W♥M

W♥M Year in Review: 2022 Concerts and Events

Read More Franz Ferdinand As I have suspected, Franz Ferdinand will be on a bigger tour in support of their new album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, which comes out next week (August 27th) on Domino Records.… The Lemonheads Originally, The Lemonheads were scheduled to play in the closet-sized 7th Street Entry, but seeing as tickets sold-out, they upgraded the band to the full-sized room at First Avenue. … Juliana Hatfield As long as I can remember, Hatfield started her music career with the Blake Babies. When they broke up, she had a massive hit with "My Sister" in her newly reformed band Juliana Hatfield Three …

With only two weeks to go before we close out 2022… let us take a look back at some of our favorite shows of the year. So many bands came back in 2022, no thanks to the pandemic that ended social gathering in late 2019 and going onto late 2021.

If I had to pick just one show to spotlight, I would have to say it was for Franz Ferdinand at the Fillmore in Minneapolis (20 Aug 2022).

There are a couple of things that made this show special. First of all, FF was playing all their hit songs in one show to promote their greatest hits album Hits to the Head. The band was in top-form, energetically jumping and dancing from start to finish.

Second, the Fillmore (officially named Fillmore Minneapolis to avoid confusion with the historic Fillmore in San Francisco - which I have been to see Juliana Hatfield in June 1995) is a relatively new venue and we love the size and how it looks.

Speaking of which, Hatfield recently appeared with Evan Dando as The Lemonheads headlined First Avenue in December 8: “No shade to the very good bands that came before her, but Juliana Hatfield really knows how to knock the wind out of you. I was lucky to catch her and her band back in 2015 playing all of 1993’s explosive Become What You Are but it’s a different vibe without a noisy band sharing the stage. Hers was a staggering solo performance with just an electric guitar and those airy vocals. Beginning with “Everybody Loves Me But You” from 1992’s Hey Babe, Hatfield delicately flowed through songs from her 30-plus year catalogue. The occasional false start, awkward pause or runny nose could not dampen the sting and ache of her music and words: “Little Pieces,” “I Got No Idols,” a searing “Candy Wrappers” (which my friend requested on Instagram!) and of course “Sister.””

I didn’t attend the Lemonheads show due to my continuing self-imposed Winter Hibernation, but it sounded like a great show (especially with both Juliana and Evan on stage together again).

So far, we’ve documented 191 shows in total (with one final pending show for Landon Conrath coming up on December 30th). To see full list head over to W♥M 2022 Shows.

In hibernation,

- Vu

GRAND TOTAL: 191 Shows

DECEMBER 2022 (8 Shows)

• 12/06 Heart to Gold at 7th Street • 12/06 Soft Moon at Fine Line • 12/07 Lemonheads at Madrid • 12/08 Lemonheads at First Avenue

• 12/10 Modest Mouse at Palace Theatre • 12/17 Katy Guillen and The Drive at Bottleneck • 12/21 Classless Act at Lucia • 12/30 Landon Conrath at 7th Street

NOVEMBER 2022 (7 Shows)

• 11/01 Alex G at First Ave • 11/04 Jungle Giants at Turf Club • 11/10 Blu DeTiger at Fine Line

• 11/12 Let's Eat Grandma at 7th Street Entry • 11/18 Plains at First Ave • 11/19 Plains at Knuckleheads (photos) • 11/26 Trampled by Turtles at Armory

OCTOBER 2022 (22 Shows)

• 10/04 Laufey at 7th Street • 10/06 Sigrid at First Avenue • 10/07 Toadies at First Avenue • 10/07 The Head and the Heart at the Armory • 10/09 Broken Social Scene at Palace Theatre • 10/09 One OK Rock at Fillmore • 10/09 Superorganism at Varsity Theater • 10/11 UPSAHL at Fine Line • 10/13 The Ballroom Thieves at Turf Club • 10/14 Alexander 23 at the Amsterdam Bar • 10/14 They Might Be Giants at First Avenue

• 10/14 G. Love & Special Sauce at Steve Tilford Benefit • 10/15 Matt Maeson at the Truman • 10/15 Faouzia at 7th Street • 10/18 Rare Americans at 7th Street • 10/19 St. Lucia at the Truman • 10/19 Spacey Jane at Fine Line • 10/21 Lee Fields at Fine Line • 10/23 Preoccupations at Turf Club • 10/24 Pretty Sick at 7th Street • 10/28 Sammy Rae at First Avenue • 10/28 Flipturn at 7th Street

SEPTEMBER 2022 (25 Shows)

• 09/02 IDLES at The Truman, Kansas City • 09/03 Roger Waters at T-Mobile Center, Kansas City • 09/03 DD & Company at Brookside, Marine on St Croix • 09/05 Modest Mouse at GrindersKC, Kansas City • 09/06 Echo & the Bunnymen at Fillmore • 09/06 Phoenix at Palace Theatre • 09/06 Joy Formidable at recordBar • 09/07 Joy Formidable at Turf Club • 09/08 Judah and the Lion at Uptown Theater • 09/09 Twenty One Pilots at T-Mobile Center • 09/09 Afghan Whigs at Fine Line • 09/14 The National at Surly Brewing

• 09/16 Lucibela at the Cedar Cultural Center • 09/16 Highly Suspect at First Avenue • 09/17 Alice Glass at Amsterdam Bar • 09/17 Barns Courtney at recordBar, Kansas City • 09/23 Gaslight Anthem at Kansas City • 09/24 Gaslight Anthem at Fillmore • 09/24 Julia Jacklin at Fine Line • 09/24 Ozomatli at KCLive! • 09/25 Bear's Den at Knuckleheads • 09/25 Tamino at Fine Line • 09/27 The Cult at Uptown Theater • 09/29 Amyl and the Sniffers at First Ave • 09/30 The Avalanches at Varsity Theater

AUGUST 2022 (22 Shows)

• 08/01 Local Natives at First Avenue • 08/01 Sony A7IV at Springbrook Nature Center • 08/05 OneRepublic at Starlight Theater • 08/06 Ian Sweet at 7th St • 08/06 Innovation Festival at Kansas City • 08/07 Belaganas at Fine Line • 08/08 Here and There at Kansas City • 08/09 The Wild Hearts Tour at Surly Brewing • 08/10 Flip Rushmore at 7th St • 08/10 Black Pistol Fire at recordBar • 08/13 The Lumineers at T-Mobile Center

• 08/13 Fitz and the Tantrums at Palace Theatre • 08/16 Silversun Pickups at Liberty Hall, Lawrence • 08/18 Peter Hook at First Avenue • 08/19 Hanson at Fillmore • 08/20 Franz Ferdinand at Fillmore • 08/20 Chastity Brown at First Avenue • 08/23 Seratones at recordBar, Kansas City • 08/26 Andy McKee at TPAC, Topeka • 08/29 Telekinetic Yeti at 7th Street Entry • 08/30 iDKHOW at Granada • 08/30 Shame at Fine Line

JULY 2022 (15 Shows)

• 07/02 Kenny Chesney at Arrowhead Stadium • 07/03 City Knights Band at Coon Rapids Festival • 07/08 The Cult at Palace Theatre • 07/11 Japanese Breakfast at First Avenue • 07/14 Country Stampede at Heartland Park • 07/15 Country Stampede at Heartland Park • 07/16 Big Gigantic at Fillmore

• 07/16 Country Stampede at the Heartland • 07/21 Savannah Conley at 7th St Entry • 07/22 Josh Groban at Starlight Theater • 07/23 Molly Hatchet at Sac and Fox Casino • 07/23 Boy Harsher at Fine Line • 07/26 Horsegirl at Fine Line • 07/28 Machine Gun Kelly at Xcel Energy Center • 07/30 Psychedelic Furs at Palace Theatre

JUNE 2022 (20 Shows)

• 06/02 Pink Mountaintops at Turf Club • 06/04 Steve Noonan at Edina Art Fair • 06/04 John Waite at Ranchmart Center • 06/07 Prince Rogers Nelson Way - street dedication • 06/09 Mess Esque at 7th St Entry • 06/10 Jordana at 7th St Entry • 06/11 Nathaniel Rateliff/Sleater-Kinney at RTG • 06/11 Low at Rock the Garden (Garden Stage) • 06/13 Wet at Fine Line • 06/13 Purity Ring at Granada Theater

