W♥M

Minneapolis: June 14 to June 15, 2017

Here are some concerts taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from June 14 to June 15, 2017.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

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 …

JAMESTOWN REVIVAL
at Fine Line Music Café
Wednesday 06/14/17 (7pm/$16)
finelinemusic.com

American rock duo Jamestown Revival (Zach Chance and Jonathan Clay) will be headlining the Fine Line Music Café this June 14th, in support of their second LP record The Education of Wandering Man (Republic Records).

Two special guests will open:

Colter Wall with a hot self-titled debut album on Young Mary’s Record Co. via Thirty Tigers (entering the charts at #2 on “Heatseekers Albums” as well as #6 on the “Americana/Folk Albums” chart, #11 on the “Independent Current Albums” chart and #14 on the “Current Country Albums” chart). Wall was just in town in April 2017, with Margo Price.

Also Hope Country is back in town.

Tour dates:

6/4 Atlanta, GA Park Tavern
6/6 Birmingham, AL Saturn
6/7 Nashville, TN Cannery Ballroom
6/8 Saxapahaw, NC Haw River Ballroom
6/9 Washington, D.C. 9:30 Club
6/10 Snowshoe, WV Wanderlust Festival
6/11 Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop
6/13 Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall
6/14 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Café
6/15 Chicago, IL Park West
7/1 New Braunfels, TX Whitewater Amphitheater~
7/2 New Braunfels, TX Whitewater Amphitheater~
8/16 Denver, CO Red Rocks^

~ Supporting Ryan Bingham
^ Supporting Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue + the Record Company

Read More Surfer Blood One of the best live band Surfer Blood will be returning to Minneapolis for the 1000th time (in truth, probably their ninth time) in support of the band's third album 1000 Palms, out now on Joyful Noise. … Winter Los Angeles-based dream pop/shoegaze band Winter, they are touring in support of their debut LP earlier this year on Lolipop Records, with all-new single on Burger Records. …

SURFER BLOOD
at 7th Street Entry
Wednesday 06/14/17 (7pm/$15)
first-avenue.com

We’ve said this before, but Surfer Blood is one of the best live bands out there. Don’t believe me? Read Dena’s account from AthFest 2015: “I have saved what- in my opinion- is the best performance of the festival for last. I am speaking- of course- of Surfer Blood. On Saturday June 27, Surfer Blood dominated the Georgia Theatre and everyone lucky enough to be inside. It was like the second coming of The Beach Boys, with a Weezer-style twist. John Paul Pitts’ enchanting croon took me completely by surprise and transported me to the time I saw Brian Wilson perform Pet Sounds at Chastain Park in Atlanta. Then I remembered the first time I saw Weezer, when The Sweater Song was their first and only single. Taking in my first taste of Surfer Blood, I felt as if I was seeing indie rock history being made all over again, and I was honored to bear witness to such a gift. I am grateful to everyone who encouraged me to see this alternative indie rock band from West Palm Beach, Florida. They are masters of catchy guitar hooks and choruses that you can’t stop singing, much less forget.”

The band is returning to the 7th Street Entry this Wednesday.

Also, it should be noted that their former guitarist Thomas Fekete died in May 2016, at the tender age of 27 to terminal cancer.

Hard to google, Winter will open.

Tour Dates:

6/5 - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO*
6/7 - The Bartlett - Spokane, WA*
6/8 - Broken City - Calgary, AB, Canada*
6/10 - Amigos Cantina - Saskatoon, SK, Canada*
6/13 - The Aquarium - Fargo, ND*
6/14 - 7th St Entry - Minneapolis, MN*
6/15 - Vaudeville Mews - Des Moines, IA*
6/16 - Cactus Club - Milwaukee, WI*
6/17- Lincoln Hall - Chicago, IL*
6/18 - HI-FI Indy - Indianapolis, IN*
6/20 - Now That's Class - Cleveland, OH*
6/21 - El Club - Detroit, MI*
6/22 - MOTR - Cincinnati, OH*
6/23 - Exit/In - Nashville, TN*
6/24 - Saturn - Birmingham, AL*
6/25 - Sunset Sessions @ Park Tavern *

* with Winter

Read More Robyn Hitchcock Robyn Hitchcock will be opening the show. The iconic singer is out promoting his 21st studio recording, but first-ever eponymous release. The new record is basically a re-introduction “Robyn Hitchcock” …

ROBYN HITCHCOCK
at Turf Club
Thursday 06/15/17 (7pm/$20/Sold Out)
turfclub.net

We caught Robyn Hitchcock in April 2017, and one of the minor complaints we had about the show was that he had only an opener’s set time limit.

