W♥M: Matt Nathanson

02/10/2025

Minneapolis: March 08 to March 09, 2025

01/28/2025

Flashback: Matt Nathanson at Pantages Theatre (18 Nov 2008)

photo by Vu

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Matt Nathanson

Jessie Baylin

This first entry is for Jessie Baylin. I did see her briefly as she appeared on stage to do a duet with Matt Nathanson. I'm happy to let you know that I have her album, Firesight (released on Verve Forecast from June 24th). …

I was still new to the whole historic theaters’ schedule… they start shows on time and ends usually before midnight (due to their workers union). I was so used to shows starting an hour after the promised “start time”. I was wrong for this Matt Nathanson show at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis on November 18, 2008.

Original report:

>>>

The report I got from the two women in front of me was that there was actually two opening band, The Break and Repair Method and Jessie Baylin (who later resurfaced to do a duet with Matt). How they were able to fit both their set in under one hour is beyond me.

What I can tell you, based on what I was told, was that the both were well received, although the girls did not know that Paul is actually the drummer from Matchbox Twenty, a very popular band from the 2000s (moving over 45 million records -- remember their Mad Season album?)

Judging from the mostly college students in the sold-out show, both Break and Baylin probably enjoyed a warm reception. Even after the show, there was a huge line-up at the merch table for all three bands.

Well, since I missed their set, I just wanted to make you aware that Doucette is more into indie folky with his latest project, The Break and Repair Method. Their debut album is called Milk the Bee and it was released earlier in September. You can enter into a contest to win yourself a signed copy. On that link you can find another link to download "You Won't Be Able to Be Sad" - which is the song I'm using.

Other things I've noticed, his guitarist wore a Thievery Corporation T-Shirt and they had brought an upright bass on tour with them - shame it was only used on two songs on "All We Are" and the closing encore song.

PS, sorry for the dodgy photograph, I was at a respectable distance from the stage - and this was an old-fashion seated theater so I could not move around.

All photos below are courtesy of Melissa K

Jessie Baylin

Break and Repair Method

Matt Nathanson at Pantages Theatre (18 Nov 2008)

photo courtesy of Melissa K

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

Posted at 09:11 AM in Dolly Parton, Flashback, Jessie Baylin, Kenny Rogers, Kim Wilde, Lisa Loeb, Matchbox Twenty, Matt Nathanson, Minneapolis, Pantages Theatre, Paul Doucette, The Everly Brothers | Permalink | Comments (0)

03/14/2023

Matt Nathanson w Stephen Kellogg at Madrid Theatre Kansas City, MO (2023-03-11) review

Matt Nathanson Poster

MATT NATHANSON SETLIST

Boston Accent
Headphones (w/ AC/DC "Highway to Hell" riff)
Way Way Back
Run
German Cars
Matilda (Harry Styles cover)
Used to Be
(Evanescence "Wake Me Up" in Cookie Monster voice snippet)
I Saw (w/end snippet of The Cure's "Pictures of You")
Pretty the World
Car Crash (w/ U2- “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” verse)
Starfish and Coffee (Prince cover)
The Boys of Summer (Don Henley cover)
Faith / Faster / Kiss (George Michael snippet beginning / Prince cover to end)
Sway
Giants
Come On Get Higher / You're the One That I Want (Grease soundtrack cover)
Blush
Never Tear Us Apart (INXS cover)
Suspended

STEPHEN KELLOGG SETLIST

Milwaukee*
High Highs, Low Lows
It Goes Fast
Love of My Life
My Favorite Place*
To the Ones Who Need It Most
See You Later, See You Soon*

(* = Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers song)

MATT NATHANSON Tour Dates

MAR 13 Washington's Fort Collins, CO
MAR 15 Crescent Ballroom Phoenix, AZ
MAR 16 Garden Amphitheater Garden Grove, CA
MAR 18 Ventura Music Hall Ventura, CA

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Matt Nathanson

Matt Nathanson has a sold-out show at Triple Rock Social Club. We caught the popular singer in 2008, which we wrote "As for Matt Nathanson, he seems really young and lively on stage. He really loves pop music … ...

Colin Firth’s and the cast of Buffy’s plucked eyebrows, Johnny Depp’s extreme level of handsomeness, and Don Henley’s “weird Hobbit ears” …!

Just a few of the topics of between-song conversations as Massachusetts singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson played to a joyful and appreciative crowd at the Madrid Theatre in midtown Kansas City.

The evening began with another verbose and talented singer-songwriter, Connecticut’s Stephen Kellogg, out in support of his latest full-length, Keep It Up, Kid, released late last year. Kellogg started his forty-five-minute set with “Milwaukee” a song originally composed with his former band, The Sixers, then moved on to a trio of tracks from his 2018 release, Objects in the Mirror, peppering in lighthearted stories about coaching pickleball, his four kids, and his wife jokingly inquiring about how soon he’d be back on the road again.

“It Goes Fast” was a touching song about the passage of time, “Love of my Life” was dedicated to anyone in the crowd on a date, and 2011’s “My Favorite Place” was a fan’s request about that location where you feel the most perfectly safe.

The new album’s “To the Ones That Need It Most” found the audience howling on Kellogg’s cue and another fan request, 2004’s “See You Later, See You Soon” ended up being the perfect closing number.

===

Matt Nathanson is winding down the tour of his latest album (and one of his most personal), Boston Accent, celebrating things with this last leg of shows and a recent Lexington EP, bringing his arsenal of emotionally open folk-rock songs, and next-door charm and humor, into his hundred-minute headlining set.

The title track of the new record opened things, and with it, Nathanson opened himself up right away to the crowd, musically telling of his upbringing with he and his two band mates (Adam Popick and Aaron Tap) all “lit like angels by the Citgo sign” from an illuminated logo of that classic gas station brand in the back right of the stage set up.

After “Headphones”, Nathanson got candid about swearing in front of his pre-teen daughter and attempted a rough Springsteen-like “Happy Birthday: when a crowd member shouted it was their special day. Nathanson would reveal that doctors had put him on vocal rest when not on stage, and that he was forced to communicate through typing in texts to be read aloud (in variable pitches) by a ridiculous phone App.

The crowd did much of the singing on 2011’s “Run” and before launching into a Harry Styles cover from his new EP, revealed the one thing that he and his daughter had been connecting with- reruns of 21 Jump Street (and how good-looking Johnny Depp was in those episodes).

Nathanson’s printed setlists serve only as a general guide, and what he would actually sing would deviate as the crowd’s collective vibe would morph into driving how the show would progress.

“Kill the Lights” was err, killed, and after the crowd sing-along of “Used to Be”, Nathanson mentioned it being the 20^th anniversary of his album, Beneath These Fireworks, and in a somewhat associated way, described how more actors in those early 2000’s, (notably Colin Firth in Love, Actually and the entire cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer S1) seemed to noticeably pluck their eyebrows, along with how some of the music of the day sounded.

An impromptu “Car Crash” led into Nathanson into teaching the crowd the full lyrics to Prince’s “Starfish and Coffee” from the seminal Sign O’ the Times album. It’s been said that the music from your late teen years is the music that will stay with you for the rest of your life, and Nathanson proudly wears those late ‘80s influences on his sleeve, with his audience (many of a similar age) more than happy to help sing along with.

