W♥M

Minneapolis: December 10 to December 15, 2018

Sheile E at First Ave Read More Sheila E. Night Four of Super Bowl Live, the free concert series on Nicollet Mall in anticipation of Sunday’s Super Bowl LII game… Monday, January 29, 2018 SALUTE TO PRINCE 4:00 pm DJ Dudley D 8:00 pm Sheila E. 8:30 p.m. Morris Day and the Time 9:15 p.m. The Revolution …

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from December 10 to December 15, 2018.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

SHEILA E.
First Avenue
Wed 12/12/2018 (7pm/$45)
first-avenue.com

We’re big Prince fans, so we’re always happy to keep an eye out for any purple-related artist, such as drummer Sheila E. (Sheila Escovedo) headlining First Avenue’s main room on December 12th.

Before the age of 20, she was already jamming with George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, Con Funk Shun, Marvin Gaye (on his final world tour), Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Patti LaBelle, Steve Nicks, and, of course, Prince.

No opening band listed.

Tour Dates:

12/12/2018 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
03/02/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/03/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/04/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/05/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/06/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/07/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/08/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL
03/09/2019 The 80's Cruise Fort Lauderdale, FL

Other shows in the area:

XIII Arrows at 7th Street Richard Thompson at First Ave Larkin Poe 2018 Tour Amber Run 2018 Tour Jordan Carr at 7th Street Mason Jennings: Race You To The Light Read More Mason Jennings Local pop/folk singer Mason Jennings has a two-night residency at First Avenue this December 5 and 6th. The thing about him is that he has a very distinctive voice... and he will definitely be playing some tracks off his 2011 .…

XIII ARROWS
+ The Push, Shamble Town Rebels
7th Street Entry
Mon 12/10/2018 (7pm/$10)
first-avenue.com

Minneapolis’ XIII Arrows (Mike Borell, Eddie Rickert, John Rickert, Harrison Kohler Wood) or 13 Arrows for non-Roman readers is headlining the 7th Street Entry on Monday, December 10th. The Push and Shamble Town Rebels to open.

RICHARD THOMPSON
+ Logan Ledger
First Avenue
Tue 12/11/2018 (7:30pm/$15)
first-avenue.com

Richard Thompson, billed as Richard Thompson Electric Trio will be arriving to the mainroom at First Avenue on Tuesday, December 11th. Thompson’s new album 13 Rivers is available now on New West Records.

Tour dates:

12/05/2018 Headliners Music Hall Louisville, KY
12/11/2018 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
12/15/2018 Queen Elizabeth Theatre Toronto, ON

LARKIN POE
+ Goodnight, Texas
7th Street Entry
Thu 12/13/2018 (7pm/$22/Sold Out)
first-avenue.com

Nashville-based sister duo Larkin Poe will be opening up for Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band at the Xcel Energy Center the night before (December 12th).

Fans can get a more intimate show with Larkin Poe and Goodnight, Texas at the 7th Street Entry on December 13th. The show is sold out.

Larkin Poe’s third album Venom & Faith (Tricki-Woo Records).

Tour Dates:

12/8 - The Burl - Lexington, KY
12/9 - Old Rock House - St. Louis, MO
12/10 - Knuckleheads - Kansas City, MO
12/12 - Xcel Energy Arena - St. Paul, MN
12/13 - 7th St. Entry - Minneapolis, MN
12/14 - Allstate Arena - Rosemont, IL
12/15 - SPACE - Evanston, IL
12/17 - El Club - Detroit, MI
12/18 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH
12/20 - Bon Secours - Greenville, SC
12/21 - Booth Playhouse - Charlotte, NC
12/22 - Infinite Energy - Duluth, GA
12/31 - Terminal West - Atlanta, GA
1/5 - Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids, MI
1/9 - Huntington Center - Toledo, OH
1/11 - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN
1/15 - Allen County War Memorial - Fort Wayne, IN
1/19 - Nationwide Arena - Columbus, OH
1/22 - Peoria Civic Center - Peoria, IL
1/26 - Denny Sanford Premier Center - Sioux Falls, SD
2/20 - EXIT/IN - Nashville, TN
2/22 - The Brew Brothers - Reno, NV
2/23 - TEDxUniversityofNevada - Reno, NV
2/23 - The Brew Brothers - Reno, NV
2/25 - Keeping The Blues Alive - Tampa, FL

AMBER RUN
+ Ellevator
Cedar Cultural Center
Fri 12/14/2018 (7pm/$15)
thecedar.org

British trio Amber Run (Joe Keogh, Tomas Sperring, and Henry Wyeth) will be at the Cedar Cultural Center on December 14th.

Canada’s Ellevator (Elliott Gwynne, Michael Boyd, Nabi Sue Bersche & Tyler Bersche) is listed on their tour poster as opener.

Tour dates:

12/06 - The Foundry - Philadelphia, PA
12/07 - Rock & Roll Hotel - Washington D.C.
12/08 - Music Hall - Brooklyn, NY
12/09 - Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA
12/11- Velvet Underground - Toronto, CAN
12/13 - Lincoln Hall - Chicago, IL
12/14 - Cedar Cultural Center - Minneapolis, MN

JORDAN CARR & THE BOYS
+ Supportive Parents, Bird Streets
7th Street Entry
Fri 12/14/2018 (7:30pm/$10)
first-avenue.com

Jordan Carr & The Boys will be headlining the 7th Street Entry on Friday, December 14th. Supportive Parents and Bird Streets will open.

If you didn’t know, Bird Streets is the stagename of Brooklyn-based musician John Brodeur. We actually caught Brodeur, when he was performing under his name, in April 2011, and said, “In contrast to the full Humbugs band, John Brodeur was very minimalistic with his one-man show. It's kind of interesting to see Brodeur playing all the acoustic, loops, beat boxing, tambourine, etc., all in real-time.”

This time around, as Bird Streets, he will be accompanied with a live band.

Bird Streets Tour Dates:

Dec. 7 - Albany, N.Y. - The Hollow
Dec. 9 - Washington, D.C. - Songbyrd Vinyl Lounge
Dec. 10 - Columbus, Ohio - Tree Bar
Dec. 11 - St. Louis, Mo. - Ready Room
Dec. 12 - Davenport, Iowa - Raccoon Motel
Dec. 13 - Milwaukee, Wisc. - Cactus Club
Dec. 14 - Minneapolis - 7th Street Entry
Dec. 15 - Chicago - Moe’s Tavern
Dec. 16 - Detroit - Outer Limits Lounge

MASON JENNINGS
+ Tiny Deaths
First Avenue
Sat 12/15/2018 (7pm/$25)
first-avenue.com

Local singer Mason Jennings is headlining First Avenue in Minneapolis on Saturday, December 15th. Jennings new album Songs From When We Met came out on May 11, 2018.

Show up early to check out local band Tiny Deaths. The duo (Claire de Lune and Grant Cutler) just released a new album called Magic.