However, now returning as a headliner at the Turf Club in St Paul, Hitchcock will likely play any songs from his former The Soft Boys and The Egyptians groups (considering that he will play an extra long, or double set).

As previously predicted, the show is sold out!

DJ Ryan Cameron to play music before the show.

Tour Dates:

06/08 - San Francisco, CA - The Chapel
06/09 - Sonoma, CA - Huichica Music Festival *
06/10 - Sonoma, CA - Huichica Music Festival *
06/13 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah
06/15 - St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
06/17 - Chicago, IL - Maur Hall
06/18 - Milwaukee, WI - Collectivo Coffee
06/28 - Louisville, KY - Big Four Lawn
07/21 - Seattle, WA - Showbox
07/22 - Portland, OR - Revolution Hall
07/23 - Grass Valley, CA - Veterans Memorial
07/25 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
08/06 - Happy Valley, OR - Pickathon 2017 *

* Festival Performance

Read More Delta Rae Speaking of six-piece, the six-piece rock band Delta Rae, from Durham, NC, is currently on tour supporting The Chasing Twisters EP, which Rolling Stone deemed as "heroic" and called the band as …

Other shows in the area:

06/14/17 New Kids On The Block (or rather NKOTB) is headlining this all-90s celebration with Boyz II Men and Paula Abdul, at Xcel Energy Center. Looks like a lot of fun. 6:30pm, $29.95.

06/14/17 + 06/16/2017 Originally, reunited Semisonic was going to play in January 2017, but someone in the group slipped and fell and broke their hand. Winter is no joke in Minnesota... Anyway, it was so serious that the group rescheduled until the summer! The first date is at the Turf Club in St Paul. The second date (06/16) will be at First Avenue. Both dates are sold out, obviously. 7pm, $35/Sold Out.

06/14/2017 We’ve already mentioned that all Summer, the annual Music at the Zoo will be taking place. Generally these tickets are expensive, but the acts are worthy of your attention... Kicking off the Music at the Zoo show on June 14 will be Delta Rae and Lauren Jenkins. Other acts in June: Buddy Guy (Jun 16), Boz Scaggs (Jun 18), Dark Star Orchestra (Jun 22) Mason Jennings (Jun 24), Texas Dance Hall Tour (Jun 25), and Ziggy Marley (Jun 30). 7pm, $37/Various Amounts.

06/15/2017 Retro-rocker Pokey LaFarge and Lillie Mae Rische to play First Avenue. 7pm, $15.

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

2015 Shows

GRAND TOTAL: 346 Shows

JANUARY 2015 (4 Shows)

• 01/15 Zola Jesus at Cedar • 01/22 The Vaselines at Cedar

• 01/24 Sam Smith at Roy Wilkins • 01/29 Belle & Sebastian at Enmore Theatre

FEBRUARY 2015 (7 Shows)

• 02/01 Zola Jesus at Republic • 02/03 London Grammar at First Ave • 02/12 Kaki King at Cedar

• 02/14 Sleater-Kinney at First Ave • 02/14 Lights at Mill City Nights • 02/15 Marc Broussard at Varsity • 02/27 Blackberry Smoke at First Ave

MARCH 2015 (34 Shows)

• 03/02 Twilight Sad at 7th Street • 03/02 Ed Kowalczyk at Cedar • 03/03 Lone Bellow at Turf Club • 03/05 The Church at Cedar • 03/06 2:54 at 7th Street • 03/07 The Dodos at 7th Street • 03/08 Juliana Hatfield Three at Turf Club • 03/12 Swervedriver at the Turf Club • 03/12 Gang of Four at the Varsity Theater • 03/13 Go Show #1 at Aria • 03/15 of Montreal at First Ave • 03/16 Broods at Fine Line • 03/18 Third Man Records at SXSW 2015 • 03/18 Levitation France at SXSW 2015 • 03/18 Genevieve at SXSW 2015 • 03/18 Laura Marling at SXSW 2015 • 03/19 Don Dokken at St.Croix Casino

• 03/19 British Music Embassy at SXSW 2015 • 03/20 Only Real at SXSW 2015 • 03/20 Brolin at SXSW 2015 • 03/20 Twerps at Waterloo Records • 03/21 Transmission, feat. Andy Rourke at First Ave • 03/21 Magic Man at 7th Street • 03/21 Helado Negro at Ordway Concert • 03/22 Tycho at First Ave • 03/23 Judith Hill at Paisley Park • 03/24 Decemberists at Northrop • 03/25 Big & Rich at The Pourhouse • 03/27 Burgerama IV at the Observatory • 03/28 Burgerama IV at the Observatory • 03/29 Alex & Sierra at Varsity Theater • 03/29 Burgerama IV at the Observatory • 03/29 The Preatures at Triple Rock • 03/30 Ibeyi at the Cedar