• 06/14 Crawlers at 7th St Entry • 06/15 La Femme at Turf Club • 06/16 Prateek Kuhad at 7th St Entry • 06/16 Cannons at The Bottleneck • 06/16 The Rainmakers at Olathe Live! • 06/18 The Warlocks at 7th St Entry • 06/21 Fitz and the Tantrums at GrindersKC • 06/23 Meghan Murphy at The Woman's Club • 06/24 Billy Howerdel at Fine Line • 06/27 slenderbodies at Fine Line

MAY 2022 (28 Shows)

• 05/01 Anais Mitchell at Turf Club, St Paul • 05/02 Dorothy at Varsity Theater, Minneapolis • 05/03 Lights at Varsity Theater, Minneapolis • 05/07 OMD at the Fillmore, Minneapolis • 05/07 Fontaines D.C. at First Ave, Minneapolis • 05/07 Ben Rector at Starlight Theater, Kansas City • 05/08 Ashe at First Avenue, Minneapolis • 05/09 The Mysterines at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis • 05/12 Cut Copy at First Avenue, Minneapolis • 05/13 Amyl and the Sniffers at Fine Line, Minneapolis • 05/14 Sir Chloe at Turf Club, St Paul • 05/14 Destroyer at The Bottleneck, Lawrence • 05/15 Hatchie at Turf Club, St Paul • 05/18 Vieux Farka Touré at Dakota Jazz Club

• 05/18 Oh Wonder at First Avenue, Minneapolis • 05/18 ADULT. at 7th St Entry, Minneapolis • 05/19 Tiffany at Turf Club, St Paul • 05/20 Mountain Goats at First Avenue, Minneapolis • 05/20 Foy Vance at the Cedar • 05/20 MegaCon Orlando 2022 • 05/21 Curtis Stigers at Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis • 05/21 Sunflower Bean at Fine Line • 05/22 George Perez Memorial Service at MegaCon • 05/25 Kurt Vile at First Avenue, Minneapolis • 05/27 Belle and Sebastian at Palace Theatre, St Paul • 05/29 4MIX at Minnesota Songkran Festival 2022 • 05/29 Bastille at Uptown Theater, Kansas City • 05/31 Ezra Furman at Fine Line

APRIL 2022 (20 Shows)

• 04/02 KC FanCon 56 at Douglas County Fairgrounds • 04/02 Baroness at The Bottleneck, Lawrence • 04/02 Sasami at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis • 04/02 Fletcher at Fine Line Music Cafe • 04/10 Brian Jonestown Massacre at First Ave • 04/10 Soccer Mommy at Granada Theater, Lawrence • 04/11 Good Morning at 7th St, Minneapolis • 04/13 Alina Maira at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis • 04/14 Lala Lala at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis • 04/16 Quasi at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis

• 04/16 Snail Mail at Liberty Hall, Lawrence • 04/22 Planet Comicon 2022 • 04/22 Yumi Zouma at Turf Club, St Paul • 04/23 Planet Comicon 2022 • 04/23 Hippo Campus at the Armory, Minneapolis • 04/23 LP at Palace Theatre, St Paul • 04/24 Planet Comicon 2022 • 04/26 Apocalyptica at First Avenue, Minneapolis • 04/27 The Warning at Fine Line, Minneapolis • 04/30 Alan Doyle at Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis

MARCH 2022 (18 Shows)

• 03/01 Birthday Massacre at Fine Line, Minneapolis • 03/01 Maisie Peters at 7th St, Minneapolis • 03/03 Wet Leg at First Ave • 03/04 Claire Rosinkranz at 7th St • 03/04 The Beths at Fine Line, Minneapolis • 03/06 Illuminati Hotties / Fenne Lily at 7th St, Minneapolis • 03/09 Longest Johns at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis • 03/10 Parquet Courts at First Avenue, Minneapolis • 03/12 Marisa Monte at State Theatre

• 03/13 Dirty Honey / Mammoth WVH at Uptown Theater • 03/14 Mitski at Palace Theatre, St Paul • 03/15 Deafheaven at Fine Line, Minneapolis • 03/19 Topeka Tropics vs Salina Liberty at Landon Arena • 03/24 Yves Tumor at The Bottleneck, Lawrence • 03/24 Circle Jerks at First Avenue, Minneapolis • 03/25 Anna Meredith at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis • 03/28 Airborne Toxic Event at The Truman, Kansas City • 03/28 Girl in Red at Truman, Kansas City

FEBRUARY 2022 (5 Shows)

• 02/05 The Wombats at the Truman, Kansas City • 02/12 Cactus Blossoms at Electric Fetus, Minneapolis

• 02/12 Lunar New Year Celebration at Mall of America • 02/19 Lucy Dacus at Liberty Hall, Lawrence • 02/22 Low Cut Connie at The Bottleneck, Lawrence

JANUARY 2022 (1 Show)

• 01/21 Kacey Musgraves at T-Mobile Center, Kansas City

Franz Ferdinand at Fillmore, Minneapolis (20 Aug 2022)

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide and Kansas City Music Guide

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

The Lemonheads live - Kansas City MO (2022-12-07) / Minneapolis MN (2022-12-09)

12/07 The Lemonheads with Bass Drum of Death and On Being an Angel at Madrid Lemonheads Setlist (12/07)     Intro: Miss Otis Regrets by Ella Fitzgerald Evan Dando Solo Photo of Setlist The Outdoor Type (Smudge cover) Hard Drive Being Around It's A Shame About Ray Set Rockin' Stroll Confetti It's a Shame About Ray Rudderless My Drug Buddy The Turnpike Down Bit Part Alison's Starting to Happen Hannah & Gabi Kitchen Ceiling Fan in My Spoon Frank Mills (Galt MacDermot cover) How Will I Know (Whitney Houston cover) Divan (Smudge cover) I'll Be Here in the Morning (Townes van Zandt cover) Snow Don't Fall (Townes van Zandt cover) Skulls (Misfits cover) Dimming of the Day (Bonnie Raitt cover snippet) Withered and Died (Richard and Linda Thompson cover snippet) Layin’ Up with Linda (G G Allin cover snippet) Into Your Arms Hospital Pittsburgh If I Could Talk I'd Tell You Bass Drum of Death Setlist (12/07) Photo of Setlist I Wanna Be Forgotten Nerve Jamming Just Business Velvet Itch Head Change Left for Dead Say Your Prayers Shattered Me Get Found Crawling After You

Three decades later, it’s still a Shame--

Make that Shame, Shame in our case as we headed out not once, but twice to catch The Lemonheads on their It’s a Shame About Ray- 30^th Anniversary Tour in Kansas City, MO at the Madrid Theatre and also the following date up north in Minneapolis, MN at First Avenue.

Most of their remaining US dates are sold out, as was the tour of the UK and Ireland that they had recently completed, so bandleader Evan Dando is finding out exactly how well that quintessential 90’s alternative rock album, has aged.

The band formed in Boston way back in 1986, with Dando being the remaining constant, and struck a chord first at indie radio with a sound that echoed folk / alt-country (before its time) blended with pop-like melodies, discordant chords and the low-fi sound of period alternative. Band members have previously included Juliana Hatfield, Ryan Adams, and members of Descendents, Blake Babies, Dinosaur Jr and Fuzzy.

Dando famously announced the demise of the band on stage at Reading Festival in 1997 and carried on with a solo career, but you can’t keep a good thing down, and the current trio consists of Dando, bassist Farley Glavin, and previously Swervedriver drummer Mikey Jones, who unfortunately fell ill and was unable to complete the tour.

Enter (on very short notice) the legendary Bill Stevenson of Descendents fame who played the Denver and KC shows, and upstate NY’s Lee Falco, who is slated to complete the rest.

===

The opening acts for this leg included Austin TX band On Being an Angel, who just put out a recent EP, On Being a Tape Vol II last month, the four-track collection includes their cover of Lucinda Williams’ “Metal Firecracker” which they’ve been playing a loud version of live as well.