Details about the show:

Mason Jennings with tiny deaths at First Avenue

Tickets → bit.ly/2PDG9oE
General Admission:
$25.00 advance | $30.00 day of show
18+ / ID Required

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Low Cut Connie w/ Ruby Boots at First Avenue, Minneapolis (01 Nov 2018)

Low Cut Connie at First Ave Low Cut Connie Setlist All These Kids Are Way Too High Back In School Boozophilia Death and Destruction Dirty Water Who the Hell is Tina? / Shake It Little Tina Beverly Revolution Rock n Roll Big Thighs, NJ Oh Suzanne Hey! Little Child (Alex Chilton cover) Ain't No Grave (Brother Claude Ely cover) Rio -- Encore -- Wild Ride Free Girl Now (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover) Controversy (Prince cover) Ruby Boots Setlist I'll Make It Through It’s So Cruel Infatuation Don’t Talk About It I Am A Woman Somebody Else Believe in Heaven Tour Dates 11/09/2018 Globe Hall Denver, CO 11/12/2018 Dada Dallas Dallas, TX 11/13/2018 The Mohawk Austin, TX 11/14/2018 The Mohawk Austin, TX 11/17/2018 Gasa Gasa New Orleans, LA 11/18/2018 The Basement East Nashville, TN Read More Low Cut Connie Low Cut Connie (Adam Weiner, James Everhart, Will Donnelly, Larry Scotton, and Lucas Rinz) will be in town in support of their latest Dirty Pictures (Part 1) via Contender Records. … Ruby Boots Show up early to check out Ruby Boots; she was last seen in town on June 2018. Ruby is an Australian, but based in Nashville, Tennessee. Fans of Nikki Lane should take note, as Lane co-wrote/sang on some of her songs. …

Like the pink wave of the midterm elections a few days following, at a crowded First Avenue Mainroom in downtown Minneapolis, the night was completely owned by three “females”- “Ruby”, “Connie”, and “Shondra”.

The “Ruby” was mesmerizingly filled by Ruby Boots, a Perth, Australia by-way-of Nashville country/Americana/outlaw rock band led by the sassy and effervescent Rebecca “Bex” Chilcott, in support of their latest Bloodshot Records full-length, Don’t Talk About It … but talking about it was all most people in my vicinity were doing, after their powerful forty-minute opening set.

“This is a song about stalkers...three of them”, she said, launching into ‘Infatuation’ whose carefree strumming and uptempo countered any potentially dark lyrics. The new album’s title track was played next, making good use of slide and Chilcott’s appropriate verse, sung with a slight twang and reminding us that “our world's been divided, all that’s left are these hooks”.

‘I Am a Woman’ was done sparsely but empowered by a solo Chilcott, and the closing ‘Believe in Heaven’ turned all the amp volume up, with Chilcott and band optimistically taking us to “the edge of the world, wishing on a star”, leaving her admittedly in “the best mood ever”, and encouraging one and all to come say hello following the set.

“When a guy in Minnesota goes to one of our shows and tells his friends we were the best live band he saw in five years, we need to be back there again in six months. That’s all we got”, Low Cut Connie singer Adam Weiner told the Philadelphia Inquirer last fall, and that’s been the case since local record impresario GoJohnnyGo Kass first helped bring in the Philly band to town in early 2016.

Follow up gigs at increasingly larger rooms have only exponentially increased the local fan base and buzz, culminating in a memorable opening set in the heat and humidity of this past July’s Rock the Garden, a record store appearance just a few weeks later that transformed the retail outlet into the feel of a hot house juke joint, and this stomping eighty-minute good time, inside a crowded Mainroom.

Weiner wasted no time showcasing his piano acrobatics, dressed in bright red patterned jacket, white tank top, chain necklaces, and suspendered black pants, jumping on the top of his battered but still-warm sounding upright piano named “Shondra”(named after an elderly Atlanta stripper), stretching wide along the piano bench and pounding the keys like The Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis in his 50’s heyday.

“Come on, we gotta drink it up!” Weiner yelled, going into the band’s biggest hit to date, early on, ‘Boozophilia’ and most in the crowd took the hint, ordering another drink or two. The rest of the band (James Everhart; Will Donnelley; Larry Scotton; Lucas Rinz; and recent addition backup singer Saundra Williams) remained tight but loose, all clearly enjoying themselves and the night’s very responsive crowd.

The new albums come up in two parts on the band’s own label- Dirty Pictures (Parts 1 & 2) on the groups’ own Contender Records, but the live setting is really where the songs evolve and flourish.

Like Weiner’s picture on the show poster, the songs came rapidly and unrelenting, like a prize fighter landing uppercut after body blow after jab, with the crowd loving every minute and swinging and swaying along to their East Coast blend of rock, soul, blues, and bar/garage rock.

The late 70’s Alex Chilton cover of ‘Hey! Little Child’ especially went down especially well, with the call-and-response chorus yelled back to the band, Weiner climbing on the piano, and all the numerous Chilton and Big Star fans in the crowd, happily chanting along.

Williams then took everyone to church, taking lead with a rousing Brother Claude Ely cover as Weiner went on his knees while still playing the piano with head increasingly backwards as Williams’ voice soared into the rafters, letting loose a stray piece of confetti or two, to float down from a show probably weeks ago.

The encore began with a brand new song, ‘Wild Ride’ before the band paid musical tribute to two legends recently lost, Tom Petty with a driving ‘Free Girl Now’, and Prince, with their hyper cover of his ‘Controversy’ that almost demands you wear a seat belt before experiencing it live.

(click on any photo below to enlarge and see full image)

Ruby Boots

Low Cut Connie 2018 Tour Poster

Ruby Boots

Ruby Boots

Ruby Boots

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie

Low Cut Connie at First Avenue, Minneapolis (01 Nov 2018)

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

Prince - Honorary Degree Ceremony at Ted Mann Hall, University of Minnesota (26 Sept 2018)

Honoring Prince Honoring Prince Program Of Events Performance Medley: 1999 / I Wanna Be Your Lover / Controversy / Let’s Work Welcome Remarks: Michael Kim, Director of The School of Music Remarks: Elliott Powell- Asst Professor, Dept of American Studies Performance Medley: Little Red Corvette / Nothing Compares 2 U Remarks: John J Coleman, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Presentation of The Candidate: Eric W Kaler, President of The University of Minnesota Conferral of Degree: Darrin Rosha, University of Minnesota Regent Acceptance Speech: Tyka Nelson Performance Medley: I Would Die 4 U / Baby I’m a Star Closing Remarks: John J Coleman, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Performance: Purple Rain (Tyka Nelson on vocals) Read More Prince The two big shows on this date will be the Prince Tribute Concert (featuring Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan) at Xcel Energy Center and Sia at Target Center. … New Power Generation Shelby J, Liv Warfield, and Elisa (Fiorello) Dease doing a short set each, backed by all-female band 3rd Eye Girl and the well-dressed 11pc. New Power Generation horns. ..…

There’s a new doctor in the house – and he’s purple and funky…!

Prior to Prince’s untimely death in 2016, the University of Minnesota had been preparing to present him with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, the University’s highest honor. This was an idea presented to him while he was still alive, and his purported response was one word back, “Cool”.

The honorary degree was presented recently at the Ted Mann Concert Hall on the university campus, recognizing distinctive achievement that has materially added to knowledge, and is in recognition of Prince’s remarkable talent, enduring influence in music, and his role in shaping the city of Minneapolis.

The Chamber Strings from the University Symphony Orchestra and their own Jazz Ensemble I (both under the direction of Dean Sorenson) were joined on stage The Minneapolis Funk All Stars led by Family/F-Deluxe singer/bassist St. Paul Peterson. Joining him was guitarist Jellybean Johnson (Family/The Time); keyboardist Tommy Barbarella (NPG), drummer Kirk Johnson (NPG) and vocalist Cameron Kinghorn.

