W♥M (Archive)

R.I.P. Leah LaBelle (American Idol)

Read More American Idol Stand exists somewhere between Vertical Horizon and American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry, except more Irish and less knit hats. ...

Ex-NBA player Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah LaBelle, were both killed in a car crash outside of Marshalls in Studio City, California.

According to TMZ Sports, Butler was driving and lost control of his Range Rover around 2 AM, struck a parking meter and slammed into a wall. The car flipped.

R&B singer Leah LaBelle appeared on American Idol, and currently signed to Epic Records. LaBelle was 31.

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

January (71)

[31 Jan 2018] Leah LaBelle (Canadian-born American singer on American Idol), 31, traffic collision

[30 Jan 2018] Mark Salling (American actor and musician for Glee), 35, suicide

[29 Jan 2018] Asmund Bjørken (Norwegian jazz musician), 84

[29 Jan 2018] Eddie Shaw (American blues saxophonist and bandleader for Howlin' Wolf), 80

[28 Jan 2018] Neil Harris (British musician for Sham 69), 63, cancer

[28 Jan 2018] Coco Schumann (German jazz musician), 93

[27 Jan 2018] Grant Fell (New Zealand bassist for Headless Chickens), 56, cancer

[27 Jan 2018] David Zard (Italian record producer), 75

[26 Jan 2018] Buzz Clifford (American singer and songwriter), 76, complications of influenza

[26 Jan 2018] Floyd Miles (American blues musician and singer), 74

[26 Jan 2018] Igor Zhukov (Russian pianist), 81

[26 Jan 2018] Francisco Savín (Mexican conductor and composer for Xalapa Symphony Orchestra), 88

[25 Jan 2018] Tommy Banks (Canadian jazz pianist, composer and senator), 81, leukemia

[25 Jan 2018] Lyudmila Senchina (Russian singer), 67

[25 Jan 2018] Sabar Koti (Indian singer), 58

[25 Jan 2018] John Morris (American film composer), 91, respiratory infection

[25 Jan 2018] Cliff White (British music journalist), 72

[24 Jan 2018] Mark E. Smith (English singer and songwriter for The Fall), 60

[24 Jan 2018] Renaud Gagneux (French composer), 70

[23 Jan 2018] Hugh Masekela (South African jazz trumpeter and composer), 78, prostate cancer

[23 Jan 2018] Lari White (American country singer and actress), 52, peritoneal cancer

[22 Jan 2018] Shorty Castro (Puerto Rican comedian, songwriter and entertainer), 89, cancer

[22 Jan 2018] Billy Hancock (American musician), 71

[22 Jan 2018] Preston Shannon (American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist), 70

[21 Jan 2018] Yao Ming (Chinese composer), 69

[20 Jan 2018] Mario Guccio (Belgian singer for Machiavel), 64

[20 Jan 2018] Jim Rodford (English musician for Argent, The Kinks, The Zombies), 76

[20 Jan 2018] Terry Evans (American blues and soul musician), 80

[19 Jan 2018] Fredo Santana (American rapper), 27, kidney failure

[18 Jan 2018] Augusto Polo Campos (Peruvian composer), 85

[17 Jan 2018] Christian Burchard (German musician), 71

[17 Jan 2018] Oldřich Veselý (Czech musician), 69

[17 Jan 2018] Denis Cuspert (German rapper and jihadist), 41, airstrike

[17 Jan 2018] Nathan Jatcko (American keyboardist for Pavlov's Dog), 31, suicide

[16 Jan 2018] Madalena Iglésias (Portuguese actress and singer), 78

[16 Jan 2018] Shammi Akhtar (Bangladeshi playback singer), 60, breast cancer

[15 Jan 2018] Edwin Hawkins (American gospel musician, multiple Grammy winner), 74, pancreatic cancer

[15 Jan 2018] Dolores O'Riordan (Irish musician for The Cranberries), 46

[15 Jan 2018] Anshel Brusilow (American violinist and conductor), 89

[15 Jan 2018] Khadija Abdullahi Daleys (Somali singer), 81

[14 Jan 2018] Paul Lustig Dunkel (American flautist and conductor), 74

[13 Jan 2018] Otoniel Gonzaga (Filipino opera singer), 75

[13 Jan 2018] Tzimis Panousis (Greek musician, comedian and actor), 63, heart attack

[11 Jan 2018] Pierre Pincemaille (French organist), 61

[10 Jan 2018] "Fast" Eddie Clarke ( British guitarist for Motörhead and Fastway), 67, pneumonia

[09 Jan 2018] Alexander Vedernikov (Russian singer and teacher, Bolshoi Theatre soloist, People's Artist of the USSR for 1976), 90

[08 Jan 2018] Denise LaSalle (American blues singer), 78

[08 Jan 2018] Vojtěch Lindaur (Czech radio host for Radio Beat and record producer), 60

[08 Jan 2018] Moriss Taylor (American country and western music entertainer for The Moriss Taylor Show), 93

[07 Jan 2018] France Gall (French singer, Eurovision 1965 winner), 70, cancer

[06 Jan 2018] Walther Dürr (German musicologist), 85

[06 Jan 2018] Chris Tsangarides (British music producer for Black Sabbath, Judas Priest), 61, pneumonia and heart failure

[05 Jan 2018] Jerry Van Dyke (American actor and singer), 86

[05 Jan 2018] Yon Koeswoyo (Indonesian singer), 77

[05 Jan 2018] Mikio "Ko-Gami" Fujioka (Japanese guitarist for Babymetal), 36, complications from a fall

[04 Jan 2018] Ray Thomas (English singer-songwriter for The Moody Blues), 76, prostate cancer

[04 Jan 2018] John Braun (American radio DJ for WBZI), 68

[04 Jan 2018] Rayya Elias (Syrian-born American author and musician), 57, pancreatic cancer

[03 Jan 2018] Lara Kruger (South African disc jockey for Motsweding FM), 30

[03 Jan 2018] Medeniyet Shahberdiyeva (Soviet opera singer and music educator), 87

[03 Jan 2018] Colin Brumby (Australian composer and conductor), 84

[02 Jan 2018] Rick Hall (American record producer, songwriter and recording studio owner of FAME Studios, "Father of Muscle Shoals Music"), 85

[02 Jan 2018] Radha Viswanathan (Indian vocalist), 83, pneumonia

[02 Jan 2018] Tony Calder ( English music promoter and executive for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones), 74

[01 Jan 2018] Vidwan Mahadevappa (Indian violinist, professor at the Fine Arts College of University of Mysore), 87

[01 Jan 2018] Teddy Edelmann (Danish singer), 76

[01 Jan 2018] Robert Mann (American violinist and composer, founding member of the Juilliard String Quartet), 97

[01 Jan 2018] Konrad Ragossnig (Austrian classical guitarist), 85

[01 Jan 2018] Peter Evans (British musicologist), 88

[01 Jan 2018] Jon Paul Steuer (American actor and musician), 33

[01 Jan 2018] Betty Willis (American soul singer), 76, strangled

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Super Bowl Live Day 4: Sheila E., Morris Day and The Time, The Revolution at Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (29 Jan 2018)