A Don Henley cover led into a hilarious comment or two about his ears (“they’re like Steven Tyler’s feet… but ears!”) and his love for Prince was repeated, ending his own “Faster” with a segue into the Purple One’s “Kiss”.

“Giants” was saved for later in the set, and while most artists wouldn’t tinker with their biggest charting hit, Nathanson was unafraid to segue a “Grease” movie song onto the back end of his “Come On Get Higher”.

The newer “Blush” was revealed to be a sequel to that radio hit- not one borne from continued desperation, but a come-to-terms love song about human connectivity and living in, and for, that unique moment that will never repeat itself again.

Sensing the crowd was still in the singing mood, an INXS cover kept spirits high, and the night would end on a positive note with his own “Suspended” and the audience singing to its chorus, “Sunshine, I’m beginning to like this.”

Stating this as a high compliment, Kansas City treats Matt Nathanson like one of their own- an old familiar friend that visits to sing some great songs, tell a few stories, and drop some familiar pop culture references while helping show everybody a good time, with a Boston accent or not.

(Click on any image to enlarge and see in full)

MATT NATHANSON

STEPHEN KELLOGG

STEPHEN KELLOGG

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

Posted at 06:00 AM in Folk, John, Kansas City, Matt Nathanson, Review, Stephen Kellogg | Permalink | Comments (0)

03/07/2023

We♥KC! March 9-15, 2023 Upcoming concerts/shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

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Mammoth WVH

Special guests Mammoth WVH (aka Wolfgang Van Halen) to open. Guns N’ Roses 2021 Tour Dates: Jul 31 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium* Aug 03 – Boston, MA …

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

St Pat’s may not be until the 17^th, but plenty of acts are coming through town early, to make this year a veritable St. Patrick’s Week! Don your best green, belly up for some Guinness and corned beef, and make it a multi-night extravaganza, laddie!

Don’t forget to “spring forward” those clocks Saturday night and it’s Oscar Sunday to follow.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City/Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from March 9th-15th.

THURSDAY MARCH 9

Gaelic Storm & The High Kings, Kauffman Center, SOLD OUT

The High Kings are an acclaimed quartet of Irish folk song singers who exploded onto the Irish folk music scene in 2008. They also showcase their versatility and skills as multi-instrumentalists, playing 13 instruments between the four, bringing an acoustic flavor to brand new songs as well as old favorites.

Probably the torchbearers of US Irish Fairs and St Pat’s events, Gaelic Storm led by co-founders Steve Twigger, and Patrick Murphy) have continued to gain a stronger fan base after two decades and over 2000 shows. Their latest release is Go Climb a Tree, and features party drinking songs (“The Beer Song”), patriotic anthems (“Green, White and Orange”), folk songs (“Monday Morning Girl”), instrumentals (”The Night of Tomfoolery”), and even a pirate song (“Shanghai Kelly”). We caught them live last in St. Paul, MN, at where else, Irish Fair!

Chris D'Elia (comedian) The Midland, $34.50-$54.50

Out on his Don’t Push Me Tour, the comedian has put some past allegations in the rear view. He’s had his own podcast since 2017 and has three specials available on Netflix– No Pain (2020), Man on Fire (2017) and Incorrigible (2015), and is more recently, a father. His son, Calvin, was born in 2020.

Grand Funk Railroad, Prairie Band Casino-Mayetta, SOLD OUT

Celebrating over five decades, the legendary band comes along with an armful of hit songs everyone in the sold-out room will likely be singing along to including, “We’re an American Band”, “Some Kind of Wonderful”, “Bad Time”, “The Locomotion” and “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)”.

FRIDAY MARCH 10

Danú, Yardley Hall. $14-$42

For more than two decades, Danú’s virtuosi players on flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion, bouzouki and vocals (Irish and English), playing a mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire have charmed JCCC audiences and they’ve performed around the globe, recording seven acclaimed albums.

Danú takes its audiences on a musical journey to their native Ireland, offering a memorable concert experience. Their recordings are available on the Shanachie label, and an additional preshow dinner option is available at 6:30pm.

Maddie Zahm with corook, Encore at The Uptown, SOLD OUT

24-year-old Boise singer/songwriter Maddie Zahm is gaining buzz as her tour to support her debut EP You Might Not Like Her, which includes viral hit, “Fat Funny Friend” which exceeded over 75+ million streams, and is about her past trauma, sexuality, and personal relationship with her own body.

Arrive early for corook (aka Corinne Savage), a rising Pittsburgh area singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist. An alum of the famous Berklee College of Music, graduating with two degrees and an ability to solve a Rubik’s cube in a minute or less on a good day. Debut EP, achoo! out now.

Kentucky Headhunters w Eskimo Brothers, Knuckleheads, $35

The longtime Southern rock band actually has their beginning roots from all the way back in 1968. Featuring Doug Phelps, Greg Martin, and brothers Richard Young and Fred Young, their latest full-length is 2021’s That’s a Fact, Jack! A knee-slappin’ good time for all.

Flogging Molly w Anti-Flag, Skinny Lister, VooDoo Lounge at Harrah's NKC, $44-$153

The LA kings of Celtic punk are out on a six-week trek supporting new album Anthem, which was produced by the legendary Steve Albini. The 11-track album is available now via Rise Records. Dave King and co. always make things entertaining and the band has even taken to the high seas over the last few years, hosting their own Salty Dog Cruises.

Support comes from Anti-Flag, who released their new album Lies They Tell Our Children in January via Spinefarm, and Skinny Lister, who’ll be supporting their latest album, A Matter Of Life & Love.

Donny Benet, recordBar, $18

Not your typical looking musician, the Sydney post-disco artist promises to “guide you through his tales of love, woe, self-deprecation and personal motivation”. Newest release is his Le Piano EP featuring an instrumental version of the title track.

Katie Toupin w Austin Plaine, Knuckleheads, $16

We’ve seen Indiana alt-country band Houndmouth several times live over the years, and fans will be happy to know Toupin has flourished since leaving the group five years ago, with her debut solo album, 2019’s Magnetic Moves, released to acclaim. Expect a healthy helping as well as a few old Houndmouth favorites peppered in for good measure.

SATURDAY MARCH 11

Buddy Guy w Eric Gales, Ally Venable, Uptown, $49-$122

You’re damn right he’s still got the blues! At 86 years-young, the Chicago blues legend is saying this is his final full tour (though hopefully he’ll still pick up a guitar at his Illinois club once in a while) and even has a new album to support, 2022’s The Blues Don’t Lie. He may move a bit slower, but his solos and stage presence can still leave you in absolute awe.

Arrive early for the support acts that shouldn’t be missed, including Eric Gales, a blues master in his own right. He lived in St. Paul briefly while in recovery, so were lucky enough to catch him when he gigged at very small venues, and Gales can play Hendrix maybe better than Jimi himself, playing a right-handed guitar upside-down. Latest album is 2022’s Crown.