With Hatfield-esque vocals and a mid-90s throwback part to their sound, the four piece just seems to be getting started, and is worth keeping an eye (and ear) on, to see what’s next.

Bass Drum of Death is a formidable sounding name for an Oxford, MS garage rock trio that has a sound to match, fronted by John Barrett and filled out by his brother Jim (only recently recruited), and Eric Parisi.

We saw the band a few times in 2013-14, and then they seemingly vanished, but were actually on a hiatus to re-emerge with both Barretts collaborating for the first time, and new album, Say I Won’t, expected in late January and a headlining club tour to follow.

The threesome was musically tight throughout their swift thirty-minute set, with chugging rhythms like a runaway locomotive and if new single “Say Your Prayers” is any barometer of sounds to come, more will definitely be taking notice in 2023.

===
Madrid Theatre – Kansas City, MO (2022-12-07)

Evan Dando casually found his way to the stage to begin their eighty-minute set, randomly tuning his twelve string and other guitars, while singing along to the Ella Fitzgerald walk-on music, but was eventually ready, playing a three-song solo set to begin.

Right away, the printed setlist seemed only an advisory as what might be played, but unpredictability / spontaneity often can be a part of a Lemonheads show.

Stevenson and Glavin made their way up for the anticipated It’s a Shame About Ray album played in its entirety, but it began more like a rehearsal with some unsure chords and the trio facing each other in a circle until they found their way (ironically) with “Rudderless” and drummer Stevenson now bashing the skins even louder, and with a killer smile on his face.

Despite his sometimes-puzzling stage presence. Dando’s voice has held up nicely and the crowd sang along with hits’ It’s a Shame About Ray” and “My Drug Buddy”, holding their phones up to video capture those nostalgic songs of their college days and the album's closer, “Frank Mills” was a sing-along as well, back to just Dando solo on stage.

The printed setlist then seemed completely ignored (with Dando re-entering the stage tossing his guitar stand), playing instead songs that came more to mind, including Whitney Houston, Misfits and Townes van Zandt covers but Lemonheads hits also remained for the patient, including the near-perfect alt-pop smash “Into Your Arms” and the set-closing “If I Could Talk, I’d Tell You”.

===

12/09 The Lemonheads with Juliana Hatfield, Bass Drum of Death and On Being an Angel at First Avenue Lemonheads Setlist (12/09) Into Your Arms The Great Big No It's About Time Dawn Can't Decide Hospital Down About It My Idea (Chris Brokaw cover) It Looks Like You Hard Drive Different Drum (Michael Nesmith cover) Acoustic Set I'll Be Here in the Morning (Townes van Zandt cover) The Outdoor Type (Smudge cover) Being Around It's A Shame About Ray Set Rockin Stroll Confetti It's a Shame About Ray My Drug Buddy Rudderless Bit Part The Turnpike Down Alison's Starting to Happen Hannah & Gabi Ceiling Fan in My Spoon Frank Mills (Galt MacDermot cover) Tour Dates 12.10 Chicago, IL Metro 12.11 Detroit, MI Saint Andrew's Hall 12.12 Washington, D.C. 9.30 Club 12.14 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer 12.15 New York, NY Le Poisson Rouge 12.16 New Jersey, NJ White Eagle Hall 12.17 Boston, MA Paradise 12.18 Boston, MA Paradise 11.25 - 12.18 w/ On Being An Angel 12.9 - 12.18 w/ Juliana Hatfield Read More The Lemonheads Originally, The Lemonheads were scheduled to play in the closet-sized 7th Street Entry, but seeing as tickets sold-out, they upgraded the band to the full-sized room at First Avenue. …

First Avenue- Minneapolis, MN (2022-12-09) with Juliana Hatfield

In the early days of the pandemic, I found myself (like everyone else) scrolling through the Instagram feeds of celebrities, namely musicians. How were the ridiculously good looking and talented biding their time in lockdown? To my utter delight, I came across Evan Dando’s page and discovered a handful of photos. Photos featuring the 90s era dreamboat and power-pop troubadour in Jeremiah Johnson mode: fishing, carousing through the scenic wilderness, enjoying flannel-clad freedom. Dando was just like me! …well kind of. I was still at level 1 Outdoor Type and he was at 89. And though the comparison ends there he still has the power to get me to leave my house.

Deep into their tour celebrating 30 years (30 YEARS?) of the iconic album It’s a Shame About Ray, The Lemonheads stopped at First Avenue with the likes of Bass Drum of Death and On Being an Angel. The VIP of the night, however, was elusive chanteuse Juliana Hatfield, who not only played a special solo set but guested on the ‘Heads beloved Ray track “Drug Buddy” … but let’s not get ahead of ourselves…

Austin’s On Being an Angel kicked off the night, albeit a little late. Which is too bad because they only got through about 5 songs before ending their set. One of those songs though was an excellent cover of Lucinda William’s “Metal Firecracker.” Austin and Minneapolis are sister cities, right? So maybe we can get them back up here to play a longer show!

Next up was Oxford, Mississippi’s own masters of chug, Bass Drum of Death! It’s been a hot minute since we’ve heard from these guys. After announcing a hiatus in 2015, frontman John Barrett and company released their last full length album in 2018 Just Business. In the last few years, there has been a steady trickling of EPs and singles from the band but January of 2023 will see the release of their 5th studio record Say I Won’t. The band is back on Fat Possum and from the look and sound of their Friday night performance, they haven’t lost an ounce of their swampy garage rock swagger!

No shade to the very good bands that came before her, but Juliana Hatfield really knows how to knock the wind out of you. I was lucky to catch her and her band back in 2015 playing all of 1993’s explosive Become What You Are but it’s a different vibe without a noisy band sharing the stage. Hers was a staggering solo performance with just an electric guitar and those airy vocals. Beginning with “Everybody Loves Me But You” from 1992’s Hey Babe, Hatfield delicately flowed through songs from her 30-plus year catalogue. The occasional false start, awkward pause or runny nose could not dampen the sting and ache of her music and words: “Little Pieces,” “I Got No Idols,” a searing “Candy Wrappers” (which my friend requested on Instagram!) and of course “Sister.”

She closed with “Bad Day” and after a tuning flub, recalled a tea mishap earlier at the Depot, where the tea was spilled 3 different times. Like Dando, Juliana Hatfield works outside and against the difficult and cynical churn of the music industry. She’s as prolific as ever, releasing new music nearly every year and collaborating with other musicians like Matthew Caws (Minor Alps) and Paul Westerberg (The I Don’t Cares). Along with two covers albums (she sings Olivia Newton-John AND The Police), her last solo venture was 2021’s Blood and you should absolutely listen to it (especially the jaunty, piercing “Mouthful of Blood”).

The last time I saw The Lemonheads was at a disastrous gig at the Fine Line in November of 2021. Evan lost his voice early into the set and the people in the audience were so drunk and stupid, I wonder if they even knew where they were and who they paid money to see. This time around was mercifully better: a sold-out and amiable crowd who heaped adoration onto Dando and the band (the formidable Lee Falco and Farley Glavin, on drums and bass respectively) and did what any diehard fan should do: sing every single word! (Now, did that stop folks from getting their Friday night jollies? Heck no! Two inebriated ladies were grinding against each other in front of their chiropractor husbands during, of all songs, “My Drug Buddy” but I reserve my judgment. Even trophy wives need to have a night out of the domestic pen!)

Tall flanneled Evan Dando and his fantastic rhythm section wasted no time and unleashed a treasure trove of delicious catchy gems: “Into Your Arms,” “It’s About Time,” “Great Big No,” “Dawn Can’t Decide,” “Hospital.” Solo Dando tunes like “Hard Drive” and “It Looks Like You” were stand-outs as well as heavy drug dirge “Style” which saw Evan and Farley exchange instruments and Farley absolutely wailed all over the place! Following “Style” was an acoustic Evan set that put his warm, Fred Neil-style baritone front and center. And it wouldn’t be a proper Dando show without a generous helping of amazing country or folk covers like Townes van Zandt’s “I’ll Be Here in the Morning” and “Withered and Died” by Richard and Linda Thompson amongst ‘Heads classics like “Being Around” and “The Outdoor Type.”