The evening began with a four-song Prince medley with songs culled from the early 80’s, inducing an immediate celebratory spirit which brought the crowd up on their feet, clapping and singing along. Nelson family members were in attendance including Omar and half-sister Sharon, along with university dignitaries, and the lucky fans that managed to RSVP before the public access quickly closed after reaching capacity.

Director of the School of Music Michael Kim next welcomed everyone to the evening, and made introductory remarks, including his own personal connection to the night’s subject. Asst. Professor Elliott Powell then made the case for Prince and his music being an instrument of social change, reflecting timely issues in songs like ‘Baltimore’, ‘Controversy’, and ’The United States of Division’.

The band fired up again for a faithful ‘Little Red Corvette’ and St. Paul took center stage for one of his favorites to sing- ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, a song made most famous by Sinead O’Connor, but one first given by Prince to The Family to record.

Dean of The College of Liberal Arts John Coleman made his remarks, followed by The University of Minnesota’s President, Eric W. Kaler, who presided over the presentation of the candidate (with sister Tyka Nelson accepting on Prince’s behalf) and the conferral of the degree ceremony, along with University Regent Darrin Rosha.

The band then resumed for a Purple Rain-era two-fer of ‘I Would Die 4 U / Baby I’m a Star’ as video images and captioned song lyrics filled the video screen behind the musicians. Coleman returned briefly with closing remarks, then (somewhat surprisingly) Tyka Nelson retook to the stage, full of emotion from the evening, to sing the closing number, ‘Purple Rain’, pointing to the sky as Johnson cut loose with the song’s signature guitar solo.

Though Prince never did attend college, he did play at the University (at Northrop Auditorium in 2000 for the first Celebration event) and from the night’s comments, seemed open to receiving this highly prestigious honor from the university- they apparently first offered up the idea in the early ‘90’s, only to have him change his name to that unpronounceable symbol shortly after, which in part, tabled the idea until it was resurrected just a few years ago.

While there was some air of somberness that he would not be present, the evening was overall more celebratory and joyful in spirit and everyone in attendance, was undoubtedly happy to have been present to witness Prince receiving his Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

(click on any photo below to enlarge and see full image)

Minneapolis Funk All Stars

Tyka Degree

John Coleman

Michael Kim

Elliott Powell

Cameron Kinghorn

Jellybean with Jazz Ensemble

Tommy Barbarella

Jellybean Johnson

Kirk Johnson

Honoring Prince

Tyka with St. Paul Peterson

Honoring Prince at Mann Hall, University of Minnesota (26 Sep 2018)

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

New Power Generation at First Avenue and Intercontinental Hotel, Minneapolis (13 and 14 Sept 2018)

NPG at First Ave First Avenue Setlist (09/13) New Power Generation Sexy M.F. Love 2 the 9's The Max Arrogance Cream Sign “☮” the Times U Got The Look Tommy Barbarella piano solo > (incl Anastasia, When 2R in Love, How Come U Don’t You Call Me Anymore) with Apollo Jane Nothing Compares 2 U Diamonds and Pearls Money Don't Matter 2Night Willing and Able Deuce & a Quarter / Call the Law Daddy Pop 7 (acoustic) Love... Thy Will Be Done 2gether Jughead with Cobi I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man Live 4 Love D.M.S.R. Get Wild The Good Life The Morning Papers The Cross Gett Off 1999 Purple Rain Kiss The Sacrifice of Victor -- Encore -- Funkify (new song) with Cobi The Ride Peach Alphabet St. Intercontinental Hotel Setlist (09/14) New Power Generation Sexy M.F. Love 2 the 9's Cream Sign “☮” the Times U Got The Look Nothing Compares 2U 7 Willing and Able Money Don't Matter 2 Night Deuce & a Quarter / Call the Law Daddy Pop Love... Thy Will Be Done I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man Take Me with U Raspberry Beret The Good Life D.M.S.R. The Cross Gett Off 1999 Let’s Go Crazy Purple Rain Funkify Kiss Alphabet St. Read More New Power Generation Shelby J, Liv Warfield, and Elisa (Fiorello) Dease doing a short set each, backed by all-female band 3rd Eye Girl and the well-dressed 11pc. New Power Generation horns. ..… Mayte Prince’s first wife Mayte, reprised the sword and bellydance performance that first caught Prince’s eye years ago, leading appropriately into ‘7’, which also found The Twinz dancing about the stage with her. ..… Cobi Cobi, a Grand Marais, MN native who was once in the Boston indie-pop band Gentleman Hall opened the day’s entertainment on this front stage …

“Love is there if you'd just open up to it. If you'd just believe, your whole world would change” - Prince, ‘New Power Generation’

Fans still mourn the loss of local legend Prince, some two years later, but the mood was all celebration and joy as his noteworthy band of the 1990’s, The New Power Generation filled the Mainroom at First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis for a nearly three-hour long musical tribute to their departed bandleader.

In this, their first area appearance since a brief and frigid set outside for February’s Super Bowl LII festivities and two intimate jazz club nights that weekend, the band has become more fine-tuned, honed by an abroad spring/summer tour of Europe, Australia, and Japan. 

While the band can have a rotating lineup depending on schedules, the core members (Morris Hayes- MD/keys; Tony Mosley- guitar/vocals; Damon Dickson- percussion/vocals; Tommy Barbarella- keyboards; Levi Seacer Jr.- guitar and Sonny Thompson- bass) were all present for this special show.

Also joining on for the evening (which sold tickets at a purple-friendly price of $31.21 and beamed worldwide as a PPV webcast) were recent Prince musical collaborator Keith Anderson (sax) and the Hornheadz horn section, Mint Condition guitarist Homer O'Dell, Los Angeles-based, Minnesota raised blues/soul singer-guitarist Cobi, and dancer (and Prince’s first ex-wife) Mayte Garcia.

The newest band addition is official lead singer MacKenzie - an LA-based singer from a small town in Virginia, who was discovered by the NPG’s manager and Mr. Hayes, via the Jammcard app that networks professional musicians. MacKenzie (somewhat ironically, the tallest band member on stage) to his credit, does not try to imitate Prince, but interprets the songs in his own way (sometimes more Terrance Trent Darby-esque), while keeping them authentic and familiar to the fans.

The “evening with” set began as it only could, with the 1990 namesake song of the band that Prince used for the Graffiti Bridge soundtrack, followed quickly behind by the still-scandalous ‘Sexy M.F.’, with its profanity-laden chorus that a later Jehovah’s Witness Prince, would all but disown.

Mayte would emerge for ‘Love 2 the 9’s’ and ‘The Max’, first fully veiled and covered, but quickly discarding that to reveal her familiar interpretive moves while MCs Tony M and Damon Dickson kept things throwback and “funky fresh for the 90s”. Original NPG background vocalist DuJuan Blackshire joined in for ‘Sign “☮” the Times’, one of a handful of somewhat surprising pre-NPG era songs that the band would cover during the evening.

The band took a restful breath as Tommy Barbarella’s piano medley led into a couple of duets between MacKenzie and wife Apollo Jane, a formidable singer in her own right. Tony M and Dickson took center stage for their turn on ‘Deuce and a Quarter/Call the Law’, a medley from the NPG’s own 1993 album and ‘Daddy Pop’ originally done a year earlier for Prince’s ‘Diamonds and Pearls’.

