many in the crowd trying to mimic the falsetto vocal on the track and 2019 single, “Movement” had all 18,000 clapping along to the beat which continued as the main set would end with his 2013 breakout single, “Take Me to Church.”

One of the earliest songs he wrote, “Cherry Wine” began the encore as the 6’6” singer emerged to play it acoustically from a platform at the mixing board, situated halfway up the venue’s hill. He stayed put and switched back to electric for “Unknown/Nth” from the new record, as the band gradually returned to their positions to help finish the song with volume.

A prefacing speech to the social anthem “Nina Cried Power” (originally a collab with Mavis Staples) had the artist speaking out strongly about social, political, and global issues; mostly encouraging peace, tolerance, the need for protest, and why we’re all much more similar, than different. In Staples’ place, touring singer Melissa McMillan completely tore the house down vocally.

2014’s “Work Song” would end the evening, with the singer ever appreciative to his band, crew, local staff, and support act, and he brought Joy Oladokun back out to help sing the song about a hard life and imperfect love that in the end, redeems all.

“When you move, I’m moved” Hozier sang on his 2019 single, “Movement” and the same could be said for the sold-out 18,000 in attendance that shrieked, cheered, and swooned with his every verse and gesture. If his crowd keeps multiplying exponentially as it has, we could very well be seeing him in stadiums next time.

(All Photos by BRANDON CLASEN Click on any image to enlarge and see in full)

HOZIER at Azura Amphitheater, Bonner Springs KS (2024-08-09)

HOZIER at Azura Amphitheater, Bonner Springs KS (2024-08-09)

HOZIER at Azura Amphitheater, Bonner Springs KS (2024-08-09)

JOY OLADOKUN at Azura Amphitheater, Bonner Springs KS (2024-08-09)

JohnC ♥ johnc@weheartmusic.com ♥ X / twitter.com

R.I.P. Karl Wallinger (World Party, The Waterboys)

Karl Wallinger photo courtesy USA Today

(Read more Musicians who died in 2024)

R.I.P. Karl Wallinger

Welsh musician Karl Wallinger, the multi-instrumentalist and force behind the band World Party and also known as a mid-80’s member of Irish band The Waterboys, has passed away at the age of 66.

His publicist revealed that Wallinger passed on Sunday, March 10, with no cause of death announced, but it was not publicly revealed until day’s later.

The Waterboys and Mike Scott paid tribute on their website, saying, “Karl was an integral part of The Waterboys from 1983 to the end of 1985, and was one of the original touring line-up. He made many powerful contributions to the band during his membership, many of which are included and described in the recent 1985 box set and book.” Scott would also note on X / Twitter that Wallinger was “one of the finest musicians I’ve ever known” and to “Travel on well my old friend.”

Wallinger was born on 19 October 1957, in Prestatyn, Wales, interested in music early and particularly intrigued by the music of The Beatles. He trained classically on the piano from age nine, with his musicianship winning him a music scholarship to Charterhouse in Surrey.

Following school, he became the keyboard player for a group named Pax, then co-formed Quasimodo with two members who would eventually form The Alarm with Mike Peters.

Wallinger would move to London, becoming the musical director of The Rocky Horror Show and would answer a "guitarist wanted" ad to join The Waterboys, convincing Scott the band needed a keyboard player more, but was able to fill several roles as the band toured their first album and recorded the follow-up, A Pagan Place.

The succeeding album, This is The Sea, would prove a high watermark for The Waterboys, with Wallinger co-writing “Don’t Bang The Drum”, playing the then-unique synth bass on the album, and memorable synthesizers on their biggest hit, “The Whole of the Moon.”

Scott’s level of creative control forced Wallinger to leave the band in 1985, creating his own World Party, which blended Northern Soul and influences from US artists Sly Stone and Prince, Beatles-influenced melodies, and the storytelling of Van Morrison, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan.

In all, the band released five studio albums beginning with 1987’s Private Revolution, a live record and a couple compilations.

Darlings of college and alternative radio, single “Ship of Fools” reached No. 5 on Billboard’s mainstream rock chart in the U.S. in 1987 and “Way Down Now,” went to No. 1 on the Billboard alternative chart in the U.S. in 1990. “Is it Like Today” was their biggest U.K. hit, reaching No. 19 in 1993 and his song “She’s the One” became a 1999 No. 1 single for singer Robbie Williams.

In February 2001, Wallinger was discovered to have a brain aneurysm, which required major surgeries and years learning how to speak again and play instruments, amazingly returning to touring five years later, though never releasing another new album. Those royalties from “She’s The One” turned out to be well-timed, helping greatly with Wallinger’s medical and rehabilitation bills, during his years-long recovery.

Wallinger passed away at his home in Hastings, along England’s south coast and is survived by wife Suzie, son Louis, daughter Nancy, and two grandchildren.

John C ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / twitter.com

Minneapolis: January 15 to January 19, 2024

01/15 The Cactus Blossoms at Turf Club Read More The Cactus Blossoms Ahead of their 2022 tour for their new album One Day For February 11, Minneapolis duo The Cactus Blossoms (brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum) will be playing a residency at the Turf Club, every Monday. …

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

01/15/2024 Monday

The Cactus Blossoms
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

It’s the third week for The Cactus Blossoms residency at the Turf Club.

