W♥M

Minneapolis: December 23 to December 31, 2018

Soul Asylum at First Ave Read More Soul Asylum Yeah we knew the tiny 7th Street Entry could not contain all the fans for Soul Asylum, or as we kid that it's just the Dave Pirner band.... Both dates at 7th Street Entry …

We are closing out the year with these shows in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from December 23 to December 31, 2018.

Please note: December 24th is Christmas Eve, and December 25th is Christmas.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

SOUL ASYLUM
+ The 4onthefloor, Loki’s Folly
First Avenue
Fri 12/28/2018 (7:30pm/$30)
first-avenue.com

Yep, local favorite Soul Asylum (aka Dave Pirner) is headlining First Avenue on their holiday show. We’ve seen Pirner before, and he’s always fun and animated. Expect to hear the hits, “Runaway Train” and “Somebody to Shove.”

Local bands The 4onthefloor (Gabe Douglas and friends), Loki’s Folly (underage sisters according to Pirner), and DJ Set from 7 Inches Of Lori B (Lori Barbero from Babes in Toyland) to open.

Details from Soul Asylum:

We're back at First Avenue & 7th St Entry on Friday, December 28 w/ 4 On The Floor and Loki's Folly (presented by The Current) Tickets available here: t.co/gYCAYtGKNF !!!

Other shows in the area:

Deck the Ave Jayhawks at First Ave Candid Kid at 7th Street The Big Wu at Fine Line GBV 2018 Tour Transmission at First Ave Read More Run Westy Run I am grouping these three shows together because Run Westy Run and Iffy are related. RWR (featuring Daniel, Kirk, Kraig, and Kyle) were never quite as popular as their local peers …

SOPHIA ERIS / DJ ADVANCE
First Avenue
Sun 12/23/2018 (9pm/$10)
first-avenue.com

Celebrate Christmas this year with DJ Sophia Eris and DJ Advance (aka Vance K. McCain).

If Eris’ name sounds familiar, that’s because she used to be in Grrrl Prty. Since Grrrl Prty broke up at Rock the Garden 2016, she’s been busy touring and working on her debut solo record with producer Lazerbeak. So maybe expect Lazerbeak and her co-hort DJ Shannon Blowtorch to show up at this Christmas party.

CHRISTMAS EVE
Mon 12/24/2018



RUN WESTY RUN
+ Sapphire
7th Street Entry
Tue 12/25/2018 (7pm/$20)
first-avenue.com



RUN WESTY RUN
+ Sapphire
Turf Club
Wed 12/26/2018 (7pm/$20)
turfclub.net

The annual Run Westy Run (Kraig Johnson and his brothers Kirk and Kyle) Christmas show is once again here. We started noticing that the group came back to the music industry around December 2015. Anyway, this time, they’re playing at the Turf Club with Sapphire (Ava Levy and Lily Govrik) to open.

For the Christmas show (Tue 12/25/2018), that show will take place at the 7th St Entry.

CANDID KID
+ Go For Retro
7th St Entry
Thu 12/27/2018 (7pm/$8)
first-avenue.com

If you’ve never seen Candid Kid (Benjamin Muller, Tanner Uselmann, Cooper Doten, Reese Kling) live, here is your last chance: This is the Candid Kid’s final show.

Go For Retro to open. According to the original post, Wingman was also listed to open, but as of this writing, the band is not listed on the venue’s website. I guess their Wingman bailed out on them.

Details:

Candid Kid (Final Show) in the 7th St Entry

Doors @ 7pm
Music starts @ 8pm

Lineup:
Go For Retro
Wingman
Candid Kid

General Admission: $8.00 advance / $10.00 day of show
18+ | ID Required

BIG WU
+ Mikel Wright And The Wrongs
The Fine Line
Sat 12/29/2018 (7:30pm/$17)
finelinemusic.com

Join Northfield, MN’s The Big Wu (Chris Castino, Terry VanDeWalker, Mark Joseph, Al Oikari, and Padre Pienbique) at their album release for We Are Young We Are Old show will be at the Fine Line Music Café on December 29th.

Mikel Wright And The Wrongs to open.

Upcoming Events

DEC 29
The Big Wu Album Release Show Fine Line
Minneapolis, MN

DEC 31
Wu Years Eve Dec 31st
Wyndham Garden Fitchburg
Fitchburg, WI

GUIDED BY VOICES
First Avenue
Sun 12/30/2018 (7pm/$30)
first-avenue.com

We just reviewed the Guided By Voices book, Closer You Are: The Story of Robert Pollard and Guided By Voices, and briefly mentioned that the group will be in Minneapolis on December 30th.

No opening band listed, because, let’s face it, two hours will not be enough for GBV.