Matt Nathanson, Madrid Theatre, $39.50

The Massachusetts native has a new record out, suitably titled Boston Accent, and always comes across with a relaxed and hilarious stage presence, he feels like an old friend or someone you could easily spend some time hanging out with. His pop culture and musical knowledge runs deep as well, never fearing from slipping in a Prince, Harry Styles or AC/DC cover into his setlist, which itself is filled with a handful of radio hits and storytelling charm.

poolblood, Farewell Cafe,PWYC

Toronto-based indie artist poolblood (aka Maryam Said) is out in support of recently released debut LP mole, which has turned heads at NPR, MTV, FADER, and more. Co-produced by Shamir and Louie Short, the record blends acoustic based songwriting with sludgy rock alongside baroque flourishes on singles, "voyager" + "wfy" + "my little room" + "shabby". Stopping on the way to SXSW in Austin, this one’s a bit under the radar, but you might just come away with your new favorite artist.

John McCutcheon, Polsky Theatre. $17-$35

The ageless Wisconsin folk singer and rustic instrumentalist, he’s a master of a dozen instruments, most notably the hammer dulcimer. His 30 recordings have garnered numerous honors, including seven Grammy Award nominations. He’s also produced more than 20 albums of other artists, from traditional fiddlers to contemporary singer-songwriters to educational and documentary works. Newest release is 2021’s Bucket List.

Oleta Adams, The Folly, $25- $35

Part of the Folly Jazz Series, this woman broke her chains years ago, and has forged a path of success all her own and is one of Kansas City’s treasures. She first gained national attention singing with Tears for Fears and the success of her 1990 Platinum debut album, Circle of One with hit single “Get Here” truly established her to a wide audience.

Adams has four GRAMMY® Award nominations and more than two and a half million records sold and in 2019, she was inducted into the American Jazz Walk of Fame at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City. Arrive early for the Jazz Talk with Performers at 7:00pm (all ticket holders welcome).

Alter Bridge, Mammoth WVH, Pistols at Dawn, The Midland, $29.95-$55.

Two solid bands that are flying the flag for rock have joined forces for a formidable Pawns & Kings Tour. Florida’s Alter Bridge brings the muscle with guitar hero Mark Tremonti and singer Myles Kennedy (who doubles as Slash’s vocalist and who once successfully auditioned for Led Zeppelin). Their seventh album came out last October.

Mammoth WVH is in the finishing stages of completing their sophomore release, as a follow-up to their self-titled 2021 debut. They played their first proper gig together at a hush-hush radio-sponsored show at The Bottleneck in Lawrence (with proud mom Valerie Bertinelli watching from the wings) and we caught them live on last year’s mighty double-bill, alongside Dirty Honey.

War, (postponed from 2022), Ameristar Casino, $45-$60

The Long Beach funk, rock, and soul legends made good on their word to come back after some re-scheduling and will play top hits like "Why Can't We Be Friends," and "Low Rider”, so spill the wine and dig that girl.

Stanislav & Friends Annual Concert, Kauffman Center, $7.50-$50

Tchaikovsky’s first piano concert will be recreated by the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra featuring acclaimed pianist Stanislav Ioudentich, Founder and Artistic Director of Park International Center for Music. This annual performance will include “Flight of the Bumblebee” For Two Pianos, the KC premiere of “Canzona Matinata” from Broberg & Ioudenitch’s new album Songbird, and the grand finale to ICM’s 20th Anniversary Celebration.

SUNDAY MARCH 12

The Lemon Twigs w Slugbug, The Bottleneck- Lawrence, $22-$25

The Long Island brotherly indie duo are back on the road, after an absence and returning with brand-new full-length, Everything Harmony. We first caught them live early-on, opening at the small 7^th St Entry in Minneapolis, and they’ve only grown bigger and popular with each release. The D’Arrario brothers played a handful of arena dates last fall with My Chemical Romance, but have returned to headlining the clubs, which is the best place to catch them.

Tanya Tucker, Knuckleheads, $58.50

The queen returns to the familiar stage at Knuckleheads, after a highly successful album (“While I’m Livin’”) and tour (which played Starlight last summer) with Brandi Carlile and their single, “Ready As I’ll Never Be”. With a few recent Grammy Awards and a new documentary about the comeback, it’s a great time to catch her onstage during this rebirth period. Abbey Cone to open.

Emmet Cohen, Lied Center. $14-$40

The multifaceted jazz pianist and composer and leader of the Emmet Cohen Trio is also the creator of the Masters Legacy Series. During the pandemic, he created Live From Emmet’s Place—a weekly livestream from his Harlem living room that received millions of views and often featured special guests. Cohen holds jazz piano degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Miami and has worked with Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Christian McBride, Kurt Elling, and many others.

The Wonder Years w Hot Mulligan, Carly Cosgrove, The Truman, $29.50-$60

The Philadelphia pop punk band has been around since 2005 and are back with seventh album, last September’s The Hum Goes on Forever and single, “Summer Clothes”.

MONDAY MARCH 13

Kenny G with the Kansas City Symphony March 13-15, Kauffman Center, $50-$104

The symphony features Gonzalo Farias, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor and Grammy Award®-winning saxophonist Kenny G is the top selling instrumental musician of our time (believe it or not). His smooth sounds will transport you to Havana and beyond. Hear “Songbird,” “Forever in Love,” “Heart and Soul,” “Silhouette” and “My Heart Will Go On”, embellished with lush arrangements and a swelling sound which will make you hear his songs, in an entirely different light.

TUESDAY MARCH 14

National Geographic Live Presents Mesoamerica Illuminated, Kauffman Center, $33.50-$68.50.

Featuring Diana Magaloni-Kerpel, Art Historian & Microarcheologist. Discover how the iconic Olmec heads of Mexico were created, explore the meaning behind the Teotihuacan pyramids and get a peek into the culture in the Mayan city of Chichen Itza. Join her as she brings ancient Mesoamerican civilizations to life in an informative and entertaining way. We’ve attended the NatGeo series previously in Minneapolis and always left more informed and with a greater understanding of our world.

Young Nudy, Granada- Lawrence, $25-$30

The ATL hip-hopper has a brand-new record, Gumbo, just out last week, and is also known for his Slimeball mixtapes and collabs with cousin 21 Savage.

Zach Williams, Uptown, SOLD OUT

A Hundred Highways Tour is long sold out.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 15

Underoath w Periphery, Loathe, Uptown, $36-$75.

The Tampa rockers just began their month-long Blind Obedience Tour, kicking off in Silver Spring, MD and wrapping April 2nd in Nashville. Latest release is 2022’s Voyeurist but even more new music is in the offing. The band is offering VIP Demo Listening Party packages that include a GA ticket, exclusive pre-show hangout with a demo listening party, a band Q&A, a photo with the band, and limited-edition merch.

“We’re working on new music (as always),” Underoath said in a collective statement. “Some songs are done. Some are close. Some have just gotten started… but we wanted to find a way to bring you inside that creative process. At every VIP meet and greet, we’re going to be having a listening party of unreleased music we’re currently working on as well as never before heard demos of songs you know well.”

The tour’s support lineup is also of note, with prog metallers Periphery and genre-bending UK act Loathe comprising a strong one-two punch of support. Periphery are coming off their 2019 album Periphery IV: Hail Stan, we caught them headlining back in Minneapolis in 2016.

Loathe reinvented themselves with their ambient-leaning 2021 effort The Things They Believe.