APRIL 2015 (22 Shows)

• 04/02 OK Go at First Avenue • 04/03 The Ting Tings at Fine Line • 04/04 Katrina at Amsterdam Bar • 04/04 Father John Misty at First Ave • 04/05 Clean Bandit at First Ave • 04/06 Happyness at Turf Club • 04/07 Wand at 7th Street • 04/09 Max Jury at 7th Street • 04/12 Reptar at 7th Street • 04/13 Twin Shadow at First Ave • 04/15 His Name is Alive at 7th Street

• 04/16 José González at the Cedar • 04/16 The Veronicas at Aloft • 04/18 They Might Be Giants at First Ave • 04/18 Record Store Day at Electric Fetus • 04/21 Communion, feat. Hey Rosetta! at Turf Club • 04/23 American Candy Tour at Varsity • 04/24 Kaiser Chiefs at Regency Center • 04/26 Dar Williams at Cedar • 04/29 Stu Larsen at the Loring • 04/26 Elvis Perkins at the Icehouse • 04/30 Sick of Sarah at Turf Club

MAY 2015 (32 Shows)

• 05/01 Eternal Summers at 7th Street • 05/01 Wizard World Minneapolis • 05/02 Speedy Ortiz at 7th Street Entry • 05/02 Critical Hit at Wizard World • 05/02 Peelander-Z at Pourhouse • 05/02 Wizard World Minneapolis • 05/03 Wizard World Minneapolis • 05/03 R. Ring at 7th Street • 05/05 Wolf Alice at Turf Club • 05/06 Wombats at the Varsity Theater • 05/08 Moon King at 7th St Entry • 05/09 Glasser at the Walker Art • 05/09 Emily Hearn at Cedar Cultural • 05/09 Young Fathers at 7th Street Entry • 05/12 Freedy Johnston at Dakota Jazz • 05/13 Ballroom Thieves at Bryant-Lake

• 05/13 Icky Blossoms at Georgia Theatre • 05/15 Stephin Merritt at Cedar Cultural • 05/16 MSP Comicon at MN State Fair • 05/16 Kodaline at the Varsity Theater • 05/18 GOASTT at 40 Watt Club • 05/19 Twin Peaks at 7th Street Entry • 05/20 Torres at 7th Street Entry • 05/21 Other Lives at Triple Rock • 05/22 Butch Walker at Cedar Cultural • 05/25 Palma Violets at 7th Street Entry • 05/26 Surfer Blood at 7th Street Entry • 05/28 Little Dragon at First Avenue • 05/29 Temples at First Avenue • 05/30 DMA's at 7th Street Entry • 05/30 Hot Chip at First Avenue • 05/31 Mandolin Orange at 7th Street

JUNE 2015 (36 Shows)

• 06/01 The Dø at 7th Street Entry • 06/02 Shana Cleveland at Bryant-Lake • 06/04 Lindsey Stirling at Northrop • 06/05 The Script at State Theatre • 06/05 Soul Asylum at First Ave • 06/08 Best Coast at First Avenue • 06/09 Imagine Dragons at Xcel • 06/09 Embrace at Mill City Nights • 06/10 Shonen Knife at Amsterdam Bar • 06/10 Elle King at Varsity Theater • 06/11 Tori Kelly at Varsity Theater • 06/11 White Lung at 7th Street • 06/12 Michael Franti at Cabooze Plaza • 06/12 Barenaked Ladies at Treasure Island • 06/13 Kate Tempest at 7th Street • 06/13 July Talk at Triple Rock • 06/13 Hayden at Turf Club • 06/14 Jon Spencer Blues Explosion at Turf

• 06/15 Jeremy Loops at 7th Street • 06/16 Communion at Turf Club • 06/18 The Maccabees at Fine Line • 06/20 Rock the Garden at Walker Art • 06/21 Rock the Garden at Walker Art • 06/22 San Cisco at Triple Rock • 06/24 Chastity Belt at Triple Rock • 06/24 Trails and Ways at Turf Club • 06/25 PINS at 7th Street Entry • 06/26 Griswolds at 7th Street • 06/26 AthFest 2015 • 06/27 AthFest 2015 • 06/27 Dr. John at Twin Cities Jazz Festival • 06/27 Southside Johnny at Rolling River • 06/28 AthFest 2015 • 06/28 Suffers at 7th Street • 06/29 The Hunts at 7th Street • 06/29 Heartless Bastards at First Ave