Details

12/30 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
12/31 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge

TRANSMISSION
feat. DJ Jake Rudh
First Avenue
Mon 12/31/2018 (7pm/$15)
first-avenue.com

Celebrate New Year with a New Year Eve party over the Transmission (aka DJ Jake Rudh) at First Avenue.

The theme promises “80s Prom”.

The super early-bird sale price of $10 is long gone, but you can still get in for $15 (price will go up closer to the date).

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

Rocktober: October 10 to October 11, 2018

Vaccines at Fine Line Read More The Vaccines The Vaccines. The band recently released a new EP called Melody Calling, which came out two weeks ago (August 13th). I have been listening to the EP and I can tell.…

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from October 10 to October 11, 2018.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

THE VACCINES
+ Jesse Jo Stark
Fine Line Music Cafe
Wed 10/10/2018 (7pm/$23)
finelinemusic.com

We love The Vaccines. The UK band will be back in the city at the Fine Line Music Café (now run by First Avenue) and will be playing some tracks from their fourth studio album Combat Sports.

If you haven’t seen them, the band is known for a great live show (winning BRIT Award nominations for Best Live Act and Best New Artist) and their songs are really short and catchy.

Singer/songwriter Jesse Jo Stark will open.

Tour dates:

09/30/2018 Teragram Ballroom Los Angeles, CA
10/01/2018 Teragram Ballroom Los Angeles, CA
10/02/2018 Slim's San Francisco, CA
10/04/2018 The Crocodile Seattle, WA
10/05/2018 Dante's Portland, OR
10/07/2018 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT
10/08/2018 Larimer Lounge Denver, CO
10/10/2018 Fine Line Music Cafe Minneapolis, MN
10/14/2018 The Sinclair Cambridge, MA
10/15/2018 Music Hall Brooklyn, NY
10/16/2018 Music Hall Brooklyn, NY

Other shows in the area:

J Balvin 2018 Tour Oh Sees: Smote Reverser Junglepussy 2018 Tour Dreamers at Garage Trevor Powers at Turf Club Read More J. Balvin Billboard Latin Music 2015 Conference & Awards recently announced that Columbian reggaeton singer J. Balvin will be joining them in Miami on April 27-30 for the "The New Latin Urban Movement" panel. … Thee Oh Sees In advance of a transcontinental North American tour co-headlining with Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees will play at the Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina. They take the late slot at the Contemporary Art Museum on … Dreamers Dreamers to open. The Brooklyn-birthed band’s debut This Album Does Not Exist will drop August 26 via Fairfax Recordings. The record was co-produced by Kevin Augunas … Morgxn Touring with Grey will be Los Angeles based artist Morgxn (stylized as morgxn), on his very first tour. Morgxn is excited, saying “I think the universe opened up for me in that moment... … Weathers Weathers (singer/rhythm guitarist Cameron Boyer, guitarist Cameron Olsen, bassist Brennen Bates, and drummer Cole Carson) also on the bill. The Los Angeles-based …

J BALVIN
+ Michael Brun, Mr Eazi
Armory
Wed 10/10/2018 (6:30pm/$67)
armorymn.com

J Balvin will be stopping by the Armory on Wednesday, October 10th. Opening will be Michael Brun and Nigerian native Mr Eazi. Mr Eazi gained international success with hits such as “Skintight” and, recently, “Property.”

Tour dates:

09/23 Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
09/26 Salt Lake City, UT @ Vivint Smart Home Arena
10/03 Laredo, TX @ Sames Auto Arena
10/04 Sugar Land, TX @ Smart Financial Centre
10/05 Irving, TX @ The Pavilion
10/07 San Antonio, TX @ Freeman Coliseum
10/10 Minneapolis, MN @ Armory
10/11 Milwaukee, WI @ Wisconsin Entertainment
10/14 Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
10/18 Boston, MA @ Agganis Arena
10/19 Reading, PA @ The Santander Arena
10/20 Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
10/21 Fairfax, VA @ EagleBank Arena
10/24 Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
10/25 Nashville, TN @ Nashville Municipal Aud
10/28 Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena

OH SEES
+ Blaha
First Avenue
Thu 10/11/2018 (7pm/$20)
first-avenue.com

Hopefully this is the last and final name for San Francisco’s Oh Sees. The band previously called themselves Thee Oh Sees, and before that The Oh Sees, The Ohsees, OCS (Orange County Sound), and Orinoka Crash Suite.

I know, unique band names are hard.

The Oh Sees’ latest Smote Reverser is out now.

Blaha (aka Mike Blaha from The Blind Shake), will open.

