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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

Prof at House Of Rock, Eau Claire, WI (12 Feb 2016)

Tour Dates 02/19/16 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis 02/20/16 Chesterfield, Sioux City, IA 04/17/16 U Street Music Hall, Washington, DC 04/20/16 Grog Shop, Cleveland Heights, OH 04/23/16 Firebird, St Louis, MO 04/30/16 Gabe's Oasis, Iowa City, IA Read More Prof Fashawn, in his brief twenty minutes, brought out both Prof and Brother Ali for separate duets and showcased DJ Fresh who twirled the knobs on a mixer embedded in a giant boombox. … 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. ....

Prof is a Minneapolis rapper who has been rapping for years now, but recently really took off. I've seen him a couple of times now and each time he completely kills it with the amount of energy he gives off. I thought this crazy amount of energy was more of a "hometown" thing because the crows here in the Twin Cities absolutely love Prof. I was a bit worried that going to see him in Wisconsin would leave a bad taste in my mouth. Was he going to be as exciting outside of his home base? Would people even show up to the show? Did anyone care? Does Wisconsin even have music?!

Wisconsin definitely came out and they definitely cared. Even this show had sold out and people were pumped to see some of the best hip hop that the Twin Cities has to offer.

The House of Rock is a tiny, tiny venue on the "main street" of Eau Claire. It's a complete dive bar with sticky floors and holes in the wall. I had been here before for a metal show some friends were playing. There were only about ten people in the crowd that time. Last Friday, the venue was at capacity and the whole feeling of the venue had changed. People were polite as they tried to get through the small passage way into the stage area of the venue. It was freezing outside, like negative 10 freezing, and people were struggling to get winter coats off due to lack of personal space. I noticed multiple people holding the drinks of strangers, just so people could take their coats off. These strangers didn't try and put anything in the drink. They didn't try to steal the drink. They were just trying to be helpful. After seeing this, I instantly felt at home. I was no longer afraid to leave my drink on the bar for a hot minute while I shoved my wallet back in my purse. I felt safe even though I was not at one of my usual venues.

Prof played every song I wanted him to. He had a giant grin across his face the whole time and I never once just saw him standing there rapping. He was constantly moving across the stage and jumping up and down. Watching him was just as much fun as watching the crowd and listening to the music. His lyrics tend to be funny and raunchy at times but also relatable. He sings about "popping PBR", hanging out with friends, and just having a damn good time. I tried to sing along as best as I could but eventually I was just slurring my words so I sipped on my PBR.

Mike Mictlan

The show was opened up by a couple local Eau Claire hip-hop artists like Mac Irv and DJ Fundo along with Minneapolis’ Mike Mictlan from Doomtree. Mike was great, as he always is, but didn't seem to catch the crowd as much as Prof did. His style is a bit rawer sounding than Prof's happy go lucky soundtrack. Mac Irv was another opening act for the show but, unfortunately, I missed it due to some terrible drink Ali and her brother made me try at a bar next door. It took me forever to drink it and by the time we made it to the show, the music had already started. I am a bit bummed that I missed it but Mac is from Minneapolis so I'm sure I'll get another chance.

Prof at House Of Rock, Eau Claire, WI (12 Feb 2016)

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

Rhymesayers 20 at Target Center, Minneapolis (04 December 2015)

poster Read More Atmosphere Please note that Clyde Iron Works is located in Duluth, Minnesota. I've never been there before, but I would think this is a smaller than the usual venue that superstar rapper Atmosphere and his usual Rhymesayers … Murs DJ Foundation introduced Murs as he came on asking "whatupdawg?" While most people will probably list "I Used to Love H.E.R." or the Nate Dogg homage as their favorite of the night … Prof Fashawn, in his brief twenty minutes, brought out both Prof and Brother Ali for separate duets and showcased DJ Fresh who twirled the knobs on a mixer embedded in a giant boombox. … The Uncluded For those of you who are fans of both folk and hip hop, look no further than the unlikely duo of Kimya Dawson and Aesop Rock, writing music as The Uncluded. … Eyedea & Abilities I recently found out the untimely passing of Eyedea, who was just twenty-eight years old when he died. We don't cover enough hip-hop, I saw him on stage about four ... P.O.S. They only played two songs during the pop up show but for the second song they brought Stef (better known as local rapper and Doomtree member P.O.S.) up to sing about orange juice called "Shake It Well." The song ...