Mayte re-joined the group during an acoustic ‘7’, lithely slinking about as the song’s verses progressed, balancing a sabre on her head and body, and ‘Love Thy Will Be Done’, a song Prince gave to Martika for her second album, was a fine showcase of MacKenzie’s soul and gospel tinged vocals.

Like a breath of musical fresh air, Los Angeles-based (but Grand Marais, MN raised) singer-songwriter Cobi then jumped on stage for the first two of four well-chosen songs, re-energizing the crowd with his rock-n-roll version of ‘I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man’ and showcasing his blues growl and guitar abilities on 1991’s ‘Live 4 Love’.

Bassist Sonny T. would his take his turn on lead vocals for the NPG’s ‘The Good Life’, a reminder that Prince considered him his biggest bass influence, working with him first on an early Lewis Connection track in the mid-70s. “We’re so glad to be back home tonight to pay homage, honor, and respect to the Purple One” MacKenzie told the crowd before the band struck the first chords of his favorite song of the catalog, 1987’s ‘The Cross’.

It was admittedly a little strange to see this configuration play pre-NPG hits like ‘1999’, ‘Purple Rain’, and ‘Kiss’ though playing them originally in concert tours from 1990-1996, gives them as much of a right as any, to feature these iconic songs in their setlist, and the crowd enjoyed the celebratory versions.

The end of the show deviated slightly from the setlist, with the new ‘Funkify’ beginning the encore and perhaps the first sign of a new album to come. 

Cobi then returned for the most blues-laden track of the evening, ‘The Ride’- an old school 12-bar number perfectly catered to Cobi’s wheelhouse and a nice showcase for his guitar work, followed by a group jam on ‘Peach’ before everything came to a close with Lovesexy’s ‘Alphabet Street’.

The next evening found most of the band still in town, playing a second-floor ballroom as part of the airport-connected InterContinental Hotel Grand Opening. 

Missing Barbarella, Mayte, and the horn section (except for Anderson), the band still powered through a hundred-minute set of favorites, reprising much of the previous night, but adding in ’Let’s Go Crazy’ towards the end which kept the mostly middle-age and corporate crowd on the parquet dancefloor with their complimentary champagne, cheering on the band.

MacKenzie jumped down into the crowd a couple times and the ballroom atmosphere was more intimate and loose than any perceived pressure of the webcast the night before, and the mix of hotel guests, sponsors, and business dressed invitees all danced along to the songs everyone knew so well.

Twenty five years later, The New Power Generation has returned, to celebrate and honor their lost bandleader, and to (re)introduce that period of Prince’s music to a new generation. 

Whether or not they still “want to change the world” with possible new music forthcoming, is yet to be seen, but all the purple faithful will undoubtedly be watching, singing, and dancing along, and answering their call to “come join is on the floor”.

(click on any photo below to enlarge and see full image)

First Avenue Poster (1)

First Avenue Poster (2)

First Avenue Setlist

Intercontinental Hotel Setlist

NPG (09/13)

New Power Generation (with Mayte) at First Avenue, Minneapolis (13 Sept 2018)

MacKenzie (09/13)

Cobi (09/13)

Mayte (09/13)

MacKenzie with Apollo Jane (09/13)

NPG with Sonny T (09/13)

New Power Generation at First Avenue, Minneapolis (13 Sept 2018)

Tony Mosely (09/13)

Morris Hayes and Hornheadz (09/13)

NPG (09/13)

Levi Seacer Jr (09/13)

NPG at Intercontinental Hotel (09/14)

New Power Generation at Intercontinental Hotel, Minneapolis (14 Sept 2018)

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

Basilica Block Party - Day One at Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis (06 July 2018)

Basilica Block Party: Friday Friday Lineup Great Clips Stage Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit John Butler Trio Delta Rae Tabah PreferredOne Stage Fitz And The Tantrums The Revolution Now, Now Star Tribune Stage Lady Lark Kid Dakota Lena Elizabeth Jason Isbell Setlist Hope The High Road 24 Frames White Man's World Decoration Day (Drive-By Truckers song) Alabama Pines Cumberland Gap Tupelo Last of My Kind Traveling Alone Super 8 Something More Than Free Stockholm Flying Over Water Cover Me Up Anxiety Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers song) If We Were Vampires John Butler Trio Setlist Wade In The Water Hidey Hoe Better Than Betterman Blame It On Me Coffee, Methadone + Cigarettes Just Call > Pickapart Ocean (John solo) Don't Wanna See Your Face Livin' In The City Losing You Zebra Fitz And The Tantrums Setlist Get Right Back Spark Don't Gotta Work It Out Out of My League Run It Break the Walls Walking Target Complicated Fool Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (Eurythmics cover) Fools Gold MoneyGrabber Roll Up Burn It Down L.O.V. -- Encore -- HandClap 6 A.M. The Walker The Revolution Setlist America Computer Blue Mountains Let's Work Let's Go Crazy When Doves Cry Raspberry Beret 1999 Purple Rain I Would Die 4 U Baby I'm a Star Read More Basilica Block Party We like the annual Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis, so we always make sure they get the spotlight whenever we do these previews. They always bring in some really good bands ....

God again smiled down and awarded everyone one of the best weather weekends of the summer--

On their annual pilgrimage to The Basilica of Saint Mary in downtown Minneapolis, thousands of fans descended on the church grounds for an early July musical tradition- the two-day Basilica Block Party. 

The festival began in 1995 as a fundraiser to help pay for the structural restoration of The Basilica and today, proceeds from the event benefit The Basilica Landmark, which preserves, restores, and advances it for all generations. In addition, a portion of all proceeds go to The Basilica’s St. Vincent de Paul outreach program, which provides services to those in need.

Ten acts were spread across three stages for each night- the Main Stage (sponsored by Great Clips) located in a back lot behind the building along the highway, a Church Stage (sponsored by Preferred One) out front, and a smaller local stage (sponsored by Star Tribune) .

Star Tribune Local Stage

Lena Elizabeth (Bredeson) was the weekend’s first act on the local stage, a folk-pop singer-songwriter who uses a baritone ukulele to craft songs like on her debut EP, The Line, and newest single ‘Loaded Gun’. Sounding like a cross between Brandi Carlile and Lissie, she can musically surprise with an unexpected but delightful turn.

Kid Dakota is a name fairly well known to area audiences, as it is the musical moniker of Darren Jackson, supporting new album Denervation (Graveface Records) and performing with a drummer accompanying him.  The indie-rocker has a loyal local following, even prompting a PledgeMusic reissue of his initial 2000 EP So Pretty.

Lady Lark is a local pop/R&B /Funk artist (aka Taylor Harris) that recalls shades of Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu that was part of last year’s City Pages Picked to Click Best New Artists and turned the small staging area into a private celebratory dance party. 

Preferred One Church Stage

Now, Now has become more of a national name of late, but had its start fifteen years ago in Blaine, MN as classmates Cacie Dalager and Bradley Hale met over similar musical tastes in high school.  They released their third studio album, Saved (Trans Records) in May, and opened with ‘SGL’ as well as played newest singles ‘MJ’ and ‘AZ’ (a penchant for initials?), along with older favorites. 

The indie-rock band has very positively grown since their earlier days (with …”Every Children” in their name) and the somewhat dour but bright-pink haired Dalager was seen with a big smile of her face in the late afternoon sun, as she and bandmates walked in unison with guitars. 