Tour dates:

10/2/2018 Great American Music Hall San Francisco , CA
10/3/2018 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
10/5/2018 Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
10/6/2018 Neumos Seattle, WA
10/7/2018 Neumos Seattle, WA
10/8/2018 Stage 112 Missoula, MT
10/11/2018 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
10/12/2018 Thalia Hall Chicago, IL
10/13/2018 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH
10/14/2018 Danforth Theater Toronto, ON
10/15/2018 Le National Montreal, PQ
10/17/2018 Warsaw Brooklyn, NY
10/18/2018 Warsaw Brooklyn, NY
10/19/2018 Warsaw Brooklyn, NY

JUNGLEPUSSY
+ DJ Shannon Blowtorch
Loring Pasta Bar
Thu 10/11/2018 (9pm/$18)
loringbarrestaurant.com

New York’s Junglepussy is touring for the new album JP3, and she’ll be stopping by the Loring Pasta Bar in Minneapolis on Thursday, October 11th.

Tour dates:

9/25 - Studio - Houston, TX
9/26 - CATIL - Austin, TX
9/27 - Trees - Dallas, TX
10/1 - Constellation Room - Santa Ana, CA
10/2 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA
10/3 - Slims - San Francisco
10/4 - Star Theater - Portland, OR
10/7 - Fortune Soundclub - Vancouver, BC
10/11 - Loring - Minneapolis, MN
10/13 - Chop Shop - Chicago, IL
10/14 - Magic Stick - Detroit, MI
10/15 - Adelaide Hall - Toronto, ON
10/17 - The Foundry - Philadelphia, PA

DREAMERS
+ Morgxn, Weathers
The Garage
Thu 10/11/2018 (5:30pm/$13)
thegaragemn.com

Los Angeles-via-Brooklyn trio Dreamers will be headlining the Garage in Burnsville, Minnesota, on October 11th.

Morgxn and Weathers to open.

Tour dates:

09/24 | Nashville, TN | Exit In
09/25 | Atlanta, GA | Club Hall
09/26 | Charlotte, NC | The Underground
09/27 | Washington, DC | Union Stage
09/30 | Boston, MA | Brighton Music Hall
10/1 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom
10/2 | Philadelphia, PA | Voltage Lounge
10/4 | Pittsburgh, PA | Spirit Hall
10/5 | Columbus, OH | The Basement
10/6 | Detroit, MI | The Shelter
10/8 | Cincinnati, OH | 20th Century
10/10 | Chicago, IL | Lincoln Hall
10/11 | Burnsville, MN | The Garage
10/12 | Lawrence, KS | Granada
10/13 | Omaha, NE | Slowdown
10/15 | Denver, CO | Marquis Theatre
10/16 | Salt Lake City, UT | Kilby Court
10/17 | Missoula, MT | Top Hat Lounge
10/18 | Missoula, MT | Top Hat Lounge
10/20 | Portland, OR | Hawthorne Theatre

TREVOR POWERS
+ Cormac Roth
Turf Club
Thu 10/11/2018 (7:30pm/$15)
turfclub.net

Boise musician, producer, and composer Trevor Powers is headlining the Turf Club in St Paul in support of Mulberry Violence (Baby Halo).

Tour dates:

09/26 Boise, ID - Neurolux
09/27 Seattle, WA - Barboza
09/28 Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret
09/29 Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
10/01 San Francisco, CA - Independent
10/03 Los Angeles, CA - Lodge Room
10/05 Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall
10/06 Denver, CO - Lost Lake
10/08 Kansas City, MO - Encore at Uptown
10/09 Omaha, NE - The Slowdown
10/11 Minneapolis, MN - Turf Club
10/12 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
10/13 Detroit, MI - Underground at DIME
10/14 Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
10/16 Boston, MA - Great Scott
10/17 Brooklyn, NY - National Sawdust
10/18 Philadelphia, PA - Boot and Saddle
10/19 Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall

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

Minneapolis: September 22 to September 23, 2017

Here are some concerts taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from September 22 to September 23, 2017.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Dan Wilson Singer-songwriter/producer Dan Wilson proves you can go home again. As a Tax Day treat for Minneapolis residents, local record store The Electric Fetus hosted Wilson for a free in-store performance on this...

DAN WILSON
at Fitzgerald Theater
Friday 09/22/2017 (7pm/$45.50)
fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org

Dan Wilson’s Re-Covered is out now. The unique album finds the Grammy-winning songwriter reinterpreting songs from his past, including a re-interpretation of his Semisonic band’s hit song ‘Closing Time’.

If you follow Wilson’s career, after Semisonic, he started writing hit songs for other artists, such as songs for Taylor Swift (‘Treacherous’) and Adele (‘Someone Like You’)… so, for the first time, we get to hear how Wilson would approach his own songs.

In addition to the album, there is also a deluxe edition CD with hardcover book, which contains drawings, essays, lyrics, and songwriting observations about all those songs he’s written.