Read More The Revolution Prince was a big deal. When he died unexpectedly, we were shocked and we talked about it for weeks... and we speculated that The Revolution will reunite. And they have! … 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 …

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

SUPER BOWL LIVE Schedule

	Tuesday, January 30, 2018 4:00 pm Minnesota Special Olympics Polar Plunge 4:00 pm DJ Matty Matt and MC Tonez 5:00 pm Drum Down the Sun 7:15 pm Socaholix 7:45 pm International Reggae All Stars 8:30 pm Ipso Facto
	Wednesday, January 31, 2018 4:00 pm DJ Brother Jules and MC Tonez 4:30 pm Legacy Fund presents Kids Dance Party & Appetite for Change 6:00 pm Stokley Williams 6:45 pm Dessa 7:30 pm Mint Condition 8:30 pm New Power Generation, guest vocalists Andre Cymone, Kip Blackshire and Mackenzie Green

	Thursday, February 1, 2018 4:00 pm DJ Kimuel Hailey and MC Tonez 4:00 pm Les Stroud 4:45 pm Jakubi 5:45 pm fDeluxe 6:45 pm New Power Soul 7:45 pm Andre Cymone: 1969 Live Music Experience 8:45 pm Rae Sremmurd		Friday, February 2, 2018 2:00 pm DJ Howard "HK" Kessler 4:00 pm Zuluzuluu 4:45 pm Cobi 5:45 pm The Jets 6:45 pm KING 9:00 pm Skylar Grey
	Saturday, February 3, 2018 11:30 am DJ Dudley D, MC Tonez & Katie Andres 12:00 pm Fan Rally #1 2:30 pm Fan Rally #2 4:00 pm Kris Wu 4:45 pm Bob Mould 5:45 pm The Suburbs 6:45 pm The Jayhawks 7:45 pm Soul Asylum 9:00 pm X Ambassadors		Sunday, February 4, 2018 BOLD NORTH GAMEDAY 12:00 pm DJ Dudley D, Katie Andres & Jon Berry 1:00 pm 13 Crowns

Photo Gallery for Monday, January 29, 2018

Sheila E

Morris Day and the Time

Morris Day and the Time

Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis

Revolution: Stokely

Revolution: Bobby Z

The Revolution: Wendy

The Revolution at Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (29 Jan 2018)

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

R.I.P. Mark Salling (Glee)

Read More Glee Say what you will, but there is no denying how successful Glee television musical show has been for Fox Television and Columbia Records. At the height of their popularity, they had over 10 million ...

Mark Salling (who played “Puck” from the musical television show Glee) has committed suicide by hanging. His body was discovered by police today, January 30th. Salling was 35.

According to TMZ, Salling tried to commit suicide by cutting his wrists in August. Salling’s troubles began after he was arrested for possession of child pornography and was facing four to seven years in prison.

In happier days, Salling was a talented musician, who wrote and sang his own music, under his stage name Jericho. He found fame as a regular cast member for Glee, at least for the first four seasons.

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

January (69)

[30 Jan 2018] Mark Salling (American actor and musician for Glee), 35, suicide

[29 Jan 2018] Asmund Bjørken (Norwegian jazz musician), 84

[28 Jan 2018] Neil Harris (British musician for Sham 69), 63, cancer

[28 Jan 2018] Coco Schumann (German jazz musician), 93

[27 Jan 2018] Grant Fell (New Zealand bassist for Headless Chickens), 56, cancer

[27 Jan 2018] David Zard (Italian record producer), 75

[26 Jan 2018] Buzz Clifford (American singer and songwriter), 76, complications of influenza

[26 Jan 2018] Floyd Miles (American blues musician and singer), 74

[26 Jan 2018] Igor Zhukov (Russian pianist), 81

[26 Jan 2018] Francisco Savín (Mexican conductor and composer for Xalapa Symphony Orchestra), 88

[25 Jan 2018] Tommy Banks (Canadian jazz pianist, composer and senator), 81, leukemia

[25 Jan 2018] Lyudmila Senchina (Russian singer), 67

[25 Jan 2018] Sabar Koti (Indian singer), 58

[25 Jan 2018] John Morris (American film composer), 91, respiratory infection

[25 Jan 2018] Cliff White (British music journalist), 72

[24 Jan 2018] Mark E. Smith (English singer and songwriter for The Fall), 60

[24 Jan 2018] Renaud Gagneux (French composer), 70

[23 Jan 2018] Hugh Masekela (South African jazz trumpeter and composer), 78, prostate cancer

[23 Jan 2018] Lari White (American country singer and actress), 52, peritoneal cancer

[22 Jan 2018] Shorty Castro (Puerto Rican comedian, songwriter and entertainer), 89, cancer

[22 Jan 2018] Billy Hancock (American musician), 71

[22 Jan 2018] Preston Shannon (American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist), 70

[21 Jan 2018] Yao Ming (Chinese composer), 69

[20 Jan 2018] Mario Guccio (Belgian singer for Machiavel), 64

[20 Jan 2018] Jim Rodford (English musician for Argent, The Kinks, The Zombies), 76

[20 Jan 2018] Terry Evans (American blues and soul musician), 80

[19 Jan 2018] Fredo Santana (American rapper), 27, kidney failure

[18 Jan 2018] Augusto Polo Campos (Peruvian composer), 85

[17 Jan 2018] Christian Burchard (German musician), 71

[17 Jan 2018] Oldřich Veselý (Czech musician), 69

[17 Jan 2018] Denis Cuspert (German rapper and jihadist), 41, airstrike

[17 Jan 2018] Nathan Jatcko (American keyboardist for Pavlov's Dog), 31, suicide

[16 Jan 2018] Madalena Iglésias (Portuguese actress and singer), 78

[16 Jan 2018] Shammi Akhtar (Bangladeshi playback singer), 60, breast cancer

[15 Jan 2018] Edwin Hawkins (American gospel musician, multiple Grammy winner), 74, pancreatic cancer

[15 Jan 2018] Dolores O'Riordan (Irish musician for The Cranberries), 46

[15 Jan 2018] Anshel Brusilow (American violinist and conductor), 89

[15 Jan 2018] Khadija Abdullahi Daleys (Somali singer), 81

[14 Jan 2018] Paul Lustig Dunkel (American flautist and conductor), 74

[13 Jan 2018] Otoniel Gonzaga (Filipino opera singer), 75

[13 Jan 2018] Tzimis Panousis (Greek musician, comedian and actor), 63, heart attack

[11 Jan 2018] Pierre Pincemaille (French organist), 61

[10 Jan 2018] "Fast" Eddie Clarke ( British guitarist for Motörhead and Fastway), 67, pneumonia

[09 Jan 2018] Alexander Vedernikov (Russian singer and teacher, Bolshoi Theatre soloist, People's Artist of the USSR for 1976), 90

[08 Jan 2018] Denise LaSalle (American blues singer), 78

[08 Jan 2018] Vojtěch Lindaur (Czech radio host for Radio Beat and record producer), 60

[08 Jan 2018] Moriss Taylor (American country and western music entertainer for The Moriss Taylor Show), 93