At long last it was Ray time, with each glorious melody as bright and infectious as the first time I heard them. The band did pummel through them quickly, but for an album that is a hair under 30 minutes, maybe it just felt that way. I would listen to this CD in my car on trips back to Wisconsin like 300 times because of its seamless balance of starry-eyed guitar pop and bittersweet countrified ballads. Did I white-knuckle every time I heard the siren on “Kitchen”? Why, yes I did. It gets me every single time. This is a goddamned perfect album and the best song is “Hannah and Gabi” and I will fight you if you disagree.

The band wrapped up the title track and stage hands climbed aboard to set up a microphone stand next to Evan. This was it! Evan and Juliana! “My Drug Buddy”! And despite occasional disturbances from the horny middle-aged housewives next to me, the amber glow emanating from those two voices combined in holy musical harmony on the second best song on It’s a Shame About Ray, but probably the best Lemonheads song ever, “My Drug Buddy” could not be ignored. Goosebumps, my friends!

The bops didn’t stop, but Dando’s voice was starting to get a little hoarse. A minor inconvenience really considering 1500 people were singing along! The show came to a gentle close with the album’s quirky Hair cover “Frank Mills,” a song Evan did acapella, serenading a crowd already hungover from excitement. We left the house! We saw a great show! We didn’t get hit by a bus! Long live the Lemonheads! If you are interested in learning more about Evan Dando and his absolutely bonkers life in and out of the Lemonheads, I highly recommend you check out their episode on the excellent podcast Bandsplain.

LEMONHEADS (KC) photo: John

LEMONHEADS- BILL STEVENSON (KC) photo: John

LEMONHEADS (KC) photo: John

LEMONHEADS- FARLEY GLAVIN (KC) photo: John

LEMONHEADS (KC) photo: John

LEMONHEADS- BILL STEVENSON (KC) photo: John

LEMONHEADS (KC) photo: John

BASS DRUM OF DEATH (KC) photo: John

BASS DRUM OF DEATH (KC) photo: John

BASS DRUM OF DEATH (KC) photo: John

ON BEING AN ANGEL (KC) photo: John

ON BEING AN ANGEL (KC) photo: John

Bass Drum of Death (MN) photo: Blaire and Dan

On Being an Angel (MN) photo: Blaire and Dan

On Being an Angel (MN) photo: Blaire and Dan

Bass Drum of Death (MN) photo: Blaire and Dan

Juliana Hatfield (MN) photo: Blaire and Dan Bass Drum of Death (MN) photo: Blaire and Dan Juliana Hatfield (MN) photo: Blaire and Dan Juliana Hatfield (MN) photo: Blaire and Dan Juliana Hatfield (MN) photo: Blaire and Dan The Lemonheads, with Juliana Hatfield (MN) photo: Blaire and Dan The Lemonheads, with Juliana Hatfield (MN) photo: Blaire and Dan

The Lemonheads, with Juliana Hatfield, at First Avenue, Minneapolis (09 Dec 2022) photo: Blaire and Dan

john + emily ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

We♥KC-December 5-11, 2022- Upcoming Shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Read More The 1975 The buzzing Manchester, UK foursome has been out on a short (and very sold out) tour of the U.S., previewing tracks from its second full-length, breathily titled I Like It When You Sleep …

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

With the holiday season in full swing, this is likely the last busy live music week of the season (in terms of national touring bands), so find a show while you can. The weather is cooperating so far too, with temps swinging up from the 60s down to the 20s, but more constant cold and snow & ice will be more of a thing soon.

Here’s what’s happening in the Kansas City metro December 5th-11th.

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

MONDAY DEC 5

The Piano Guys, The Midland. $44.50-$84.50

The instrumental group (Jon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson, Paul Anderson and Al van der Beek) has been touring extensively, in support of their latest studio album '10', released in Nov. 2020 as a celebration of their 10-year anniversary. The newest album follows up 2018's 'Limitless' which reached #1 on Billboard's New Age chart. Their debut self-titled album was released back in 2012 and was certified Gold by the RIAA and the group performs a mix of classical crossover, orchestral pop and cello rock.

TUESDAY DEC 6

Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, “The Family” featuring Lonnie and Chloe McFadden, Kauffman Center. $33.50-$68.50

Swing into the holiday spirit with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and KC's beloved father-daughter duo, Chloe and Lonnie McFadden! The McFaddens are considered local jazz royalty and sharing their story are Lonnie and Chloe, inviting us all to an illustrative "holiday dinner" where everyone is welcome.

Wet Leg, The Truman, $25-$44

Finally, KC gets their chance to recline on the Chaise Lounge! Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers each wear a small gold necklace made by Hester: one that says Wet, and one that says Leg. The duo only released their debut single, “Chaise Lounge”, in June 2021, but its dry wit and thumping indie-disco beat turned it into a runaway hit.

We caught them relatively early, in March in Minneapolis and since then, have supported acts from CHVRCHES to Idles, sold out their entire 2022 tour with only two songs out (“Wet Dream” followed in September) and now, with latest single “Too Late Now,” an album on the horizon and having been ranked #2 in the BBC Sound of 2022 list, their future only looks brighter.

WEDNESDAY DEC 7

Amon Amarth with Carcass, Obituary, Cattle Decapitation, Uptown. $39.50-$97.25

This headbanging Fall 2022 North American tour in is support of their newest album The Great Heathen Army, which was released in August and the lineup for the Great Heathen Army Tour is stacked, with fellow death metallers Carcass, Obituary, and Cattle Decapitation filling out the bill.

Lemonheads, Bass Drum Of Death, On Being An Angel, Madrid Theater, $30

Thirty years later, It’s still a shame about Ray.

Evan Dando and company return to play the fabled album in its entirety, along with numerous other hits. Live, the show moves seamlessly from opening as a trio, to Dando alone with an extended acoustic set, to the full band performing the album, and even Dando solo on drums. We caught Lemonheads last, pre-pandemic in Minneapolis in 2019 but also saw them back in 2011 when they also played the fabled album in full.

Bass Drum of Death is a garage punk band from Oxford, Mississippi currently signed to Fat Possum Records and Austin TX band On Being an Angel who plays “rackety mid-fi melodies with a beautifully sad and understated vocal”.

Kansas City Ballet Presents The Nutcracker December 7-24, Kauffman Center, $64.50-$258.50

An annual holiday tradition! The classic, Victorian-era story by E.T.A. Hoffman features Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Dr. Drosselmeier and the Sugar Plum Fairy and is a magical theatrical experience wrapped with memorable costumes, grand sets, and captivating choreography. Thru Xmas Eve.

THURSDAY DEC 8

The 1975, Cable Dahmer Arena- Independence, $160-$450

We knew them when… We’ve seen the still-buzzing Manchester UK band live pretty regularly since their initial US appearance at SXSW 2013 and can safely say they’re still growing bigger, even a decade since they made that memorable initial first impression.

The band recently released “Happiness,” the harmonic new single from newest album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language, which came out in October. The new album is the band’s fifth release and first since 2020’s Notes on a Conditional Form and after having to cancel a planned 2021 tour, the band has embarked on their At Their Very Best North America tour

FRIDAY DEC 9

Switchfoot, Uptown Theater, $25-$75

The Grammy Award-winning rock band has a brand-new holiday record, this is our Christmas album, infusing their signature West Coast sound to a number of holiday classics and five, new original Christmas songs.

“Christmas is an emotional treasure chest for a songwriter to pull from,” lead Singer Jon Foreman says. “It’s a season stretched tight with contradictions: celebrating the free gifts of love and grace with an outburst of materialist capitalist consumption. An emotional roller coaster of family and friends, hopes and scars- bringing out the worst and the best in all of us.”

We caught them live back in 2015 and with a Christian slant to many of their songs, a holiday tour celebrating the reason for the season, seems on point.

Aaron Lewis, Ameristar, $73-$95

It’s been a while… since Aaron and band Staind have hit stages, but he’s ably filled his time with a country-tinged solo career – on this Acoustic Tour, "Frayed at Both Ends," expect plenty of solo songs with a few band songs peppered in, all stripped down.

