Doomtree at Sociable Cider Werks, Minneapolis (10 July 2016)

Read More Doomtree Minneapolis hip-hop collective Doomtree is on the road to SXSW 2015! The tour is also to promote his upcoming full-lenth album All Hands, due January 27, 2015 on their own Doomtree Records. ....

The best thing about the music scene here in the Twin Cities? No matter what's going on around us, there is always a place where you can escape to. You will be surrounded by friends and strangers. There will be no violence, no drama, just music and the feeling you get from being at a live show. Sunday night was no different.

Doomtree played a free show yesterday at Sociable Cider Werks in Saint Paul. It was a day full of friends, music, cider and gorgeous weather. It was a perfect getaway from the craziness of the world we live in.

ZuluZuluu was the sole opener for the show. Their music was very chill and soothing. People seemed to enjoy it as they all crowded into the few shady areas to escape the heat. The music was very ambient at times but at other times had very complex rhythms and sounds.

Doomtree photo: John

After an hour long set, it was time for Doomtree to set up. I glanced around the parking and realized just how many people had come out to the event. There were all kinds of people there. Like many of the free festivals that happen here in the cities, there was a good mix of people who were there for the music and people who probably just lived in the area and wanted to see what was going on.

Doomtree started with a couple of new songs but quickly moved into a medley of about five old songs that the crowd went crazy over. Their whole set was full of just Doomtree songs which was a bit different than the previous times I have seen them.

Dessa photo: John

Let me break it down Doomtree for you, they are a hip-hop collective of seven individuals (Cecil Otter, Dessa, Lazerbeak, Mike Mictlan, Paper Tiger, P.O.S and Sims), each member has a solo or side project that they work on when Doomtree isn't active (although it seems like they're always active). The previous times I have seen them each member performs one of their own songs while the other members hang in the background. Last night was the first time I have seen them when each song was a Doomtree song... there were no Dessa songs, no Sims songs... just Doomtree and it was truly a show of just how much talent this group has.

Doomtree took 30 seconds of silence to honor the fallen and the recent events. The crowd respected those 30 seconds and took the time to do what they felt needed to be done whether it was pray, take a sip of beer, stare at the ground in order in keep your balance... whatever. It was respectful and it was a much needed 30 seconds of silence. The members of Doomtree didn't force an opinion on the crowd, hell they didn't even bring up on specific event. It was the most beautiful 30 seconds of the night.

Doomtree with Har Mar Superstar photo: John

The show ended with one last hoorah as Doomtree sang their hit song ‘Bangarang’. I had noticed Har Mar Superstar walking around the crowd earlier in the night so it was no surprise to see him on stage with Doomtree as they all danced like fools. It was a perfect ending to a perfect afternoon.

The show was the first part of Sociable Cider Werk’s Summer Concert series. They will be hosting one show each month this summer. The next show’s announced will be Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires (with 4ontheFloor and Eleganza) on August 21st. Full details on their website sociablecider.com ... make sure you snatch up a free ticket early!

Doomtree at Sociable Cider Werks, Minneapolis (10 July 2016) photo: John

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