The Revolution is always a joy to see, playing Prince-penned favorites from 1983-85 that the band originally played on, getting the crowd into it from the very first notes of their opening track, ‘America’. 

The band’s musical chops continue to be in top form (a discipline drilled into them by the Purple One) and Stokely from Mint Condition again joined the group about half way in, to continue the party, ending the hour-long celebration with ‘Purple Rain’ and “I Would Die 4 U/Baby I’m a Star’. 

Fitz and the Tantrums have become almost an annual tradition like the event itself, appearing here numerous times over the last few years and with good reason; as they remain one of the best live bands around, headed by vocalist Michael Fitzpatrick, co-vocalist Noelle Scaggs, and multi-instrumentalist James King.   

The Los Angeles indie-pop band (that still refuses to use a guitar) remains riding high from 2016’s self-titled (Elektra Records) full-length- their most successful to date- getting the crowd involved, transforming the church’s front lawn into a disco of sorts, and even working in an Eurythmics cover, into their eighty-five minute set. 

Great Clips Main Stage

TABAH is a local four-piece eclectic ensemble led by vocalist Cecelia Erholtz that plays somewhat trippy folk alt-rock that stretches in the sound spectrum from an ethereal quietness, to a louder, slightly psych head trip, and who have a full-length debut, Symmetry Somewhere, out now.

Delta Rae are station favorites and a Durham, NC folk rock band consisting of six members composed of three siblings, feature two co-vocalists and are happily about to release their next album. In advance of this, the sextet played several new songs as well as favorites like biggest hit ‘If I Loved You’ and worked in Whitney Houston and Florence + the Machine covers into their originals, impressing early into their set, with a harmonic pitch-perfect version of ‘Seven Bridges Road’. 

The group has also booked a fall sixteen-week weekly residency at small Nashville club The Basement and also heads out on tour, (not formally announced yet, but) stopping by the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown, in early December. 

John Butler Trio always impresses live with their unique blend of Australian roots rock and musical dexterity playing live.  Together with bassist Byron Luiters and drummer Grant Gerathy (and now two additional musicians), Butler charmed with not only how seamlessly he played guitar, lap steel, and banjo, but with the stories he told between songs, that connected them even more with the entranced audience. 

The quintet previewed several songs from their upcoming album (the first since 2014’s Flesh + Blood) and re-invented older JBT songs like ‘Betterman’’ and ‘Zebra’ with the additional musical firepower. 

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit returned to play the Basilica again (having shared the bill with Wilco three years ago) playing the well-deserved headlining set of the evening- a stellar ninety-minutes culled from his half-dozen solo albums, along with a couple songs from his former band, The Drive-By Truckers. 

Though busy with her own career and promotion of an upcoming album of her own (To the Sunset, out August 3), wife Amanda Shires took the time to appear as part of the band, with compelling fiddle playing and harmonies of her own, and Isbell was visibly glad to have her on board, often looking lovingly in her direction as they played. 

The Americana alt-country singer and band were razor sharp, especially on tracks culled from latest release, last June’s The Nashville Sound (Southeastern Records), starting their set with the rocking ‘Hope the High Road’ and ending the evening with a hushed and mesmerizing duet with Shires on ‘If We Were Vampires’. 

(click on any photo below to enlarge and see full image)

DJs Keri Noble, Greg Thunder

DJ Paul Fletcher

Kid Dakota

Now, Now

Now, Now

Now, Now

Now, Now

Now, Now

The Revolution

The Revolution

The Revolution

The Revolution

The Revolution

Fitz and the Tantrums

Fitz and the Tantrums

Fitz and the Tantrums

Fitz and the Tantrums

Delta Rae

Delta Rae

Delta Rae

Delta Rae

John Butler Trio

John Butler Trio

John Butler Trio

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Basilica Block Party, Basilica of St. Mary (06 July 2018)

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

Chaka Khan at Weesner Family Amphitheater, MN Zoo, Apple Valley (29 June 2018)

Chaka Khan : Music in the Zoo Poster Chaka Khan Setlist This is My Night Do You Love What You Feel* What Cha' Gonna Do for Me (Ned Doheny cover) You Got the Love * I'm a Woman (I'm a Backbone) * Pack’d My Bags* Tell Me Something Good* Stay (Intro)/Sweet Thing Instrumental My Funny Valentine (Rodgers & Hart cover) I Feel for U (Prince cover) I'm Every Woman -- Encore -- Ain't Nobody* (* = Rufus song) Victory Setlist A Happy Song Overjoyed (Stevie Wonder cover) Open Your Eyes Weatherman His Eye is on the Sparrow (traditional hymn) Feeling Good (Nina Simone cover) i. Broken Instrument Tour Dates 07/22/2018 Chicago, IL "Pitchfork Music Festival" 07/24/2018 Nashville, TN Schermerhorn Symphony 07/27/2018 Denver, CO Denver Botanic Gardens 08/05/2018 Dorset, UK Lulworth Castle "Bestival" 08/17/2018 Lancaster, CA Antelope Valley Fairgrounds 08/22/2018 Kennewick, WA Benton Franklin Fairgrounds Read More Chaka Khan Chaka Khan, herself with recent health issues, including an addiction to the same fentanyl that brought down Prince, looked radiant waving a pink fan (“like a pilgrimage to Mecca” she described her return on social media) … Victory Boyd Victory Boyd voice is smooth as butter. This album is a gem. Original in every sense. 1000% recommended!! …

I feel for U, Chaka—

With temperatures nearing one hundred, a soupy rainforest-like level of humidity, and the heat index at 110, legendary funk/soul singer Chaka Khan played the Weesner Family Amphitheater at the MN Zoo in suburban Apple Valley, performing the best she could, though the elements undoubtedly affected the performance. 

The evening began with a promising newcomer, Victory Boyd (stage named as just Victory), a young formerly busking folk/soul singer-songwriter from NYC (via Detroit) that impressed Jay-Z enough, that he not only signed her to his label ROCNATION, but signed her eight-sibling family (who perform as Infinity’s Song) as well.  Her EP It’s a New Dawn was released last November, with debut full-length, The Broken Instrument, released just a few weeks ago. 

This was Boyd’s first time in the state (the stiflingly warm weather surprising her) and she brought along her sister Thalia (“MoMo”) to play bass during her forty-minute set.  The storytelling singer (think Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, Corinne Bailey-Rae, with a dash of Alicia Keys and gospel) won over the crowd with a mix of originals and covers and even proved unflappable when the power briefly went out during her Nina Simone cover. 

After the break and her hypeman’’s intro reminding us of her record sales and accomplishments, Chaka Khan and her five-piece band (with three additional backup singers and led by guitarist Rob “Fonksta” Bacon) took to the stage swinging, opening with a lively ‘This is my Night’ followed quickly by ‘Do You Love What You Feel’ which mixed in riffs of Prince’s ‘Erotic City’.

Khan has recently released her first single in over a decade, ‘Like Sugar’, but it didn’t find its way into the setlist, instead it was to be a mix of her own hits (culled from songs with and without original group, Rufus) and a few choice covers. “It’s flippin’ hot!” Khan said following the second song, soon needing to briefly stop the show to change out of her too warm suede high heeled boots, into something slightly more cool and comfortable. 