“Jurassic World,” Dec. 9-11, T-Mobile Center. $17-$115

The movie mythos comes to life in an arena-sized presentation!

Similar to the Marvel Live! Show we caught in 2017, and also produced by Feld Entertainment, your trip to Isla Nublar takes a terrifying, unexpected turn when Indominus rex escapes and causes chaos! Watch as a team of scientists unravels a corrupt plan and saves Jeanie, a Troodon dinosaur, from a terrible fate. Along the way, experience some of the most iconic dinosaurs including Blue the Raptor, Stegosaurus, Triceratops and the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex!

Fan favorite Bumpy, from the DreamWorks Animation Television action-adventure series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, is also featured- named for her asymmetrical head bumps, Bumpy is friendly and food motivated. With her accelerated growth rate, the herbivore grows from baby to adult during the show.

SATURDAY DEC 10

Trampled by Turtles w Sumbuck, Uptown Theater, $35-$55

The celebrated Minnesota sextet is out in support of their new album, Alpenglow which released in October (on Thirty Tigers). Their first new album in four years – produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco – consists of 11 new songs that feature the Duluth MN-based group’s signature blend of rock, folk, punk, country, and progressive bluegrass.

The combination of lead singer and songwriter Dave Simonett’s lyrics, the band’s signature layered strings and robust harmonies, and Tweedy’s perspective has resulted in a thoughtfully composed record that finds Trampled reaching new heights.

Named after the optical phenomenon that washes mountains on the horizon in a pinkish red glow at dusk and dawn, change is a recurring theme in Alpenglow’s songs – whether it’s a change of pace, change of perspective, or change of heart, Simonett is nostalgic for the way things used to be but also optimistic about the future.

Simonett (guitar), Erik Berry (mandolin), Ryan Young (fiddle), Dave Carroll (banjo), Tim Saxhaug (bass), and Eamonn McLain (cello) operate as a rock band that employs string instrumentation with folk and punk influences and being mostly MN-based, we’ve certainly become a fan along the way, both of the band and their curated Festival Palomino that ran for several years. WHM just caught the tour live last month and have seen them often over the last decade plus.

Travis Tritt, Ameristar, $75-$95

Despite having to cancel shows last month touring with co-headliner Chris Janson, the longtime Country star is back on the road solo. Tritt has amassed more than 30 million in career album sales, two GRAMMY® Awards, four CMA Awards, a Billboard Music Award, is a member of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, and much more.

Among his eleven studio albums and numerous charted singles are five number ones and 20 Top 10 hits, including “Help Me Hold On,” “Anymore,” “Can I Trust You with My Heart,” “Foolish Pride,” “Best of Intentions,” “I’m Gonna Be Somebody,” “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde,” “Here’s A Quarter,” “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive.”

SUNDAY DEC 11

Leo Kottke, Madrid Theater, $52-$69

Acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke was born in Athens, GA, but has known Minnesota as his longtime home, and it’s a regular tradition that he tours the Midwest in November and December.

Kottke's 1971 major-label debut, “Mudlark,” positioned him in the singer/songwriter vein, despite his wishes to remain an instrumental performer and his collaboration with Phish bassist Mike Gordon, “Clone,” caught audiences' attention back in 2002. Kottke and Gordon followed with 2005’s Sixty-Six Steps (produced by Prince producer David Z) and they collaborated again with 2020’s Noon.

Kottke has been awarded two Grammy nominations; a Doctorate in Music Performance by the Peck School of Music at the U of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; and a Certificate of Significant Achievement in Not Playing the Trombone from U of Texas at Brownsville with Texas Southmost College.

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

Minneapolis: November 15 to November 16

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

11/15: Driver Era at First Ave Read More The Wrecks The all-ages show started earlier than the usual show time, but that did not stop the fans from showing up early and on time for the first opener, The Wrecks (Nick Anderson, Aaron Kelley …

11/15/2021 MONDAY

THE DRIVER ERA
with The Wrecks
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Girlfriend is the highly anticipated album from The Driver Era, the follow-up to their 2019 debut album X.

The duo (Ross & Rocky) will be heading out on tour in support of the new record.

Los Angeles’ The Wrecks to open.

Tour dates:

Nov 15 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Nov 17 Chicago, IL, US The Vic Theatre
Nov 18 Cleveland, OH Agora Theatre & Ballroom
Nov 19 Detroit, MI, US Majestic Theatre
Nov 20 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
Nov 22 Boston, MA Royale
Nov 23 Asbury Park, NJ Asbury Lanes
Nov 24 New York (NYC), NY Webster Hall
Nov 26 Philadelphia, PA Franklin Music Hall
Nov 27 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live
Nov 28 Norfolk, VA The NorVa
Nov 30 Columbia, SC The Senate
Dec 2 Nashville, TN Cannery Ballroom
Dec 3 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
Dec 4 Orlando, FL Plaza Live - Orlando
Dec 5 Fort Lauderdale, FL Culture Room
Dec 7 Houston, TX Warehouse Live-Ballroom
Dec 8 Dallas, TX Canton Hall
Dec 10 Kansas City, MO The Truman
Dec 11 Englewood, CO Gothic Theater
Dec 14 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
Dec 15 Portland, OR McMenamin's Crystal Ballroom
Dec 17 San Francisco, CA Regency Ballroom
Dec 18 Los Angeles (LA), CA Fonda Theatre
Dec 19 Los Angeles (LA), CA Fonda Theatre
Jan 20 2022 Dublin, Ireland Button Factory
Jan 21 2022 Glasgow Queen Margaret Union
Jan 22 2022 Manchester O2 Ritz Manchester
Jan 23 2022 London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Jan 25 2022 Amsterdam Paradiso Noord, Tolhuistuin
Jan 27 2022 Cologne Essigfabrik
Jan 28 2022 Borgerhout TRIX
Jan 31 2022 Madrid La Riviera

11/15: Phony Ppl at Amsterdam Bar 11/15: Lemonheads at Fine Line Read More The Lemonheads Originally, The Lemonheads were scheduled to play in the closet-sized 7th Street Entry, but seeing as tickets sold-out, they upgraded the band to the full-sized room at First Avenue. …

11/15/2021 MONDAY

PHONY PPL
at Amsterdam Bar
first-avenue.com

Genre-defying five-man band Phony Ppl announce an 18-date tour date. The group will stop by the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St Paul on November 15th.

Tour dates:

10/20/21 Boston Brighton Music Hall
10/21/21 Philadelphia The Foundry
10/23/21 Washington, D.C. Union Stage
10/26/21 Atlanta The Loft
10/28/21 Houston House of Blues
10/29/21 Dallas Cambridge Room
11/1/21 Phoenix The Rebel Lounge
11/2/21 Los Angeles Echoplex
11/4/21 Sacramento Harlow's
11/5/21 Berkeley Cornerstone Berkeley
11/7/21 Seattle Nectar Lounge
11/9/21 Portland Star Theatre
11/12/21 Denver Marquis Theater
11/15/21 Minneapolis Amsterdam
11/17/21 Chicago Chop Shop
11/18/21 Madison Wisconsin Union Theater
11/21, 2021 Toronto Toybox
11/24, 2021 New York Irving Plaza

11/15/2021 MONDAY

THE LEMONHEADS
with Heyrocco
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

There’s no need for introductions here… we like The Lemonheads. We are happy to see that singer Evan Dando is returning to Minneapolis this November 15th, with Heyrocco.

We caught The Lemonheads in May 2019 and said, “With this new 2019 tour, it’s in support of The Lemonheads’ Varshons 2, which is an all-covers album (the follow-up to the original all-cover album ten years prior called Varshons). So as expected, a bunch over cover songs were played, but oddly songs that would make sense for Minneapolis, such as The Jayhawks’ “Settled Down Like Rain” or Paul Westerberg’s “Things”, were not played.”