JULY 2015 (33 Shows)

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

• 07/21 Ryn Weaver at Triple Rock • 07/23 Veruca Salt at the Cedar • 07/24 This Will Destroy You at Varsity • 07/24 Lazyeyes at 7th Street • 07/24 Needtobreathe at Cabooze • 07/25 Blur at Qantas, Sydney • 07/25 Sage Francis at First Ave • 07/25 Tour de Fat at Loring Park • 07/25 On An On at Icehouse • 07/26 Frankie Teardrop at Triple • 07/26 Flock Of Seagulls at Ribfest • 07/26 BulletBoys at G.B. Leighton • 07/27 Gary Louris at Loring Park • 07/29 Zella Day at 7th Street • 07/29 Ringo Deathstarr at Turf Club • 07/30 Summerland Tour at Mill City • 07/31 Secret Stash Revue at First Ave

AUGUST 2015 (27 Shows)

• 08/01 Screaming Females at Triple • 08/01 Rise Against at Cabooze • 08/02 Django Django at First Ave • 08/02 Woody Allen at State Theatre • 08/03 The Kills at First Avenue • 08/04 Bleachers at Cabooze • 08/05 The Vamps at First Avenue • 08/05 Mötley Crüe at Xcel Center • 08/07 Go Fest '15 at Target Field • 08/07 Social Distortion at First Ave • 08/08 Pizza Lucé Block Party • 08/08 Jack Garratt at 7th Street • 08/15 KMFDM at Mill City Nights

• 08/17 Rachel Platten at Mall of America • 08/17 Delta Saints at 7th Street • 08/19 Summer Cannibals at 7th Street • 08/21 Tim Heidecker at the Cedar • 08/22 Cultivate 2015 at Loring Park • 08/22 Blue Öyster Cult at Mystic Lake • 08/23 Supernatural Convention • 08/26 Mekaal Hasan Band at Cedar • 08/27 Gwar at Wooly's, Des Moines • 08/27 Minnesota State Fair 2015 • 08/29 X at Mill City Nights • 08/29 Tallest Man on Earth at First Ave • 08/30 Slightly Stoopid at Cabooze • 08/31 Chelsea Wolfe at Triple Rock

SEPTEMBER 2015 (45 Shows)

• 09/01 Jenny Hval at 7th Street • 09/02 Lou Gramm at MN State Fair • 09/03 The Maine at Mill City Nights • 09/03 Colleen Green at Turf Club • 09/04 Four Years Strong at Triple • 09/06 D'Angelo at First Ave • 09/08 Radkey at 7th Street • 09/09 Craft Spells at Echo • 09/10 Brandon Flowers at First Ave • 09/10 Mikal Cronin at Turf Club • 09/10 Bayside at Varsity Theater • 09/11 These Animal Men at Heaven • 09/12 Damian Marley at Cabooze • 09/12 Coathangers at Triple Rock • 09/12 Low at Electric Fetus • 09/12 Tommy Stinson at Turf Club • 09/12 Vintage Trouble at Mill City • 09/13 Dear Hunter at Triple Rock • 09/14 Fidlar at Varsity Theater • 09/15 The Cribs at Turf Club • 09/16 Eluveitie at Mill City Nights • 09/17 The Struts at First Ave

• 09/18 Mynabirds at 7th Street • 09/19 Festival Palomino 2015 • 09/19 Astronautalis at Turf Club • 09/20 Uncle Acid at Mill City • 09/21 Noah Gunderson at Fine Line • 09/22 Ibeyi at Mill City • 09/22 D.R.I. at Triple Rock • 09/22 Man Man at Turf Club • 09/23 Lizz Wright at Dakota Jazz • 09/23 Sub Criminals at Skyway • 09/23 Years & Years at Varsity • 09/24 The Adicts at First Ave • 09/24 By the Thousands at Amsterdam • 09/24 Ben Rector at Northrop • 09/25 The Fratellis at Varsity • 09/26 Holly Miranda at 7th Street • 09/26 ZZ Ward at First Ave • 09/27 Breaking Benjamin at Myth • 09/27 John Hodgman at Cedar • 09/29 Ride at Mill City • 09/30 HardDrive Live at Mill City • 09/30 Big Star's Third at First Ave • 09/30 Ash at Nether Bar