The tour kicks off next Friday, September 22nd, at the Fitzgerald Theater in St Paul.

Tour dates:

9/22: St. Paul, MN - Fitzgerald Theater
9/23: Chicago, IL - City Winery
9/27: Boston, MA - City Winery
9/28: New York, NY - City Winery
9/30: Nashville, TN - City Winery
10/20: Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
10/21: San Francisco, CA - Swedish American Music Hall

Read More Joseph Portland's Joseph are three sisters, Natalie, Allison, and Meegan. They harmonize as only very close family members can achieve. Songs on their set included tracks from Native Dreamer Kin, which came out early in March 2014. …

JOSEPH
at First Avenue
Saturday 09/23/2017 (7pm/$20)
first-avenue.com

All sisters band Joseph (named after their grandfather) is returning to Minneapolis at First Avenue’s mainroom this Saturday. Their new seven-track EP, Stay Awake is available on ATO Records. The collection features some demos, singles, and covers of Tears For Fears’ ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ and the Rolling Stones’ ‘Moonlight Mile’.

We previously caught the sisters (Natalie, Allison, and Meegan) in 2014 and noted that they have great harmonizing vocals.

Bailen, also a sibling band (twins David and Daniel and their sister Julia) will open the show.

Joseph - North American Tour Dates

9/17 - Burlington, VT @ Grand Point North Festival
9/19 - Ottawa, ON @ Babylon *
9/20 - Toronto, ON @ Mod Club *
9/22 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *
9/23 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue *
9/24 - Franklin, TN @ Pilgrimage Music
9/26 - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre #
9/27 - Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi #
9/29 - Birmingham, AL @ Iron City #
9/30 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West #
10/1 - Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall #
10/2 - Ponte Vedra, FL @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall #
10/4 - New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina's #
10/6 - Austin, TX @ Antone's #
10/7 - Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
10/8 - Dallas, TX @ Tree's #
10/10 - Albuquerque, NM @ KiMo Theatre #
10/12 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom #
10/13 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre #
11/18 - Mexico City, MX @ Corona Capitol

* Bailen opening
# Liza Anne opening

Read More Wild Cub Closer Wild Cub Special guest Nashville-based indie quintet Wild Cub will open the show. Tour dates: 11/02/14 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues … Parade of Lights Los Angeles/Las Vegas alt-electro band Parade of Lights got the evening started with a buoyant set of fresh songs, culled from their two EPs the latest called Golden, was just released on .…

WILD CUB
at Triple Rock Social Club
Saturday 09/23/2017 (7pm/$16)
triplerocksocialclub.com

Wild Cub is playing the Triple Rock Social Club on Saturday, September 23rd, in support of their sophomore album Closer (Mom+Pop).

The last time the band was in town, they opened up for Bleachers in 2014… this time with Closer the band is headlining.

Show up early to check out Parade Of Lights. We caught the electro-rock quartet in 2015 and wrote, “Singer Ryan Daly’s hair has even turned golden since we last saw them, with keys/synth player Michelle Ashley bringing plenty of enthusiasm while bass player Randy Schulte and drummer Anthony Improgo ably held up the back end. For whatever reason, this band that plays bright, sunny electro, was lit as dimly as London’s Underground during the blitz, making for a strange dichotomy that seemed counter to their music, though the songs themselves, remain irresistible.”

Should be a great night of music.

Tour Dates:

9/22 Kansas City, MO The Riot Room
9/23 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock Social Club
9/25 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
9/27 Columbus, OH A&R Music Bar
9/29 Washington, DC DC9 Nightclub
9/30 Philadelphia, PA The Foundry
10/1 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall
10/4 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom

All dates with Parade Of Lights

Read More Mandolin Orange We caught Mandolin Orange's very first time in Minnesota in 2012. Thankfully that was in July and not January, otherwise the duo might not have decided to come back next, next Sunday, May 31st. ... The Yawpers What are you doing on Black Friday? Head over to the 7th Street Entry to check out Denver’s The Yawpers is currently on tour in support of their new album American Man (Bloodshot Records). ... Babes in Toyland Since I love all-things Riot Grrrls, naturally I wanted to check out Babes in Toyland live. A little trivia, but the legendary Minneapolis band actually fired bassist Courtney Love in 1987. She, of course …

Other shows in the area:

09/22/2017 We saw Mandolin Orange’s very first Minneapolis show in 2012. This time, the band is headlining the Fine Line Music Café this Friday, September 22nd. Rachel Baiman to open for this show, but starting September 27 Bluegass musician Dori Freeman will be joining the band on tour. 8pm, $16.

09/22/2017 Penny and Sparrow (aka Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke) is currently on tour in support of their new album Wendigo. The record just came out September 1st. The duo will be stopping by Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant on Friday, September 22nd. Lowland Hum to open. 7pm, $20.