[07 Jan 2018] France Gall (French singer, Eurovision 1965 winner), 70, cancer

[06 Jan 2018] Walther Dürr (German musicologist), 85

[06 Jan 2018] Chris Tsangarides (British music producer for Black Sabbath, Judas Priest), 61, pneumonia and heart failure

[05 Jan 2018] Jerry Van Dyke (American actor and singer), 86

[05 Jan 2018] Yon Koeswoyo (Indonesian singer), 77

[05 Jan 2018] Mikio "Ko-Gami" Fujioka (Japanese guitarist for Babymetal), 36, complications from a fall

[04 Jan 2018] Ray Thomas (English singer-songwriter for The Moody Blues), 76, prostate cancer

[04 Jan 2018] John Braun (American radio DJ for WBZI), 68

[04 Jan 2018] Rayya Elias (Syrian-born American author and musician), 57, pancreatic cancer

[03 Jan 2018] Lara Kruger (South African disc jockey for Motsweding FM), 30

[03 Jan 2018] Medeniyet Shahberdiyeva (Soviet opera singer and music educator), 87

[03 Jan 2018] Colin Brumby (Australian composer and conductor), 84

[02 Jan 2018] Rick Hall (American record producer, songwriter and recording studio owner of FAME Studios, "Father of Muscle Shoals Music"), 85

[02 Jan 2018] Radha Viswanathan (Indian vocalist), 83, pneumonia

[02 Jan 2018] Tony Calder ( English music promoter and executive for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones), 74

[01 Jan 2018] Vidwan Mahadevappa (Indian violinist, professor at the Fine Arts College of University of Mysore), 87

[01 Jan 2018] Teddy Edelmann (Danish singer), 76

[01 Jan 2018] Robert Mann (American violinist and composer, founding member of the Juilliard String Quartet), 97

[01 Jan 2018] Konrad Ragossnig (Austrian classical guitarist), 85

[01 Jan 2018] Peter Evans (British musicologist), 88

[01 Jan 2018] Jon Paul Steuer (American actor and musician), 33

[01 Jan 2018] Betty Willis (American soul singer), 76, strangled

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Super Bowl Live Day 2: Brother Ali at Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (27 Jan 2018)

Brother Ali Setlist Freestyle intro > Own Light (What Hearts Are For) Special Effects (w/deM atlas) > Freestyle super bowl rap Truth Is Self Taught (abbreviated version) Tight Rope Uncle Sam Goddamn Never Learn Forest Whitaker Us Read More Brother Ali Brother Ali and Syrian-American rapper/activist Omar Offendum will be appearing at Augsburg college on Saturday, March 9, in Minneapolis. ...

Night Two of Super Bowl Live, the free concert series on Nicollet Mall in anticipation of Sunday’s Super Bowl LII game, brought a hip-hop centric evening of local entertainment, and we managed to catch one of the night’s headliners, Brother Ali.

As mentioned previously, crowds have been plentiful as have security, so make sure to arrive early and safely as on this night, the mostly younger crowd filled the area closest to the stage to capacity, leaving only very limited elbow room and latecomers watching from farther away. 

The day had started mid-afternoon with a spin sets DJ Mad Mardigan /MC Tonez followed by Beats and Rhymes and sets by Lexii Alijai, iLLism , and deM atlaS before Brother Ali took to the stage just after 8pm. The Rhymesayers/Warner Brothers rapper released his latest, All the Beauty in This Whole Life last May and remains a vital element of the local hip-hop scene. 

As with most sets, Ali was limited to an abbreviated performance, his just over thirty-five minutes, but made the most of things, playing the marquee track ‘Own Light’ from the latest record early then bringing deM atlaS back up to the stage for the new ‘Special Effects’, before working next into a freestyle rap that professed his love for the hometown Minnesota Vikings.   

The cold crowd got moving for 2007’s ‘Truth Is’ with hands in the air shouting “more!” on cue and on ‘Uncle Sam Goddamn’, an already heated political commentary, Ali got things very contemporary freestyling a verse about the current president and his purported comments on s#!%hole countries. 

After a funky ‘Never Learn’, the set ended too quickly but fittingly with the song ‘Us’ and its lyric, “cause can't nobody be free unless we're all free, there's no me and no you, it's just us”.  Fellow rapper Prof would close this second of ten days of entertainment at Super Bowl Live. 

SUPER BOWL LIVE Schedule

	Sunday, January 28, 2018 2:00 pm DJ Kimuel Hailey and MC Tonez 3:15 pm Bailey Bryan 4:00 pm Sara Renner 5:00 pm The Steeles 6:00 pm Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir 7:00 pm Sounds of Blackness with Big Jim Wright & Ann Nesby		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
	Tuesday, January 30, 2018 4:00 pm Minnesota Special Olympics Polar Plunge 4:00 pm DJ Matty Matt and MC Tonez 5:00 pm Drum Down the Sun 7:15 pm Socaholix 7:45 pm International Reggae All Stars 8:30 pm Ipso Facto		Wednesday, January 31, 2018 4:00 pm DJ Brother Jules and MC Tonez 4:30 pm Legacy Fund presents Kids Dance Party & Appetite for Change 6:00 pm Stokley Williams 6:45 pm Dessa 7:30 pm Mint Condition 8:30 pm New Power Generation, guest vocalists Andre Cymone, Kip Blackshire and Mackenzie Green
	Thursday, February 1, 2018 4:00 pm DJ Kimuel Hailey and MC Tonez 4:00 pm Les Stroud 4:45 pm Jakubi 5:45 pm fDeluxe 6:45 pm New Power Soul 7:45 pm Andre Cymone: 1969 Live Music Experience 8:45 pm Rae Sremmurd		Friday, February 2, 2018 2:00 pm DJ Howard "HK" Kessler 4:00 pm Zuluzuluu 4:45 pm Cobi 5:45 pm The Jets 6:45 pm KING 9:00 pm Skylar Grey
	Saturday, February 3, 2018 11:30 am DJ Dudley D, MC Tonez & Katie Andres 12:00 pm Fan Rally #1 2:30 pm Fan Rally #2 4:00 pm Kris Wu 4:45 pm Bob Mould 5:45 pm The Suburbs 6:45 pm The Jayhawks 7:45 pm Soul Asylum 9:00 pm X Ambassadors		Sunday, February 4, 2018 BOLD NORTH GAMEDAY 12:00 pm DJ Dudley D, Katie Andres & Jon Berry 1:00 pm 13 Crowns

Photo Gallery for Saturday, January 27, 2018

Brother Ali

DJ Last Word

Brother Ali

Brother Ali

Brother Ali

Brother Ali

Brother Ali and deM atlaS at Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (27 Jan 2018)

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Super Bowl Live Day 1: Idina Menzel and friends at Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (26 Jan 2018)

Friday, January 26, 2018 BOLD NORTH KICKOFF 4:00 pm DJ Mad Mardigan and MC Tonez 5:00 pm Kick-off Celebration with Idina Menzel, VocalEssence and Esera Tuaolo 6:15 pm Cynthia Johnson performing “Funkytown” with Flyte Tyme 6:45 pm Hitchville 7:30 pm Trailer Trash 8:30 pm Lost Highway 9:15 pm Chris Hawkey Band 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 …

It has begun—

The reality of Super Bowl LII coming to Minneapolis has begun in full swing as the downtown outdoor stretch of Nicollet Mall has been transformed into an entertainment mecca with nightly concerts on the Verizon stage called Super Bowl Live. 