OCTOBER 2015 (62 Shows)

• 10/01 Of Monsters and Men at Roy Wilkins • 10/02 Four Letter Lie at First Ave • 10/02 American Scarecrows at Turf • 10/02 Oh Land at Triple Rock • 10/03 Doomtree Zoo • 10/03 Battles at First Ave • 10/04 Blitzen Trapper at First Ave • 10/04 Districts at Triple Rock • 10/05 Mew at Triple Rock • 10/05 Wolf Alice at First Ave • 10/06 Russian Circles at Triple Rock • 10/06 Marian Hill at 7th St • 10/06 Kodaline at First Avenue • 10/07 Frank Turner at Varsity Theater • 10/07 Slash at Mill City Nights • 10/08 Madonna at Xcel • 10/09 FFS at First Avenue • 10/09 Joy Formidable at Turf Club • 10/10 Chvrches at Myth Live • 10/10 Tove Lo at First Avenue • 10/11 Fraser A. Gorman at 7th St • 10/12 Bully at 7th Street • 10/13 Disclosure at Roy Wilkin • 10/13 Mikky Ekko at Triple Rock • 10/14 DIIV at Turf Club • 10/14 Bring Me The Horizon at Myth • 10/14 Hiatus Kaiyote at Fine Line • 10/14 The Struts at Troubadour (CA) • 10/15 Peaches at First Ave • 10/15 MS MR at Varsity • 10/16 Ringo Starr at State Theatre

• 10/16 Neighbourhood at First Ave • 10/16 Flux Pavillion at Skyway • 10/17 Rachael Yamagata at Triple Rock • 10/18 The Darkness at Varsity • 10/18 He Is Legend at Studio B • 10/19 IAMX at Varsity Theater • 10/19 Carnifex at Amsterdam • 10/20 The Lone Bellow at Varsity • 10/20 Neon Indian at First Avenue • 10/20 Blur at Hollywood Bowl (CA) • 10/21 Lucero at First Ave • 10/22 Salad Boys at Hexagon • 10/22 John Grant at Cedar • 10/22 Grace Potter at State Theatre • 10/23 Blur at Madison Sq Garden (NY) • 10/23 Run The Jewels at First Ave • 10/23 Sheepdogs at 7th Street • 10/24 Matisyahu at Pantages • 10/25 A Silent Film at 7th Street • 10/25 Motion City Soundtrack at First Ave • 10/26 New Politics at First Ave • 10/27 Misterwives at First Ave • 10/27 Little May at 7th Street • 10/28 Leon Bridges at First Ave • 10/28 Nathaniel Rateliff at Turf Club • 10/28 Shannon And The Clams at 7th St • 10/28 Mal Blum at Nether Bar • 10/29 Dave Rawlings Machine at Fitzgerald • 10/30 All That Remains at Skyway • 10/30 Fruit Bats at Turf Club • 10/30 Ben Sollee at Cedar

NOVEMBER 2015 (33 Shows)

• 11/01 Front Bottoms at Varsity Theater • 11/01 Here We Go Magic at 7th Street • 11/02 Circa Survive at Mill City • 11/02 Bird And The Bee at Cedar • 11/03 Albert Hammond Jr at Turf Club • 11/04 Shakey Graves at First Ave • 11/04 Small Black at 7th Street • 11/07 City and Colour at First Ave • 11/08 Parkway Drive at Cabooze • 11/09 Contortionist at Cabooze • 11/10 Matt Pond PA at Turf Club • 11/11 Big Freedia at Varsity • 11/11 The Gestures at Electric Fetus • 11/12 We Were Promised Jetpacks at Varsity • 11/13 Roger Clyne at Turf Club • 11/14 Gogol Bordello at First Ave

• 11/14 Hey Rosetta at Triple Rock • 11/15 Suzanne Vega at Cedar • 11/17 Copeland at Varsity • 11/18 Bottle Rockets at Turf • 11/19 Mitski at 7th St • 11/20 Glen Hansard at State Theatre • 11/21 Little Fevers at Amsterdam • 11/21 Dandy Warhols at Fine Line • 11/22 Royal Concept at Nether Bar • 11/23 Between the Buried and Me at Varsity • 11/24 Odesza at First Ave • 11/25 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Orpheum • 11/25 Squeeze at the Cedar • 11/27 Tori Kelly at MOA • 11/28 Lights at Varsity Theater • 11/29 Slow Magic at Varsity • 11/29 Together Pangea at 7th Street

DECEMBER 2015 (11 Shows)