Friday night was the 20th anniversary show for Rhymesayers Entertainment. 20 years of putting out amazing music is a feat in itself. Add practically selling out the Target Center and you have an untouchable beast of a label.

There were far too many acts last night for me to write about each one so I will try and highlight my favorites.

P.O.S.

P.O.S. was one of the first acts to take the stage. He had to play extra early because Doomtree, a local rap collective (no, they are a machine), had a show in Chicago that same night that he had to make it to. There is no rivalry between the two groups which is amazing. Both Rhymesayers and Doomtree are full of amazing musicians and people. I kind of wish that all of Doomtree would have been able to be at the show last night but I understand that last night was supposed to be, and deserved to be, all about Rhymesayers.

Toki Wright was amazing as always. Unfortunately, sets were short due to the sheer amount of groups and musicians they had to get through so he was only able to play three songs but he killed it with the three songs. It's so amazing to see someone like Toki Wright on such a huge stage. Toki was actually one of the teachers at my college and is such a nice, down to earth guy. That's what this scene is all about... the fact that here's one of my old teachers playing to a crowd of thousands. Amazing.

Grieves

Grieves is definitely one of my favorite acts from Rhymesayers. He didn't use this show as a platform to showcase just his new music, he played old songs that I didn't think he was going to play. Grieves is just a skinny white boy living in Seattle but when he takes the stage, he is larger than life.

Prof

Make sure you keep an eye on Prof. Mark my words, he will be the next big thing in the scene up here. His set was full of so much energy, it was unreal. There were numerous inflatable animals and beach balls thrown out into the crowd. There were even two of those "wacky waving inflatable arm men" on either side of the stage. His music was upbeat and fun. Even if you had never heard of him before, you couldn't help but start jumping up and down.

DJ Abilities

DJ Abilities did a touching tribute to Mike "Eyedea" Larsen. Eyedea was a beast in the scene. Together with DJ Abilities, they formed Eyedea & Abilities and were blowing up in the scene when he tragically died of an accidental drug overdose. Almost every rap show I go to in the Twin Cities, whether it is Doomtree or Rhymesayers affiliated, there is mention of Eyedea. Last night Abilities took the stage, as he frequently does in the cities, with his amazing turntable skills. The whole time he played, there was video of Eyedea being played in the background and he sampled many of the songs they did together. The set ended with silence and an old picture of Eyedea and Abilities. You could feel the heaviness in the crowd but it wasn't an awkward heaviness. It was a heaviness that just showed the enormous crowd's appreciation for Eyedea and all that he did for this scene.

The Uncluded

I was shocked when I saw Kimya Dawson walk onto the stage with Aesop Rock. I shouldn't have been so surprised. Had I actually read the lineup, I would have noticed it said "The Uncluded" which is the duo of rapper Aesop Rock and singer/ songwriter Kimya Dawson. Of course, I missed that in the line-up but what a pleasant surprise. Kimya is the woman that did majority of the soundtrack for the hit film Juno. I never thought I would be able to see her live because she tried to live a low-profile life. The smile that filled my face never left from the time she stepped foot on stage. I did go a wee bit fan girl when I realized that she was standing behind me for majority of the rest of the show. How awesome is that, Kimya Dawson was right behind me. Hot damn that was a highlight of the night!

Atmosphere

The show closed out with Atmosphere who is always a crowd favorite. Slug, the rapper of the rapper/ DJ duo, is a beast and king of the scene here. Not just that, he's an awesome, down to earth guy. They brought up many musicians that had already graced the stage along with some surprise acts including, one of my favorites, Murs.

People came from all over for the show last night. It was a huge deal and it was right down the street from my apartment. What an amazing city. What an amazing music scene. What amazing people.

Lineup:

K-Salaam / P.O.S / Toki Wright / Boom Bap Project / Grayskul / Los Nativos / Dem Atlas / Mr. Dibbs / Micranots / I Self Devine / Grieves / Soul Position / Blueprint / Prof / Musab / Abstract Rude / Bk-One / Battlecats / DJ Abilities / Aesop Rock / The Uncluded / Hail Mary Mallon / Dilated Peoples / Evidence / Brother Ali / Freeway Atmosphere / Felt

Rhymesayers 20 at Target Center, Minneapolis (04 December 2015)