09/22/2017 The Yawpers has a new album Boy in a Well on Bloodshot Records. They’ll be previewing some of those songs on this upcoming show at the 7th Street Entry on Friday. The Person & The People will open. 8pm, $12.

09/22/2017 Everybody’s favorite riot punk band Babes in Toyland is headlining First Avenue’s mainroom. Porcupine and Bruise Violet to open. 8pm, $20.

09/22/2017 Denver-based roots quintet Trout Steak Revival is playing the Turf Club on September 22nd. Jack Klatt Trio to open. 8pm, $12.

09/23/2017 SurlyFest 2017 is this Saturday at Surly Brewing Co… rain or shine! Lineup: Dr. Kielbasa, Black-eyed Snakes, Black Market Brass, Heiruspecs, 4ontheFloor, DJ Shannon Blowtorch, and Caroline Smith. 11am, Free

09/23/2017 Astrid S has sold out her upcoming 7th Street Entry show in Minneapolis. Jasmine Thompson will open. Please note that the all-ages show starts at 4pm! 4pm, $15/Sold Out.

09/23/2017 Rise Against with Pierce The Veil and White Lung are playing at the Skyway Theatre on Saturday. 6pm, $37.50.

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

The Current's 12th Birthday Party at First Avenue, Minneapolis (28 Jan 2017)

Haley Bonar Setlist Hometown Your Mom Is Right Stupid Face I Can Change Heaven's Made for Two No Sensitive Man Skynz Better Than Me From a Cage Leo Kismet Kill Last War -- Encore -- Down Sunny Roads Called You Queen Read More The Current The annual The Current show is taking place next week: starting with Duluth's Low as headliner. Also on the bills are local favorites, John Mark Nelson (who previously appeared on . .... Haley Bonar Since 2003 The Size of Planets, Haley Bonar has been the staple Minneapolis singer/songwriter for years, even when she moved to Portland, Oregon, in 2009! … The Lemon Twigs I’m not going to lie, but the biggest buzz band I’ve seen in a long time, has got to be The Lemon Twigs. Almost immediately, the dancefloor was filled to the walls of curious . .... Sam Roberts Band M For Montreal's annual SXSW showcase is taking place March 13th at Maggie Mae's (323 E. 6th Street), in collaboration with Planet Quebec! DOWNSTAIRS 1AM – Sam Roberts Band . .... Monica LaPlante Local musician Monica LaPlante opened up the show, fifteen minutes fashionably late. The band was in the Halloween spirit, dressing up as a reverse Robert Palmer and his voluptuous band. . ....

Local radio station 89.3 The Current just celebrated their 12th anniversary last week (January 27th and 28th). Although the station plays popular alternative modern music, they also proudly support the local music scene.

Friday’s show featured Jeremy Messersmith, Portland’s Joseph (the all sister act named after their grandfather), Strand of Oaks (aka Tim Showalter), Black Market Brass, and Jay Smart.

For the Saturday sold out show, we’re treated with local Monica LaPlante, starting right on time at 7:30pm (unlike the last time we saw them).

LaPlante is a real favorite at the Current, who had the band in for some local sessions and interview when they were promoting their new album Noir (Hollander Records). Of course, LaPlante expressed that the entire band was “thrilled to be here.”

Their set was similar to their October 2016 show, including the first two songs ‘Fragile’ and ‘Can’t Stop’, but ending the show with ‘Hope You're Alone’.

They also played a brand new song in the middle of their set (although they confessed that they played that new song a few nights ago at the Triple Rock Social Club show with Royal Brat).

In between bands, DJ Shannon Blowtorch (Grrrl Prty) handled the playlist. Her music choices were mostly from the 90s, including some fan-favorite Prince medleys.

Next up was The Sam Roberts Band. The Canadian band is actually on tour with Hollerado (who was playing next door at the smaller 7th Street Entry), but the Current requested the Sam Roberts Band to play the main room.

The band started their set with ‘FIEND’, a song they often save for the encore, but considering that they love playing the song, and with a shorter opening set, they decided to put that song up front first.

Before they played ‘Shapeshifters’ from Lo-Fantasy, the band said they were all tuned into The Current on their long drive from Canada.

Jade and Mary Lucia gave Zuluzuluu a nice intro. Jade said that the first time she heard them, she had to book them at any given opportunity. With that, Zuluzuluu played a few track from their The Cover Up album, including ‘On Our Way’.

We previously saw the band with Femi Kuti on July 2016 and wrote that it’s a projected fronted by Greg Grease.

Brian Oake and Jill Riley introduced their new favorites The Lemon Twigs, who are currently touring with Nashville’s Savoy Motel (playing next door with Hollerado). We’ve seen the band before, and noted that they drew in a huge crowd, thanks to the buzz that the Current generated for this young band.