‘Everlasting Love’ was skipped on the setlist as a vocoder growl introduced Rufus’ biggest and funkiest hit, ‘Tell Me Something Good’ which had everyone up and dancing.  ‘Stay’ morphed into ‘Sweet Thing’ with Khan then leaving the stage mid-song (for what we thought might be a costume change), but it turned into a long ten-minute interval, with the band and backup singers jazz riffing and taking solo turns before Khan eventually returned, voice-scattting as her segue into a calming ‘My Funny Valentine’. The heat had likely taken some toll and Khan probably needed a breather and some kind of relief backstage, before continuing. 

Tempo kicked back up with the Prince-written ‘I Feel for U’, in a somewhat rushed version, and she (unfortunately) didn’t mention anything about the song or the songwriter on this, her first proper concert in the Minneapolis area in about a decade.  The ever-empowering ‘I’m Every Woman’ closed the main set, with Khan holding the mic outstretched as the crowd sang the chorus back to her. 

As the band continued playing, Khan briefly left the stage only to return quickly for a one-song encore of ‘Ain’t Nobody’, then at the seventy-minute mark, the show had come to an end, with Khan herself on stage for less than an hour.  

Though the songstress had tried to make the best of things (and it was great just seeing her perform a headlining set live- she last appeared locally to sing three songs at Oct 2016’s Prince Tribute Concert), this just wasn’t her night after all, against the extreme weather conditions. 

Given the high humidity and triple-digit temperatures and heat index, Chaka Khan did remain the consummate professional and managed to still entertain the capacity audience in her best way possible, despite some visible (and understandable) struggles- I feel for U, Chaka…and regardless, still think we love you.

(click on any photo below to enlarge and see full image)

Victory

Victory

Victory

Chaka Khan Setlist

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan at Weesner Family Amphitheater, MN Zoo, Apple Valley (29 June 2018)

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

R.I.P. Avicii, Dale Winton, and Verne Troyer

Read More Sleeper Jon Stewart of Sleeper dropped in on W♥M Radio. Guitarist Jon, along with singer/guitarist Louise Wener, drummer Andy Macclure and bassist Diid Osman formed Sleeper in 1993.…

A couple of death news this week.

The first is the shocking news of the Swedish DJ and musician Avicii on April 20th. He was only 28. Oman’s police officially ruled out any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Fans speculate that Avicii’s death is likely attributed to his constant life of partying and drinking. Avicii said that he was forced to stop drinking when he got his first pancreatitis attack at the age of 21… but TMZ showed a photo of Avicii holding what appears to be a drink the day before his death.

Dale Winton and Sleeper

If you live outside of the UK, you probably have never heard of English radio DJ and television presenter Dale Winton. He died on April 18th, as confirmed by his long-term agent Jan Kennedy said.

Winton started his career as a DJ in London, before landing a gig on local radio. He joined BBC Bristol in 1986, and his big break came when he became the host of Supermarket Sweep from 1993 to 2001. If you’re a Britpop fan - you may know him from a brief cameo on Trainspotting, and also as the star of Sleeper’s “Inbetweener” UK music video.

Finally, Prince’s two year anniversary of his death was this week. Authority announced that they were unable to arrest anyone in the matter of his death. His family also released Prince’s recording of “Nothing Compares 2 U”. The song was relatively obscure, until Sinead O’Connor made it famous in 1990.

Verne Troyer and Cole Aldrich

Also, not a musician, but I just wanted to note that actor Verne Troyer has died at the age of 49. He was best known as “Mini-Me” from the Austin Powers movies. We saw him in person last year and was shocked to see how truly small he was.

Below are more deaths for the month of April - for the full death list: Musicians who died in 2018.

April (32)

[22 Apr 2018] Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao (Indian writer, composer and musicologist), 98

[21 Apr 2018] Graciela Agudelo (Mexican pianist and composer), 72

[21 Apr 2018] Guggi Löwinger (Austrian singer and actress), 79

[20 Apr 2018] Avicii (Swedish musician and DJ), 28

[20 Apr 2018] Brian Henry Hooper (Australian bassist for Beasts of Bourbon), 55, lung cancer

[20 Apr 2018] Robbee Mariano (German bassist for Söhne Mannheims), 47

[19 Apr 2018] Stuart Colman (English musician, record producer and broadcaster), 73, cancer

[18 Apr 2018] Dale Winton (English radio DJ and television presenter for Dale's Supermarket Sweep), 62

[17 Apr 2018] John Amirante (American anthem singer for New York Rangers), 83

[17 Apr 2018] Big Tom (Irish country music singer), 81

[17 Apr 2018] Randy Scruggs (American music producer, songwriter and guitarist, multiple Grammy winner), 64

[16 Apr 2018] Jim Caine (British jazz pianist and radio presenter), 91

[16 Apr 2018] Dona Ivone Lara (Brazilian singer and composer), 97

[16 Apr 2018] Sax Man (American street saxophonist), 65

[15 Apr 2018] Boki Milošević (Serbian clarinetist), 86

[14 Apr 2018] Stan Reynolds (British jazz musician), 92

[14 Apr 2018] Milan Škampa (Czech violist), 89

[14 Apr 2018] Jean-Claude Malgoire (French conductor), 77

[12 Apr 2018] Gyula Babos (Hungarian jazz guitarist), 68

[12 Apr 2018] Irwin Gage (American pianist), 78

[12 Apr 2018] Brij Bhushan Kabra (Indian classical slide guitar player), 81

[12 Apr 2018] Samina Samoon (Pakistani singer), 24, murdered

[11 Apr 2018] Timmy Matley (Irish singer for The Overtones), 36, skin cancer

[10 Apr 2018] Viliam Karmažin (Slovak composer and conductor, enlisted in Guinness World Records as a person with the longest career as a conductor), 95

[10 Apr 2018] Yvonne Staples (American soul singer for The Staple Singers), 80

[06 Apr 2018] Jacques Higelin (French pop singer), 77

[05 Apr 2018] Cecil Taylor (American jazz pianist), 89

[03 Apr 2018] Ron Dunbar (American songwriter), 77

[03 Apr 2018] Lill-Babs (Swedish singer and actress), 80, cancer and heart failure

[02 Apr 2018] Ahmed Janka Nabay (Sierra Leonean musician), 54

[01 Apr 2018] Audrey Morris (American jazz singer and pianist), 89

[01 Apr 2018] Ron Shaw (American singer-songwriter of the folk duo The Shaw Brothers), 77

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

W♥M271: Super Bowl

W♥M271: Super Bowl (37 mins) Read More Super Bowl With the teams now decided (New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles) and plans finalized with the game less than two weeks away, Super Bowl LII is coming to Minneapolis at US Bank Stadium on Sunday, February 4. ....

Vu and John, on W♥M Radio, talking about The Super Bowl 52.

Topics:

US Bank Stadium was “a billion dollar stadium”

The last time the Super Bowl was in Minneapolis was in 1992.

1992 was the turning point for better musical acts

Justin Timberlake vs Prince

Local free Super Bowl 10-Day Celebration

Expensive Super Bowl concerts

Disastrous Hip Hop shows

The Armory making its debut after 100 years of inactivity

Song of the show: Prince’s “I Would Die 4 U”.

Bonus:

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s recent Minneapolis appearance

Lil’ Wayne to not appear at the upcoming 2019 Men’s Basketball Final Four

--
W♥M Radio is available on iTunes, please subscribe!

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Archive of this show at archive.org. More information on podomatic.com. Recording of this podcast was made possible by Skype, MP3 Skype Recorder, and Audacity.