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

Minneapolis: December 4 to December 6, 2015

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from December 4 to December 6, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Atmosphere Please note that Clyde Iron Works is located in Duluth, Minnesota. I've never been there before, but I would think this is a smaller than the usual venue that superstar rapper Atmosphere and his usual Rhymesayers … Prof Fashawn, in his brief twenty minutes, brought out both Prof and Brother Ali for separate duets and showcased DJ Fresh who twirled the knobs on a mixer embedded in a giant boombox. … Brother Ali Brother Ali and Syrian-American rapper/activist Omar Offendum will be appearing at Augsburg college on Saturday, March 9, in Minneapolis. ... P.O.S. They only played two songs during the pop up show but for the second song they brought Stef (better known as local rapper and Doomtree member P.O.S.) up to sing about orange juice called "Shake It Well." The song ...

RHYMESAYERS 20
at Target Center
Friday, 12/04/2015, 5pm ($20/$100 VIP)
targetcenter.com

The special Rhymesayers 20 Year Anniversary Concert is taking place this December 4th at the Target Center. Traditionally Rhymesayers Entertainment record label has sold out First Avenue for many, many years now. Moving it a larger capacity like the Target Center made a lot of sense to us.

Expect all the staple artists from Atmoshpere and Brother Ali to recent addition Prof to be there on Friday to represent Rhymesayers.

Performances by (in alphabetical order):

Abstract Rude

Aesop Rock

Atmosphere

Battlecats

BK One

Blueprint

Boom Bap Project

Brother Ali

deM atlaS

Dilated Peoples

DJ Abilities

Evidence

Felt

Freeway, Grayskul

Grieves

Hail Mary Mallon

I Self Devine

Jake One

K-Salaam

Los Nativos

Micranots

Mr. Dibbs

Musab

P.O.S.

Prof

Soul Position

The Uncluded

Toki Wright

All arena seats (including the entire general admission floor) are only $20.00 (plus facility, ticketing fees and taxes) to celebrate twenty years of Rhymesayers.

Limited VIP packages available (with all the goodies) for $100.00 (plus facility, ticketing fees and taxes). VIP includes: premium VIP seating, exclusive Rhymesayers 20 Shirt, VIP bag, Rhymesayers 20 Sticker, limited edition VIP laminate with lanyard,exclusive VIP entrance and special VIP only bars.

Read More Beat Connection Beat Connection opened up the show. We've previously seen the Seattle-based band in 2012, touring in support of their album The Palace Garden, and was rather impressed with their fanbase ...

BEAT CONNECTION
at 7th Street Entry
Saturday, 12/05/2015, 9pm ($12)
first-avenue.com

Seattle's Beat Connection is back on tour in support of their new album Product 3 (out now on ANTI- Records). We first caught the band in 2012 and was blown away at their fanbase. Their last appearance in Minneapolis was with Django Django in August 2015.

Product 3, as described by Stereogum is "cuts a path through electronic pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B without ever plunging head-on into any one sound."

Special guests Phantoms and Metavari to open.

Tour dates:

11/28 - The Drake - Toronto, ON
12/02 - The Blind Pig - Ann Arbor, MI
12/03 - Subterranean - Chicago, IL
12/04 - The Frequency - Madison, WI
12/05 - 7th Street Entry - Minneapolis, MN
12/06 - Vega - Lincoln, NE
12/09 - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO
12/10 - Kilby Court - Salt Lake City, UT
12/11 - Watercolor - Boise, ID
12/12 - The Bartlett - Spokane, WA
12/17 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR
12/19 - Fortune - Vancouver, BC

Read More The Struts Breakout U.K. band The Struts will be stopping by First Avenue this September 17th, in support of their hit Have You Heard EP (Interscope Records), with single "Could Have Been Me". …

AWOLNATION
at Myth
Sunday, 12/06/2015, 5pm ($29.50)
mythlive.com

Awolnation (stylized as AWOLNATION) will be stopping by the Myth in Maplewood this Sunday, December 6th, in support of Run (Red Bull). Before the electronic rock band head out with Fall Out Boy, they're set to do a number of Radio Station tour - including this one, as part of 93X Nutcracker Presents show.

Our favorite The Struts will open up the show. You may remember that they previously booked (and sold out) the 7th Street Entry, prompting the promoters to upgrade their venue to First Avenue.