Shortly after playing their first song, ‘I Wanna Prove to You’, they realized that they broke their bass drum pedal (which, surprisingly was not the first time this happened to the band). The First Avenue staff was quick to bring them another pedal, so the whole ordeal was actually pretty painless as they transitioned to ‘Haroomata’ and ‘These Words’.

Like the last time we saw them in October 2016, they had a harmonizing moment in their set before the two brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario switched instruments and pick up their pace.

Before Haley Bonar closed out the night, everybody currently working at the Current were on stage, standing behind Mark Wheat, who gave us a nice speech about the Current and how important the radio station is to everyone.

Wheat mentioned that Bonar started in South Dakota, transplanted to Duluth, and eventually settled to St Paul... but there was a dark moment as he said she moved to Portland. Anyway, what’s important is that she’s back in Minnesota, and her new album Impossible Dream is one of our favorite from 2016.

Bonar started her set with the fitting song, ‘Hometown’, and went through almost everything off Impossible Dream (‘Your Mom Is Right’, ‘Stupid Face’, ‘I Can Change’, ‘Skynz’, ‘Better Than Me’, ‘Kismet Kill’). She didn’t play my favorite song ‘Queen of Everything’, but instead offered another queen song entitled ‘Called You Queen’ from the new album.

Like Mark Wheat said, The Current is important to Minnesota, and we love what they do for local musicians.

Monica LaPlante

Sam Roberts Band

Zuluzuluu

The Lemon Twigs

Haley Bonar

Haley Bonar at First Ave, Minneapolis (28 Jan 2017)

The Current's 12th Birthday Party at First Ave, Minneapolis (28 Jan 2017)

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

Jamie Lidell at CB2 After Hours, Minneapolis (10 Nov 2016)

Jamie Lidell Setlist Multiply Walk Right Back Find It Hard to Say Another Day A Little Bit More Building a Beginning Me and You Nothing's Gonna Change When I Come Back Around -- Encore -- Little Bit of Feel Good CB2 After Hours Upcoming Events 11/17/16 – Los Angeles, CA LIVE DJ Set featuring Mark Ronson, 8:00-10:00PM Superstar DJ and producer known for his throwback soul and funk-influenced sounds. Limited space available. Parking validated. 8000 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90046 11/28/16 – Brooklyn, NY CB2 After Hours Concert with Michael Kiwanuka, 7-9PM Acoustic blues-folk sound and a timeless soulful voice. Rough Trade 64 N. 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249 All shows Free: Drinks, Food. Photo Booth. Totes. 21+/Limited Space Available. Entrance based on capacity. Arrive as early as possible. Read More Jamie Lidell Lidell's highly-anticipated self-titled album just came out today (February 19th) on Warp Records. The lead single is called "You Naked", and you can watch the video on YouTube. ..…

An electronica-soul dance party breaking out in the middle of a lifestyle furnishings store?!—

That’s exactly what happened as Cambridgeshire, UK (now Nashvillian) soul singer and electronic musician Jamie Lidell came to town for the inaugural local installment of CB2 After Hours, an evening series of special events at Crate and Barrel offshoot store, CB2.

In addition to the live performance, invite-confirming guests also enjoyed complimentary appetizers, beverages, photo booth pictures, and commemorative tote bags.

To get things started, area DJ Shannon Blowtorch kept things moving with her signature blend of beats and songs, both old and new, as the less than one hundred people in attendance enjoyed the evening and milled about the closed to the public store.

Lidell and talented guitarist Marcus Machado then took to the stage for their hour-long set, in support of latest album, Building a Beginning (on Jajulin/Kobalt Records), which just came out last month and marks his seventh studio release.

He re-acquainted himself with the audience by starting with his breakout song, 2005’s ‘Multiply’ which first showcased his DIY band sound and English soulful vocals.

‘Walk Right Back’ from the new album was next, an example of the record’s less electronic and more essential soul sound, with drummer Daryl Jones’ beats captured on laptop to be reproduced live.  This was the first time Lidell and Machado had played this stripped down, and Lidell wanted the crowd even closer, even though the setting was plenty intimate.

‘Another Day’ has taken on additional meaning, with the addition of Lidell’s one year-old son, and ‘A Little Bit More’ is still best known on these shores as soundtrack for a Target commercial.  Lidell pointed to the pertinence of songs like his new ‘Me and You’, in light of all the recent political events and unrest, saying “I can’t even vote here”, but asking people to make a difference in their own way.

‘Nothing’s Gonna Change’ evoked ‘70’s-era Marvin Gaye with its deep beats and looped soul harmonies, and Lidell would eventually break any metaphorical barriers between he and the crowd, by jumping down and singing with a few people in the front.