Like an annual tradition, local group The Cactus Blossoms will be playing every Monday in the month of January at the Turf Club, in St Paul, in 2024.

Cactus Blossoms (12 Feb 2022)

We caught the band in Feb 2022 and said, “Immediately after the release of The Cactus Blossoms’ new album, One Day, the American duo appeared at three stores, performing at Mill City Sound (in Hopkins), Down In The Valley (in Golden Valley), and Electric Fetus (in Minneapolis), all on February 12th.”

Tour dates:

Nov 30 Minneapolis, MN, US Dakota
Nov 30 Minneapolis, MN, US Dakota
Jan 1 2024 St. Paul, MN, US Turf Club
Jan 8 2024 St. Paul, MN, US Turf Club
Jan 15 2024 St. Paul, MN, US Turf Club
Jan 22 2024 St. Paul, MN, US Turf Club
Jan 29 2024 St. Paul, MN, US Turf Club

01/18 Dad Bod, 12th House Sun, glowingtide, and Oddysseys at 7th St Entry Read More Dad Bod Dilly Dally Alley (not to be confused with Canada’s Dilly Dally, who we saw in April 2016) is having their CD release show for their debut album Make You Whole at the Turf Club, in St Paul, on May 17th. ...

01/18/2024 Thursday

Dad Bod,
12th House Sun,
glowingtide,
and Oddysseys
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Minneapolis-based Dad Bod is one of the co-headliners for this local show at 7th Street Entry on January 18, 2024. 12th House Sun, glowingtide, and Oddysseys are all listed on the bill.

Dad Bod (12 Mar 2023)

We saw Dad Bod on 12 Mar 2023 and wrote, “Opening the show was local band Dad Bod (not to be confused with Salt Lake City’s Dad Bod). The Minneapolis-based band normally has Grace Baldwin for bass, but for the October 24th show, she was out celebrating her birthday. Instead, Emily Schoonover from Bugsy stepped in at the last minute. The rest of the band comprised of singer Callie Marino, guitarist Wilson Zellar, guitarist Noah Topliff, and drummer Alex Gray.”

01/19 Darren Kiely with Kyndal Inskeep at 7th St Entry Read More The Lumineers The Lumineers only have one record, a self-titled LP, released back on April 3rd 2012, so they basically played almost the entire album. The band threw in a Bob Dylan cover, a Taking Heads cover …

01/19/2024 Friday

Darren Kiely
with Kyndal Inskeep
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Nashville’s Darren Kiely will be headlining the 7th Street Entry this January 19, 2024. The folk/pop singer was originally from a small town in Co. Cork, Ireland. His sound is a mix of traditional Irish music, intertwined with modern influences such as The Lumineers and Noah Kahan.

When Kiely moved to New York in 2022, and debut his song “How Could You Love Me”, he got million of listeners on Spotify and his song made it in the Viral 50 - Ireland charts, according to independent.ie.

Rising Nashville pop artist and songwriter, Kyndal Inskeep, to open.

Tour dates:

Nov 26 Birmingham, UK O2 Institute2 Birmingham
Nov 28 London, UK Electric Ballroom
Nov 29 Antwerp, Belgium TRIX
Nov 30 Paris, France Les Étoiles
Jan 17 2024 Milwaukee, WI, US Shank Hall
Jan 17 2024 Milwaukee, WI, US Shank Hall
Jan 19 2024 Minneapolis, MN, US 7th St Entry
Jan 20 2024 Davenport, IA, US Raccoon Motel
Jan 22 2024 Chicago, IL, US Schuba's
Jan 25 2024 Columbus, OH, US A&R Music Bar
Jan 27 2024 Toronto, ON, Canada Adelaide Hall
Jan 29 2024 Montreal, QC, Canada Bar le Ritz PDB
Jan 31 2024 Hamden, CT, US Space Ballroom
Feb 2 2024 Asbury Park, NJ, US Wonder Bar
Feb 3 2024 Washington, DC, US DC9 Nightclub
Feb 4 2024 Philadelphia, PA, US MilkBoy Philly
Feb 4 2024 Philadelphia, PA, US MilkBoy Philly
Feb 6 2024 Asheville, NC, US The Grey Eagle
Feb 7 2024 Carrboro, NC, US Cat's Cradle
Feb 7 2024 Carrboro, NC, US Cat's Cradle Back Room
Feb 8 2024 Charlotte, NC, US The Evening Muse
Feb 8 2024 Charlotte, NC, US The Evening Muse
Feb 9 2024 Decatur, GA, US Eddie's Attic
May 15 2024 Brighton, UK The Great Escape
May 19 2024 London, UK Omeara
May 19 2024 London, UK Omeara
May 21 2024 Berlin, Germany Privatclub
May 22 2024 Cologne, Germany Helios 37
May 24 2024 Amsterdam, Netherlands Melkweg
May 25 2024 Glasgow, UK King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
May 25 2024 Glasgow, UK King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
May 26 2024 Manchester, UK The Deaf Institute
May 26 2024 Manchester, UK The Deaf Institute
May 28 2024 Belfast, UK The Limelight 2
May 28 2024 Belfast, UK The Limelight 1
May 30 2024 Dublin, Ireland The Academy
May 31 2024 Dublin, Ireland The Academy
May 31 2024 Dublin, Ireland The Academy Dublin

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

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