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3rd Annual Bangers-Only Ball (27 Feb 2025)
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You get some odd combinations in events in the live concert world. There’s a wildly popular annual wrestling event at First Ave. There’s a number of comedians, podcasts and related artists who perform at a wide variety of (mostly) music venues. The other way this pops up is the odd sponsor of concerts. While you expect (and get) the local radio stations to sponsor certain show, how about MNUFC, the local Major League Soccer team (aka The Loons) being involved? Turns out we’re already into the 3rd Annual Bangers-Only Ball sponsored by the Loons, happening at First Ave. It was quite the showing by MNUFC, with forward Tani Oluwaseyi and midfielder Loïc Mesanvi signing autographs and the Loons mascot PK running all over the place.
I spoke with one of the senior MNUFC organizers present at First Ave. to ask about how they came to be sponsoring a live music event. He said that to the club, it feels like a natural fit. They often have bands performing during the season (Nur-D performed prior to the All-Star game back in 2022). For the club, supporting a concert, and having some light layering of MNUFC allows a chance to connect with soccer fans, but also music fans who might be interested in the local soccer team. It is also a chance to connect with the local music scene. On that front, Poliça performed at their home playoff game last year and it seemed an obvious choice for the band to headline this year’s show.
As to the music, Papa Mbye was the opener for the evening. The Gambian born artist came out decked in the Loons’ new Convergence kit, leading a quartet. He said right at the start that it would be all new songs. This is a R&B infused sound, but incorporates a lot of other sounds, including a hefty amount of electronica. Some well programmed backing music set up the third song well, with a distorted lead vocals. Papa Mbye is an enjoyable performer, in constant motion during the songs and leading with a strong tenor voice. He took to the DJ set up at the back of the stage for a late song (One More Time), programming much of the underlying music. The last two numbers had a good dance feel to them and soon Papa Mbye was wrapping up his appearance.
Poliça is a staple of the Twin Cities’ alternative and electronic scene. They came out blazing, with lyricist and lead vocalist Channy Leaneagh taking the front of the stage and the remainder of the band elevated at back. Leaneagh absolutely draws the listener in, with an almost ethereal vocal style. She called out the home opener for the Loons (this Saturday!), but also spoke of how excited the band was to be performing.
Dual drummers and the electronic programming filled out the quartet, and it’s a perfect support of those haunting lead vocals. Leaneagh’s dancing (I would be unsurprised to learn that she had training in ballet) across the stage was a good central focus, and the rest of the band was working hard to keep pace. Those drummers were on their game and this is clearly a band that had a game plan for getting through the set with a lot of energy. The drummer at the far left (in a Legion of Loons shirt) never seemed to rest and arms were flying the whole set.
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Channy Leaneagh, footballer, via @thisispolica
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| thaddeus ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com |
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