• 12/03 Go96's Snow Show Night 1 • 12/04 Rhymesayers 20 at Target • 12/05 August Burns Red at Skyway • 12/06 Alice Cooper at State Theatre • 12/08 Johnnyswim at Varsity

• 12/08 Jack Ladder at 7th Street • 12/09 J Fernandez at 7th Street • 12/10 The 1975 at First Ave • 12/11 P.O.S. at First Ave • 12/12 By the Thousands at Vaudeville Mews • 12/19 All Them Witches at Turf

The Struts at First Avenue, Minneapolis (17 September 2015)

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

AthFest 2015

Surfer Blood Setlist Neighbour Riffs Grand Inquisitor Floating Vibes Weird Shapes Miranda Voyager Reprise Island Covered Wagons Take it Easy Point of No Return Say Yes to Me Demon Dance Dorian Swim I Can’t Explain Of Montreal Setlist Requiem for O.M.M.2 Bassem Sabry Forecast Fascist Future Fugitive Air For Our Elegant Caste Suffer for Fashion Hydra Fancies Bunny Ain’t No Kind of Rider Empyrean Abattoir Beware Our Nubile Miscreants Plastis Wafer Obsidian Currents Like Ashoka’s Inferno of Memory The Party’s Crashing Us Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse Gronlandic Edit A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger She’s a Rejecter Monsoon Setlist Ride A’Rolla Tuck Me In Speakeasy Never Knows Best Dead I’m Sick Shotgun Wedding Tony’s Getaway Miss Cadillac Baby Medicine Big Man Tame Read More AthFest Vu and Dena talked about Athfest 2015 on W♥M Radio. Topics/Quiz: BB King passed away on May 14 at age 89… Surfer Blood One of the best live band Surfer Blood will be returning to Minneapolis for the 1000th time (in truth, probably their ninth time) in support of the band's third album 1000 Palms, out now on Joyful Noise. … of Montreal The last time we saw this inventive live band, I mentioned that of Montreal will be releasing Aureate Gloom (Polyvinyl Records). Now that it's getting a ....

AthFest is a well-oiled machine, and they run a tight ship. The 19^th annual installment of this festival- which ran from Friday June 26 through Sunday June 28, 2015 in Athens, GA- was no exception. I was impressed at how the bookers, organizers and- most of all- the stage crews were able to stagger the bands just so; there was no overlap between any bands on the outdoor stages and therefore no cacophony. None of the Club Crawl bands started playing until after the last outdoor acts for each evening had ended their sets, so we festivalgoers at AthFest 2015 were able to take in music well into the night.

Of Montreal: Kevin Barnes photo: Cary Whitley

I think it was because of this tight schedule that Kevin Barnes did not have time for wardrobe changes during his set with Of Montreal on Saturday, June 27. He chose to wear a simple turquoise poncho with multicolored stripes that came together in a ‘V’ shape, a floppy hat, a large, blocky pair of sunglasses and a simple pair of white shorts one might wear when going for a jog. These items he kept on for the entire set.

The singer seemed unfazed as angels drifted onto the stage and spread their gigantic wings, as people holding white circular discs held them up to reveal projected images, even as two bunny rabbits had a boxing match right beside him, after which they peeled off both their gloves and their jumpsuits to reveal large, bobbing fake breasts. It was amazing. And what a beautiful voice that man has. I can remember when Kevin Barnes was a fledgling musician in mid 1990s Athens, and now it’s hard to imagine a time before the birth of his psychedelic indie pop juggernaut Of Montreal.

Of Montreal photo: Cary Whitley

Roughly 15 years after I last saw Of Montreal play, they kicked off their AthFest 2015 show with a man in a gorilla mask coming onto the stage and addressing us with the spoken intro to Prince’s Let’s Go Crazy. Then another man in a red leotard, face mask and cape came up to ask the crowd if we’d ever considered what it means to live in Athens- a bubble of liberal thinking surrounded by the conservative towns and counties of the deep south. Then came his dire warning:  that our anomaly of a town is no accident. That we’re here in this bubble being watched. That living in Athens is like being on The Truman Show. It’s all staged and none of it is real. A twinkling toy drone flying overhead seemed to validate this paranoid theory. Then Of Montreal took the stage and the magic happened.

In addition to our Of Montreal experience, my friend and photographer Cary Whitley and I saw some amazing bands at AthFest 2015. All of the excellent photos from this weekend were taken by him.