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

Posted at 06:00 AM in Buddy Guy, Classical, Comedy, Flogging Molly, Gaelic Storm, Irish, John, Kansas City, Kansas City Symphony, Lawrence, Mammoth WVH, Matt Nathanson, Periphery, The Lemon Twigs, The Wonder Years, Underoath | Permalink | Comments (0)

02/25/2019

Minneapolis: March 5 to March 8, 2019

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from March 5 to March 8, 2019.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

Robyn at Palace Theatre

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Robyn

Robin Miriam Carlsson, aka Robyn is a Swedish pop singer, who started her career in music at the age of 13 when the Swedish television show Lilla Sportspegeln used a recording of Robyn's theme song "Du kan alltid bli nummer ett" …

ROBYN
+ Channel Tres, Kindness
Palace Theatre
Tue 03/05/2019 (6pm/$59.50)
palacestpaul.com

One of the hottest acts right now, Robyn is coming to the Palace Theatre in St Paul on March 5th. Of course, the show is sold out, thanks to her incredibly catchy songs. In fact, her entire US tour is practically sold out.

We’ve been writing about the Swedish pop singer since Sep 2007, when her song “With Every Heartbeat” and “Konichiwa Bitches” destroyed the UK charts.

Channel Tres and Kindness (Adam Bainbridge) to open.

Tour dates:

02/26/19 - Fox Theater - Oakland, CA
02/28/19 - Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC
03/01/19 - Paramount - Seattle, WA
03/05/19 - Palace Theatre - Minneapolis, MN
03/06/19 - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL
03/08/19 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
03/09/19 - The Anthem - Washington, DC
03/11/19 - House of Blues - Boston, MA
03/13/19 - MTELUS - Montreal, QC
03/14/19 - Rebel - Toronto, ON
05/02/19 - Konserthus - Stavanger
06/02/19 - USF Rokeriet - Bergen
08/02/19 - Live Kongressen - Malmö
09/02/19 - Gothenburg Studios - Gothenburg
03/04/19 - Tonhalle - Munich
05/04/19 - Palladium - Cologne
06/04/19 - UFO Velodrome - Berlin
08/04/19 - Mehr! Theater - Hamburg
09/04/19 - L’Olympia - Paris
10/04/19 - Melkweg - Amsterdam
12/04/19 - Alexandra Palace - London
13/04/19 - Alexandra Palace - London
29/06/19 - 06/07/19 - Roskilde Festival - Denmark
06/08/19 - 10/08/19 - Øya Festival - Oslo
17/08/19 - Smash 19 - Stockholm

Other shows in the area:

Lords of Acid at Cabooze

Adrian Belew

Daughters at Turf Club

Matt Nathanson 2019 Tour

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Crimson King

in session as King Crimson made a rare appearance in Minneapolis at the State Theatre. The venerable progressive rock outfit (who last played the State in 1995) has been in existence since forming in London in 1968 …

Matt Nathanson

Wolf Eyes

Post-industrial/noise group Wolf Eyes recently released their second batch of rarities via Bandcamp last August 15th. That's not all, their upcoming album I Am A Problem: Mind in Pieces will come out October 30th via Third Man …

LORDS OF ACID
Cabooze Outdoor Plaza
Tue 03/05/2019 (6pm/$28)
cabooze.com

Belgian/American electronic band Lords of Acid (led by Praga Khan) will be headlining the Cabooze this Tuesday, March 5th.

Other bands listed on this event: Orgy, Genitorturers, Little Miss Nasty, and Gabrielle And The Apocalypse.

Tour dates:

02/26 @ Dante's - Portland, OR
02/27 @ Showbox SODO - Seattle, WA
03/01 @ The Complex - Salt Lake City, UT
03/02 @ Gothic Theatre - Denver, CO
03/03 @ Granada Theater - Lawrence, KS
03/05 @ Cabooze - Minneapolis MN
03/06 @ Miramar Theater - Milwaukee, WI
03/07 @ Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL
03/08 @ Agora Theatre - Cleveland, OH
03/09 @ Buick City Events Center - Flint, MI
03/10 @ Rex Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA
03/11 @ Theatre Of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
03/12 @ Gramercy Theatre - New York, NY
03/13 @ Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA
03/15 @ Soundstage - Baltimore, MD

ADRIAN BELEW
+ Saul Zonana
Fine Line Music Café
Wed 03/06/2019 (7pm/$25)
finelinemusic.com

Guitar legend Adrian Belew (with his new quartet featuring Jordan Perlson on drums, Saul Zonana on keyboards, guitar, and vocals, and bassist Julie Slick) will be playing the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis on March 6, 2019. Belew is known for his work with King Crimson, Frank Zappa, and David Bowie.

Tour dates:

02/28 - Tralf Music Hall - Buffalo, NY
03/01 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH
03/02 - The Hi-Fi - Indianapolis, IN
03/03 - Shank Hall - Milwaukee, WI
03/05 - Slowdown - Omaha, NE
03/06 - Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, MN
03/08 - Old Rock House - St. Louis, MO
03/09 - Live at Ludlow Garage - Cincinnati, OH
03/10 - City Winery - Nashville, TN
03/13 - Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis, MD
03/14 - The Broadberry - Richmond, VA
03/15 - Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NC
03/16 - City Winery - Atlanta, GA

DAUGHTERS
+ Wolf Eyes, HIDE
Turf Club
Thu 03/07/2019 (7:30/$17/Sold Out)
turfclub.net

Rhode Island-based noise band Daughters will be headlining the Turf Club in St Paul, playing in support of their new album You Won't Get What You Want. The show is SOLD OUT.

Tour Dates:

02/26/2019 Curtain Club Dallas, TX
03/01/2019 The Rebel Lounge Phoenix, AZ
03/03/2019 The Independent San Francisco, CA
03/05/2019 Gothic Theatre Englewood, CO
03/07/2019 Turf Club Saint Paul, MN
03/08/2019 Bottom Lounge Chicago, IL
03/09/2019 Loving Touch Ferndale, MI
03/12/2019 The Sinclair Cambridge, MA
03/13/2019 Warsaw Brooklyn, NY
06/14/2019 Rex Theater Pittsburgh, PA
06/15/2019 House Of Independents Asbury Park, NJ
06/17/2019 Port City Music Hall Portland, ME

MATT NATHANSON
+ Blu Sanders
Varsity Theater
Fri 03/08/2019 (6pm/$40)
varsitytheater.com

Singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson is back in town and he sold out most of the Varsity Theater. There are a few tickets left, but it’s single seats only and will cost over $150.

We saw Nathanson in Nov 2008 and said, “Matt Nathanson, he seems really young and lively on stage. He really loves pop music, and even admitted to stealing riffs and chords from his favorite songs. Some of his covers includes James' "Laid", Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl", Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton's "Island in the Stream", Kim Wilde's "Kids in America", Lisa Loeb's "Stay", and the Everly Brothers' "All I Have to do is Dream" (and probably other more obscure ones that I didn't know about).”

