Looking Back: July 2015

Read More Weezer Weezer's singer Rivers Cuomo brought out his dad, Frank Cuomo, and they play "Back to the Shack". One of the most touching things I have witness in my many years of watching Weezer shows. …

Here is the wrap-up for last month: July 2015.

The Minneapolis summer festivals officially kicked off last month with Rock the Garden, and continues into July with the biggest music festival of July: Basilica Block Party and Vans Warped Tour. Personally speaking, this year's Basilica had a killer lineup with headliner Weezer and Nate Ruess (of fun.).

Traditionally, July has always been a slow month for music, speaking from personal experience - shows in July don't have the best attendance. I believe people go on vacation, travelling, living out on their cabins, or don't want to leave their air conditioned home. The shows that do really, really well are early outdoor shows - for example the Cabooze Outdoor Plaza shows (which we only attended the Switchfoot/Needtobreathe show).

Older, established bands who know their market prefer to tour Minneapolis in the Summer were: Toad the Wet Sprocket (who had a side show in Minneapolis from their regular tour with Smash Mouth), Say Anything (who was experimenting with a four-piece orchestra on their set), Indigo Girls (a nice reunion of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers), Veruca Salt (their second appearance in Minneapolis after reuniting with all the original members), Flock Of Seagulls (at the second annual Ribfest in Mystic Lake), and Everclear (with Toadies on their annual 90s revival Summerland Tour).

Other highlight in July: Blur's first show in Australia in 18 years took place July 25th in Sydney. Freezepop making a semi-rare Midwest appearance at the Nether Bar on July 18th.

Also what a great way to end July with soul music at the Secret Stash Revue at First Avenue. The show featured Sonny Knight and the Lakers, Wanda Davis, and others.

Below are links to all 33 shows we covered in June 2015.

• 07/01 Mates of State at Turf Club • 07/02 Owl City at Oake on the Water • 07/04 Blue Coupe at Taste of MN • 07/08 Toad the Wet Sprocket at Mill • 07/08 Sam Dew at the Echo • 07/09 Lenka at the Cedar • 07/10 Basilica Block Party • 07/11 Head East at Fun Fest • 07/12 Graham Parker at Brit's Pub • 07/17 Say Anything at First Ave • 07/17 Indigo Girls at MN Zoo • 07/18 Freezepop at Nether Bar • 07/18 Widowspeak at GA Theatre • 07/19 Lydia Loveless at Turf Club • 07/20 Ex Hex at Triple Rock • 07/21 Lower Dens at 7th Street • 07/21 Ryn Weaver at Triple Rock

• 07/23 Veruca Salt at the Cedar • 07/24 This Will Destroy You at Varsity • 07/24 Lazyeyes at 7th Street • 07/24 Needtobreathe at Cabooze • 07/25 Blur at Qantas, Sydney • 07/25 Sage Francis at First Ave • 07/25 Tour de Fat at Loring Park • 07/25 On An On at Icehouse • 07/26 Frankie Teardrop at Triple • 07/26 Flock Of Seagulls at Ribfest • 07/26 BulletBoys at G.B. Leighton • 07/27 Gary Louris at Loring Park • 07/29 Zella Day at 7th Street • 07/29 Ringo Deathstarr at Turf Club • 07/30 Summerland Tour at Mill City • 07/31 Secret Stash Revue at First Ave

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