Zenith Blue photo: Cary Whitley

On Friday June 26 we convened at the KidsFest stage to see a band featured in the Up Next Showcase, which spotlights the best of Athens’ teenage up-and-comers. The band was Zenith Blue (formerly known as Feedback), a tight band of teenage male musicians fronted by Katie Bortle- a charismatic female singer with a lot of heart, which she pours liberally into her powerful vocal delivery. I have a strong feeling that this band will thrive and grow to join the pantheon of Athens greats.

Tunabunny photo: Cary Whitley

Later that night at Little Kings Shuffle Club, Athens’ own Tunabunny brought to mind the Riot Grrrl spirit as Mary Jane Hassell and Brigette Adair Herron traded off on lead vocals, both while playing a mean guitar. The band describes itself as “transcendental dance pop,” and they indeed brought out in this crowd a state of transcendent joy.

In the wee hours I went to Flicker Bar to catch some post-punk psychedelic noise pop as played by Athens music veterans Grape Soda. Normally a two-piece consisting of brothers Ryan and Mat (with one ‘t’) Lewis, for this show they added two new members including Bill Fortenberry on bass and Ryan Vogel on Moog keyboard and arpeggiator. Ryan plays the drums- with gusto- and Mat deftly handles lead vocals and Farfisa keyboard.

On Saturday July 27, I went to the 40 Watt Club to see Athens’ much lauded punk pop powerhouse, the female-fronted Monsoon. They did not disappoint. Sienna Chandler moves about the stage while singing and playing her guitar with the fierce energy of an actual monsoon; so the name fits.

On Sunday June 28, I saw the final performance of the festival, a straight-ahead rock band known as The Baseball Project. The band features R.E.M.’s Mike Mills on guitar, and all their songs are about baseball. The highlight of the evening was when R.E.M.’s former drummer Bill Berry came onstage with a tamborine and joined Mike Mills on vocals for the R.E.M. classic, Don’t Go Back to Rockville.

Surfer Blood dominated the Georgia Theatre

I have saved what- in my opinion- is the best performance of the festival for last. I am speaking- of course- of Surfer Blood. On Saturday June 27, Surfer Blood dominated the Georgia Theatre and everyone lucky enough to be inside. It was like the second coming of The Beach Boys, with a Weezer-style twist. John Paul Pitts’ enchanting croon took me completely by surprise and transported me to the time I saw Brian Wilson perform Pet Sounds at Chastain Park in Atlanta. Then I remembered the first time I saw Weezer, when The Sweater Song was their first and only single. Taking in my first taste of Surfer Blood, I felt as if I was seeing indie rock history being made all over again, and I was honored to bear witness to such a gift. I am grateful to everyone who encouraged me to see this alternative indie rock band from West Palm Beach, Florida. They are masters of catchy guitar hooks and choruses that you can’t stop singing, much less forget.

Surfer Blood at the Georgia Theatre, Athens (27 June 2015) photo by Cary Whitley

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

Surfer Blood at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (26 May 2015)

poster Surfer Blood Setlist Neighbor Riffs Grand Inquisitor Floating Vibes Weird Shapes Miranda Voyager Reprise Island Covered Wagons Take It Easy Feast - Famine Gravity Dorian Swim Demon Dance I Can't Explain -- Encore -- Say Yes to Me Anchorage Tour Dates 05/27: Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room 05/28: St. Louis, MO @ Firebird 05/29: Cincinnati, OH @ Fountain Square 05/30: Nashville, TN @ Exit In 06/08: San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel 06/10: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios 06/11: Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile Cafe 06/12: Vancouver, BC @ Venue Nightclub 06/13: Spokane, WA @ The Bartlett 06/15: Provo, UT @ Velour Live Music Gallery 06/16: Denver, CO @ Lost Lake Lounge 06/19: Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour 06/20: San Diego, CA @ The Irenic 06/25: Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits 06/26: Charlotte, NC @ Fountain Plaza 06/27: Athens, GA @ Georgia Theater 07/11: Columbus, OH @ Seventh Son Brewing Co. 07/17: Rehoboth Beach, DE @ Dogfish Head 07/18: Frederick, MD @ Flying Dog Brewery Read More Surfer Blood One of the best live band Surfer Blood will be returning to Minneapolis for the 1000th time (in truth, probably their ninth time) in support of the band's third album 1000 Palms, out now on Joyful Noise. …

In their sixth year of touring, Florida's Surfer Blood stopped by Minneapolis/St Paul eight times (their third time at the 7th Street Entry) according to Songkick*. They've been here so many times, that according to singer John Pitts, their guitarist Kevin Williams celebrated his birthday in Minneapolis twice!