Tour dates:

02/28/2019 Higher Ground South Burlington, VT
03/03/2019 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH
03/06/2019 Majestic Theatre Madison, WI
03/08/2019 Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN
03/10/2019 Wooly's Des Moines, IA
03/13/2019 Madrid Theatre Kansas City, MO
03/15/2019 The Oriental Theater Denver, CO
03/16/2019 Commonwealth Room Salt Lake City, UT
03/16/2019 Commonwealth Room Salt Lake City, UT
03/19/2019 Neumos Seattle, WA
03/20/2019 Matt Nathanson Aladdin Theater Portland, OR
03/22/2019 Uptown Theatre Napa Napa, CA
03/24/2019 Music Box San Diego, CA
03/26/2019 El Rey Theatre Los Angeles, CA
03/27/2019 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
03/28/2019 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
04/10/2019 The Paramount Huntington, NY

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

Posted at 09:31 PM in Adrian Belew, Blu Sanders, Genitorturers, James Blake, Khushi, Kindness, King Crimson, Lords Of Acid, Matt Nathanson, Minneapolis, Minneapolis Music Guide, Orgy, Robyn, Saul Zonana, Vu, Wolf Eyes | Permalink | Comments (0)

07/02/2016

Minneapolis: July 8, 2016

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area on July 8, 2016.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More

Basilica Block Party

The 20th Anniversary of the Basilica Block Party is taking place on Friday (July 11) and Saturday (July 12). I have mentioned before that it's not a great place to see music (because of the talkers....

The Fray

Denver's The Fray are back on tour in support of their fourth studio album Helios, out now on Epic Records. In addition to the latest album, expect the band …

Death Cab for Cutie

Anyroad, before we get to Death Cab for Cutie, I have to explain that I've seen the band before in 2001 at the 7th Street Entry for $5. People who live in Minnesota know that the 7th Street is a tiny venue. …

BASILICA BLOCK PARTY
at Basilica St. Mary
Friday, 07/08/16, 5pm ($60)
Saturday, 07/09/16, 5pm ($60)
basilicablockparty.org

Once again, the incredibly popular Basilica Block Party is taking place this weekend, July 8th and 9th at the Basilica St. Mary in Minneapolis.

We had a great time last year, covering all the bands (which is a feat in itself, because the three stages overlap in set times).

July 8:

Great Clips Stage

Matt Hires

X Ambassadors

American Authors

Death Cab for Cutie

PreferredOne Stage

Andra Day

Cold War Kids

Gary Clark Jr.

Star Tribune Stage

Step Rockets

Fort Wilson Riot

Gospel Machine

July 9:

Great Clips Stage

Ron Pope

Matt Nathanson

Phillip Phillips

The Fray

PreferredOne Stage

Craig Finn

Milky Chance

Ryan Adams and The Shining

Star Tribune Stage

Farewell Milwaukee

Holidae

Eric Mayson

Note: the Great Clips Stage will also feature DJ sets by THEbEATRASCAL & ACG [As The Tastemakers]

Read More

Debo Band

Debo Band is an 11-member group led by Ethiopian-American saxophonist Danny Mekonnen and fronted by charismatic vocalist Bruck Tesfaye. Since 2006, the band has toured Ethiopia twice …

DEBO BAND
at Cedar Cultural Center
Friday, 07/08/16, 7pm ($18/$20)
thecedar.org

Ethiopian funk-rock group Debo Band is currently on tour in support of their sophomore album Ere Gobez. The large group lists 11 band members, which typically means an arsenal of musical instruments, like violins and brass instruments.

The group, formed in 2006, is led by Ethiopian-American saxophonist Danny Mekonnen, but its singer is vocalist Bruck Tesfaye. The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and NPR, who placed the band’s debut album—produced by Thomas “Tommy T” Gobena of Gogol Bordello—on their “50 Favorite Albums Of 2012” list.

As of this writing, no opening band is listed.

Tour Dates:

07/06/16 Cleveland, OH, Transformer Station
07/08/16 Minneapolis, MN, Cedar Cultural Center
07/09/16 Chicago, IL, Square Roots Festival

Read More

Frankie Lee

The fifth birthday celebration of United States of Americana is taking place at the Turf Club in St Paul on Thursday, November 6th. The show features Israel Nash and local musician Frankie Lee (not the 70s blues musician). …

FRANKIE LEE
at Electric Fetus / Turf Club
Friday, 07/08/16, 7pm (Free)
Saturday, 07/09/16, 8pm ($15)
turfclub.net

Singer-songwriter Frankie Lee recently just wrapped up his tour with Esmé Patterson. He will be back in town, doing three Minnesota dates: In-store at Electric Fetus in Minneapolis on July 8th, headlining the Turf Club in St Paul on July 9th, and also at Red Herring Lounge in Duluth on July 14th.

With the Electric Fetus appearance, Lee will be playing a three or four songs from his third album American Dreamer (Loose/Thirty Tigers). Attendees who buys the album at the store will also receive a limited edition event poster (while supplies last). Frankie will sign copies of after his set.

No opening act listed for the Turf Club show.

Frankie Lee Tour Dates:

07/08 - Minneapolis, MN - Electric Fetus In-Store
07/09 - St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
07/14 - Duluth, MN - Red Herring Lounge
09/17 - Shakopee, MN - Festival Paolomino

More tour dates will be announced soon.

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

Posted at 05:41 AM in Andra Day, Basilica Block Party, Cold War Kids, Craig Finn, Death Cab for Cutie, Fort Wilson Riot, Frankie Lee, Gary Clark Jr., Gospel Machine, Matt Hires, Matt Nathanson, Milky Chance, Minneapolis, Minneapolis Music Guide, Phillip Phillips, Ron Pope, Ryan Adams, Step Rockets, The Fray, Vu, X Ambassadors | Permalink | Comments (0)

10/11/2015

Rocktober: October 16, 2015

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area on October 16, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More

The Neighbourhood

The Neighbourhood are: Jesse Rutherford (vocals), Jeremy Freedman (guitar), Zach Abels (guitar), Mikey Margott (bass) & Bryan Sammis (drums). ...

Bad Suns

Another Southern California band, Bad Suns, played next, in support of their Vagrant Records EP, Transpose, with full-length, Language & Perspective, due out in late June. ...

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
at First Avenue
Friday, 10/16/2015, 5:30pm ($30)
first-avenue.com

American band with English spelling The Neighbourhood is headlining this all-ages show at First Avenue. You may know the band for that hit song "Sweater Weather". The band's sophomore album Wiped Out! is coming out this October 30th, via Columbia/The Revolve Group.

Show up early to check out Bad Suns, a band we previously saw with the 1975 in May 2014. We wrote, "The quartet’s anthemic sound on songs like ‘Cardiac Arrest’ and EP closer, ’20 Years’ seemed to connect with the younger audience..."

Also on the bill is Hunny (not to be confused with Christian band Honey or the stuff that Winnie-the-Pooh likes to eat). This southern California six-piece (front man/lead guitarist Jason Yarger, guitarist Jake Goldstein, bassist Gregory Horne, third guitarist Jacob Munk, keyboardist Kevin Grimmett and drummer Joey Anderson)made a name for themselves with their debut single "Cry For Me" (more than 800k plays on Hype Machine's "Most Popular Tracks").

Check out "Parking Lot" from their debut EP Pain/Ache/Loving:

NOTE: Since this is an all-ages show, doors open at 5:30pm, which probably means first band on at 6pm! The only good thing about an early show is that you get to go home by 10pm!