The ten or so blocks of Nicollet Mall (starting at the 5^th Ave light rail stop) include numerous ice carvings, life-size snow globes for photo ops, several corporate displays including a 40ft stack of Schwan’s delivery trucks, the transported –from-Wisconsin Birkebeiner bridge, and an ice skating rink on Peavey Plaza.

Security is already tight downtown with numerous police and hired guards about, as well as the National Guard with Humvees (though it doesn’t resemble the lockdown of the 2004 RNC Convention) and volunteers from the 10,000-strong Crew 52 were everywhere to help people find their way. 

On the corner of 8^th and Nicollet Mall, sets the performance stage, a trapezoid-shaped raised platform with girders on all corners, challenging visibility and initially making it hard to determine which side the front is.  The immediate area near the stage is controlled by limited entrances (which often crowd and bottle neck) with bag and coat searches before being allowed in. 

The kickoff show began with a DJ set from Timberwolves/Lynx DJ Mad Mardigan and MC Tonez and got officially going with the national anthem sung by former MN Viking/Voice contestant Esera Tuaolo, who was also joined by local choir VocalEssence. 

At just after 6pm, singer Idina Menzel took to the stage for her four-minute signature song, ‘Let it Go’ from the Disney film, Frozen, the moment so many that had brought their shivering kids to see. Shortly following, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (who curated the talent lineup for the series) reunited with their original band Flyte Tyme for a version of Lipps. Inc 1980 classic, ‘Funkytown’ featuring original vocalist Cynthia Johnson.

Other acts on opening night included local bands Trailer Trash and Lost Highway, with the Chris Hawkey Band closing the evening by 10pm.  The crowd on this first evening was plentiful, helped by mild temps in the low 40s, plenty of things to see and do, and being able to drink in the streets, with Bud Light bottles in a lot of hands.  One night down, nine to go for Super Bowl Live.

Tips If You Go:

1)      Dress warm - with temperatures continuing to fall as game day nears, dress in layers, and then add even another layer- it’s colder standing in place watching an outdoor concert, than moving about.

2)      Arrive early- crowds on the first day are already large and overflowed enough near the stage, that they capped the number allowed in that area. Arriving early allows a better chance of a good vantage point. The stage front points diagonally toward 9^th.

3)      Parking- ramps are already charging $25+, so be strategic with street parking, available for little to no cost. Event rates aren’t yet in effect and some outlying meters are free after 6pm, if you don’t mind walking a few blocks.

4)      Free hot chocolate- head to the Target lounge across the street from their flagship downtown store to warm up, see some exhibits and grab a free beverage.

SUPER BOWL LIVE Schedule

	Saturday, January 27, 2018 2:00 pm DJ Mad Mardigan and MC Tonez 4:00 pm Beats and Rhymes 5:00 pm Lexii Alijai 6:00 pm iLLism 7:00 pm deM atlaS 8:00 pm Brother Ali 9:00 pm Prof		Sunday, January 28, 2018 2:00 pm DJ Kimuel Hailey and MC Tonez 3:15 pm Bailey Bryan 4:00 pm Sara Renner 5:00 pm The Steeles 6:00 pm Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir 7:00 pm Sounds of Blackness with Big Jim Wright & Ann Nesby
	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		Tuesday, January 30, 2018 4:00 pm Minnesota Special Olympics Polar Plunge 4:00 pm DJ Matty Matt and MC Tonez 5:00 pm Drum Down the Sun 7:15 pm Socaholix 7:45 pm International Reggae All Stars 8:30 pm Ipso Facto
	Wednesday, January 31, 2018 4:00 pm DJ Brother Jules and MC Tonez 4:30 pm Legacy Fund presents Kids Dance Party & Appetite for Change 6:00 pm Stokley Williams 6:45 pm Dessa 7:30 pm Mint Condition 8:30 pm New Power Generation, guest vocalists Andre Cymone, Kip Blackshire and Mackenzie Green		Thursday, February 1, 2018 4:00 pm DJ Kimuel Hailey and MC Tonez 4:00 pm Les Stroud 4:45 pm Jakubi 5:45 pm fDeluxe 6:45 pm New Power Soul 7:45 pm Andre Cymone: 1969 Live Music Experience 8:45 pm Rae Sremmurd
	Friday, February 2, 2018 2:00 pm DJ Howard "HK" Kessler 4:00 pm Zuluzuluu 4:45 pm Cobi 5:45 pm The Jets 6:45 pm KING 9:00 pm Skylar Grey		Saturday, February 3, 2018 11:30 am DJ Dudley D, MC Tonez & Katie Andres 12:00 pm Fan Rally #1 2:30 pm Fan Rally #2 4:00 pm Kris Wu 4:45 pm Bob Mould 5:45 pm The Suburbs 6:45 pm The Jayhawks 7:45 pm Soul Asylum 9:00 pm X Ambassadors
	Sunday, February 4, 2018 BOLD NORTH GAMEDAY 12:00 pm DJ Dudley D, Katie Andres & Jon Berry 1:00 pm 13 Crowns

Photo Gallery for Friday, January 26, 2018

Cynthia Johnson with Flyte Tyme at Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (26 Jan 2018)

Cynthia Johnson with Flyte Tyme

DJ Mad Mardigan

Esera Tuaolo Vocal Essence

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel at Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (26 Jan 2018)

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: February 1 to February 8, 2018

Read More Diet Cig Alex Luciano is a guitar-slinging human tornado on a Pixy Stix bender. As the singer, guitarist and one half of the undeniably charming duo Diet Cig, Luciano is known to bop, flail and high-kick around the stage. ... The Spook School Glasgow indie-pop band The Spook School released their special Christmas single “Someone To Spend Christmas With”, along with a Christmas Calendars, featuring photos of their drummer Niall McCamley. ...

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from February 1 to February 8, 2018.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

DIET CIG
+ The Spook School, Great Grandpa
Univ. Of Minnesota
Sat 02/03/2018 (7:30pm/$10)
sua.umn.edu

We caught Diet Cig’s first-ever Minneapolis appearance in June 2017 and wrote, “…singer/guitarist Alex Luciano was clearly the center of attention as she kicked and danced and drum-stand her way to our hearts. The band is still very young, and as expected, played most of their debut (and throwing in ‘Breathless’ from a previous Over Easy EP), resulting in only a barely 45-min set (with no encores). You know that when they come back (and they will), that they’ll have more songs under their belt.”

As noted, they are indeed back, and will have more songs to play. What we didn’t expect is that this time around, the duo will be joined by a two additional live musicians: bassist Anna from The Spook School and keyboardist Karli from Plush.

Speaking of The Spook School, they will one of two openers.. We previously wrote about the Glasgow indie-pop band last year and very excited to see them in the U.S. promoting their third album Could It Be Different? (Slumberland Records).