Tour dates:

Nov 5 Asheville, NC The Grey Eagle
Nov 6 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
Nov 7 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
Nov 8 Nashville, TN Basement East
Nov 10 Bloomington, IN The Bluebird
Nov 11 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall
Nov 12 St. Louis, MO Red Flag
Nov 13 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room
Nov 15 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Cafe
Nov 16 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
Nov 18 Columbus, OH The Athenaeum Theatres
Nov 19 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls Theatre
Nov 20 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace
Nov 22 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop
Nov 23 New York, NY TBD
Nov 24 Philadelphia, PA Underground Arts
Nov 26 Baltimore, MD Baltimore Soundstage
Nov 27 Boston, MA House Of Blues

11/16: Saint Jhn at First Ave 11/16: Tennis at Cedar Read More Tennis Husband/wife duo Tennis is back in town. Their forthcoming album Yours Conditionally will be out March 10th via Mutually Detrimental / Thirty Tigers. …

11/16/2021 TUESDAY

SAINT JHN
with Tyla Yaweh
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Guyanese-American rapper Saint Jhn, not to be confused with Saint John the Baptist, is currently on tour for While the World Was Burning.

Joining Saint Jhn on tour is Los Angeles-based Tyla Yaweh, which NME dubbed as “emo-rap’s next icon.” We previously mentioned that he opened for Post Malone in Feb 2020.

Tour dates:

11.01 / Cleveland / Agora Theatre
11.02 / Detroit / Fillmore
11.03 / Toronto / Rebel
11.05 / Boston / House Of Blues
11.06 / Philadelphia / Franklin Music Hall
11.09 / Silver Spring, Md / Fillmore
11.10 / New York / Terminal 5
11.13 / Chicago / Riviera
11.16 / Minneapolis / First Ave
11.19 / Denver / Cervantes
11.20 / Salt Lake City / The Depot
11.23 / Seattle / Showbox Sodo
11.24 / Portland / Roseland
11.26 / San Francisco / Warfield
11.27 / San Diego / House Of Blues
11.28 / Anaheim / House Of Blues
11.30 / Los Angeles / Novo

11/16/2021 TUESDAY

TENNIS
with Molly Burch
at Cedar Cultural Center
thecedar.org

Last year, Tennis, had to postponed their Swimmer tour, due to the COVID pandemic. This upcoming Minneapolis show, set at the Cedar Cultural Center on November 16th, is a make-up date. It’s been long sold out.

In addition, due to popular demand, new additional dates have been added to Los Angeles and Brooklyn after the initially announced dates in both markets sold out. Support on all headline dates comes from Molly Burch. The last time we mentioned her, she was the support for Sallie Ford in April 2017.

Also, if you are a fan of Rick & Morty, you may have heard Tennis’ new single “Borrowed Time” on the closing credits on the season 5 finale.

Tour dates:

11/01 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
11/03 - Toronto, ON - The Danforth Music Hall
11/05 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Festival
11/06 - Holyoke, MA - Gateway City Arts
11/08 - Boston, MA - Royale
11/10 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel
11/11 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel
11/12 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls Theatre
11/13 - Indianapolis, IN - Deluxe
11/15 - Chicago, IL - The Vic Theatre
11/16 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center
11/17 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown

11/16: Bad Religion / Alkaline Trio at Palace Read More Bad Religion Age of Unreason is the band’s 17th studio album, and offers their response to our current time (they might as well have called the album Age of Trump). Co-songwriter and guitarist Brett Gurewitz (and Epitaph Records owner) … Alkaline Trio Punk band Alkaline Trio has a four night, sold out, residency at the Triple Rock Social Club, starting Monday April 27. Each night, they have a different opening band, and each night the band …

11/16/2021 TUESDAY

BAD RELIGION / ALKALINE TRIO
with War On Women
at Palace Theatre
first-avenue.com

The rescheduled co-headlining tour of Los Angeles’ Bad Religion and Chicago’s Alkaline Trio will stop by the Palace Theatre in St Paul on November 16th. War On Women to open.

Both bands seems excited about sharing the stage, with Alkaline Trio co-lead vocalist/guitarist Matt Skiba citing that, “Bad Religion was one of my first loves”, while Bad Religion co-songwriter and lead singer Greg Graffin said the Alkaline Trio is “such a great band”.

We caught Bad Religion in July 2019 and wrote, “Greg Graffin and company played all the hits, and they were really good keeping in timing with great harmony. Again, the band were really in top form. I love seeing Brian Baker, when I saw them in the 90s, he was the “newest” band member to join and he bounced all over the place in his live performance. Sure everyone in the band is a little older now, but they still pulled off some well-practiced moves!”

Tour dates:

11/3 Richmond, VA The National
11/5 Buffalo, NY Buffalo Riverworks
11/6 Worcester, MA The Palladium
11/7 Philadelphia, PA The Met
11/9 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE
11/10 Columbus, OH EXPRESS LIVE!
11/12 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
11/13 Chicago, IL Radius
11/14 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Ballroom
11/16 Saint Paul, MN Palace Theatre
11/17 Saint Louis, MO The Pageant
11/19 Denver, CO The Fillmore
11/20 Salt Lake City, UT The Union
11/22 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
11/23 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre
11/24 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
11/26 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Palladium

11/16: Alex G at Fine Line Read More (Sandy) Alex G Alex G (Alex Giannascoli - not to be confused with singer/songwriter Alex G) just released Beach Music... his seventh full-length album, and his first Domino release. He’s obviously not used to recording in a studio, saying, “I was …

11/16/2021 TUESDAY

ALEX G
with EXUM
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

When we first heard of Alex G as “Sandy”, in June 2016, I thought what a generic name. He clearly didn’t want to be found on the internet. Little did I know that after nine albums (his latest House of Sugar), that Alex G is now really popular with the youths of Minnesota (particularly the Radio K crowd). This came to my attention as I attended a young person/all-ages 100 Gecs show, and the advertisement for this show popped up and the crowd went absolutely nuts, clapping and hooing.

Exum (stylized as EXUM) to open.

Tour dates:

Nov 2 - Charlotte, NC @ Amos’ Southend
Nov 3 - Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
Nov 5 - Nashville, TN @ Exit / In
Nov 6 - Birmingham, AL @ Saturn
Nov 7 - New Orleans, LA @ Republic New Orleans
Nov 9 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
Nov 10 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
Nov 12 - Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street
Nov 13 - Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
Nov 14 - Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
Nov 16 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
Nov 17 - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre
Nov 19 - Iowa City, IA @ Gabe's
Nov 21 - Columbus, OH @ Skully's Music Diner
Dec 2 - Lancaster, PA @ Tellus360
Dec 3 - Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom
Dec 4 - Portsmouth, NH @ 3S Artspace
Dec 5 - South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
Dec 6+7 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to vu@weheartmusic.com with a good lead time. Thank you.

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

Minneapolis: November 13 to November 14

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

11/13: Charlie Parr at Palace Theatre Read More Charlie Parr Charlie Parr is touring in support of his new album Dog. He is playing a double night residency at the Cedar on Friday & Saturday. Tour dates: …

11/13/2021 SATURDAY

CHARLIE PARR
at Palace Theatre
first-avenue.com

Last of the Better Days Ahead is the new collection of songs from Minnesotan Charlie Parr. What’s important to note is that the album is being released on Smithsonian Folkways, the non-profit record label of the Smithsonian Institute.

Talking about the new album, Parr said, “Last of the Better Days Ahead is a way for me to refer to the times I’m living in. I’m getting on in years, experiencing a shift in perspective that was once described by my mom as ‘a time when we turn from gazing into the future to gazing back at the past, as if we’re adrift in the current, slowly turning around.’ Some songs came from meditations on the fact that the portion of our brain devoted to memory is also the portion responsible for imagination, and what that entails for the collected experiences that we refer to as our lives. Other songs are cultivated primarily from the imagination, but also contain memories of what may be a real landscape, or at least one inspired by vivid dreaming.”

You can hear those songs live at this upcoming show at the Palace Theatre in St Paul.