Tour dates:

10/12/15 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE
10/13/15 Detroit, MI The Fillmore Detroit
10/15/15 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
10/16/15 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
10/17/15 Winnipeg, MB Garrick Centre
10/20/15 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
10/21/15 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
10/23/15 Portland, OR McMenamins Crystal
10/24/15 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
10/27/15 San Diego, CA House Of Blues
10/28/15 San Diego, CA House Of Blues
10/29/15 Los Angeles, CA Shrine Auditorium
10/30/15 Las Vegas, NV Boulevard Pool
11/09/15 Amsterdam, Netherlands Melkweg
11/10/15 London, United Kingdom Heaven
11/12/15 Paris, France Fleche D'Or
11/16/15 Berlin, Germany Posthof
11/17/15 Cologne, Germany Gebaude 9
11/18/15 Brussels, Belgium AB Club
12/03/15 Norfolk, VA Constant Convocation Center
12/06/15 X102.9 Presents The Big Ticket
12/09/15 How The Edge Stole Christmas
12/10/15 KPNT 105.7 The Point's Ho Ho Show

Read More

The Chemical Brothers

The first time I heard about The Chemical Brothers, they were known as The Dust Brothers, named ...

FLUX PAVILION
at Skyway Theatre
Friday, 10/16/2015, 8pm ($25)
skywaytheater.com

Flux Pavilion, aka Joshua Steele, is an English DJ that will be taking over the Skyway Theatre in Minneapolis on Friday, October 16th.

Flux Pavilion has influences that range from David Bowie to The Chemical Brothers to Rusko. Steele was once quoted as saying: "I never went to clubs because I didn't feel accepted into that scene; it felt too showy, too well-groomed. Then I saw Rusko play at Fabric and it changed my perception of everything. He was jumping around wearing a big cardboard hat shaped like a bird playing the most outrageous music I had ever heard. I loved it."

I have heard nothing but great things about his live show. This current tour is as promotion for his newest album Tesla which came out September 15th of this year. Not only is this his newest album, it's also his debut album. That being said, Flux Pavilion is not new to the scene. This guy has been releasing singles and EPs since 2008.

Make sure you check out his set on Friday night. He will be playing along with Loudpvck, Diskord, and many many more. Four stages more to be exact.

Tour dates:

10/10/15 Toronto, ON Sound Academy
10/11/15 Montreal, QC New City Gas
10/15/15 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
10/16/15 Minneapolis, MN Skyway Theatre
10/17/15 Foam Wonderland
10/19/15 Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theatre
10/20/15 Iowa City, IA Blue Moose Tap House
10/21/15 Tulsa, OK Cain's Ballroom
10/22/15 San Marcos, TX Marc
10/23/15 Albuquerque, NM Historic El Rey Theater
10/24/15 Broomfield, CO 1stBank Center
10/30/15 Escape All Hallows' Eve
10/31/15 Pharr, TX Boggus Ford Events Center
11/12/15 Newcastle O2 Academy Newcastle
11/13/15 London The Forum
11/14/15 Manchester Albert Hall
02/10/16 Holy Ship!
02/11/16 Holy Ship!
02/12/16 Holy Ship!
02/13/16 Holy Ship!

Read More

Ringo Starr

You know I love the Beatles (who doesn't?), as I've previously mentioned. Today (October 17th), Ringo Starr announced that his All Starr Band will tour the Pacific Rim ...

RINGO STARR & HIS ALL STARR BAND
at State Theatre
Friday, 10/16/2015, 8pm ($83.50)
hennepintheatretrust.org

Legendary Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band will be at the State Theatre next Friday, October 15th. Tickets are on the expensive end, but may be well worth it to see one of two living Beatles in person.

Starr's latest Postcards from Paradise came out earlier this March 2015 via UMe.

Special guests to appear: Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie, Richard Page, Todd Rundgren, Gregg Bissonette, and Warren Ham.

Tour dates:

10/10/15 South Okanagan Events Centre
10/12/15 Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
10/13/15 Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
10/16/15 Minneapolis, MN State Theatre
10/17/15 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre
10/18/15 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
10/20/15 Toronto, ON Massey Hall
10/21/15 Montreal, QC St. Denis Theatre 1
10/23/15 Boston, MA Wang Theatre
10/24/15 Mashantucket, CT Grand Theater
10/25/15 New Brunswick, NJ State Theatre
10/27/15 Heinz Hall For The Performing Arts
10/28/15 Modell Performing Arts Center
10/30/15 Upper Darby, PA Tower Theatre
10/31/15 Brooklyn, NY Kings Theatre

Read More

The Sword

But the crowd didn't really start going nuts until The Sword went on. The Sword is a much younger band, formed in Austin, Texas in 2003. Their sound is more on the “thrash” end of doom metal, with riffing reminiscent of …

All Them Witches

Nashville's All Them Witches took their name from Roman Polanski's 1968 Rosemary's Baby and released their debut Our Mother Electricity in 2012. They quickly follow up with Lightning At The Door ...

Royal Thunder

Four-piece Royal Thunder will be in Minneapolis next Sunday, June 21st. Stereogum called the band "the contemporary hard rock equivalent of Fleetwood Mac's ...

THE SWORD
at Mill City Nights
Friday, 10/16/2015, 8pm ($17)
millcitynights.com

Austin' heavy metal/doom metal band The Sword will be back in Minneapolis, in support of their fifth studio album High Country (Razor & Tie). The 50-show kicked off last night, October 9th. The first leg of the tour will feature Kadavar and All Them Witches as support acts... The second leg will feature Royal Thunder (starting November 18th and ending December 19th).

The Sword 1st Leg:

Oct. 10 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
Oct. 11 – Houston, TX – Fitzgeralds
Oct. 13 – Lawrence, KS – Granada
Oct. 14 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theater
Oct. 15 – Iowa City, IA – Gabes
Oct. 16 – Minneapolis, MN – Mill City Nights
Oct. 17 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
Oct. 18 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
Oct. 20 – Mesa, AZ – Club Red
Oct. 21 – Las Vegas, NV – Vinyl
Oct. 22 – San Diego, CA – Belly Up
Oct. 23 – San Francisco, CA – Slims
Oct. 24 – San Bernardino, CA – San Manuel Amph
Oct. 25 – Sacramento, CA – Gibson Ranch
Oct. 27 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
Oct. 28 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw
Oct. 29 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Oct. 30 – Boise, ID – Neurolux*
Oct. 31 – Salt Lake City, UT – Club Sound*
Nov. 2 – Denver, CO – Gothic*
Nov. 3 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad*
Nov. 4 – Lubbock, TX – Jakes*

*dates without Kadavar

More dates on news.weheartmusic.com.

Read More

Carbon Leaf

Since this Summer, Richmond-based Carbon Leaf have been on a 50+ show tour, extending all the way into 2015. They are stopping in St Paul at the Turf Club on Thursday, playing tracks from their Indian …

Matt Nathanson

As for Matt Nathanson, he seems really young and lively on stage. He really loves pop music, and even admitted to stealing riffs and chords from his favorite songs. Some of his covers includes …

VARIOUS ARTISTS
at Various Venues
Friday, 10/16/2015
news.weheartmusic.com

As usual in Rocktober: there are too many shows.

Below are some shows taking place on October 16:

Minneapolis based four-piece Little Fevers will be playing at Turf Club, in support of their debut album Field Trip (which Yahoo! Music recently the album). Matt Latterell to open. (8pm/$10).