Tour dates:

12/01/15 Portland, OR McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
12/03/15 Fairfax, VA EagleBank Arena
12/04/15 102.9 The Buzz's Swanky Sweater
12/05/15 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
12/06/15 Saint Paul, MN Myth
12/12/15 KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas
12/15/15 95X Holiday Whobilation
12/16/15 106.5 The End Presents
12/17/15 105.7 Holiday Spectacular
12/18/15 Night 89X Stole Christmas
01/09/16 Honolulu, HI The Republik
02/26/16 Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Live
03/01/16 North Charleston, SC Coliseum
03/02/16 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena
03/04/16 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
03/05/16 Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods Resort
03/06/16 Syracuse, NY War Memorial Arena
03/08/16 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
03/09/16 Dayton, OH Wright State University
03/10/16 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
03/12/16 Chicago, IL United Center
03/13/16 Saint Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
03/14/16 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
03/17/16 Birmingham, AL Legacy Arena
03/18/16 Memphis, TN FedExForum
03/19/16 New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center
03/20/16 San Antonio, TX Freeman Coliseum
03/22/16 Wichita, KS Intrust Bank Arena
03/23/16 Colorado Springs, CO Broadmoor World
03/25/16 Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Arena
03/26/16 Irvine, CA Irvine Meadows Amph

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

Run the Jewels at First Avenue, Minneapolis (23 October 2015)

Run the Jewels Setlist     Intro: Queen's "We Are the Champions" Run the Jewels Oh My Darling Don't Cry Blockbuster Night, Part 1 Banana Clipper 36" Chain DDFH Sea Legs Close Your Eyes (And Count to F**k) Pew Pew Pew Lie, Cheat, Steal Early with BOOTS All Due Respect Love Again (Akinyele Back) Get It A Christmas F**king Miracle -- Encore -- Angel Duster Read More Run the Jewels Megahot rapper/producer duo Run The Jewels' long sold out show at First Avenue is taking place next Friday (October 23rd). Expect to hear some preview from their highly anticipated Run ...

Run the Jewels played a sold-out Mainroom at First Avenue last night.

This is just a quick post to get some basic information, tour dates, photos, and setlists online, as soon as possible.

Cuz Lightyear

There was a consistent haze to the room, and surprisingly not caused by whatever the audience may have been using.  Lights were sparse and dim for most of the evening's sets and the sold-out crowd was rowdy, head-bobbing and completely won over.

Cuz Lightyear opened with a brief 15 min. set and the crowd chanting "whut up, Cuz?"

Fashawn

Fashawn, in his brief twenty minutes, brought out both Prof and Brother Ali for separate duets and showcased DJ Fresh who twirled the knobs on a mixer embedded in a giant boombox.

BOOTS

BOOTS changed the mood to one of more moody electronica in his thirty minute set and returned to help RTJ on the song "Early".

Run the Jewels excelled in concert (many hip-hop acts can be dodgy when seeing them live) and co-MC EL-P, himself a longtime indie rapper, gave local indie hip-hop collective Rhymesayers its due respect in a speech, and dedicated their last song and set to Eyedea, who passed away almost five years ago.

Trackstar the DJ

For Run the Jewels ticketholders who stuck around, there was an Afterparty, featuring Trackstar the DJ.

More info to come...

Run the Jewels' Run the Jewels 3 will be coming out in 2016 via Mass Appeal / RED.

Tour date:

10/24/15 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre
10/30/15 Manchester Warehouse Project
10/31/15 Pitchfork Music Festival Paris
11/21/15 Corona Capital Festival
12/30/15 Reaction New Year's Eve
01/28/16 "X Games" (Aspen)
01/29/16 Aspen, CO Belly Up Aspen

Run the Jewels at First Avenue, Minneapolis (23 October 2015)

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

Minneapolis Music Guide: September 21 - September 27, 2014

Here is the weekly guide of some Minneapolis live concerts and events from September 14 to September 20.

Read More Meiko Meiko has just covered Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime", and she's made it available as a free download on her website. Hear the song now … Buddy Buddy opened up the show. He's normally a seven-piece band, but he's traveling light on this Buddy/Meiko teamup. He started off with "Apologize (If You Tried)," then quickly launched into his Gray's Anatomy song, "Say A Lot." …

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
LORING PASTA BAR
Meiko

Look, we like Meiko, okay? She has a new yet-untitled album coming out next month via PledgeMusic, and it looks like she's heading out on tour in support of said-album.

Meiko at SXSW 2009 Austin, Texas

I have seen Meiko a few times, once at SXSW 2009 and semi-recently at 7th Street Entry in 2012.