W♥M270: MN Fan Fest 2017 (28 August 2017) Vu, John W♥M269: Minnesota Fan Fest (19-20 Aug 2017) (13 August 2017) Vu, John W♥M268: Wonder Woman/George Perez (bonus audio) (13 August 2017) Vu, John W♥M267: Sleeper (30 July 2017) Vu, Jon Stewart W♥M266: Wizard World Minneapolis 2017 (14 May 2017) Vu, John W♥M265: The End of the Year 2016 (29 December 2016) Vu, John

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

Super Bowl LII Week in Minneapolis (26 Jan-04 Feb 2018) - A Concert Overview

Read More Football Well you Yanks may not know what a football vuvuzela is*, but the rest of us have been busy watching the FIFA World Cup. Including Richie Webb, BBC Radio 2's …

With the teams now decided (New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles) and plans finalized with the game less than two weeks away, Super Bowl LII is coming to Minneapolis at US Bank Stadium on Sunday, February 4.

In addition, the city is transforming itself with a plethora of Bold North-based entertainment options and ten days of concerts, so we wanted to give you the overview of all the upcoming shows.

ARMORY (Downtown Minneapolis)

This historic venue built originally in the 1930s and that was once home to Minneapolis Lakers and site of Prince’s ‘1999’ music video, has been recently refurbished into a modern entertainment complex, and located nearby the stadium, will be the concert epicenter, hosting the most high-profile shows. 

Nomadic Entertainment has hosted numerous Super Bowl week concerts featuring A-List talent, and will do the same at the Armory with Imagine Dragons (Feb 1), Pink (Feb 2), and Jennifer Lopez (Feb 3). 

MYSTIC LAKE (Shakopee, MN)

The suburban casino recently debuted its new hotel and event center and plans on hosting a handful of shows itself.  Originally planned as the site of Club Nomadic, a temporary event structure plans have been scuttled (with Nomadic no longer the presenter) and the shows Chainsmokers (Feb 1), Kygo (Feb 2, no longer with Ellie Goulding), Florida Georgia Line (Feb 3) and Gwen Stefani (Feb 4). 

SUPERBOWL LIVE (Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis)

For the budget-conscious and fans of locally based music, these ten days of free evening concerts curated by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are an ideal setting.  Idina Menzel is on hand to kick things off (Jan 26), fittingly singing her hit from ‘Frozen’ and other noteworthy nights include a Prince Tribute (Jan 29), hip hop night (Jan 27), reggae to warm up the crowd (Jan 30) and MN rock favorites (Feb 3).

RIVERCENTRE (and Xcel Energy Center – Downtown St. Paul)

In addition to a seventy-foot high ice palace and winter slide at the baseball stadium, downtown St. Paul hosts a couple of noteworthy shows, including “The Night Before” concert with Dave Matthews Band (Feb 3) at Xcel and O.A.R. performing (Feb 3) at the culinary Taste of the NFL, an event that first began in 1992, when Minnesota first hosted the big game.

LUMBER EXCHANGE BUILDING (downtown Minneapolis)

Tao Minneapolis promises the look and feel of a Las Vegas-style club setting, with a handful of shows that will likely go late into the night including Rick Ross/Lil’ Jon (Feb 1), Jamie Foxx, Kaskade and Shaq (Feb 2), and G-Eazy/Afrojack (Feb 3) with EDM legend Paul Oakenfold spinning in the intimate basement (Feb 4) after the game.

PRIVE NIGHTCLUB (downtown Minneapolis)

A new addition to First Avenue downtown, Privé Niightclub promises a high-end entertainment experience, with premier booked concerts on the week of the game. Fabolous and Cardi B have separate shows (both Feb 1) with Gucci Mane/Young Thug (Feb 2) taking things over next and Snoop Dogg (Feb 3) hosting a Playboy Party, and Lil’ Wayne/2Chainz scheduled on game night (Feb 4).

CORPORATE PARTIES / OTHER VENUES (various locations)

Most restaurants and clubs (in downtown Minneapolis particularly) have been completely booked by corporate sponsors and game VIPs though a few remain open with shows such as the Dakota Jazz Club (hosting several Prince-related acts). Speaking of the Purple One, Justin Timberlake hosts a long sold-out listening party at Paisley Park (Feb 1) and Kelly Clarkson finds herself performing at numerous game day mostly private events (Feb 4).

The Maxim Party promises a 31,000 temporary dome with Post Malone and DJ Marshmello entertaining and Rolling Stone magazine takes over the International Market Square (Feb 2) with hot hip-hop trio Migos. Other Super Bowl week events are numerous, including the comedy of Kevin Hart at Target Center (Feb2) and a live Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (Feb 4) taking place post-game at the Orpheum.

Below is a comprehensive chart with the many entertainment options available in the Twin Cities as we approach the excitement of Super Bowl LII week in Minnesota:

POSTERS	DATE	PERFORMER(S)	VENUE	PRICE
	26-Jan	Idina Menzel, VocalEssence, Chris Hawkey	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	27-Jan	Prof, Brother Ali, deM atlaS, iLLism	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	28-Jan	Sounds of Blackness, Steeles, Sara Renner	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	29-Jan	Prince Tribute feat. The Time, Revolution, Sheila E	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	30-Jan	Ipso Facto, Intl Reggae All-Stars	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	30-Jan	First Aid Kit	Palace Theater - St. Paul	$25-45 (sold out)
	31-Jan	NPG, Mint Condition, Dessa	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	31-Jan	Josh Ritter	Fitzgerald Theater- St. Paul	$35-45
	31-Jan	Marilyn Manson	Myth - Maplewod, MN	$55+
	31-Jan	fDeluxe (aka The Family)	Dakota Jazz Club	$45-50
	31-Jan	Plies and Trina	Privé Nightclub	$100+
	1-Feb	Justin Timberlake (AMEX exclusive listening party)	Paisley Park- Chanhassen, MN	$80 (sold out)
	1-Feb	Fabolous and Friends	Privé Nightclub	$40+
	1-Feb	Cardi B	Privé Nightclub	$150+
	1-Feb	Rae Sremmurd, Andre Cymone, New Power Soul, fDeluxe	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	1-Feb	Naughty by Nature	Fine Line Music Café	$75+
	1-Feb	Rick Ross, Lil' Jon	Tao Minneapolis	$249+
	1-Feb	19th annual Gospel Celebration	Bethel University- Arden Hills	$75
	1-Feb	Imagine Dragons , Machine Gun Kelly, Mura Masa	Armory Minneapolis	$175
	1-Feb	Chainsmokers	Mystic Lake Center- Shakopee, MN	$89+
	1-Feb	Sting, Biz Markie, Frank Caliendo	Union Depot- St. Paul- NFL Owners Mtg	n/a
	2-Feb	Skylar Grey, KING, Jets, Cobi	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	2-Feb	Jamie Foxx, Kaskade, DJ Diesel (Shaq O'Neal)	Tao Minneapolis	$299+
	2-Feb	Firehouse w/Jack Russell's Great White	Medina Entertainment Center- Medina	$34+
	2-Feb	Gucci Mane, Young Thug, Blac Chyna	Privé  Nightclub	$515+
	2-Feb	Kygo	Mystic Lake Center- Shakopee, MN	$59+
	2-Feb	Pink	Armory Minneapolis	$225 (GA sold out)
	2-Feb	Kevin Hart	Target Center	$68+
	2-Feb	FloRida - Leather and Laces Party	Schafer-Richardson Bldg- Minneapolis	$350+
	2-Feb	Future, Cardi B	Myth - Maplewod, MN	$499+
	2-Feb	Fabolous , Black Bag LA	Aqua Nightclub	$515+
	2-Feb	Migos	International Market Square (Rolling Stone Party)	$700+
	2-Feb	New Power Generation	Dakota Jazz Club	$60-80
	3-Feb	New Power Generation	Dakota Jazz Club	$60-80
	3-Feb	X Ambassadors, Jayhawks, Soul Asylum, Bob Mould	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	3-Feb	Diet Cig w/ The Spook School	University of MN	$5-10
	3-Feb	Snoop Dogg Playboy Party	Privé Nightclub	$500+
	3-Feb	Gramatik	Skyway Theatre Minneapolis	$25
	3-Feb	G-Eazy,  Afrojack, Nick Cannon	Tao Minneapolis	$299+
	3-Feb	Florida Georgia Line	Mystic Lake Showroom- Shakopee, MN	$200+
	3-Feb	Jennifer Lopez (presented by DirecTV)	Armory Minneapolis	$250+
	3-Feb	O.A.R.	Taste of the NFL- Rivercentre, St. Paul	$700
	3-Feb	Dave Matthews Band	Xcel Energy Center- "The Night Before"- St. Paul	$57+
	3-Feb	Post Malone, DJ Marshmello	Maxim Dome- Maxim Party	$750+
	4-Feb	Kelly Clarkson	Super Bowl LII VIP pre-parties	$6299+
	4-Feb	Pink, Leslie Odom Jr., Justin Timberlake	Super Bowl LII- US Bank Stadium	priceless
	4-Feb	This is Us cast, Dwayne Johnson, Justin Timberlake	Tonight Show w Jimmy Fallon- Orpheum Theatre	Free (sold out)
	4-Feb	Gwen Stefani	Mystic Lake Center- Shakopee, MN	$69+
	4-Feb	Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Fabolous, Floyd Mayweather	Privé Nightclub	$515+
	4-Feb	Rick Ross, Young Dolph	Aqua Nightclub	$515+
	4-Feb	Paul Oakenfold	Lumber Exchange Bldg	$50+
	4-Feb	Diddy, DJ Khaled, French Montana, Cardi B, G-Eazy, Busta Rhymes	Armory Minneapolis	$99+