Although unplanned, applause and crowd shouts added an impromptu encore of ‘Little Bit of Feel Good’ showcasing Lidell’s abilities of layering tracks made with his voice into a microphone and performing the percussion and melody as a sequenced, beatboxing one-man band, as Machado strummed along rhythmically.

CB2 continues its establishment of cool with a couple other interesting events in other markets and based on its inaugural event locally in Minneapolis, we hope the series continues in this metro, as well.

DJ Shannon Blowtorch

Setlist

Jamie Lidell

Jamie Lidell

Jamie Lidell

Jamie Lidell at CB2 After Hours in Uptown, Minneapolis (10 Nov 2016)

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

Doomtree at CHS Field, St. Paul (19 August 2016)

Setlist No Way Uh Huh (Sims song) Grime (Cecil Otter song) Slow Burn (Sims/Mike Mictlan song) Punch-Out Black Rose (Cecil Otter song) Prizefight (Mike Mictlan w/ Lazerbeak song) Bangarang Doomtree Tour Dates 09/09/16 Dubh Linn Irish Pub Duluth, MN 09/10/16 Sanctuary Events Center Fargo, ND 09/17/16 Middle Waves 2016 Fort Wayne, IN P.O.S. Tour Dates 08/24/16 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN 09/24/16 Downtown Long Beach Long Beach, CA 09/24/16 Music Tastes Good Festival! Dessa Tour Dates 08/25/16 Wellmont Theatre Montclair, NJ 09/03/16 Red Herring Lounge Duluth, MN 09/09/16 O'Shaughnessy, St. Paul, MN 04/15/17 Orchestra Hall Minneapolis, MN 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. ....

Half a band, half a set, and drenching rain… but it didn’t matter- Doomtree was in the building.

The event was part of the celebration of the formal announcement so many local sports fans had waited for as the Minnesota United FC soccer team, was moving from the North American Soccer League (NASL) to the much larger Major League Soccer.

A $200+ million-dollar soccer-specific stadium that seats 21,500 in St Paul is due to break ground to be ready in 2018, with the team playing at TCF Bank Stadium until their building is ready.  After speeches by team owner Bill McGuire, Mayor Chris Coleman, and others, the music was set to begin.

DJ Shannon Blowtorch spun the tunes in-between, playfully crafting a mash-up of Milli Vanelli’s ‘Blame it on the Rain’ and Eurythmics’ ‘Here Comes the Rain Again’ as the rain continued to come down and Doomtree members Sims, Cecil Otter, Mike Mictlan, and Lazerbeak took to the stage.

The collective was missing a few members due to other commitments, but the faithful were still there to support as the quartet broke into opener ‘No Way’ and beginning lyric, “We got cracks in our armor, got cracks in the ceiling” as the rain worsened, saying  “It’s always raining when we’re playing outside”.

“I’m gonna do one song in the rain” Sims declared after getting security to remove all the stage barriers, jumping into the middle of the soaked crowd for the rapid-fire lyrical spitting of his ‘Uh Huh’.  Cecil Otter took the spotlight next with ‘Grime’ and its dark but memorable lyric, “We’re lying in a minefield of dreams.  We count those sheep as they scream”.

Sims returned with ‘Slow Burn’ as he and Mike Mictlan stalked the stage as the rain continued and had now somewhat dangerously collected on the roof of the stage, causing the tented ceiling in two areas, to severely buckle.

Stage crew noticed this and frantically used the bottom end of music stands and anything else they could find, to literally try and raise the roof to push the water off, all as the band continued.  “Have you ever seen a breach birth before? – it’s about to happen”, they said, looking at the swelling ceiling.

After a searing ‘Prizefight’, the set ended and their promise of “we’ll see you again- hopefully” came true sooner than later, as the scheduled second set was cancelled (as was Astronautalis’ performance) but the collective quickly returned to the stage for a single-song encore of ‘Bangarang’, as people shook off the drenching rain by head bobbing or moving and dancing to the song.

Though rain in some superstitions is considered a sign of good luck to come- a symbol of new starts, unity and renewal, which fans hope it translates to a successful soccer team and season;  luck wasn’t on the side of music fans on this day, just hoping for a longer and additional set from Doomtree.

Shannon Blowtorch

Lazerbeak

Cecil Otter

Mike Mictlan

Sims

Doomtree at CHS Field, St. Paul (19 August 2016)

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

Rocktober: October 15, 2015

Read More Peaches Peaches, in her bold style, exclaimed, "We're Peaches & Gonzales. We were personally asked by Elastica to open up the show!" That got my attention, I mean, why would Elastica go out of their way … Deap Vally The so-called "Moon Block Party presents Deap Vally & Friends" shows will start on September 16 in Seattle and ending on a boat cruise with Lynyrd Skynyrd. …

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area on October 15, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

PEACHES
at First Avenue
Thursday, 10/15/2015, 7:30pm ($15)
first-avenue.com

This is a true story, but after I saw Peaches in September 2000, I had to see her again. Between the period of 2000 and 2002, we must have seen her at least four times! Every time she would appear, she had gained a bigger audience (and we started to recognize some of the same people at these shows!)