Tour Dates:

10.23 | Maricopa, CA - Songdog Ranch
11.05 | Duluth, MN - NorShor Theatre
11.10 | Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre
11.12 | Berwyn, IL - Fitzgeralds
11.13 | St. Paul, MN - Palace Theater
12.03 | Faribault, MN - Shattuck St. Mary's
12.04 | Milwaukee, WI - Colectivo
12.17 | Atlanta, GA - Smiths Olde Bar
12.19 | St. Louis, MO - Old Rock House

11/13: Hold Steady at First Ave Read More The Hold Steady The Hold Steady had songs for Apple Valley and gave sound advice like “heart break hurts but you can dance it off.” After their second to last song Finn said, “It’s come to that part of the evening …

11/13/2021 SATURDAY (First Avenue) 11/14/2021 SUNDAY (7th Street Entry)

THE HOLD STEADY
with Gully Boys and Kiss the Tiger
at First Avenue and 7th Street Entry
first-avenue.com

Fan-favorite The Hold Steady is doing a few dates in Minneapolis – at the mainroom First Avenue on November 13 and a double show at the smaller 7th Street Entry (one early show and one later show). The group’s latest album Open Door Policy debut #6 on Billboard’s “Top Album Sales” chart… it’s the band’s first top 10 and the highest debut of their career.

Tour Dates:

11/13/2021 Minneapolis, MN
11/14/2021 7th St Entry Minneapolis, MN
12/01/2021 Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY
12/02/2021 Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY
12/03/2021 Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY
12/04/2021 Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY
03/04/2022 Electric Ballroom London
03/05/2022 Electric Ballroom London,
03/06/2022 Moth Club London
05/04/2022 Legendary Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON
05/05/2022 Legendary Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON
05/06/2022 Legendary Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON
05/07/2022 Legendary Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON
05/27/2022 The Croxton Bandroom Thombury, Australia
05/28/2022 The Croxton Bandroom Thombury, Australia
05/29/2022 Corner Hotel Richmond, Australia
06/03/2022 Brooklyn Bowl Nashville Nashville, TN
06/04/2022 Terminal West Atlanta, GA
06/16/2022 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
06/17/2022 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
06/18/2022 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
09/08/2022 Lodge Room Los Angeles, CA
09/09/2022 Lodge Room Los Angeles, CA
09/10/2022 Lodge Room Los Angeles, CA

11/14: Tonstartssbandht at Turf Club 11/14: Thundercat at Fine Line Read More Thundercat Grammy-winning bassist & singer Thundercat (not to be confused with the cartoon ThunderCats) is touring in support of his new album Drunk. The sold is show at …

11/14/2021 SUNDAY

TONSTARTSSBANDHT
with Paul Jacobs
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

Brother duo Tonstartssbandht (Edwin and Andy White) is touring in support of their new album Petunia… set for release on October 22nd via Mexican Summer.

Canada’s Paul Jacobs to open.

Tour dates:

Sun. Oct. 24 - Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle
Mon. Oct. 25 - Washington, DC @ DC9
Tue. Oct. 26 - Philadelphia, PA @ KFN
Wed. Oct. 27 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre
Thur. Oct. 28 - New York, NY @ Market Hotel
Fri. Oct. 30 - New Haven, CT @ Space Ballroom
Mon. Nov. 1 - Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall
Tue. Nov. 2 - Atlanta, GA @ 529
Fri. Nov. 5 - Mexico City, MX @ Hipnosis Festival
Thur. Nov. 11 - Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone
Sat. Nov. 13 - Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
Sun. Nov. 14 - St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
Tue. Nov. 16 - Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
Wed. Nov. 17 - Salt Lake City, UT @ RYE
Thur. Nov. 18 - Boise, ID @ Neurolux
Fri. Nov. 19 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Sat. Nov. 20 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
Mon. Nov. 22 - San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
Tue. Nov. 23 - Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
Fri. Nov. 26 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
Sun. Nov. 28 - Tucson, AZ @ Hotel Congress
Mon. Nov. 29 - El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace
Tue. Nov. 30 - Austin, TX @ Antone’s
Wed. Dec. 1 - Denton, TX @ Andy’s

11/14/2021 SUNDAY

THUNDERCAT
with Channel Tres
at Palace Theatre
first-avenue.com

Excerpt When Animals Attack: Wolf Alice, Wombats, Thundercat, Lady Bird:

Grammy winner and bassist Thundercat (not to be confused with the 80s cartoon) will be touring this Fall in support of his album It Is What It Is. The album garnered praises from the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the LA Times… and it won the Grammy in 2020 for the Best Progessive R&B album.

11/14: Madison Beer at Varsity 11/14: Smallpools at Fine Line Read More Smallpools The Great Good Fine OK and Smallpools co-headlining 2018 tour will be stopping by the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown this Thursday. We’ve seen both bands a couple of times, and was pretty excited to see Smallpools .... Morgxn Touring with Grey will be Los Angeles based artist Morgxn (stylized as morgxn), on his very first tour. Morgxn is excited, saying “I think the universe opened up for me in that moment …

11/14/2021 SUNDAY

MADISON BEER
with Maggie Lindemann, Audriix
at Varsity Theater
varsitytheater.com

With over 4 million streams on Madison Beer’s new single “Reckless” on Spotify, the singer announced her tour in support of her debut album Life Support. The album already accumulated over 700 million streams worldwide.

Tour dates:

10/22/2021 Toad's Place New Haven, CT
10/24/2021 Terminal 5 New York, NY
10/25/2021 House Of Blues Boston, MA
10/26/2021 Theatre Of Living Arts Philadelphia, PA
10/28/2021 The Fillmore Silver Spring, MD
10/30/2021 The Underground Charlotte, NC
10/31/2021 Bucketheads Sports Rhinelander, WI
10/31/2021 Buckhead Theatre Atlanta, GA
11/02/2021 House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista, FL
11/03/2021 Revolution Live Fort Lauderdale, FL
11/05/2021 House Of Blues New Orleans, LA
11/06/2021 HiFi Dallas
11/07/2021 House Of Blues Houston, TX
11/09/2021 Brooklyn Bowl Nashville Nashville, TN
11/11/2021 St. Andrews Hall Detroit, MI
11/12/2021 House Of Blues Chicago, IL
11/14/2021 Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN
11/15/2021 The Truman Kansas City, MO
11/17/2021 Summit Denver, CO
11/18/2021 The Depot Salt Lake City, UT
11/20/2021 Roseland Theater Portland, OR
11/21/2021 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC
11/22/2021 The Neptune Seattle, WA
11/24/2021 House Of Blues San Diego, CA
11/27/2021 The Fillmore San Francisco, CA
11/28/2021 The Wiltern Los Angeles, CA

11/14/2021 SUNDAY

SMALLPOOLS
with morgxn
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

American indie pop band Smallpools is returning to the road, after having released their EP Migraine.

The last time we saw the band, in Oct 2013, we wrote, “Indie pop band, Smallpools, hasn't been around very long, forming earlier this year, but they are already making big waves. The band opened with one of their singles, Mason Jar, before going on to play other songs off their latest EP such as Not Story Time and Over and Over.”

Smallpools is bringing along Morgxn (stylized as morgxn), who will open for the band on all 2021 dates. morgxn’s new EP is called Meridian: Vol 2… set for release on November 11th.

Tour dates:

11/01/2021 The Loft Atlanta, GA
11/04/2021 Brighton Music Hall Boston, MA
11/05/2021 The Foundry Philadelphia, PA
11/06/2021 Music Hall Brooklyn, NY
11/13/2021 Bottom Lounge Chicago, IL
11/14/2021 Fine Line Music Cafe Minneapolis, MN
11/17/2021 Blueberry Hill's Duck Room St. Louis, MO
02/03/2022 Bronze Peacock Houston, TX
02/04/2022 Antone's Austin, TX
02/11/2022 Roxy Theatre West Hollywood, CA
02/15/2022 The Crocodile Second Stage Seattle, WA
02/18/2022 Marquis Theater Denver, CO
02/20/2022 The Vanguard Tulsa, OK

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to vu@weheartmusic.com with a good lead time. Thank you.

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

Flashback: Juliana Hatfield at Fillmore, San Francisco (23 Jun 1995)

UK Tour Poster Read More Juliana Hatfield As long as I can remember, Hatfield started her music career with the Blake Babies. When they broke up, she had a massive hit with "My Sister" in her newly reformed band Juliana Hatfield Three …

When I grew up, I had a friend who loved Boston rock: like the Pixies and the Blake Babies. I was more of a Britpop kid, but we'd trade CDs or we would dub cassette tapes for each other... so I felt like I've known Juliana Hatfield for a long time.