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

Red, White, and Blue (and Purple) 14

Read more: Red, White, and Blue.

Read More White Reaper Louisville's White Reaper is heading to CMJ in support of their debut EP, out now on Polyvinyl Records. Look for the trio to open up for Deerhoof later in November. …

WHITE REAPER
whitereaperusa.com

White Reaper is back on tour in support of their album The World’s Best American Band.

We previously saw the Louisville group in 2015 and noted, “I couldn't help but be completely captivated by keyboardist of White Reaper. I don't think there was a second where this guy was standing still. He was all over the stage and it was honestly hard to keep track of him because I wanted to watch everything else going on at the same time. He seemed to be a bit of a goofball and would play the keys with his teeth and lick the bass guitar in between songs. It sounds dumb but it really did add to the fun factor of this show. Like I said, if the band looks like they are having fun, the crowd is more apt to have fun.”

White Reaper on Tour:

12.1.17 - The Chance - Poughkeepsie, NY *
12.3.17 - Sherman Theater - Stroudsburg, PA *
12.5.17 - Upstate Concert Hall - Clifton Park, NY *
12.6.17 - Higher Ground - South Burlington, VT
12.8.17 - Egyptian Room - Indianapolis, IN *
12.16.17 - Champagne Jam - Asbury Park, NJ
12.30.17 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC *
12.31.17 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC *
1.11.18 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA *
1.12.18 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA *
1.13.18 - McDonald Theatre - Eugene, OR *
1.15.18 - JaM Cellars Ballroom - Napa, CA *
1.17.18 - The Masonic - San Francisco, CA *
1.18.18 - Arlington Theatre - Santa Barbara, CA *
1.20.18 - The Chelsea, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas *
3.24.18 - Innings Festival 2018 - Tempe, AZ

* w/ Spoon

OLD RED
soundcloud.com

Introducing: Old Red. Their debut song ‘Catalonia Weekend’ is available now.

According to project leader Dashel Hammerstein, “Old Red is a project that began when I found out that my long-lost cousin was a virtuoso jazz guitarist with a recording studio in rural Connecticut. He started producing and engineering new versions of some old songs of mine with the expressed intention of making them weird. We agreed that if it sounded familiar, it wasn’t worth putting out. Sessions were all about more noises, more programmed drums, more hair band guitar solos, mistakes that were fine-tuned into something intentional. Overall I just wanted the music to be more funny.”

“Cut to November and we have a short album worth of songs, all thematically tied together under the umbrella of life in Modern America. ‘Catalonia Weekend’ is in some ways an exception, but the kind that proves the rule. The Spanish Civil War was unglamorous, even by the standards of war. Troops were so low on ammunition and supplies that they would often arm one solider with a megaphone, tasking him with yelling across the battlefield to enemy trenches in an attempt to convince them with words. It actually worked more than one might think. Tie that to Modern America as you see fit.”

“The song itself is unabashedly poppy. Like the rest of the album, I’ve tried to strip away all but the meaty hooks of the song. Life’s too short.”

THE FLAVR BLUE
theflavrblue.com

Seattle-based The Flavr Blue (fronted by Hollis Wong-Wear, famous for appearing on ‘White Walls’ by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis) recently shared their new remix video for ‘Top Down’ featuring The Last Artful, Dodgr with Hip Hop DX. The video was filmed in Portland and directed by Ikaika Cofer / Tiki.

The Flavr Blue comments, “We got to perform with Dodgr at last year's Upstream Music Festival in Seattle and were totally blown away by her, so it was an honor that she asked us to get on Top Down. When we were finalizing the album, we decided it'd only be right for her to be featured on the LP beyond a one-off remix since she adds such a dope vibe to the record overall.”

If you like what you heard, ‘Top Down’ is taken from their recently released sophomore album Blue Dream.

Read More Prince The two big shows on this date will be the Prince Tribute Concert (featuring Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan) at Xcel Energy Center and Sia at Target Center. …

BONUS: PURPLE

PRINCE
princehitnrun.com

As announced on news.weheartmusic.com, The Prince Estate, has created the official Prince’s “Hit N Run” Online Pop-Up Store. The store is only available from November 29 to December 3, 2017.

When Prince died in April 2016, we did notice a ton of unofficial/bootleg Prince T-Shirts and merchandises flooding the market.

Official announcement:

Synonymous with Prince's famous "Hit N Run" releases which dropped without warning or promotion, The Prince Estate has launched a "Hit N Run" online pop-up store. This is the first offering of official and authorized merchandise from The Prince Estate. The collection includes classic pieces highlighting Prince's iconic looks from his debut to the Purple Rain era and more. The capsule includes two graphic pieces from UK artist Martin Homent - the first inspired from Purple Rain and the second a silhouette of Prince’s profile cast on the moon - Prince featured the latter graphic as a stage backdrop during his final Piano & A Microphone performances in early 2016. Notably, Martin’s artwork was also featured on the cover of Prince’s final two albums, HITnRun Phase One and HITnRUN Phase Two. For the first time ever, fans outside of the US and Canada will be able to purchase directly from the site.

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