Also, Seattle’s Great Grandpa will open. The band started in 2014 with guitarist & vocalist Patrick Goodwin, bassist Carrie Miller, drummer Cam LaFlam, and vocalist Alex Menne. During recording of their record, guitarist Dylan Hanwright joined the group, solidifying the lineup. Great Grandpa’s Plastic Cough came out last year on Double Double Whammy.

NOTE: The event is $10, but if you have a valid U of M Student ID, it’s $5.

Tour dates:

Jan 29 - Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place # ^
Jan 30 - Toronto, ON @ The Garrison # ^
Jan 31 - Detroit, MI @ Marble Bar # ^
Feb 01 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge & #
Feb 02 - Madison, WI @ University of Wisconsin & #
Feb 03 - Minneapolis, MN @ University of Minnesota & #
Feb 05 - Lawrence, KS @ White Schoolhouse #
Feb 06 - Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge & #
Feb 07 - Denver, CO @ Lost Lake Lounge #
Feb 08 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court #
Feb 09 - Boise, ID @ Neurolux & #
Feb 10 - Vancouver, BC @ The Cobalt & #
Feb 11 - Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey #
Feb 12 - Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater #
Feb 14 - San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop #
Feb 15 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst & #
Feb 16 - Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room #
Feb 17 - San Diego, CA @ You Are Going To Hate This Fest 3 #
Feb 18 - Phoenix, AZ @ Valley (w/ Bully)
Feb 19 - Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress & #
Feb 21 - Austin, TX @ The Sidewinder & #
Feb 22 - Dallas, TX @ Three Links & #
Feb 23 - New Orleans, LA @ Hi Ho Lounge & #
Feb 24 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade & #
Feb 25 - Asheville, NC @ The Mothlight & #
Feb 26 - Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre & #
Feb 27 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle & #
Feb 28 - Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel & #
Mar 01 - Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere & #
Mar 02 - Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall & #
Mar 03 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church & #

* = w/ Sammi Lanzetta
# = w/ The Spook School
^ = w/ Lala Lala
& = w/ Great Grandpa

Read More Kimbra More than somebody that you used to know-- New Zealand-born Kimbra is back, touring in support of her second album, The Golden Echo (Warner Bros. Records). Produced by Kimbra and Rich Costey … Arc Iris Arc Iris - Josie from the Low Anthem in a new band. I didn't know anything about her or this band and it may be one of the hardest to explain. Her voice is like Joanna Newsome and the music is a mix of country…

KIMBRA
+ King and Arc Iris
The Cedar Cultural Center
Mon 02/05/2018 (7pm/$25)
thecedar.org

Two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning, critically acclaimed New Zealand songstress Kimbra will be headlining the Cedar Cultural Center this Monday, February 5th, in support of her third album Primal Heart (Warner Bros. Records).

We first heard about Kimbra via a duet with Goyte for “Somebody That I Used To Know”, but unfortunately, when we saw her in October 2014, she doesn’t play that song (probably because it requires a male vocalist). Still, Kimbra’s got plenty of hit songs of her own, so you won’t be disappointed.

Arc Iris (lead singer and lyricist Jocie Adams, keyboardist Zach Tenorio-Miller and drummer Ray Belli) to open. Adams previously spent eight years as a key member of The Low Anthem.

Also, King is slated to open (although their name is not shown on the show poster). King is a Los Angeles-based Grammy winning trio featuring sisters Paris and Amber Strother, and Anita Bias.

Tour dates:

1/28 - Boston, MA (Paradise Rock Club)
1/29 - Brooklyn, NY (Brooklyn Steel)
1/30 - Washington, DC (9:30 Club)
1/31 - Philadelphia, PA (Union Transfer)
2/02 - Toronto, ON (The Mod Club)
2/03 - Chicago, IL (Concord Music Hall)
2/05 - Minneapolis, MN (Cedar Cultural Center)
2/08 - Portland, OR (Wonder Ballroom)
2/09 - Vancouver, BC (Imperial)
2/11 - Seattle, WA (Neumos)
2/13 - San Francisco, CA (The Regency Ballroom)
2/14 - Los Angeles, CA (The Theatre at the Ace Hotel)

Read More Sir Sly Los Angeles' Sir Sly recently just signed to Cherrytree/Interscope Records, and their first release is the Gold EP (available now). Hear the title track, "Gold", on soundcloud … Rachael Yamagata Rachael Yamagata is back at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis as part of her "Dealbreaker Heart Tour". It was only about six months ago was she just here ...

Most of the first few weeks of February (February 1-February 4) show listing can be found at Super Bowl LII Week in Minneapolis (26 Jan-04 Feb 2018) - A Concert Overview

Other shows in the area:

PAT KEEN
+ Carlisle Evans Peck
Warming House
Fri 02/02/2018 (7:30pm/$10)
thewarminghouse.net

Minneapolis-based Pat Keen will be playing the Warming House in Minneapolis on February 2nd. This is a very small venue that can host about 40 people, so there’s never a bad spot.

Local singer/songwriter and pianist Carlisle Evans Peck to open.

LIMBS / GREAT AMERICAN GHOST
+ Driftless
Opinion Brewing Company
Tue 02/06/2018 (5:30pm/$7)
opinionbrewing.com

Tampa Bay post-hardcore quintet Limbs is playing Opinion Brewery in Newport, Minnesota, this Tuesday, February 6. Limbs’ latest Sleep came out on October 26th via Equal Vision Records.

Great American Ghost will co-headline.

Driftless to open.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

2/2 - Rochester, NY @ Montage Music Hall
2/3 - Buffalo, NY @ Stamps
2/4 - Lansing, MI @ Mac's Bar
2/5 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
2/6 - Newport, MN @ Opinion Brewery
2/7- Omaha, NE @ Lookout Lounge
2/8 - Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th St.
2/9 - Abilene, TX @ My Place Bar
2/10 - Laredo, TX @ Second Chance Music
2/11 - Dallas, TX @ Reno's Chop Shop
2/13 - Memphis, TN @ Growlers
2/14 - St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
2/15 - Nashville, TN @ The End

ANNA MEREDITH
Aria
Wed 02/07/2018 (7:30pm/$25)
liquidmusic.org

Celebrated UK composer and electronic artist, Anna Meredith is playing Aria in Minneapolis, as part of the unique Walker Art’s Liquid Music series.

If you don’t live near Minneapolis, her next stop will be at the Weitz Center for Creativity in Northfield on February 9th.

Meredith’s debut album, Varmints, is out now on Moshi Moshi.

RACHAEL YAMAGATA
+ Hemming
Icehouse
Wed 02/07/2018 (8pm/$25)
icehousempls.com

Singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata will be returning to the Minneapolis area next Wednesday.

Philadelphia’s Candice Martello, aka Hemming, to open.

Normally, these Icehouse shows starts at 11pm, but this event listing appears to have a regular show start time at 8pm.

MAGIC GIANT
+ The Brevet
7th Street Entry
Wed 02/07/2018 (7:30pm/$15)
first-avenue.com

Magic Giant and South California-based alternative rock band, The Brevet will be at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis this Wednesday, February 7th.

Tour dates:

1/27. Spokane, WA: The Barlett
1/30. Boise, ID: Neurolux
1/31. Salt Lake City, UT: The State Room
2/1. Fort Collins, CO: The Artery
2/2. Denver, CO: Globe Hall
2/3. Denver, CO: Globe Hall
2/6. Kansas City, MO: recordBar
2/7. Minneapolis, MN: 7th St. Entry
2/8. Madison, WI: High Noon
2/9. Chicago, IL: Lincoln Hall
2/10. Columbus, OH: A&R Music Bar
2/11. Ann Arbor, MI: Blind Pig
2/13. Toronto, ON: Mod Club
2/15. New York, NY: Bowery Ballroom
2/16. Boston, MA: Brighton Music Hall
2/17. Philadelphia, PA: The Foundry
2/18. Washington, DC: U Street Music Hall
2/20. Carrboro, NC: Cat’s Cradle Back Room
2/21. Atlanta, GA: Aisle 5
2/22. Mobile, Al: The Merry Widow
2/23. Houston, TX: Warehouse Live Studio
2/24. Austin, TX: Stubbs Jr.
2/25. Dallas, TX: Three Links
2/27. Tucson, AZ: Club Congress
2/28. Phoenix, AZ: Crescent Ballroom

96.3 GO SHOW
Featuring Sir Sly
+ Miles The DJ, John Chuck & The Class
Fine Line Music Cafe
Thu 02/08/2018 (8pm/$35)
finelinemusic.com

There’s another Go Show taking place on February 8th, featuring Sir Sly and hosted by Miles the DJ.

Opening the show will be John Chuck and the Class.

POPPY
The Cedar Cultural Center
Thu 02/08/2018 (7pm/$20)
thecedar.org

Internet sensation Poppy (previously known as That Poppy) will be bringing her live show to the Cedar Cultural Center on Thursday, February 8. Find out if she has feelings and if she’s a robot…

ZZ WARD
+ Billy Raffoul
First Avenue
Thu 02/08/2018 (7pm/$30)
first-avenue.com

Critically acclaimed bluesy recording artist ZZ Ward is back, this time to headline First Avenue on February 8th. ZZ Ward’s latest album The Storm is out now.

Billy Raffoul will open.

Tour dates:

1/30/2018 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot
2/1/2018 Ft. Collins, CO Aggie Theatre
2/2/2018 Englewood, CO Gothic Theatre
2/3/2018 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre
2/5/2018 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room
2/6/2018 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
2/8/2018 Minneapolis, MN First Ave
2/9/2018 Chicago, IL House of Blues
2/10/2018 Louisville, KY Mercury Ballroom
2/12/2018 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
2/13/2018 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)
2/15/2018 New York, NY Irving Plaza
2/16/2018 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
2/17/2018 Boston, MA Paradise Club
2/19/2018 South Burlington, VT Higher Ground Ballroom
2/20/2018 Montreal, QC Club Soda
2/21/2018 Toronto, ON Mod Club
2/24/2018 Clearwater, FL Clearwater Sea-Blue Festival
3/3/2018 Seattle, WA The Showbox
3/4/2018 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
3/6/2018 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades
3/7/2018 San Francisco, CA The Regency Ballroom
3/9/2018 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom
3/10/2018 San Diego, CA House of Blues
3/11/2018 Los Angeles, CA Fonda Theatre

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

R.I.P. Mark E Smith (The Fall)

Read More The Fall Mark E Smith and company, The Fall is back with a new live album, Live: Uurop VIII-XII Places in Sun & Winter, Son due out 27th October 2014 on Cherry Red. …

You know that we love The Fall here, so we’re devastated to hear that Mark E Smith has died at the age of 60, according to bbc.co.uk.

It’s funny to think that Smith was only 60, because I thought he was 60 when I got into The Fall, hearing Smith’s unique vocal styling for the first time in the early 90s. No one can quite sing like Mark E. Smith.

To be honest, although I love some of the Fall’s songs and albums, I could never keep up with their prolific output as a band. From 1979 to 2017, the band released 32 studio albums!

The last time we talked about The Fall was when they released Live: Uurop VIII-XII Places in Sun & Winter, Son in 2014, and we noted that “The Fall: always the same, always different”. We also said that at Mark E Smith’s age, that he won’t tour America.

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

January (53)

[24 Jan 2018] Mark E. Smith (English singer and songwriter for The Fall), 60

[23 Jan 2018] Hugh Masekela (South African jazz trumpeter and composer), 78, prostate cancer

[23 Jan 2018] Lari White (American country singer and actress), 52, peritoneal cancer

[22 Jan 2018] Shorty Castro (Puerto Rican comedian, songwriter and entertainer), 89, cancer

[22 Jan 2018] Billy Hancock (American musician), 71

[22 Jan 2018] Preston Shannon (American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist), 70

[21 Jan 2018] Yao Ming (Chinese composer), 69

[20 Jan 2018] Mario Guccio (Belgian singer for Machiavel), 64

[20 Jan 2018] Jim Rodford (English musician for Argent, The Kinks, The Zombies), 76

[20 Jan 2018] Terry Evans (American blues and soul musician), 80

[19 Jan 2018] Fredo Santana (American rapper), 27, kidney failure

[18 Jan 2018] Augusto Polo Campos (Peruvian composer), 85

[17 Jan 2018] Christian Burchard (German musician), 71

[17 Jan 2018] Oldřich Veselý (Czech musician), 69

[17 Jan 2018] Denis Cuspert (German rapper and jihadist), 41, airstrike

[17 Jan 2018] Nathan Jatcko (American keyboardist for Pavlov's Dog), 31, suicide

[16 Jan 2018] Madalena Iglésias (Portuguese actress and singer), 78

[16 Jan 2018] Shammi Akhtar (Bangladeshi playback singer), 60, breast cancer

[15 Jan 2018] Edwin Hawkins (American gospel musician, multiple Grammy winner), 74, pancreatic cancer

[15 Jan 2018] Dolores O'Riordan (Irish musician for The Cranberries), 46

[15 Jan 2018] Anshel Brusilow (American violinist and conductor), 89

[15 Jan 2018] Khadija Abdullahi Daleys (Somali singer), 81

[14 Jan 2018] Paul Lustig Dunkel (American flautist and conductor), 74

[13 Jan 2018] Otoniel Gonzaga (Filipino opera singer), 75

[13 Jan 2018] Tzimis Panousis (Greek musician, comedian and actor), 63, heart attack

[11 Jan 2018] Pierre Pincemaille (French organist), 61

[10 Jan 2018] "Fast" Eddie Clarke ( British guitarist for Motörhead and Fastway), 67, pneumonia

[09 Jan 2018] Alexander Vedernikov (Russian singer and teacher, Bolshoi Theatre soloist, People's Artist of the USSR for 1976), 90

[08 Jan 2018] Denise LaSalle (American blues singer), 78

[08 Jan 2018] Vojtěch Lindaur (Czech radio host for Radio Beat and record producer), 60

[08 Jan 2018] Moriss Taylor (American country and western music entertainer for The Moriss Taylor Show), 93