For this upcoming Fall/Winter 2014 tour, she will feature the same opener, Buddy, from the last tour. Buddy has a new album called Last Call For The Quiet Life, which came out August 19 via Stove Punchin' Records.

Also, please note that the show will take place at the Loring Pasta Bar (right next to the Varsity) and the show starts late (9pm) and is 18+ only. If I know anything about Meiko, it is that she used to waitress, and she'll definitely be reminding you that you need to tip your waiters/waitress at least 20%.

Meiko US tour dates:

09/19/14 Ames, IA Iowa State University
09/21/14 Minneapolis, MN Loring Pasta Bar
09/24/14 Evanston, IL SPACE
09/30/14 Birmingham, AL WorkPlay Theatre
10/01/14 Athens, GA The Melting Point
10/02/14 Decatur, GA Eddie's Attic
10/04/14 Nashville, TN 3rd & Lindsley
10/14/14 Los Angeles, CA Bootleg Theater
10/18/14 Costa Mesa, CA The Wayfarer
10/19/14 Hermosa Beach, CA Saint Rocke
10/25/14 Dallas, TX Lake Cliff Park
10/26/14 Austin, TX Stubb's Bar-B-Q
11/03/14 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern
11/05/14 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
12/11/14 San Francisco, CA Brick & Mortar Music Hall

Read More The War on Drugs Although Kurt Vile is no longer in The War On Drugs, the Philadelphia is proving that they can survive without Vile with a string of sold-out shows. The shoegazey band is currently out on tour in support of their latest release …

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
FIRST AVENUE
The War On Drugs w/ Califone

Philadelphia's The War on Drugs are stronger and more popular than ever. The band sold out First Avenue in Minneapolis, that they were forced to add another show for September 23rd. So here is your chance to grab tickets before the second show sells out...

The War On Drugs are currently touring in support of their 2014 Lost In The Dream (Secretly Canadian), which was picked as #21 in Pitchfork's "The 100 Best Albums Of The Decade So Far."

USA Tour dates:

09/15 - Toronto, ON @ Phoenix
09/16 -Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews
09/17 -Columbus, OH @ Newport
09/19 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
09/20 -Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre
09/21 - Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre
09/22 -Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave
09/23 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave
09/24 -Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room
09/26 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
09/27 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues Houston
09/28 - Austin, TX @ Stubb's
10/01 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House
10/02 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre
10/03 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre
10/04 - Sacramento, CA @ TBD Festival
10/05 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
10/06 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
10/09 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
10/10 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
10/11 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre
10/12 -St. Louis, MO @ Ready Room
10/13 -Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works
10/15 - Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
10/16 - Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle
10/17 - Saxapahaw, NC @ Haw River Ballroom

Read More Atmosphere Imagine Dragons and Atmosphere concert for FREE? WHAT?????? That's what I said when we discussed this free Target All-Star Concert presented by Budweiser event last month. …

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
CLYDE IRON WORKS
Atmosphere w/ Prof

Please note that Clyde Iron Works is located in Duluth, Minnesota. I've never been there before, but I would think this is a smaller than the usual venue that superstar rapper Atmosphere and his usual Rhymesayers crew will ever play at.... so for hardcore fans, you might want to take that hour+ drive up north to catch this show (especially because the November show at First Avenue is sold out).

The tour is called "North of Hell" Tour:

09.16.14 Missoula, MT Wilma Theater
09.18.14 Boise, ID Knitting Factory
09.19.14 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
09.20.14 Aspen, CO Belly Up Aspen
09.23.14 Duluth, MN Clyde Iron Works
11.04.14 Columbia, MO The Blue Note
11.05.14 Tulsa, OK Cain's Ballroom
11.06.14 Little Rock, AR Juanita's Cantina
11.09.14 Dallas, TX House of Blues
11.10.14 Houston, TX House of Blues
11.11.14 New Orleans, LA Tipitina's
11.12.14 Atlanta, GA Center Stage
11.14.14 Richmond, VA The National
11.15.14 Baltimore, MD Ram's Head Live
11.16.14 New York, NY Terminal 5
11.17.14 New Haven, CT Toad's Place
11.18.14 Providence, RI Lupo's Heartbreak
11.20.14 Indianapolis, IN Vogue Theater
11.21.14 Grand Rapids, MI Intersection
11.22.14 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
11.23.14 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
11.02.14 Iowa City, IA Blue Moose Tap House