Carbon Leaf second leg of their tour will land at Fine Line Music Cafe. The Accidentals to open (7pm/$16).

Turbowolf's first ever USA tour started with the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour... and will continue over at their headlining show at 7th Street Entry. Narco States to open. Please note start time, this is a late show (9:30pm/$10).

Matt Nathanson has a sold out show at Triple Rock Social Club. We caught the popular singer in 2008, which we wrote "As for Matt Nathanson, he seems really young and lively on stage. He really loves pop music, and even admitted to stealing riffs and chords from his favorite songs. Some of his covers includes James' "Laid", Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl", Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton's "Island in the Stream", Kim Wilde's "Kids in America", Lisa Loeb's "Stay", and the Everly Brothers' "All I Have to do is Dream" (and probably other more obscure ones that I didn't know about)." (7pm/$32.75/Sold Out)

Please note that the Three Dog Night at Medina Entertainment Center HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED... New date to be announced later.

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

Posted at 12:39 PM in Bad Suns, Beatles, Carbon Leaf, Flux Pavilion, Hunny, Kadavar, Langen, Little Fevers, Matt Latterell, Matt Nathanson, Minneapolis, Narco States, Ringo Starr, Rocktober, Royal Thunder, The Accidentals, The Beatles, The Neighbourhood, The Sword, Three Dog Night, Turbowolf, Vu | Permalink | Comments (0)

07/13/2013

ZZ Ward at the Basilica Block Party, Minneapolis (07/12/13)

Setlist

Put The Gun Down

Til The Casket Drops

Home

Got It Bad

365 Days

Last Love Song

Charlie Ain't Home

Grinnin' In Your Face

If I Could Be Her

Cryin Wolf

Criminal

Blue Eyes Blind

Tour Dates

07/20/13 "Robert Mondavi Summer"
07/20/13 Oakville, CA R. Mondavi Winery
07/21/13 Brooklyn, NY Warsaw
08/04/13 Hermosa Beach, CA Saint Rocke
08/08/13 "Live On The Green"
08/10/13 "Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival"
08/11/13 Spokane, WA Center Of Spokane
08/13/13 "Music On The Half Shell"
08/30/13 Harley Davidson Anniversary
08/31/13 "Bumbershoot Festival"
09/02/13 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
09/04/13 San Francisco, CA Fillmore
09/06/13 West Hollywood, CA House Of Blues
09/07/13 Anaheim, CA House Of Blues
09/08/13 San Diego, CA House Of Blues
09/10/13 Tucson, AZ Club Congress
09/11/13 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom
09/13/13 "Telluride Blues & Brews Festival"
09/14/13 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
09/16/13 Austin, TX The Parish
09/17/13 Dallas, TX House Of Blues
09/18/13 Houston, TX Bronze Peacock
09/20/13 "Music Midtown Festival"
09/21/13 "Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival"
09/23/13 Fort Lauderdale, FL Revolution
09/24/13 Lake Buena Vista, FL House Of Blues
09/27/13 Charlotte, NC Visulite Theatre
09/28/13 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
09/30/13 New York, NY Irving Plaza
10/01/13 Phila, PA Theatre Of The Living
10/02/13 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
10/04/13 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
10/05/13 Toronto, ON Opera House
10/06/13 Detroit, MI Shelter
10/08/13 Indianapolis, IN Deluxe
10/11/13 Kansas City, MO Midland By AMC
10/12/13 Minneapolis, MN Skyway
10/14/13 St. Louis, MO Firebird
10/15/13 Chicago, IL House Of Blues

Read More

ZZ Ward

Zsuzsanna Ward, aka ZZ Ward, has sold out all her shows on this current tour as she heads down to SXSW. ZZ is stopping by Minneapolis' Varsity Theater this Friday, February 22nd. …

The annual Basilica Block Party just kicked off last night at Minneapolis' Basilica of Saint Mary. The music festival's proceeds will go into the restoration of the Basilica and its "light of hope", but judging from the alcohol, the commercialism and the talky crowds, the message might have been lost on event goers.

Weather-wise, it was nice, sunny, and windy; just perfect for an outdoor music event. The sizeable block party had the three bears approach to the three concert stages: Sun Country Stage (the largest), Jefferson Bus Lines Stage (the medium size stage), and Vita.MN Stage (the smallest).

I stayed for the majority of the middle venue, mostly out of commitment, and mostly because I wanted to see Family Of The Year and ZZ Ward (I'd already seen Cactus Blossoms, Father John Misty and Mayer Hawthorne at smaller, intimate settings). I showed up on time, but as far as I knew it, I never saw Churchill on the Jefferson Bus stage.

The first band I saw was Family Of The Year. Both W♥M Brody and John are big fans, having see them in House of Blues in New Orleans and Triple Rock in Minneapolis, respectively. I couldn't wait to see what all the fuss was about.

FAMILY OF THE YEAR

Family Of The Year may have not been at their peak, with keyboardist/vocals Christina Schroeter confessing that they just arrived from Canada and with delays and layovers and U.S. customs, that everyone in the band was operating on "zero sleep" with her hands making double zeros. If that was them at 0%, I wonder what they'd be like at a hundred?

As expected, the band did a number of songs from their last album Loma Vista, including "The Stairs ", "In the End", "Buried", "Diversity", "St. Croix" (their "Caribbean jam song" as they put it), and big crowd pleaser "Hero".

MATT NATHANSON

By the time headliner Matt Nathanson took the stage, I suddenly realized I was surrounded by a sea of young women. Nathanson's new album Last of the Great Pretenders is coming out next Tuesday (July 16th), so he felt compel to play a few songs from it, including the lead single, "Mission Bells". Of course, he couldn't get away if he didn't do his big hit song "Come On Get Higher" from his 2008 album Some Mad Hope.

GRACE POTTER

Vermont's Grace Potter and the Nocturnals was headliner for the main stage. The thing about Grace Potter's vocals and singing style, is that she is often compared to Janis Joplin or even Tina Turner. And certainly I can see that, especially at how graceful and comfortable she is in the spotlight, in front with the microphone or sitting behind a piano.

Although they did songs from their previous album The Lion The Beast The Beat, Potter managed to throw in a classic "Apologies" from their sophomore album.

Varsity Theater marquee (02/22/13)

I was looking forward to see ZZ Ward at the sold-out Varsity Theater earlier this year, but unfortunately, due to miscommunication, this never happened. I was even outside the venue, looking at the marquee! I'm glad to have finally caught her at the Basilica Block Party, consider this make-up work.

Ward had a lot to say about her songs, often explaining its origin. For instance, she love, love, love, Etta James' "Waiting For Charlie (to Come Home)" and she decided to write a song in answer to that called "Charlie Ain't Home". Speaking of homage, she did a blues dedication and covered Son House's "Grinnin' In Your Face".

According to my notes (please look over the setlist), she basically did a full set with even a weird "encore" of sort for "Blue Eyes Blind". Let me explain, once she started playing the familiar intro to "Criminal" and had everyone in the audience singing along and the energy of her performance at the maximum - everyone knew that was the final song on her set. It sure felt like it. But just when you think the band was going off stage, Ward asked the audience, "Do you want to hear one more?" to an overwhelming "YES" from the crowd. That's when they brought out the floor tom tom and she started singing "Blue Eyes Blind".