[07 Jan 2018] France Gall (French singer, Eurovision 1965 winner), 70, cancer

[06 Jan 2018] Walther Dürr (German musicologist), 85

[06 Jan 2018] Chris Tsangarides (British music producer for Black Sabbath, Judas Priest), 61, pneumonia and heart failure

[05 Jan 2018] Jerry Van Dyke (American actor and singer), 86

[05 Jan 2018] Yon Koeswoyo (Indonesian singer), 77

[05 Jan 2018] Mikio "Ko-Gami" Fujioka (Japanese guitarist for Babymetal), 36, complications from a fall

[04 Jan 2018] Ray Thomas (English singer-songwriter for The Moody Blues), 76, prostate cancer

[04 Jan 2018] John Braun (American radio DJ for WBZI), 68

[04 Jan 2018] Rayya Elias (Syrian-born American author and musician), 57, pancreatic cancer

[03 Jan 2018] Lara Kruger (South African disc jockey for Motsweding FM), 30

[03 Jan 2018] Medeniyet Shahberdiyeva (Soviet opera singer and music educator), 87

[03 Jan 2018] Colin Brumby (Australian composer and conductor), 84

[02 Jan 2018] Rick Hall (American record producer, songwriter and recording studio owner of FAME Studios, "Father of Muscle Shoals Music"), 85

[02 Jan 2018] Radha Viswanathan (Indian vocalist), 83, pneumonia

[02 Jan 2018] Tony Calder ( English music promoter and executive for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones), 74

[01 Jan 2018] Vidwan Mahadevappa (Indian violinist, professor at the Fine Arts College of University of Mysore), 87

[01 Jan 2018] Teddy Edelmann (Danish singer), 76

[01 Jan 2018] Robert Mann (American violinist and composer, founding member of the Juilliard String Quartet), 97

[01 Jan 2018] Konrad Ragossnig (Austrian classical guitarist), 85

[01 Jan 2018] Peter Evans (British musicologist), 88

[01 Jan 2018] Jon Paul Steuer (American actor and musician), 33

[01 Jan 2018] Betty Willis (American soul singer), 76, strangled

vu ([email protected]) ♥ 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 ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Pokey LaFarge at Turf Club, St Paul (20 January 2018)

Pokey LaFarge Setlist Better Man than Me Won’tcha Please Don’t Do It Goodbye, Barcelona Wanna Be Your Man Actin' a Fool Carry On Pokey LaFarge solo Storm a Comin' When Did You Leave Heaven Carmelita (Warren Zevon cover) Must Be a Reason All Night Long (Tampa Red cover) Something in the Water Going to the Country Pack It Up (Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three song) The Devil Ain’t Lazy Central Time Bag of Bones Rotterdam Drinkin' Whiskey Tonight (Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three song) -- Encore -- Cairo, IL Good Luck Charm Tour Dates 01/25/2018 Lexington, KY Cosmic Charlie's 01/26/2018 Nashville, TN High Watt 01/27/2018 Nashville, TN High Watt 01/28/2018 Newport, KY Southgate House Revival 02/14/2018 Groningen, NL De Oosterpoort 02/16/2018 Antwerp, Belgium De Roma 02/17/2018 Utrecht, NL Tivoli Vredenburg 02/18/2018 Eindhoven, NL Effenaar 02/19/2018 Hamburg, Germany Stage Club 02/21/2018 Berlin, Germany Festsaal Kreuzberg 02/22/2018 Munich, Germany Ampere 02/23/2018 Vienna, Austria Chelsea Club 02/24/2018 Bologna, Italy Locomotivclub 02/25/2018 Milan, Italy Serraglio 02/26/2018 Frankfurt, Germany Das Bett 02/28/2018 Köln, Germany Kulturkirche 03/01/2018 Zurich, Switzerland Bogen F 03/02/2018 Paris, France La Maroquinerie 03/03/2018 Reims, France La Cartonnerie 03/04/2018 Rotterdam, NL Maassilo 03/06/2018 Brighton, UK The Haunt 03/07/2018 Birmingham, UK O2 Institute 03/08/2018 Leeds, UK Brudenell Social Club 03/09/2018 Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK Riverside 03/10/2018 Dalmuir, UK The Art School 03/12/2018 Manchester, UK Gorilla 03/13/2018 London, UK Koko 05/26/2018 Napa, CA Napa Valley Exposition Read More Pokey LaFarge Pokey Lafarge is playing a two-night residency at the Turf Club in St Paul in support of his new album Manic Revelations (Rounder Records). For some odd reason, the venue is listing …

What’s old is new again and Western Swing is right at home at the Turf Club in St. Paul as Pokey LaFarge played a sold-out two-night stand at the historical venue, whose slogan is “the last remnant of the 40’s”.

Nashville-based duo Indianola opened with a brief set of somewhat downbeat songs, mostly culled from the debut EP, Zero. The project is one from Jackson, MS native Owen Beverly, who cut his musical teeth on the music of the nearby Delta Blues and took those influences, along with singer-songwriters like Roy Orbison and Townes Van Zandt, to form a sound of his own. 

On songs like the title track, ‘Another Thing Coming’, and single ’Tired of Being Told’ Beverly emotes the ups and downs of the touring life he’s led, as in this current project and back as a previous live member of Oh Land, and the many travels each entailed.  With studio time already behind them, expect a full-length album in 2018.

With a healthy Minneapolis/St. Paul following and the commonalities of also being Midwestern (LaFarge is St. Louis-based) and closely tied to the Mississippi River, Pokey LaFarge seems like a good musical neighbor, bringing back a classic sound, with his own modern twist. 

The lanky LaFarge looks like Hank Williams Sr. and dresses in a retro-style that reflects his music, though the band was missing one member as Ryan Koenig (harmonica/guitar) is still back recovering from a December car accident.  The latest album is last year’s Manic Revelations (Rounder Records) his eighth full-length, with several new songs featured this night, but the strongest crowd applause was predictably saved for the older favorites.

The ninety-minute set was stripped down compared to his last area appearance, at First Avenue which featured a full horn section, but Joey Glynn (bass), Adam Hoskins (guitar) and Matt Meyer (drums) remained in tow, and rock solid throughout.

LaFarge started strong with ‘Better Man than Me’ and the crowd sang along with ‘Goodbye, Barcelona’ which had the feel of a drinking song and noted the capacity crowd seemed a little mellow for a Saturday night, perhaps saving some energy to cheer the next day’s Vikings’ game.

With a major snowstorm in the immediate weather forecast, it was fitting that LaFarge debuted a brand new song while in St. Paul, the fittingly titled ‘Storm a Comin’, playing it both nights solo and acoustic.  A lovely ‘When Did You Leave Heaven’ (also solo) followed and then the band re-emerged for a stirring Mexican-rhythmed Warren Zevon cover, ’Carmelita’.

The crowd again came to life for sing-a-longs on ‘Pack it Up’ and ‘The Devil Ain’t Lazy’ (both featuring sharp guitar work by Hoskins) and ‘Central Time’ had the pulse of a classic road song.  The main set ended with the high rhythm ‘Drinkin’ Whiskey Tonight’ but the rowdier crowd had not had enough, chanting a mixture of “Pokey!” and ‘Seven Nation Army’ to woo them back out. 