After The Blake Babies broke in 1991 (but reformed in late 1999, which I'll address later), I followed her career to Evan Dando from The Lemonheads' It's a Shame About Ray and then her solo album Hey Babe in 1992. I remember the first Hatfield CD I owned was Hey Babe after dubbing all the Blake Babies albums.

By the time I owned my first car (RIP Suzuki Sidekick), I was finally able to escape to see Hatfield at the Fillmore, San Francisco (23 Jun 1995). I think the show was all-ages, as I was still under legal drinking age. This happened 20 years ago and I honestly couldn't tell you who opened up the show, what songs were played, etc.

Juliana Hatfield at Numbers, Houston (15 Jun 1995) photo: Andrew Kieschnick

The other thing is that no one else seem to have any information on this San Francisco show! I'm going to guess that she probably played mostly songs from her then-new album Only Everything and that the opener to all the USA shows were Cold Water Flat, who were also from Massachusetts. UPDATE: Opener was local band Protein. Thanks to Dakin Hardwick for providing this information.

I couldn't find any photographs from the Fillmore show, but her looks is probably the same-ish from the Texas 1995 photos - thanks to Andrew Kieschnick.

I have an advertisement for the Only Everything UK tour, which lists April 1995 dates, but probably did not take place. According to Spin Magazine (July 1995), the brief newsclipping reads:

Spin Magazine (July 1995)

Juliana Hatfield collapsed from nervous exhaustion after a concert in New York on April 13 [1995]. A spokesman for her record label offered this statement: "Overwhelmed by pressures in her personal life, Juliana Hatfield recently sought help from a doctor in a Boston-area hospital. As a result, she postponed her European tour, but the American tour will commence as scheduled on May 19." Hatfield had discussed her depression earlier in a March interview in Britain's NME: "I always used to think I wasn't f***-up enough to be a great artist. But now I don't think that. I'm definitely f***-up enough."

That's basically all the information I can provide, again one of my biggest regret was not writing about my concert attendances (and it is one of the reason why I keep such detailed reports on W♥M for current shows).

Anyway, that was the first time I saw Hatfield in person... but definitely not the last. Here are some other shows I attended:

Blake Babies at First Avenue, Minneapolis (10 Jun 2001) - see my ticket scan

Evan Dando and Juliana Hatfield at Lee's Palace, Toronto (16 Jun 2011)

Minor Alps at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (16 Nov 2013)

I don't know if I've ever seen Some Girls, again, I have bad memories... but I do know that I saw Hatfield when she reformed The Blake Babies for their God Bless the Blake Babies album. I only know this because I have a used ticket stub from that night, and a friend of mine who was also at the show confirmed that I was there. Wheat opened up this show.

On the 2001 night, this person wrote reported:

Blake Babies at First Avenue, Minneapolis (10 Jun 2001) ticket stub

I saw them in Minneapolis on 6/10. (I couldn't figure out why the parking ramp across from First Ave was so crowded, until I got out onto the street, and saw that there was a triple bill at Target Center: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ted Nugent, and Deep Purple.

... I ended up right in front of the stage, my head right between Juliana's registers, so I mostly only heard what she played; not too much of [John] Strohm. Juliana was playing a Gibson SG, and Strohm was on a Fender; not a Strat or a Tele... maybe a Jag$%#*% I forget the name....

The bass player [Freda Love] was using a PICK!!! Maybe I'm spoiled, growing up worshipping Entwistle and Deacon, but COME ON!!!!

Strohm even poked fun at the show across the road: "I understand there's some archery going on across the street?"

Whatever, My Love American Laundromat Records

So, I'm very excited to report that Juliana Hatfield have reformed The Juliana Hatfield Three, after two decades of hiatus, with original band members drummer Todd Philips and bassist Dean Fisher. They have a new record called Whatever, My Love, which is coming out next week, February 17th, 2015, with an upcoming tour in support of the new record.

The Juliana Hatfield Three 2015 tour dates:

02/26 | Portland, ME | Port City Music Hall
02/27 | Cambridge, MA | The Sinclair
03/01 | New York City | The Bowery Ballroom
03/02 | Philadelphia, PA | Boot & Saddle
03/03 | Philadelphia, PA | Boot & Saddle
03/04 | Washington, DC | Black Cat
03/06 | Cleveland, OH | Music Box Supper Club
03/07 | Chicago, IL | Lincoln Hall
03/08 | St. Paul, MN | Turf Club
03/11 | Seattle, WA | Tractor Tavern
03/12 | Portland, OR | Doug Fir Lounge
03/14 | Napa, CA | City Winery Napa
03/15 | San Francisco, CA | The Chapel
03/16 | Los Angeles, CA | The Roxy Theatre
03/18 | Solana Beach, CA | Belly Up Tavern
03/20 | Austin, TX | SxSW
03/22 | Atlanta, GA | Terminal West
03/23 | Charlotte, NC | Neighborhood Theatre
03/24 | Carrboro, NC | Cat's Cradle

Juliana Hatfield at the Fillmore, San Francisco (23 Jun 1995) ticket stub

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

Dakin Hardwick said... Saturday, 07 March 2015 at 04:32 PM The band that opened at The Fillmore in 95 was a Bay Area group called Protein! I still have the tape the lead singer gave me...

W♥M111: NXNE

W♥M111 (30 mins) Listening options: Archive.org: W♥M111

NXNE is coming, June 13-19, 2011, in Toronto, Canada. I am flying in on the 12th, and I guess will be doing touristy things in the city. If you want to hang out, send me a note. The music portion, as far as looking at the schedule, doesn't actually start until Wednesday, the 15th. Which means, I have a lot of time to kill, perhaps I'll attend some of the movies that NXNE has to offer (I am probably going to try and make it to "Upside Down – The Creation Records Story", a documentary about Creation Records). I have gone on record and stated that I think Alan McGee is a genius.

Bands on NXNE that Cristina and I touched on:

Men Without Hats: Love them. Can't believe they are still around. Basically cannot wait to hear them play their big two hit songs, "The Safety Dance" ("because if your friends don't dance, then they're no friends of mine!") and "Pop Goes the World".

Evan Dando and Juliana Hatfield: I haven't seen either bands (Lemonheads or Juliana Hatfield Three), so I am definitely excited to see them for the first time. Lara claims that Dando brings a sort of time machine with him: to the year 1992.

The Pharcyde: Cristina seems more excited about this 90s hip hop band, who, to be honest, I was never into hip hop - but if they are playing, I'll check them out!

Art Brut: I think they're really, really funny. They also love their comic books (they have a fascination with American comics, because they're from the UK). I've seen them before, but I'll love to see them again. See below for more Art Brut dates:

6/15 - Chicago at Double Door
6/16 - Cleveland at Beachland Ballroom
6/17 - Toronto at Mod Club
6/18 - Montreal at Il Motore
6/20 - Boston at Brighton Music Hall
6/21 - Hoboken at Maxwells
6/22 - DC at Black Cat
6/23 - Brooklyn at Music Hall Williamsburg
8/27 - Los Angeles at Sunset Junction Festival

Peelander-Z: Recently added to the bill. They're playing a few dates, one of which I cannot make it to. It'll be good to see them again.

Washington: Also a late addition (she wasn't on the initial lineup), but I'll finally get a chance to see her. She canceled her Minneapolis show, so this will be my first time seeing her in Canada. First song of the show is Washington's "Sunday's Best".

Click "read more" to see the entire schedule for NXNE (or head over to nxne.com). So many of the bands starts at 9pm, so it's definitely not an all-day party as far as it compared to SXSW.

BONUS
Two interesting Peelander-Z projects coming up, including Peewonder-Z, the sister band of Peelander-Z, and TheBlackCherry, a side project of Peelander-Green (aka Cherry) and Peelander-Black.

Both Peewonder-Z and TheBlackCherry are playing at Death By Audio in New York on June 9^th, details on fb.com

Also, Australia's The Panda Band has return with their single, "The Fix", which is available as a free download. Second song of the show is Panda Band's "The Fix".

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Archive of this show at archive.org. More information on mypodcast.com

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic