W♥M

Goo Goo Dolls / O.A.R. at Starlight Theatre, Kansas City MO (2023-08-27)

GOO GOO DOLLS SETLIST Broadway Over and Over Slide Big Machine Here Is Gone Black Balloon January Friend Yeah, I Like You Going Crazy Lucky Star So Alive Sympathy Come to Me Name Naked Miracle Pill Run All Night Life's a Message Bringing On the Light Better Days Stay With You Tattered Edge I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty cover, with Marc Roberge) Iris (outro music - Do Ya by Electric Light Orchestra) O.A.R. SETLIST Lay Down Black Rock About an Hour Ago California Night Shift Stir it Up (Bob Marley cover) Shattered (Turn the Car Around) Love and Memories Miss You All the Time Peace Heaven I Go Through  Ring of Fire (Merle Kilgore / Johnny Cash cover) Hey Girl That Was a Crazy Game of Poker GOO GOO DOLLS TOUR DATES AUG 30 FIDDLER'S GREEN GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO AUG 31 SANDY AMPHITHEATER SANDY, UT SEP 2 CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE WOODINVILLE, WA SEP 3 CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE WOODINVILLE, WA SEP 4 HAYDEN HOMES AMPHITHEATER BEND, OR SEP 6 FIVEPOINT AMPHITHEATRE IRVINE, CA SEP 7 YAAMAVA’ THEATER HIGHLAND, CA SEP 12 THE CUTHBERT AMPHITHEATER EUGENE, OR SEP 14 HERO ARENA MTN AMERICA CTR IDAHO FALLS, ID SEP 15 METRAPARK ARENA BILLINGS, MT SEP 16 FORD WYOMING CENTER CASPER, WY SEP 18 VETTER STONE AMPHITHEATER MANKATO, MN SEP 20 BANKPLUS AMPHITHEATER AT SNOWDEN GROVE SOUTHAVEN, MS SEP 22 OZARKS AMPHITHEATER CAMDENTON, MO SEP 23 THE ASTRO AMPHITHEATER OMAHA, NE SEP 24 DEVON LAKESHORE AMPHITHEATER DECATUR, IL SEP 26 RABBIT RABBIT ASHEVILLE, NC SEP 27 ATLANTIC UNION BANK PAVILION PORTSMOUTH, VA SEP 29 MAINE SAVINGS AMPHITHEATER BANGOR, ME SEP 30 BANK OF NEW HAMPSHIRE PAVILION GILFORD, NH OCT 7 SMYRNA MARKET VILLAGE SMYRNA, GA FEB 13 PERTH ARENA PERTH, AUSTRALIA FEB 15 ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE HINDMARSH, AUSTRALIA FEB 16 ROD LAVER ARENA MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA FEB 17 ROCHFORD WINES COLDSTREAM, AUSTRALIA FEB 20 WIN SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT CENTRES WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA FEB 22 QUDOS BANK ARENA SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA FEB 23 GIO STADIUM CANBERRA BRUCE, AUSTRALIA FEB 24 NEWCASTLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE BROADMEADOW, AUSTRALIA FEB 26 GOLD COAST CONVENTION CENTRE BROADBEACH, AUSTRALIA FEB 27 BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE BOONDALL, AUSTRALIA FEB 29 WOLFBROOK ARENA CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND MAR 2 BOWL OF BROOKLANDS NEW PLYMOUTH, NEW ZEALAND O.A.R. TOUR DATES AUG 30 FIDDLER'S GREEN GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO AUG 31 SANDY AMPHITHEATER SANDY, UT SEP 2 CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE WOODINVILLE, WA SEP 3 CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE WOODINVILLE, WA SEP 4 HAYDEN HOMES AMPHITHEATER BEND, OR SEP 6 FIVEPOINT AMPHITHEATRE IRVINE, CA SEP 29 - OCT 1 OCEAN'S CALLING FEST OCEAN CITY, MD AN EVENING WITH MARC ROBERGE FEATURING STEPHEN KELLOGG NOV 8 JANE PICKENS THEATRE NEWPORT, RI NOV 9 SHALIN LIU PERFORMANCE CTR ROCKPORT, MA NOV 10 RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE RIDGEFIELD, CT NOV 11 BETHEL WOODS CENTER BETHEL, NY NOV 16 THE ARDMORE MUSIC HALL ARDMORE, PA NOV 17 COUNT BASIE CENTER VOGEL RED BANK, NJ NOV 18 RAMS HEAD ON STAGE ANNAPOLIS, MD NOV 19 THE BIRCHMERE ALEXANDRIA, VA Read More O.A.R. Rockville, MD quartet O.A.R. is very familiar with the Basilica stage and has also done several promotional appearances for Cities 97, so their inclusion to headline the Preferred

Who knew you were supposed to bring props to The Big Night Out?!

The longtime fans knew, that’s who, as the solid double bill of Goo Goo Dolls and O.A.R. together, brought out fans young and old, to a very pleasant late summer evening under clear skies in Kansas City at Starlight Theatre. Not “Rocky Horror”-level props mind you, but there were a couple things fans brought along, that had them interact with the concert experience.

The veteran Buffalo, NY duo (Johnny Rzeznik and Robby Takac) is out in support of their 2022 album, Chaos in Bloom (via Warner Bros Records) and headlines this summer amphitheater run, which plays to over thirty outdoor venues over three months.

The band had played this very same venue, just over a year ago (with Blue October) but the fans came out like they hadn’t played here in years.

Additionally, a portion from tickets sold will benefit the Safe At Home Foundation. The organization was founded by ex-MLB player/manager Joe Torre to provide healing services and education to young people who have been exposed to domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault.

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Longtime Rockville MD alt-roots rock band O.A.R. (Of a Revolution) got things started with a 75-minute opening set, that properly warmed up the crowd for the main act. The band’s latest release is their tenth studio album, last year’s The Arcade (though on this night, no new songs were featured on the setlist). We recently caught them live in MN as well.

Singer Marc Roberge was in good spirits, smiling and pointing out people in the crowd, mentioning as the band finished its opening song, 2005’s “Lay Down” that their first show was proudly at their school’s Eighth Grade talent show, and they use to let their friends join in on bongos, and other instruments.

“Black Rock” was lyrically about a place of escape for the Maryland natives as teens, and the very first song they ever recorded, 1997’s “About an Hour Ago” was played early-on in the set. 1999’s “Night Shift” ended up as merging with their Bob Marley cover of “Stir It Up” to be a mid-set mashup, and big radio hit, “Shattered” got everyone still sitting, up and cheering along.

Before 2005’s “Love and Memories”, Roberge related the story that the song was supposed to be for the acclaimed film, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, but being Hollywood, it actually ended up in “Soccer Scene montage #3B” of the Amanda Bynes not-so-classic film, “She’s the Man”, the following year.

“I Go Through” was dedicated to the bands’ families, describing the struggles of having a loved one that makes a living mostly on the road, and the band deviated from the setlist, working in their cover of “Ring of Fire”, which ended up being a crowd sing-a-long. Their closing number was their signature song, 1997’s “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker” (where they name-check their own band moniker) and that was the cue for fans everywhere in the stands to let decks of playing cards fill the air, much to the band’s delight.

===

For the Goo Goo Dolls, 2023 represents an amazing 37^th year as a band, down to a duo for the last decade or so, and a long way from their punk roots and playing basements in Buffalo. Their headlining set of just over 95-minutes celebrated those decades (ok, not the really early stuff) and Rzeznik, and the always barefoot Takac were both in good moods. Rzeznik stopped and laughed several times while trying to sing, and both were happy to see the crowd swaying and singing along.

We caught Rzeznik solo, seven summers ago, playing live on the front end of a small docked boat for a radio promo on a small Minnesota lake, and he continues to look as young as ever.

Only a couple songs from last year’s Chaos in Bloom release were played (including lead single, “Yeah, I Like You”), with the band preferring more familiar songs (as is usually the case for summer outdoor tours).

Rzeznik started strumming the first chords of 1998’s smash, “Slide” before smiling and stopping mid-note, to confirm everyone not only knew the song but would also help sing-a-long, and the props soon came out during 1999’s “Black Balloon”, with actual black balloons somehow inflated out of sight in pockets of the crowd, and thrown in the air at the ready (“Look at you guys!’” Rzeznik commented when seeing them).

The band (as expected, expanded from a duo for the touring version) managed to work in two-dozen songs over their slightly abbreviated set, preferring to let the songs do most of the communicating, and smartly did not waste time towards the end, with the routine of leaving, then returning for an encore.

Takac got his turn singing lead on several songs (his vocals are somewhat reminiscent of Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge, though Robby pre-dates him by a few years) and Rzeznik commented because it was a weekend and even he didn’t have to be up early the following day, that the band would take their time playing, which elicited cheers. Upon seeing a Taylor Swift t-shirt, Rzeznik gave praise to her and especially the couple records, unfairly comparing himself to her joking, “there’s a reason she’s the biggest star in the world… and I’m not!”.

1995’s “Name” Rzeznik admitted, was “the first time anyone ever paid attention to us”, further saying “anyone that picks up a guitar or plays a piano… only wants to be heard, but in order to be heard, someone’s gotta listen”, starting their landmark song sparsely with the crowd proving they listened, by singing along as Rzeznik performed the first two verses unaccompanied.

The other thing we love to see on summer tours, is an on-stage collaboration between acts, and the “Big Night Out” did not disappoint as O.A.R. singer Roberge returned to the stage for a lively Tom Petty cover (they played a Petty cover last year/last tour too, thougha different song), which instantly became a show highlight.

Of course, the band’s biggest hit to date, 1998’s “Iris” would end the evening- the thrice Grammy-nominated song from the City of Angels soundtrack that would chart for eighteen weeks, spending four of those, at the very top. “Give yourself some love!” Rzeznik shouted towards its end, appreciating all the collective singing; both of the song, and of most of the night, before he waved and darted off with the rest of the group.

“The Big Night Out” was also the “fun night out” as pleasant weather (finally again!) and Goo Goo Dolls and O.A.R. were obviously having a fun time themselves, which made for a full and entertaining evening… whether you brought the appropriate props, or not.

 (Click on any image to enlarge and see in full)

GOO GOO DOLLS

GOO GOO DOLLS

GOO GOO DOLLS

GOO GOO DOLLS

GOO GOO DOLLS

O.A.R.

GOO GOO DOLLS

O.A.R.

O.A.R.

OF A REVOLUTIOM

OF A REVOLUTIOM

OF A REVOLUTIOM

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com

We♥KC! August 24-31, 2023 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Read More: Cannons We’re loving everything we’ve heard from Cannons, whose hit single, “Bad Dream”, has been followed by by a digital-only cover album earlier this year.

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Uh-oh, some recent cooler mornings (after the July/August record heat) means it’s all winding down--

Summer is too-quickly coming to an end, as back to school has started for almost all (area colleges return Monday), but the Fall usually means a last blast of concert activity, before the slower holiday season. You’d think it was already Rocktober, instead of late August, as KC has had a ton of shows lately, with a schedule that stays pretty busy through mid-November, so buckle up and go see live music!

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from August 24th to 31st.

THURSDAY AUGUST 24

Craig Ferguson (comedy) Aug 24, Uptown, $59-$352

The Scottish former host of The Late Late Show (whose hosting stint on CBS lasted a decade) is a multiple Grammy-nominated, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning actor, writer, producer, director and comedian. We first saw him in America in 1995 with Betty White and Marie Osmond in the short-lived ABC comedy, “Maybe This Time.” After the show ended, ABC decided to add him to “The Drew Carey Show,” playing Carey’s boss, ‘Nigel Wick,’ from 1996-2003.

Among his many screen credits, he also voices Gobber in the successful How To Train Your Dragon movies, and all along, he’s kept his stand-up comedy career, as time has allowed. In 2006, Ferguson released his first novel, Between the Bridge and the River, which made it onto the bestseller list, and in 2008, Ferguson succeeded in becoming a US Citizen.

FRIDAY AUGUST 25

The Black Keys, August 25, Starlight, $35-$199.50

The blues-rock duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney is back, touring on their 11th studio album, “Dropout Boogie" (released last May) with a follow-up to last season’s 32-date North American run and European to end on, last year. New songs and past favorites like “Howlin’ for You,” “Lonely Boy,” and “Gold on the Ceiling” have been featured, as well as a deep cut or two, and covers from influences Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside.

The acclaimed album was nominated for 2023 Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance for the album track “Wild Child.” Dan Auerbach was also nominated last year for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical for his work on this and other albums.

Denver alt rock trio The Velveteers (singer-guitarist Demi Demitro / drummers Baby Pottersmith and Jonny Fig) slated to open in support of Nightmare Daydream, on Easy Eye Sound, Auerbach’s label.

Weyes Blood, August 25, The Truman, $25-$50

Aka Natalie Mering is taking her glowing heart to more cities, in support of And In the Darkness, Hearts Aglow, her album from last year. This new string of headlining dates is taking place in between her opening support slot on the Beck/ Phoenix co-headlining tour. Mering will make her way to the West Coast in September, play a show at Red Rocks with The Strokes and then return to Europe in October for even more touring.

SATURDAY AUGUST 26

Jelly Roll w Ashley McBryde, Struggle Jennings, Josh Adam Meyers, Aug 26, T-Mobile Center, SOLD OUT

The big man sold it out! Arguably, the sensation of 2023, the rapper/Country artist is taking his genre-blending sound is out on his Backroad Baptism Tour, which kicked off on July 28 in Mississippi, and is selling out most arenas along the way. After a previous seasoned discography, he broke out last year with radio hit, ‘Need A Favor’ then continued this momentum into 2023, earning his first ever Country Radio No. 1 in January with his hit, ‘Son of a Sinner’.

The tour's name is a nod to Jelly Roll's journey of redemption through music, after the artist's struggles with addiction and his former life as a drug dealer, and he even recently visited a group of incarcerated inmates, after seeing them singing his songs on TikTok.

A bevy of great acts anchors this bill, including six-time Grammy-nominated Arkansas singer-songwriter Ashley McBryde, whose fourth record The Devil I Know, is set to release on September 8^th and she’s a recent Grand Old Opry inductee as well. Comedian Josh Adam Meyers is set to host.

KC Dance Day, Aug 26, Blender Center, Free!

Join Kansas City Ballet for KC Dance Day, the 13th annual celebration of dance and movement featuring dance performances, and dance and fitness classes.

Choose from more than 20 free dance and movement classes at the Kansas City Ballet School, available for children ages 2-7 in Dance with Me, Creative Movement, Ballet, and Boys Ballet and for ages 8-11 in Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop. Free classes for adults ages 12 and up include Be Moved, DANCEFIX, Ballet, Yoga, Hip Hop, Jazz, Flamenco, and Contemporary. Preregistration for free classes is available online and encouraged.

Lunch will be available from 11:30a-2:00p served by Two Guys and a Grill. Choose from a hamburger, hot dog, veggie burger, or chicken breast, with chips and bottled water for $10 per.  Info/ registration: KC Dance Day - KC Ballet - August 26, 2023 - Free!

Taking Back Sunday, August 26, KCLive!, $25-$65

This past June, the Long Island band returned with “The One,” their first new song in four years, then in July, they participated in the “Sad Summer Festival” tour with The Maine, Mom Jeans, and more. That tour has wrapped, but the band still has some remaining live dates in 2023, including this downtown KC show. They also recently went back to their roots, playing a Long Island house show and delivering a surprise set, but don’t expect anything quite that intimate.

Avett Bros, Old 97's, Turnpike Troubadours, Aug 26, Azura Amph, $24-$191

Hot on the heels of brand-new album, A Cat in the Rain (featuring new single, “Mean Old Sun”) being released only the day before, the Oklahoma band will play outdoors in the KC West suburbs on a tour that started only days ago in Lincoln, NE and includes a residency at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth, TX.

“I have that same adrenaline rush again,” Evan Felker, the band’s singer / primary songwriter, tells Rolling Stone. “Waiting around to put this album out, and getting to share it with other people. I would miss that if I weren’t still doing it. I would miss making something, because I can’t make anything else at this level.”

The lineup is stacked with two other great live acts, so arrive well-prepared for a full musical evening.

Kamelot with Battle Beast and Xandria, Aug. 26, The Truman. $35

The modern heavy symphonic metal leaders have announced their 2023 "Awaken The World" North American Tour, featuring special guests, Finland’s acclaimed BATTLE BEAST and additional support from Xandria.

Guitarist Thomas Youngblood says,"We are beyond excited to return to North America for the 'Awaken The World' tour! We just returned from four weeks in Europe to packed houses, so we cannot wait to play new songs and the new set to the KAMELOT Nation U.S. and Canada. See you all at the shows!"

Saving Abel, Tiblow Days- Centennial Park, Bonner Springs - Free! 

A late addition, as we just spotted this; band is on stage about 9:30pm, Heritage Festival Info here: 

Tiblow Days — Bonner Springs Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce (bsedwchamber.org)

SUNDAY AUGUST 27

Corey Taylor (Slipknot) w Wargasm, Oxymorrons, Uptown, $39.50-$97

The Slipknot front man has been busy, as usual, now prepping for the release of his forthcoming second solo album, CMF2, and dropped its lead single "Beyond." The album's out September 15th, and Taylor is out on a 28-day U.S. tour (just started Aug 25 in Denver), featuring support from nu-metal revivalists Wargasm and rap group Oxymorrons.

Goo Goo Dolls w O.A.R., Aug 27, Starlight, $29.50-$169.50

The longtime New York rock band is out in support of their 2022 album, Chaos in Bloom and partnering with O.A.R. on The Big Night Out Summer Tour, which hits more than 30 amphitheaters in cities over the course of three months. The tour launched on July 24 in Tampa and wraps on Sept. 7 with a solo Goo Goo Dolls show in Highland, CA, so this KC date is just past the middle.

“I’m so proud to finally be able to announce our summer tour with a great band and our friends O.A.R.,” Dolls co-founder Johnny Rzeznik said in a press statement. “It’s going to be an amazing night of great music for everyone so BE THERE!!!”

A portion from tickets sold will benefit the Safe At Home Foundation. The organization was founded by former MLB player/manager Joe Torre to provide healing services and education to young people who have been exposed to domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault to “empower them to live healthy lives free of violence,” according to the Foundation’s mission statement.

MONDAY AUGUST 28

TUESDAY AUGUST 29

The Chicks w Ben Harper, Aug 29, T-Mobile Center, $39.50-$139.50

After nearly 14 years, The Chicks released their fifth studio album GASLIGHTER to acclaimed reviews in July 2020 (via Columbia Records), co-produced by award-winning singer-songwriter, producer, Jack Antonoff (who doesn't he produce?!) ...but then, the pandemic (during which time they also shortened their name).

The biggest-selling U.S. female band of all time, The Chicks have sold more than 30.5 million albums and the only female group to achieve multiple “Diamond” selling (10+ million copies) releases. Counting 13 GRAMMY® Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, and numerous CMA Awards are among many other accolades.

Illness on the road has caused several recent postponements, but seems like they're past that, and arrive early for singer-songwriter Ben Harper, out in support of last year's Bloodline Maintenance and the just-released 17^th full-length, Wide Open Light.

Come From Away (musical) Aug 29-Sept 3, Starlight, POSTPONED

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 30

Mastodon w Gojira, Lorna Shore, Aug 30, Azura Amph, $45-$49.50 (all GA)

Dubbed the Mega-Monsters Tour, buckle your seatbelts for this heavy one!

Mastodon released their latest and eighth album, Hushed and Grim, back in 2021. Before that, the Atlanta-based sludge metal band also dropped the compilation Medium Rarities. As for French avant-metal group Gojira, their newest album also came out in 2021, Fortitude. It was the follow-up to their 2016 full-length, Magma. New Jersey deathcore band Lorna Shore released Pain Remains last October.

Zach Bryan, Aug. 30, T-Mobile Center. Sold Out

The Country sensation’s headlining Burn Burn Burn American Tour might be considered a slight against Ticketmaster, as he’s stayed clear of the ticketing giant, in hopes of a fairer shake for fans acquiring his very in-demand tickets for a reasonable rate.

“I’ve tried my best to make tickets as affordable as possible for the Burn Burn Burn Tour,” Bryan said in a The Office-inspired (with Kevin cameo!) video making the announcement, using mostly Fair AXS as his preferred outlet which only allows resale at face value. Spanning 28 dates, the Burn Burn Burn Tour started in May in Virginia and wraps with this Kansas City show.

Arrive early for two fine Midwest openers, the pride of Duluth, MN - Trampled by Turtles, who we've come to know very well from our Twin Cities base (we really miss their Palomino Festival which ran for several years at Canterbury Park) whose latest full-length is last October's "Alpenglow" (on BanjoDad Records) and Tulsa Country folk singer-songwriter JR Carroll, out in support of 2022's "Raging in the Dark".

Cannons with New Constellations and Jane Leo, Aug. 30, The Truman. $25-$50

We were all-in on this Los Angeles dream/electro-pop trio (Michelle Joy- vocals; Ryan Clapham- lead guitar; Paul Davis- drums keys) when we first saw them live in 2021 and again in 2022, so grab tix to this return engagement, while you still can! We toldja they would be big!

Their three albums- Night Drive [2017], Shadows [2019], and Fever Dream [2022] have shown a true musical growth, and the group has exponentially grown in popularity along the way. Breakout single “Fire For You” reached RIAA Gold, some 250mil. streams, topped Alternative Radio, and landed on the likes of NETFLIX’s Never Have I Ever, American Horror Story, and more. New single is the sunny, sassy, and sexy funkified strut of “Loving You”, signaling much more to come.

Portland indie duo New Constellations have a debut EP out, and Austin TX’s Jane Leo is actually a dark pop, neon noir duo of Leopold and His Fiction and Jane Ellen Bryant.

THURSDAY AUGUST 31

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

O.A.R. and Cory Wong at the Armory (07/08/2023)

07/08 O.A.R. & Cory Wong at Armory Cory Wong Setlist NFL Sports Intro Assassin (The Fearless Flyers song) Flyers Direct (The Fearless Flyers song) Team Sports Let's Go! Meditation Everybody Talks (Neon Trees cover) with Tyler Glenn Animal (Neon Trees cover) with Tyler Glenn Hiding on the Moon with O.A.R. St. Paul Bluebird Lunchtime Tour Dates 07/13 – Snowshoe, WV – 4848 Festival 07/15 - Montreux, Switzerland - Montreux Jazz Festival 07/16 – Sete, France – Jazz a Sete Festival 07/18 – Antibes, France – Jazz a Juan Festival 07/19 – Stuttgart, Germany – Jazz Open Stuttgart 07/20 –Brno, Czech Republic – Groove Brno Festival 07/22 – Katowice, Poland - Jazz Around Festival 07/25 – Marciac, France – Festival Jazz in Marciac 07/28-30 – Nagata, Japan – Fuji Rock Festival 08/25-27 – Tisbury, MA – Beach Road Weekend 09/09-10 – Indianapolis, IN – All In 09/14 – Fredericton, NB – Harvest Music Festival 09/16 – Asbury Park, NJ – Sea Hear Now 09/17 – Paso Robles, CA – Whale Rock Music 09/22 – Las Vegas, NV – Life Is Beautiful Read More O.A.R. Rockville, MD quartet O.A.R. is very familiar with the Basilica stage and has also done several promotional appearances for Cities 97, so their inclusion to headline the Preferred … Cory Wong Guitarist Cory Wong is playing the Fine Line Music Café on February 9th. Wong is bringing Emily C Browning (not to be confused with Australian actress and singer Emily Browning - you can hear the actress sing in God Help The Girl). ...

At first I didn’t know what I was covering. Was it a double-bill featuring O.A.R. and Cory Wong or was it a hockey game featuring members of both bands? Well, it was both, and luckily I covered the show for both bands are much better on the stage than they are on ice.

About seven months ago Wong collaborated on the single “Hiding on the Moon” with O.A.R. And during a little downtime O.A.R. lead singer, Marc Roberge, asked why Wong did a hilarious YouTube video where Wong and members of his band, the Wongnotes, played a mini concert in full hockey gear on an ice-skating rink.

What was an answer soon turned to a boast about Minnesota Wild hockey, which turned into a challenge involving a game between the bands that evolved into a Celebrity/Wild alumni hockey game/charity event with proceeds going to the Minnesota Wild Foundation.

