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Virginia’s Sleepwalkers just finished wrapping up their tour with the popular The Lumineers.
Sleepwalkers formed in the winter of 2013, between brothers Austin and Michael York, with friends Alex DeJong and Mike “Sweats Magnum” Bryant. They quickly release Merry Christmas in 2013, with a follow up single ‘Crisis (Boys Club)’ with b-side ‘Prey & Pressure’. By Summer 2014, they had recorded their debut record Greenwood Shade (Shoebox Treasure).
Unfortunately, the long tour took a toll on the band, as some band members (got sick from the night before) on the last night of the tour:
It’s also really tough to be first band on the bill, as when Sleepwalkers took the stage, people were still outside in long lines trying to get in. The main reason for this is a heightened focus on securities in light of the recent murder of Christina Grimmie and the recent Orlando terrorist shooting. Fans had to go through metal detectors and so often gives off detections (due to belt buckets, metal jewelries, etc), so it forced the staff to pat down their patrons. The fact is, many of these fans will end up missing the opening band(s).
Also, I think the main problem with Sleepwalkers is their common band name. Doing a quick search, you would discover other similar-named bands: The Sleepwalkers from Milwaukee, The Sleepwalkers Band from New York City, Sleepwalkers from Bristol, and Sleepwalker from Austin (and randomly a great idea: Sleepwalker Sleeping Bag).
I have seen these scenarios before, and one or two things usually happen... They change their name, buy out (or in some cases, send cease and desist letters) the other bands, or do nothing and hope for the best.
P.S., Apologies to Soak. and The Lumineers (who headlined the Roy Wilkins Auditorium last Tuesday in St Paul, June 14th) as we were not given permission to photograph the bands. Normally, I try and cover everyone on the bill, but because of the nature and strict camera policies of the Roy Wilkins, we had to leave the premises to put away our gear. It just proved too troublesome to go back and forth to my vehicle (which would have taken 30 minutes in heavy rain), so I made the decision to not come back for the remainder of the show.
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Sleepwalkers |
Unfortunately, the long tour took a toll on the band, as some band members (got sick from the night before) on the last night of the tour:
With great regret, we unfortunately are unable to play tonight at Schuba’s in Chicago due to an illness in the band. It breaks our hearts. We will try our best to reschedule as soon as possible.
The rescheduling information would be great, as that may mean the band will come back as either a headliner or support act on some club-size venues. That would be perfect to see the band on a more intimate setting, compared to these oversized-stadium-type venues with the Lumineers. As much playing in front of a large crowd would benefit Sleepwalkers, you do get the sense that the (new-ish) band was not quite comfortable playing these big venues.
It’s also really tough to be first band on the bill, as when Sleepwalkers took the stage, people were still outside in long lines trying to get in. The main reason for this is a heightened focus on securities in light of the recent murder of Christina Grimmie and the recent Orlando terrorist shooting. Fans had to go through metal detectors and so often gives off detections (due to belt buckets, metal jewelries, etc), so it forced the staff to pat down their patrons. The fact is, many of these fans will end up missing the opening band(s).
Also, I think the main problem with Sleepwalkers is their common band name. Doing a quick search, you would discover other similar-named bands: The Sleepwalkers from Milwaukee, The Sleepwalkers Band from New York City, Sleepwalkers from Bristol, and Sleepwalker from Austin (and randomly a great idea: Sleepwalker Sleeping Bag).
I have seen these scenarios before, and one or two things usually happen... They change their name, buy out (or in some cases, send cease and desist letters) the other bands, or do nothing and hope for the best.
P.S., Apologies to Soak. and The Lumineers (who headlined the Roy Wilkins Auditorium last Tuesday in St Paul, June 14th) as we were not given permission to photograph the bands. Normally, I try and cover everyone on the bill, but because of the nature and strict camera policies of the Roy Wilkins, we had to leave the premises to put away our gear. It just proved too troublesome to go back and forth to my vehicle (which would have taken 30 minutes in heavy rain), so I made the decision to not come back for the remainder of the show.
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Sleepwalkers at Roy Wilkins Auditorium, St Paul (14 Jun 2016) |