Before beginning the two-song encore, LaFarge spoke fondly of the area, saying he could see himself living here, despite the harsh winters and praised the local music, including that of Jack Klatt and the Cat Swingers, to whom he dedicated ‘Cairo, IL’, before finishing things with the new ‘Good Luck Charm’.

Classic sounds in a classic room fit together like hand in glove, and having Pokey LaFarge play the Turf Club for a multi-night sold-out stand, seemed like a perfect combination and the ideal setting to unveil all of his Manic Revelations.   

Indianola

Indianola

Pokey LaFarge

Pokey LaFarge

Pokey LaFarge

Pokey LaFarge at Turf Club, St Paul (20 January 2018)

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Five Hands

Read more: Handy-Dandy, Four Hands, Three Hands, and A Handy Guide .

Read More Kevin Morby Former bassist for Woods and frontman of The Babies, Kevin Morby is back with his third solo album Singing Saw, out now on Dead Oceans Records. … Japanese Breakfast Opening will be singer Michelle Zauner, of Philadelphia indie punk band Little Big League, under the solo moniker of Japanese Breakfast. The music showcases Zauner's dark ... Jay Som The show was opened up by Jay Som from San Francisco, California. Her sweet and quiet demeanor was met with cute songs about real life events such as riding a bus. ...

HAND HABITS
handhabits.bandcamp.com

Upstate New York’s Hand Habits (aka Meg Duffy) will be touring in 2018 in support of her album Wildly Idle (Humble Before The Void) on Woodsist Records.

The 2018 tour will include several dates with Kevin Morby, Japanese Breakfast and Jay Som.

Tour starts in February:

02/02/18 Fri Los Angeles CA Lodge Room #
02/15/18 Thu Seattle WA Neumos $
02/16/18 Fri Vancouver BC Biltmore $
02/17/18 Sat Sabertooth Festival $
02/19/18 Mon Reno NV Holland Project $
02/21/18 Wed San Jose CA Ritz $
02/22/18 Thu San Francisco CA Grey Area $
02/23/18 Fri Fresno CA Strummer's $
02/24/18 Sat Pomona CA The Glasshouse $
04/02/18 Mon Portland OR Mississippi Studios*
04/03/18 Tue Portland OR Mississippi Studios*
04/05/18 Thu San Francisco CA The Fillmore*
04/06/18 Fri Los Angeles CA Troubadour*
04/07/18 Sat Los Angeles CA Troubadour*
04/09/18 Mon San Diego CA Casbah*
04/10/18 Tue Tucson AZ 191 Toole*
04/12/18 Thu Austin TX Barracuda*
04/13/18 Fri Austin TX Barracuda*
04/14/18 Sat Houston TX White Oak Music Hall*
04/16/18 Mon Birmingham AL Saturn*
04/17/18 Tue Nashville TN The Basement East*
04/18/18 Wed Atlanta GA The EARL*
04/20/18 Fri Baltimore MD The Ottobar*
04/21/18 Sat New York NY Bowery Ballroom*
04/22/18 Sun New York NY Bowery Ballroom*
04/24/18 Tue Columbus OH Ace of Cups*
04/25/18 Wed Detroit MI El Club*
04/26/18 Thu Holland MI Park Theatre *
04/27/18 Fri Indianapolis IN The HI-FI*
04/28/18 Sat Chicago IL Thalia Hall*
04/30/18 Mon Madison WI High Noon Saloon*
05/01/18 Tue Milwaukee WI The Back Room *
05/02/18 Wed Minneapolis MN Cedar Cultural Center*
05/04/18 Fri Iowa City IA The Mill*
05/05/18 Sat Kansas City MO Record Bar*

$ = w/ Japanese Breakfast & Jay Som
# = w/ Allah-Las
* = w/ Kevin Morby

FELIX AND THE FUTURE
felixandthefuture.com

If you like Kate Bush or Klaus Nomi, you’ll find a lot to like with Brooklyn’s surrealist, Mexican-American, queer pop artist Felix and The Future. His new LP called Holy Hands Vol 2 came out this week, January 19. All the songs were written in Brooklyn, and recorded and co-produced in Stockholm by Ted Wennerström.

The album blends primitive, tribal images and sounds with futuristic space explorations. Felix’s videos and songs tell his story of searching Earth and chasing false idols.

If you are in the New York area, the album release party is this January 30, 2018 at Baby's All Right in Brooklyn. Special guest openers will be Will Sheridan and Dezi 5.

SAVAGE HANDS
facebook.com/SavageHands

Maryland’s Savage Hands (Mike Garrow, Justin Hein, Ryan Evans, Nathan O'Brien, and Jonny Melton) announced that they’ve signed to SharpTone Records and will be releasing a debut EP Barely Alive this coming March 2, 2018.

SharpTone Records commented on the signing: “The moment we heard Savage Hands we were instantly hooked. They have everything we love about music; great energy, impactful lyrics and anthemic melodies which stick with you for days!! ‘Barley Alive’ is a great introduction into the rock music landscape.”

Mike Garrow from Savage Hands also add, “Ever since SharpTone became active as a label, the band as a whole was very excited to pursue a relationship which eventually led us to this point. SharpTone has an amazing team and we are very happy and proud to now be a part of the family. SharpTone has been very supportive in all our creative decisions, which is what we love the most. This type of music is who we are and something we all love. They understand that and back us 100%. We can’t thank them enough! Here’s to 2018!”

HAIKU HANDS
haikuhands.com.au

Australia trio Haiku Hands consists of Claire Nakazawa aka Chaos Emerald, Beatrice Lewis aka Beatrice, and Mie Nakazawa… although from the recent photos and album cover, it appears there is now a fourth band member.

Anyway, the group have been working with some of Australia’s finest writers and produces, such as El Gusto (Hermitude), Joelistics, Jaytee Hazard and Lewis Can Cut, Haiku Hands curate, perform and collaborate to form genre bending songs with influences from hip hop, pop, electronic, dance and disco.

Their single “Not About You” was recently voted in the top Hottest 100 on Triple J Radio.

HOLY HANDS
holyhandsmusic.bandcamp.com

Massachusetts’s post-hardcore quartet Holy Hands (Adam Gonsalves: Vocals/Guitar, Craig Burns: Bass, Evan White: Drums, and Ryan Parker: Guitar) released their debut record New Magnetic on Atomic Action! Records at the end of last year (December 15). The group comprised of both past and present members of Sweet Jesus, Fiddlehead, Raindance, Fault, Supermachiner, and Daltonic.

Their label described the 10-track album as “an evolutionary leap that would make Darwin proud.” The bird artwork is by Ron Henry Wells and J.Bannon.

New Magnetic Track Listing: 1. The Arrow, 2. Coleman, 3. Black Paint, 4. Bombs Aren’t Beautiful, 5. Constellations, 6. Love Is Love, 7. Summer Rain, 8. Discouraged Ones, 9. Will Resist, 10. New Magnetic North.

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