Cory Wong was up first and he and his band did not waste any time bringing the energetic funk.

Wong is from Minnesota. He was introduced to classic rock and jazz by his father and started taking piano lessons at nine, but soon migrated to the Fender Stratocaster in high school. Attending the University of Minnesota and McNally Smith College of Music, he has since made quite a name for himself, playing with the local, legendary band Dr. Mambo’s Combo, sitting in with Chris Thile and John Batiste and now collaborating with O.A.R.

Wong took the stage with his specially designed seafoam green Stratocaster, which matched his beachcombing outfit. He moved about the expansive stage as Downbeat Magazine once described:

“In concert he stalks the stage on spidery legs with unbounded energy, mouth agape, like an exuberant cheerleader at a funky pep rally.”

Although the headliner, Wong gave plenty of limelight to his band, moving towards their direction when Peter Janjic on drums, Nêgah Santos on congos, and Kevin Gastonguay moved into a solo. Then there was the horn section. Wong doesn’t sing, so his horns were his chorus, joyful, exuberant and unbound with energy.

A highlight of the show was “Meditation” in which Wong showed off his guitar skills, first starting with a quiet solo that echoed shades of Mark Knopfler before moving to an uplifting anthem. Another highlight was “Lunchtime” which can best be described as being strapped to a musical rocket and trying to hold on for dear life.

Wong also invited a musical guest, Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees, to sing a few of his songs “Everybody Talks” and “Animal” to the delight and surprise of the crowd.

O.A.R. aka Of A Revolution was up next and by the reaction of the crowd they are well-loved in Minnesota.

Founded in 1996 in the aptly named Rockville Maryland, they are Marc Roberge on lead vocals and guitar, Richard On on lead guitar, Benj Gershman on bass, Chris Culos on drums, and Jerry DePizzo on sax and guitar. They were joined on stage by Mikel Paris on keyboards and Jon Lampley on trumpet, who is also part of the Wongnotes, so I’m not sure which hockey team he played for.

Although O.A.R. was in town to play a sport that involves fist-to-cuffs, the themes of their music were inclusiveness, acceptance, support and love with songs like “California” “Heaven” and “Peace”. They are definitely a band to see live, granting extended solos to On on guitar, DePizzo on sax and Lampley who seemed to give it his all on his trumpet solos.

A highlight was “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker” which had members of the crowd throwing full decks of playing cards into the air for others to pick up to see who could hold the best hand.

For an encore the stage was flooded with not only both bands but also members of the earlier charity game. They played Otis Redding’s “Hard To Handle” (made famous by the Black Crowes) and it was quite a finish to a “wildly” successful enterprise that started out as a question.

By the way Team Wong won the game as Roberge conceded: “You all can play hockey and sing in key.”

Cory Wong

Cory Wong

Cory Wong

Cory Wong

Cory Wong

Cory Wong

Cory Wong

O.A.R.

O.A.R.

O.A.R.

O.A.R.

O.A.R. O.A.R. O.A.R. O.A.R. O.A.R.

O.A.R. at the Armory, Minneapolis (08 July 2023)

dave ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Minneapolis: This Week (07/09/2023)

Here are some shows, this week, in the Minneapolis/St Paul area.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide

07/04 Fleet Foxes with Uwade at First Avenue Read More Fleet Foxes Seattle’s Fleet Foxes sold out their double booking at the Palace Theatre in St Paul. At the height of the popularity, we jokingly called them an unknown indie folk band when we reviewed their...

07/04/2023 Tuesday

Fleet Foxes
with Uwade
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Fleet Foxes’ North American tour begins June 13 in Cleveland. The tour will stop by Kansas City (at the Midland Theatre) and Minneapolis (at First Avenue).

Fleet Foxes (01 Oct 2017)

We saw Fleet Foxes in Oct 2017, and said, “After a three-year hiatus, Fleet Foxes announced that they were indeed back together and working on a new album, their first new record in six years, on January 1, 2017. The third studio album, entitled Crack-Up (Nonesuch Records), would be a concept album. The album would begin exactly where Helplessness Blues ended.”

Uwade to open.

Tour dates:

06-13 Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theater*
06-14 Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC Live at 20 Monroe*
06-16 Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo
06-17 St. Louis, MO @ The Factory*
06-18 Louisville, KY @ Old Forester’s Paristown Hall*
06-20 New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall*
06-21 Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE*
06-23 Asheville, NC @ Rabbit Rabbit*
06-24 Charleston, SC @ Firefly Distillery*
06-25 Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live*
06-27 Birmingham, AL @ Avondale Brewing*
06-28 New Orleans, LA @ The Fillmore*
06-30 Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom*
07-01 Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre*
07-02 Omaha, NE @ Steelhouse Omaha*
07-04 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue*
07-09 Indianapolis, IN @ The Murat Theatre *
07-11 Portland, ME @ Thompson’s Point*
07-12 LaFayette, NY @ Beak & Skiff*
07-16 Halifax, NS @ Halifax Jazz Festival
08-18 Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre ^^
08-19 Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre ^^
08-20 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl ^^
08-22 Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre*
08-24 Portland, OR @ Pioneer Courthouse Square*
08-25 Port Townsend, WA @ Thing Festival

*with Uwade
^^ Co-headline with My Morning Jacket

07/07 Kiltro at 7th St Entry Read More KFAI I have listed for Monday, March 3rd is Aaron Kamm & the One Drops from St. Louis. This is part of the "Only Every Monday" event, sponsored by K.F.A.I. 90.3 Minneapolis & 106.7 St. Paul. …

07/07/2023 Friday

Kiltro
with KFAI's Radio Pocho DJs
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Denver’s Kiltro will be headlining out on tour in support of their forthcoming album Underbelly.

Kiltro was formed by Chilean-American singer / songwriter Chris Bowers Castillo when he returned to Denver. The world Kiltro is Chilean for stray dogs.

Update: KFAI's Radio Pocho DJs to open.

Kiltro US Tour

June 21 - Detroit, MI - Lager House
June 22 - Columbus, OH - Woodlands
June 24 - Bethlehem, PA - Sabor Festival
June 25 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
June 26 - Cambridge, MA - Club Passim
June 28 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby’s All Right
June 29 - Vienna, VA - Jammin Java
June 30 - Richmond, VA - Richmond Music Hall
July 1 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
July 3 - Nashville, TN - The Basement
July 6 - Madison, WI - The Bur Oak
July 7 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
July 8 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
August 9 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord
August 10 - Los Angeles, CA - Gold-Diggers
August 11 - Pioneertown, CA - Pappy's
August 13 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar
August 16 - Austin, TX - Ballroom
August 17 - Houston, TX - WOMH Upstairs
August 18 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada
August 19 - Oklahoma City, OK - Resonant Head
August 25 - Denver CO - VORTEX 2023
September 14 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
September 16 - Vancouver, BC - The Cobalt
September 17 - Seattle, WA - Barboza

07/08 O.A.R. & Cory Wong at Armory Read More O.A.R. Rockville, MD quartet O.A.R. is very familiar with the Basilica stage and has also done several promotional appearances for Cities 97, so their inclusion to headline the Preferred … Cory Wong Guitarist Cory Wong is playing the Fine Line Music Café on February 9th. Wong is bringing Emily C Browning (not to be confused with Australian actress and singer Emily Browning - you can hear the actress sing in God Help The Girl). ...

07/08/2023 Saturday

O.A.R. & Cory Wong
at Armory
armorymn.com

The special O.A.R. and Cory Wong co-headlining tour will stop by the Armory in Minneapolis this Saturday, June 8th. Be sure to check out this tour to see Cory Wong performs “Hiding on the Moon”, a new song featuring O.A.R.

“I’ve been a fan of O.A.R. since I was a teenager," says Cory Wong. "I have seen them play several times; and when I finally got the chance to hang with Marc and the guys, I knew we’d hit it off musically. I had some time off in New York and Marc invited me to come hang and write in his studio. I had a loop of an idea that I had been sitting on for a while that I shared with him and he said, 'Let me get a microphone up.' We wrote the song that afternoon, and I took the tracks and ran with it over the next couple of months. I wanted to add some unique guitar elements to it, so I decided to use some natural harmonics as the opening section, and for the guitar solo, I wanted to channel a combination of…Coldplay/Allman/Mayer. This song ended up being a great collaboration that really features both Cory Wong and O.A.R. in a unique way, and really shows the power of creative minds coming together to make something that we wouldn’t have made independently!”

O.A.R. (10 Jul 2015)

We saw O.A.R. in July 2015 and said, “Singer Marc Roberge and band were so “in the zone” playing that they didn’t break until after the sixth song, with Roberge remarking “I always forget to say 'Hi 'because we love playing so much”.”

Cory Wong Tour Dates:

07/02 – Portland, OR – Waterfront Blues Festival †
07/04 - Montreal, Canada - Le Festival International de Jazz de Montreal †
07/08 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory +
07/13 – Snowshoe, WV – 4848 Festival †
07/15 - Montreux, Switzerland - Montreux Jazz Festival w/Nile Rodgers †
07/16 – Sete, France – Jazz a Sete Festival †
07/18 – Antibes, France – Jazz a Juan Festival †
07/19 – Stuttgart, Germany – Jazz Open Stuttgart ^
07/20 –Brno, Czech Republic – Groove Brno Festival †
07/22 – Katowice, Poland - Jazz Around Festival †
07/25 – Marciac, France – Festival Jazz in Marciac †
07/28-30 – Nagata, Japan – Fuji Rock Festival †
08/03 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note Hawaii (Early Show)
08/03 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note Hawaii (Late Show)
08/04 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note Hawaii (Early Show)
08/04 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note Hawaii (Late Show)
08/05 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note Hawaii (Early Show)
08/05 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note Hawaii (Late Show)
08/25-27 – Tisbury, MA – Beach Road Weekend †
09/09-10 – Indianapolis, IN – All In †
09/14 – Fredericton, NB – Harvest Music Festival †
09/16 – Asbury Park, NJ – Sea Hear Now †
09/17 – Paso Robles, CA – Whale Rock Music †
09/22 – Las Vegas, NV – Life Is Beautiful † #
09/28 – Stockholm, Sweden – Arenan Fryshuset
09/29 – Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller Music Hall
09/30 – Copenhagen, Denmark – VEGA
10/02 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso
10/03– Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso
10/04 – Paris, France – L’Olympia
10/05 – Utrecht, Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg
10/06 – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique (AB)
10/08 – Berlin, Germany – Huxley’s Neue Welt
10/09 – Tilburg, Netherlands – 013 Poppodium
10/11 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo
10/12 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Institute Birmingham
10/13 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo Manchester
10/14 – Glasgow, UK – Barrowland Ballroom
10/17 – Dublin, Ireland – Vicar Street
10/19 – Nancy, France – Nancy Jazz Pulsation †
11/28 - New York, NY - Lincoln Center - 65th Street Session

† Festival Appearance
‡ Red Barn Late Night
+ w/ O.A.R.
^ w/ The Fantastic Four
# JammJam Feat. Cory Wong & Friends

07/08 Cafuné at 7th St Entry Read More Cafuné NYC-based Cafuné (featuring singer/songwriter Sedona Schat and writer/producer Noah Yoo) is currently on tour in support of their debut album....

07/08/2023 Saturday

Cafuné
with Oftener
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Cafuné at 7th St Entry poster (24 Feb 2023)

We were supposed to see NY’s Cafuné (featuring singer / songwriter Sedona Schat and writer / producer Noah Yoo) in February, but due to severe weather conditions, the band had to postponed their show. It would seem that the new rescheduled date is now July 8th, 2023.

The duo is currently on tour in support of their debut album from Elektra Records.

Update: Bedroom basement pop from Minnesota, Oftener, to open.

Tour Dates

Jun 22 Outdoor Milwaukee, WI, US SummerFest
Jul 6 Ann Arbor, MI, US Liberty Plaza
Jul 8 Minneapolis, MN, US 7th Street Entry
Aug 2 Brooklyn, NY, US Elsewhere
Sep 16 Brussels, Belgium AB Club
Sep 17 Amsterdam, Netherlands Paradiso
Sep 19 Paris, France L'Olympia
Sep 20 Utrecht, Netherlands TivoliVredenburg
Sep 21 Cologne, Germany Palladium
Sep 22 Utrecht, Netherlands TivoliVredenburg
Sep 24 London, UK Alexandra Palace
Sep 26 Manchester, UK The Deaf Institute
Sep 27 Glasgow, UK Poetry Club, SWG3

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

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

Minneapolis: December 14 to December 19, 2019

Joy Formidable at Fine Line Read More The Joy Formidable Wale’s The Joy Formidable (vocalist/guitarist Ritzy Bryan, bassist Rhydian Dafydd, drummer Matt Thomas) is back in town, after their recent Foo Fighters North American tour. The group’s fourth album AAARTH is out now. …

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from December 14 to December 19, 2019.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

THE JOY FORMIDABLE
+ Twen
Fine Line Music Cafe
Sat 12/14/2019 (7:30pm/$25 )
finelinemusic.com

The Joy Formidable is re-releasing a special commemorative 10-year double album of their acclaim debut A Balloon Called Moaning. The record came out in October via Hassle Records. As you know, A Balloon Called Moaning was first EP I own from this band, way back in 2009. It’s good to see the Welsh band come full circle with this 10 year anniversary.

In celebration, the group will be doing a “The Ten Years Floating Tour” … stopping by the Fine Line Music Café this Saturday, December 14th.

Show up early to check out Nashville indie rockers Twen. Twen’s latest Awestruck is out now on Frenchkiss (The Orchard).
Tour dates:

12/12 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
12/13 - Milwaukee, WI @ Colectivo
12/14 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe
12/17 - Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
12/18 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
12/20 - San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
12/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Teragram

Other shows in the area:

Xavier Omar at Fine Line A Minni XMAS Dead Man Winter at Turf Club Marc Roberge at Varsity Theater Abby Jeanne at 7th Street Read More O.A.R. Rockville, MD quartet O.A.R. is very familiar with the Basilica stage and has also done several promotional appearances for Cities 97, so their inclusion to headline the Preferred …

XAVIER OMÄR
+ Elhae
Fine Line Music Cafe
Sun 12/15/2019 (6pm/$20)
finelinemusic.com

R&B singer/songwriter Xavier Omär will be headlining the Fine Line Music Café on Sunday, December 15th. His last single, “What Do We Do?” featured Parisalexa.

Elhae to open. The last time I heard about Elhae, he sang on “향수 (Scent)” and “Horizon” on Monsta X Rapper, I.M’s solo mixtape.

Tour dates:

12/12/2019 Mod Club Toronto, ON
12/15/2019 Fine Line Music Cafe Minneapolis, MN
01/24/2020 Fortune Sound Club Vancouver, BC
01/30/2020 Ace Of Spades Sacramento, CA
2/07/2020 Observatory North Park San Diego, CA
2/08/2020 The Rebel Lounge Phoenix, AZ
02/18/2020 The Ground Miami, FL

A MINNI XMAS
feat BdotCroc, OKnice
+ Solana, Honee Jones, DJ Nanobyte
7th St Entry
Mon 12/16/2019 (7pm/$10)
first-avenue.com

It’s a special Minni Xmas show, presented by MinniAux on Monday. The 7th Street Entry show features local talents.

Lineup

BdotCroc

OKnice

Solana

Honee Jones

DJ Nanobyte

DEAD MAN WINTER
+ Two Many Banjos
Turf Club
Tue 12/17/2019 (7pm/$25/Sold Out)
turfclub.net

While local popular band Trampled by Turtles is currently on hiatus, singer/songwriter Dave Simonett is billing his shows as Dead Man Winter. As usual, Dead Man Winter is doing a monthlong residency at the Turf Club this month… December 17th being the last of those shows.

According to Simonett, this upcoming show may be his last show “for a while”. The show is sold out.

Two Many Banjos to open.

MARC ROBERGE
Varsity Theater
Wed 12/18/2019 (7pm/$39)
varsitytheater.com

If you love O.A.R., their singer Marc Roberge will be stopping by the Varsity Theater this Wednesday, December 18th.

What’s cool is that if you can’t attend the show, but want to hear it, Roberge will be making the recording of his show available for download via liveoar.com/downloads.

Recent shows made available:

12/14/19 Tropicana Casino & Resort
12/13/19 Foxwoods Resort Casino - Fox Theater
12/12/19 Sands Bethlehem Event Center
12/08/19 Royal Oak Music Theatre
12/07/19 Eagles Ballroom
12/06/19 The Pageant
11/23/19 The Capitol Theatre
11/22/19 The Capitol Theatre
11/21/19 The Rapids Theatre
11/20/19 Aura
11/17/19 The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
11/16/19 The Wellmont Theater
11/15/19 Paramount Theater
11/14/19 Paramount Theater
08/28/19 Joy Theater
08/25/19 House of Blues Houston
08/20/19 House of Blues Las Vegas
08/19/19 Humphrey's
08/16/19 Britt Pavilion
08/14/19 Moore Theatre

ABBY JEANNE
+ Saebra & Carlyle
7th St Entry
Thu 12/19/2019 (7pm/$13)
first-avenue.com

It’s Milwaukee night at the 7th Street Entry this Thursday, December 19th, with singer/songwriter Abby Jeanne and special guests Saebra & Carlyle.

If you’re from Wisconsin, Jeanne’s next date is January 11th at Turner Hall Ballroom.

Abby Jeanne writes:

Minneapolis!!!! My favorite guitar babe @jennarades letting you know tickets for my next show (December 19th) at @firstavenue are on sale now at the link below. Also I’m brining my fav band @saebraandcarlyle with me! Hell yes! ❤️❤️❤️ see you there.

event.etix.com

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

Minneapolis: August 1 to August 6, 2019

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from August 1 to August 6, 2019.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

Dean Lewis at First Ave Read More Dean Lewis Local fans of Sydney Australia singer-songwriter Dean Lewis had waited a long time to get a proper look at him, with a scheduled sold out headlining show at the Fine Line on February 25th, canceled at last-minute because .…

DEAN LEWIS
+ James TW
First Avenue
Tue 08/06/2019 (6pm/$29.50)
first-avenue.com

We were pretty impressed with Australian artist Dean Lewis when he stopped by the Cities 97 Live at the Lake show on July 11. We recommended his music to fans of Ed Sheeran and Vance Joy: “The late afternoon session proved a fine sampler for Lewis’s upcoming headlining appearance locally on August 6th with full band, and anyone admiring the emotional anthem-ness of singer-songwriters like Ed Sheeran and Vance Joy, are encourage to tune in and get a ticket to Dean Lewis while you can.”

With over 2 billion streams for his #1 hit single, “Be Alright”, expect a good turnout for this upcoming First Avenue show.

James TW to open.

Tour dates:

8/2/19 Montreal QC Osheaga Festival
8/4/19 Chicago IL Lollapalooza Festival
8/6/19 Minneapolis MN First Avenue
8/7/19 Kansas City MO Madrid Theatre
8/9/19 Englewood CO Gothic Theatre
8/10/19 San Francisco CA Outside Lands Festival
8/13/19 Portland OR Crystal Ballroom
8/14/19 Seattle WA The Showbox
8/15/19 Vancouver BC Vogue Theatre
9/26/19 Toronto ON The Phoenix
9/28/19 Boston MA House of Blues
9/20/19 Washington DC 9.30 Club
10/2/19 Philadelphia PA Theatre of Living Arts
10/7/19 New York NY Webster Hall
10/10/19 Charlotte NC The Underground
10/11/19 Atlanta GA Buckhead Theatre
10/12/19 New Orleans LA House of Blues
10/14/19 Houston TX White Oak Music Hall
10/15/19 Austin TX Emo’s
10/16/19 Dallas TX House of Blues
10/18/19 Phoenix TX The Van Buren
10/20/19 San Diego CA House of Blues
10/23/19 Los Angeles CA The Wiltern

Other shows in the area:

Summer Salt 2019 Tour O.A.R. 2019 Tour Jamestown Revival at Fine Line A Giant Dog at 7th Street Lowland Lakers at Hook & Ladder Nude Party at 7th Street Read More Jamestown Revival Jamestown Revival- comprised of Texas based duo Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance, are the next generation of Americana/Indie. They wrote their album UTAH in the mountains …

SUMMER SALT
+ Motel Radio, Dante Elephante
Amsterdam Bar and Hall
Thu 08/01/2019 (7pm/$16)
amsterdambarandhall.com

Summer Salt is headlining the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St Paul on August 1st.

Show up early to check out Dante Elephante and New Orlean’s Motel Radio (touring in support of their debut album Siesta Del Sol).

Tour dates:

07/27/2019 Pittsburgh, PA
07/28/2019 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH
07/29/2019 Detroit, MI
07/30/2019 Bottom Lounge Chicago, IL
08/01/2019 Amsterdam Bar and Hall Saint Paul, MN
08/02/2019 Colectivo Coffee - Prospect Café Milwaukee, WI
08/03/2019 Blueberry Hill's Duck Room St. Louis, MO
08/06/2019 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
08/07/2019 In The Venue Salt Lake City, UT
08/10/2019 Neumos Seattle, WA
08/11/2019 Aladdin Theater Portland, OR
08/13/2019 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
08/15/2019 Los Angeles, CA
08/16/2019 House Of Blues - Voodoo Stage San Diego, CA
08/17/2019 Crescent Ballroom Phoenix, AZ
08/18/2019 Lowbrow Palace El Paso, TX

O.A.R.
+ American Authors
Mystic Lake Amphitheater
Fri 08/02/2019 (6pm/$39.50)
mysticlake.com

Coming to Mystic Lake Casino is O.A.R., as part of their “The Mighty O.A.R. 2019 Tour”. The last time we saw these rockers, it was at the Basilica Block Party in 2015: “Rockville, MD quartet O.A.R. is very familiar with the Basilica stage and has also done several promotional appearances for Cities 97, so their inclusion to headline the Preferred One stage on Day One, seemed a natural fit. Singer Marc Roberge and band were so “in the zone” playing that they didn’t break until after the sixth song, with Roberge remarking “I always forget to say 'Hi 'because we love playing so much”.”

Tour Dates:

07/30/2019 Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn Indianapolis, IN
08/01/2019 Bayfront Blues Festival Duluth, MN
08/02/2019 Mystic Amphitheater Prior Lake, MN
08/06/2019 The Jones Assembly Oklahoma City, OK
08/08/2019 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, CO
08/09/2019 Red Butte Garden Salt Lake City, UT
08/10/2019 Knitting Factory Concert House Boise, ID
08/13/2019 First Interstate Center Spokane, WA
08/14/2019 Moore Theatre Seattle, WA
08/17/2019 Mountain Winery Saratoga, CA
08/18/2019 Pacific Amphitheatre Costa Mesa, CA
08/19/2019 Humphrey's Concerts San Diego, CA
08/20/2019 House Of Blues Las Vegas, NV
08/23/2019 Toyota Music Factory Irving, TX
08/25/2019 House Of Blues Houston, TX
08/28/2019 Joy Theater New Orleans, LA
08/29/2019 Live On The Green
09/07/2019 Merriweather Post Pavilion Columbia, MD

JAMESTOWN REVIVAL
+ John Craigie
Fine Line Music Cafe
Sat 08/03/2019 (8pm/$20)
finelinemusic.com

Jamestown Revival is touring in support of their new album San Isabel, available now via Thirty Tigers. The group will stop by the Fine Line Music Café on Saturday, August 3rd.

Tour Dates

08/01—Tulsa, OK—The Vanguard
08/02—Omaha, NE—The Waiting Room Lounge
08/03—Minneapolis, MN—Fine Line Music Café
08/04—Milwaukee, WI—The Back Room
08/06—Indianapolis, IN—The Hi Fi
08/08—Cincinnati, OH—Top Cats
08/09—Chicago, IL—Lincoln Hall
08/10—Springfield, IL—Boondocks
08/11—St. Louis, MO—Delmar Hall
08/13—Des Moines, IA—Iowa State Fair
08/15—Dallas, TX—Kessler Theater
08/16—New Braunfels, TX—Gruene Hall
08/17—Austin, TX—Scoot Inn
08/30—Panama City Beach, FL—Frank Brown Park

A GIANT DOG
+ Bella’s Bartok
7th St Entry
Sun 08/04/2019 (7pm/$12)
first-avenue.com

You know our favorite act at Rock the Garden this year was Heart Bones, featuring Har Mar Superstar and Sabrina Ellis. Well, Ellis is also in A Giant Dog … and they’re playing the 7th Street Entry on Sunday, August 4th.

If I was a betting man, I would put some money that Har Mar will show up at A Giant Dog’s show.

Bella’s Bartok to open.

THE LOWLAND LAKERS
+ Dave Arcari
Hook & Ladder
Sun 08/04/2019 (5:30pm/$10)
thehookmpls.com

Midwest folk trio The Lowland Lakers will be playing the Hook & Ladder in Minneapolis on August 4th. Show up early to check out Scottish alt-blues artists Dave Arcari.

Dave Arcari’s tour dates:

28 July – Pecatonica Taphouse, Warren, IL
1 Aug – Ed’s (No Name) Bar, Winona, MN
2 Aug – Lyric Room, Green Bay, WI
4 Aug – Hook & Ladder, Minneapolis, MN
5 Aug – Nordic Brewing Co, Monticello, MN
6 Aug – Stones Throw, Eau Claire, WI
8 Aug – Brown County Inn, Nashville, IN
9 Aug – O’Sullivan’s, Fort Wayne, IN
11 Aug – Short’s, Bellaire, MI
13 Aug – Sanctuary, Detroit, MI
14 Aug – Acoustic Tap Room, Traverse City, MI
15 Aug – Founders, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
16 Aug – Brewfontaine, Bellefontaine, OH
17 Aug – Dark Horse Brewing Co, Marshall, MI
18 Aug – Montrose Saloon, Chicago, IL

THE NUDE PARTY
7th St Entry
Mon 08/05/2019 (7:30pm/$13)
first-avenue.com

The Nude Party is headlining the 7th Street Entry on Monday, August 5th. Their debut album came out on New West Records in 2018 to critical acclaim. Rolling Stone compared them to Velvet Underground.

Tour dates:

August 2 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
August 4 – St. Charles, IA – Hinterland Festival
August 5 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St Entry
August 7 – Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
August 9 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
August 10 – Boise, ID – Neurolux ~
August 12 – Vancouver, BC – Fox Cabaret
August 13 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
August 14 – Portland, OR – Holocene
August 16 – San Francisco, CA – Café du Nord
August 17 – Felton, CA – Don Quijote’s
August 19 – Petaluma, CA – Lagunitas Brewing
August 22 – Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room
August 23 – Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
August 25 – Tijuana, MX – Moustache
August 26 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar
August 29 – Austin, TX – Antone’s
August 30 – Dallas, TX – Three Links
September 1 – Kansas City, MO – Knucklehead’s
September 3 – St. Louis, MO – Blueberry Hill
September 4 – Louisville, KY - Zanzabar

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

Minneapolis: November 16 to November 17, 2016

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from November 16 to November 17, 2016.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More DZ Deathrays DZ Deathrays are on their first ever tour of the US playing songs off their debut release, Bloodstreams. Their 30 minute set was loud and thrashy. Vocalist/guitarist Shane Parsons … The Dune Rats The opener was The Dune Rats from Australia. They looked and acted like Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I had a hard time figuring out if it was an act or if these guys …

DZ DEATHRAYS / DUNE RATS
at 7th Street Entry
Wednesday, 11/16/16, 7pm ($12)
first-avenue.com

The DZ Deathrays and Dune Rats co-headlining “International Disaster” tour is heading to Minneapolis’ 7th Street Entry this Wednesday. Both bands are from Australia. Both bands will be releasing a new album sometime in 2017, but expect them to preview some of those upcoming tracks on this forthcoming show.

We caught the latter band with Fidlar earlier in September 2015 and wrote, “The opener was The Dune Rats from Australia. They looked and acted like Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I had a hard time figuring out if it was an act or if these guys were really just that stoned and drugged up.”

We saw the former on their first US tour with Bass Drums of Death in 2012 and wrote, “DZ Deathrays are on their first ever tour of the US playing songs off their debut release, Bloodstreams. Their 30 minute set was loud and thrashy. Vocalist/guitarist Shane Parsons screamed into the microphone while stepping on effects pedals laid out on a mile-long board, while Simon Ridley beat the ever-loving crap out of the drums, flailing fast and furiously.”

Danger Signs to open.

Tour dates:

11/13 -- Seattle, WA -- Sunset Tavern
11/16 -- Minneapolis, MN -- 7th St. Entry
11/17 -- Chicago, IL -- Empty Bottle
11/18 -- Cleveland, OH -- Now That's Class
11/19 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Kung Fu Necktie
11/20 -- Washington DC -- U Street Music Hall
11/21 -- Brooklyn, NY -- Baby's All Right
11/23 -- Boston, MA -- O'Brien's Pub
11/24 -- Montreal, QB -- Bar Le Ritz PDB
11/25 -- Ottawa, ON -- House of Targ
11/26 -- Toronto, ON -- The Silver Dollar

Read More O.A.R. Rockville, MD quartet O.A.R. is very familiar with the Basilica stage and has also done several promotional appearances for Cities 97, so their inclusion to headline the Preferred … Gavin DeGraw Multi-platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw (best known for his album and title track "Chariot" and the theme song to One Tree Hill) released his new single "Best I Ever Had" …

CITIES 97 SAMPLER RELEASE PARTY
at Myth
Thursday, 11/17/16, 5:30pm (N/A)
mythlive.com

The Cities ’97 Sampler Release Party will be taking place at the Myth this Thursday. From my understanding, I do not think you can actually purchase tickets to attend the show. You must win tickets from the radio station: “You can't buy tickets to the Cities 97 Sampler Volume 28 Release Party - you can only win them! Keep listening to Cities 97 all day for a shot to win passes and a copy of this year's Sampler and passes to the Release Party!”

O.A.R. will be headlining the show with special guests Gavin DeGraw. We last saw O.A.R. at the Basilica Block Party in 2015 and wrote, “Rockville, MD quartet O.A.R. is very familiar with the Basilica stage and has also done several promotional appearances for Cities 97, so their inclusion to headline the Preferred One stage on Day One, seemed a natural fit. Singer Marc Roberge and band were so “in the zone” playing that they didn’t break until after the sixth song, with Roberge remarking “I always forget to say 'Hi 'because we love playing so much”.”

DeGraw first came to our attention when he was asked to open up for Shania Twain in July 2015.

DeGraw’s fifth studo album Something Worth Saving is out now on RCA Records.

Also on the bill: We The Kings, Wrabel, Cobi and Hailey Knox.

Gavin DeGraw’s tour dates:

11/17 Minneapolis, MN Cities 97 Sampler
12/03 Nashville, TN Nashville Christmas Parade
12/08 Denver, CO Alice in Winterland
12/09 San Francisco, CA One Starry Night 2016
12/10 Portland, OR Deck the Hall Ball
12/12 Indianapolis, IN 99.5 WZPL Jingle Jam
12/13 Huntington, NY The Paramount
12/15 Raleigh, NC G105's Holiday Social
12/16 Baltimore, MD Mistletoe Meltdown

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Basilica Block Party at Basilica of St Mary, Minneapolis (10 July 2015)

Weezer Setlist My Name Is Jonas Hash Pipe Troublemaker Back to the Shack Eulogy for a Rock Band Keep Fishin' (Brian Bell vocals) Surf Wax America Island in the Sun Beverly Hills Go Away Dope Nose (Scott Shriner vocals) Say It Ain't So Perfect Situation (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To Pork and Beans Undone - The Sweater Song -- Encore -- Memories Buddy Holly Nate Ruess Setlist Great Big Storm You Light My Fire Carry On (fun. song) Let's Go Crazy (Prince cover) Oceans (The Format song) What This World Is Coming To Nothing Without Love Just Give Me a Reason (P!nk cover) We Are Young (fun. song) Harsh Light Some Nights (fun. song) O.A.R. Setlist Black Rock Love And Memories Two Hands Up About Mr. Brown City On Down Heaven About An Hour Ago Whose Chariot? Shattered (Turn The Car Around) Hey Girl This Town Place To Hide Peace That Was a Crazy Game of Poker Night Shift / Stir It Up Mat Kearney Setlist Moving On Count on Me Fire and Rain Young, Dumb, and in Love Closer to Love One Black Sheep Nothing Left to Lose Undeniable Runaway/ Where the Streets Have No Name She Got the Honey Heartbeat Billion Hey Mama Ships in the Night Matthew Sweet Setlist Time Capsule Byrdgirl I Wanted to Tell You Winona Evangeline We're The Same You Don't Love Me feat. Gary Louris Divine Intervention I've Been Waiting Girlfriend Sick Of Myself Read More Basilica Block Party The 20th Anniversary of the Basilica Block Party is taking place on Friday (July 11) and Saturday (July 12). I have mentioned before that it's not a great place to see music (because of the talkers.... 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. …

The annual Basilica Block Party to benefit the restoration of the Basilica of Saint Mary, kicked off its first night on Friday, July 10th. It was a perfect day for an outdoor summer festival that just right before the entrance was opened at 5pm, the organizers announced that they officially sold out all 15,000 tickets for Friday's show.

If you're not familiar with how the Basilica Block Party is organized, it is like the three bears approach: The main stage for the big headliners, the medium-sized stage mid-sized headliners, and the small stage for local bands. The schedule is done in a way that they would play against each other, so it's actually impossible for you to enjoy a full set of every band.

Star Tribune Stage

Tyte Jeff's setlist

The first of the local bands on the Star Tribune Stage was Tyte Jeff (featuring singer/guitarist Jeff Allen, drummer Matt Johnson, guitarist Jeff Marcovis, and bassist Aaron Ripplinger). The band played a few tracks from their self-titled 2014 EP, including intro song ‘Exurb Kids Don't Know What They Don't Know’ and ‘Imagine This Before Irony’ on their 45-min set.

Rupert Angeleyes

Next up was Rupert Angeleyes, in green hair and shorts. Like their previously live appearance at Record Store Day 2015, the garagey/60s surf band played tracks from their latest album Young Sunset, including some sensitive songs like ‘Delicate Guy’ and ‘When I Fell in Love’.

Zoo Animal

Headliner for the Star Tribune Stage was Zoo Animal who had a full hour to play. The band lead by Holly Hansen (who previously was billed under Holly Newsom), and she was muy emocionada to preview some brand new songs.

Zoo Animal is headlining the Cedar Cultural Center this July 31st, with Har-di-Har and Circadia. The show will also feature an art installation by Rachel Andrzejewskiat.

PreferredOne Stage

Matthew Sweet (with Gary Louris)

Over at the PreferredOne Stage was Matthew Sweet with a full band: Paul Chastain on bass, Dennis Taylor on lead guitars, and Ric Menck on drums.

The Sweet set was a real treat, with about half his set taken from his breakout 1991 Girlfriend album, including the title track, ‘Evangeline’, and ‘I've Been Waiting’.

The real highlight on his hour long set was when Sweet invited The Jayhawks’ Gary Louris on stage to help jam out and provided backing vocals to the last four songs: ‘Divine Intervention’, "I've Been Waiting’, ‘Girlfriend’, and ‘Sick Of Myself’.

Matthew Sweet is currently on a Midwest Summer 2015 tour with California's Orange Peels.

Mat Kearney

Oregon’s Nashville transplant Mat Kearney has always been a local favorite, playing almost every venue in town, though his last Basilica appearance in 2012, was cut short and forced to be acoustic, due to storms, so his hour-long set was “redemption”, in his words.

Kearney also brought along Leagues (and ex-Audio Adrenaline) guitarist and New Brighton resident, Tyler Burkham and noted sponsoring station Cities 97 was one of the first to play his breakout single, ‘Nothing Left to Lose’.

During ‘Undeniable’ Kearney scat sang a list of all the local venues he’s played previously, and worked in a verse of a U2 cover, during his own song, ‘Runaway’, with his bulk of his set from new album, Just Kids (Republic Records).

O.A.R.

Rockville, MD quartet O.A.R. is very familiar with the Basilica stage and has also done several promotional appearances for Cities 97, so their inclusion to headline the Preferred One stage on Day One, seemed a natural fit.  Singer Marc Roberge and band were so “in the zone” playing that they didn’t break until after the sixth song, with Roberge remarking “I always forget to say 'Hi 'because we love playing so much”.

‘About an Hour Ago’ was described as the first song they ever wrote together, and the band, known for its spontaneous changes, veered from its own setlist in favor of more hits, including first single, ‘Hey Girl’.

Their somewhat abbreviated 90 min. set still allowed for three songs from their newest, last year’s The Rockville LP (Vanguard Records), with strongest crowd responses saved for hit ‘Shattered (Turn the Car Around), namesake song ‘That Was a Crazy Game of Poker’, and closing Bob Marley cover, ‘Stir It Up’.

Sun Country Airlines Stage

Motion City Soundtrack

Motion City Soundtrack can still qualify as a local band, despite their nationwide popularity and proof that they still connect in Minneapolis, was seen at a crowded main stage for their late afternoon set.

Lead singer Justin Pierre seemed genuinely excited to be play the event for the first time and the band played many of their favorites and a good chunk from album, Commit This to Memory, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary with its single, ‘Everything is Alright’.

They also debut some new songs, including ‘TKO’, the lead single from its upcoming album L.G. Fuad (Let's Get F***ed Up And Die), due in September back on Epitaph Records, their original label.  Even their street team was on high alert, papering the outhouses with posters of the album’s impending release.

DJ Windsor spun some music during the 30-min setup on the main stage. You can see him on the right side of the stage, where Cities 97 DJs Brian Oake and Keri Noble would also come on to introduce the bands.

Nate Ruess

Former The Format and fun. singer Nate Ruess did a great job pumping up the audience for headliner Weezer. He stormed the stage with his large six-piece band to play ‘Great Big Storm’.

Since the band is relatively new (the Basilica Block Party was only the third US date on their tour), having only formed since fun.'s hiatus in February 2015, they only have a debut album Grand Romantic (which was released last month on June 15th). They were smart enough to not play all new songs, instead trickling them in between fan-favorite fun. hit songs like ‘We Are Young’ and set closer ‘Some Nights’.

He also threw in two other covers, P!nk's ‘Just Give Me a Reason’ and Prince's ‘Let's Go Crazy’. Ruess' story about the latter cover is that they would cover that song in Sweden, and no one knew the song. Of course, it's a different story in Minneapolis, Prince's hometown, as everyone in the audience was singing back, "Oh, no let's go! Let's go crazy!"

Sure, the band is still young, but they knew exactly what they were doing. Ruess had great vocals and his high energy was impossible to ignore. Keep an eye on them.

The first time I saw Weezer, they opened up for Lush at Fillmore, San Francisco in 1994. I saw them again in 2000 and 2005 at First Avenue, both sold out, of course. I believe that was the last club-sized show, in 2005, because currently, the group only book at stadium-sized venues, like Xcel Energy Center, Minnesota State Fair, Basilica Block Party, and the recent Burgerama Music Festival in Santa Ana.

Rivers Cuomo

Only a couple of songs from their latest Everything Will Be Alright In The End album were played, including ‘Back To The Shack’, ‘Eulogy For A Rock Band’, and ‘Go Away’. The latter was actually written and performed as a duet, as singer/guitarist Rivers Cuomo pointed out... so guitarist Brian Bell took over the second lead vocals. Bell also handled vocals for "Keep Fishin'", and Scott Shriner took over on ‘Dope Nose’.

As soon as the first few chords of ‘Hash Pipe’ were played, the audience immediately recognized it and started screaming and singing. Other big hits blocks included ‘Surf Wax America’, followed by ‘Island in the Sun’ with personalized "Minneapolis" lyrics, and ‘Beverly Hills’ (which did gangbuster in California, but surprisingly did really well in Minnesota as well).

They have been traditionally ending all their sets with their first single, ‘Undone - The Sweater Song’. That song is always tricky to play live because there is speaking background audio recording that doesn't always translate well in live performances. It's not one of my favorite live songs, but I can understand why the band chose that song to end their show.

Despite a late start, Weezer left enough time for a two-song encore, coming back on for ‘Memories’ and big crowd pleaser ‘Buddy Holly’. Instead of just walking off stage at the end of ‘Buddy Holly’, everyone in the band took drum sticks and started pounding on the Tom-Toms with drummer Patrick Wilson.

Weezer at Basilica Block Party, Minneapolis (10 July 2015)

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