Peaches is currently tour in support of her latest album Rub (I U She Music).

Our favorite ladies Deap Vally (who we saw in June 2014 and June 2013) and Shannon Blowtorch (who we just saw in September 2014) will open the show.

Tour dates:

10/15/15 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
10/16/15 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
10/17/15 Chicago, IL Metro / Smart Bar
10/18/15 Pontiac, MI Crofoot Ballroom
10/20/15 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert
10/21/15 Montreal, QC S.A.T.
10/23/15 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
10/24/15 New York, NY Irving Plaza
10/25/15 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theatre
10/26/15 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
10/28/15 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
10/29/15 Atlanta, GA Terminal West
10/31/15 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jacks
11/04/15 Houston, TX Numbers
11/06/15 Fun Fun Fun Fest
11/07/15 Dallas, TX Trees
11/09/15 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall
11/10/15 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
11/11/15 Las Vegas, NV Brooklyn Bowl
11/13/15 Los Angeles, CA Regent Theater

Read More MS MR NYC duo MS MR came to Minneapolis “for the first time as a band and as people” ...and ‘rocked it like a ‘Hurricane’. ‘Hurricane’, of course, refers to their infectious single of the same name… Jack Garratt British singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Jack Garratt is currently on tour with Mumford and Sons, but on his off days with the massive band, he's booked a few smaller side gigs - including one at 7th …

MS MR
at Varsity Theater
Thursday, 10/15/2015, 6:30pm ($26)
varsitytheater.org

We just previously caught New York's MS MR at Go Fest 2015 in August... and with only two months, the band is back. This upcoming show is also sponsored by Go 96.3... so they have a special deal, if you put in "GO" on the code line, your ticket price is only $9.63 (additional details on go963mn.com).

Opening will be Jack Garratt, who we just saw also in August 2015. With only eight written songs, Garratt had to carry the headlining burden, so he was incredibly nervous (and grateful!) for seeing so many strangers coming to see him play live. Hopefully, as an opener, the weight of a full-length show will be lifted.

Tour dates:

10/10 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
10/12 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
10/15 – Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
10/17 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
10/19 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
10/20 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre*
10/21 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom*
10/23 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre*
10/25 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues*
10/27 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern*
11/06 – Brighton, UK – The Arch
11/07 – Manchester, UK – Club Academy
11/08 – Glasgow – Art School
11/10 – London, UK – Electric Brixton
11/12 – Brussels, Belgium – Orangerie
11/13 – Paris, France – Trabendo
11/14 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg
11/16 – Zurich, Switzerland – X-Tra
11/17 – Munich, Germany – Technikum
11/18 – Frankfurt, Germany – Batschkapp
11/19 – Cologne, Germany – Gloria
11/21 – Hamburg, Germany – Mojo

* w/ Jack Garratt, Tigertown

Read More Great Good Fine OK In contrast, Brooklyn's Great Good Fine Ok had a slightly longer 40-min set. Highlight of their set, was midway into their song ‘By My Side’ as Luke "the Shredmaster" Moellman … Girlpool Los Angeles duo Girlpool (Cleo Tucker on guitars and Harmony Tividad on bass) have recently shared their song "Alone At The Show", taken from the The Le Sigh Vol. II …

VARIOUS ARTISTS
at Various Venues
Thursday, 10/15/2015
news.weheartmusic.com

As usual, there are too many shows in Rocktober.

Additional shows on this date:

Vacationer is headlining the 7th Street Entry. We previously saw Vacationer in February 2012. Great Good Fine OK to open.. we previously saw them in March 2015 (7:30pm/$13).

Los Angeles' Girlpool to arrive at Triple Rock Social Club. Locals Kitten Forever and Half Tramp will open (8pm/$10).

Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, aka Dan + Shay will be at Mill City Nights. Kelsea Ballerini to open (7:30pm/$29.50).

Jazz, funk, rock, samba, Afro-beat, Gypsy brass band MarchFourth! is playing Cedar Cultural Center. Sister Species to open (7:30pm/$18).

Chance the Rapper is headlining the Myth. Metro Boomin, D.R.A.M, and Towkio to open (6:30pm/$39.95).

Ed Schrader's Music Beat will be at Turf Club. Special guests Yoni Yum, Animal Lover, Weakwick, and Gay Henry, to appear (8pm/$8).

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