I am not sure if it's officially listed yet, but according to ZZ Ward, she is happy to announce that she is coming back to Minneapolis on October 12th to play at the Skyway Theatre as part of her "Down and Dirty" tour.

ZZ Ward at the Basilica Block Party, Minneapolis (07/12/13)

vu (

) ♥ weheartmusic.com

Posted at 07:18 PM in Basilica Block Party, Family of the Year, Grace Potter, Matt Nathanson, ZZ Ward | Permalink | Comments (0)

07/04/2013

Basilica Block Party 2013

About

The Basilica Block Party began in 1995 as a fundraiser to help pay for the structural restoration of The Basilica of Saint Mary. Today, proceeds from the rockin’ and rollin’ are directed through The Basilica Landmark to fund the continued renovation of The Basilica and its campus. This year more than $2 million will be invested in the historic church and campus buildings. These critical investments preserve and protect our landmark today and help to avoid the huge costs of emergency repairs tomorrow. Praise the loud!

Read More

Basilica Block Party

Price: Expensive ($80 for both nights) A few W♥M people are going to be there, this year looks like an all-star lineup: Including David Gray, The Jayhawks, Lissie, Scars, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Fitz and The Tantrums, G. Love & Special Sauce…

Basilica Block Party is an annual music festival taking place in Minneapolis' Basilica of Saint Mary. This year, the event will be place on July 12 and 13th.

Although the festival is expensive, I believe it sells well, if not sells out, every year thanks to promotions from Cities 97 Radio. Proceeds from the event go to the restoration of the Basilica.

Like previous years, the lineup consists of popular national bands, mixed in with local bands. Below are some bands you may want to check out if you're attending this year.

ZZ WARD
zzward.com

Remember ZZ Ward? We were meant to cover her sold-out Minneapolis appearance, but through no fault of our own, we were unable to cover the show. She's actually doing a ton of tour dates, too numerous to mention in this article.

MAYER HAWTHORNE
stonesthrow.com

We saw the Detroit soul singer a few years ago. What is he up to lately? He has a new album called Where Does This Door Go, coming out in a few weeks (July 16, 2013) via Universal Republic. If you can't catch him at Basilica, Hawthorne will be back at the Myth in Minnesota on July 22nd.

FATHER JOHN MISTY
fatherjohnmisty.com

I caught Father John Misty last year and noted how different this new "act" from J. Tillman was. Lara described J. Tillman's show as [his] soothing voice contributed to the sleepy ambience. It's good that Tillman decided to re-invent himself; otherwise, I'm not entirely sure I would've enjoyed a quiet folky beard music. Father John Misty's latest album Fear Fun was released last year on the ever popular Sub Pop Records.

MATCHBOX TWENTY
matchboxtwenty.com

If you grew up in the mid to late 90s, chances are you were a Matchbox Twenty fan. The Florida band scored a massive hit with their debut Yourself or Someone Like You and their follow-up Mad Season album. Then, like that, the band was gone (or as some people put it, "on hiatus"). About four years ago, I got word that the band was come back together, and it eventually happened in 2010. Their fourth studio album North was released late last year.

Here is the full lineup:

07/12/13

Sun Country Stage
Grace Potter & … (9:00-10:30)
Father John Misty (7:30-8:30)
Mayer Hawthorne (6:00-7:00)

Jefferson Bus Lines Stage
Matt Nathanson (8:45-10:15)
ZZ Ward (7:25-8:25)
Family Of The Year (6:20-7:05)
Churchill (5:15-6:00)

Vita.MN Stage
Actual Wolf (7:00-7:45)
Cactus Blossoms (6:00-6:45)
Southwire (5:00-5:45)

07/13/13

Sun Country Stage
Matchbox Twenty (8:30-10:30)
Goo Goo Dolls (6:50-8:00)
Kate Earl (6:00-6:30)

Jefferson Bus Lines Stage
Raphael Saadiq (9:00-10:15)
Walk The Moon (7:30-8:30)
Cloud Cult (5:45-7:00)

Vita.MN Stage
On An On (7:00-7:45)
Van Stee (6:00-6:45)
Bomba De Luz (5:00-5:45)

vu (

) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ basilicablockparty.org

Posted at 03:00 AM in Actual Wolf, Basilica Block Party, Bomba de Luz, Cloud Cult, Family of the Year, Father John Misty, Goo Goo Dolls, Grace Potter, J. Tillman, Kate Earl, Matchbox Twenty, Matt Nathanson, Mayer Hawthorne, Music Festival, On An On, The Cactus Blossoms, Van Stee, Walk The Moon, ZZ Ward | Permalink | Comments (0)

11/19/2008

Matt Nathanson at The Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis (11-18-08)

The Break and Repair Method-You Won't Be Able to Be Sad

The Break and Repair Method

Tour Dates

11/19/08 The Majestic/with Matt Nathanson & Jessie Baylin Madison, Wisconsin
11/20/08 House of Blues/with Matt Nathanson& Jessie Baylin Chicago, Illinois

First of all, huge apologies to Paul Doucette from The Break and Repair Method, who I was supposed to do coverage on for this concert last night. I can only tell you that I was confused about the start time, Pantages Theater website lists "8:00pm", which I thought was when doors open. By the time I found the venue, found street parking (the parking gods just was not with me), and walking in the cold - I arrived at 9 and Matt Nathanson had taken stage at 9:15!

The report I got from the two women in front of me was that there was actually two opening band, The Break and Repair Method and Jessie Baylin (who later resurfaced to do a duet with Matt). How they were able to fit both their set in under one hour is beyond me.

What I can tell you, based on what I was told, was that the both were well received, although the girls did not know that Paul is actually the drummer from Matchbox Twenty, a very popular band from the 2000s (moving over 45 million records -- remember their Mad Season album?)

Judging from the mostly college students in the sold-out show, both Break and Baylin probably enjoyed a warm reception. Even after the show, there was a huge line-up at the merch table for all three bands.

Well, since I missed their set, I just wanted to make you aware that Doucette is more into indie folky with his latest project, The Break and Repair Method. Their debut album is called Milk the Bee and it was released earlier in September. You can enter into a contest to win yourself a signed copy. On that link you can find another link to download "You Won't Be Able to Be Sad" - which is the song I'm using.

Matt Nathanson at the Pantages Theater, Minneapolis 11-18-2008

As for Matt Nathanson, he seems really young and lively on stage. He really loves pop music, and even admitted to stealing riffs and chords from his favorite songs. Some of his covers includes James' "Laid", Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl", Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton's "Island in the Stream", Kim Wilde's "Kids in America", Lisa Loeb's "Stay", and the Everly Brothers' "All I Have to do is Dream" (and probably other more obscure ones that I didn't know about). As a cover lover, I approve.

Other things I've noticed, his guitarist wore a Thievery Corporation T-Shirt and they had brought an upright bass on tour with them - shame it was only used on two songs on "All We Are" and the closing encore song.

PS, sorry for the dodgy photograph, I was at a respectable distance from the stage - and this was an old-fashion seated theater so I could not move around.

Links: thebreakandrepairmethod.com myspace.com mattnathanson.com myspace.com jessiebaylin.com