Alex Calder

Montreal's Alex Calder opened up the show, slightly later than advertised set time. Joining Calder on stage was big Minnesota Twins fan bassist Thomas Holmes and drummer Collin.

The trio played tracks that sounded weirdly unconventional, reminded me of the way Pavement would change rhythm and off-beat lyrics. The best track they played was the penultimate song, which had a few minutes of instrumental intro before the lyrics kicked in.

A lot of the fans at the 7th Street Entry show had seen Surfer Blood plenty of time... Many of them were holding the band's latest 1000 Palms on 12" vinyl. This was my fifth time seeing the band, so I already knew what to expect from the band: lots of fun, great vocals, and plenty of singing in the audience.

Setlist

About half the set were devoted to 1000 Palms ("Grand Inquisitor", "Island", "Covered Wagons", "Feast - Famine", "Dorian", and "I Can't Explain"), with the remaining from their two previous albums Astro Coast (2010) and Pythons (2013).

As usual, Pitts' vocals were in top form, and his audience-invading act started late into their set, starting with "Feast - Famine" and would continue with "Gravity" and "I Can't Explain". Prior "Gravity", with the announcement of Kevin Williams' birthday, the audience started singing "Happy Birthday To You".

After the set finale "I Can't Explain", the venue music started playing, indicating that it was the end of the show... however enough shouts for "Encore!" were heard that the band came back to play their most popular song, "Say Yes to Me", followed by a song about a town in Alaska, "Anchorage". Near the end of the latter song, the band left John Pitts by himself on stage, doing special feedback and noise effects to close out the song.

Surfer Blood's latest 1000 Palms is out now on Joyful Noise Recordings.

* NOTE: According to Songkick, these are the MN dates that Surfer Blood stopped by Minneapolis or St Paul. I have also linked to the shows we covered:

May 26, 2015 7th Street Entry
Oct 09, 2014 Turf Club (with We Are Scientists)
Oct 13, 2013 Triple Rock Social Club
May 20, 2013 First Avenue (with Foals)
Oct 13, 2010 Varsity Theater
Apr 08, 2010 7th Street Entry
Nov 09, 2009 Triple Rock (with Art Brut)
Sep 16, 2009 7th Street Entry (with Wavves)

Surfer Blood at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (26 May 2015)

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

Minneapolis: May 26 - May 28, 2015

Here are some concerts taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area for May 26 to May 28, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Surfer Blood: 1000 Palms Joyful Noise Recordings Read More Surfer Blood Next up was co-headliner Surfer Blood, who, if you recall, the last time they were in Minneapolis, singer John Pitts said it was their "seventh time". From my understanding, I thought he said it was Surfer Blood's first …

SURFER BLOOD
at 7th Street Entry
Tuesday 05/26/15, 7:30pm ($15/18+)
first-avenue.com

One of the best live band Surfer Blood will be returning to Minneapolis for the 1000th time (in truth, probably their ninth time) in support of the band's third album 1000 Palms, out now on Joyful Noise. If you've never seen the band, do yourself a favor and check these guys out. They are one of the hardest working touring band I know.

Canadian Alex Calder set to open the show.

Tour dates:

5/19: Indianapolis, IN @ Joyful Noise Recordings
5/20: Lansing, MI @ The Loft
5/21: Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
5/22: Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
5/23: Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club
5/24: Madison, WI @ The Frequency
5/26: Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
5/27: Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
5/28: St. Louis, MO @ Firebird
5/29: Cincinnati, OH @ Fountain Square
5/30: Nashville, TN @ Exit In
6/8: San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
6/10: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
6/11: Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile Cafe
6/12: Vancouver, BC @ Venue Nightclub
6/13: Spokane, WA @ The Bartlett
6/15: Provo, UT @ Velour Live Music Gallery
6/16: Denver, CO @ Lost Lake Lounge
6/19: Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
6/20: San Diego, CA @ The Irenic
6/25: Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
6/26: Charlotte, NC @ Fountain Plaza
6/27: Athens, GA @ Georgia Theater
7/11: Columbus, OH @ Seventh Son Brewing Co.
7/17: Rehoboth Beach, DE @ Dogfish Head
7/18: Frederick, MD @ Flying Dog Brewery

Read More Frankie Teardrop My brother's favorite local band Frankie Teardrop is also listed on the bill... so the chances of him being at this show is high. ...

LAWNCHAIR RECORDS COMPILATION
at Turf Club
Wednesday 05/27/15, 7:30pm ($5/21+)
turfclub.net

My brother's favorite local band Frankie Teardrop will be headlining the Lawnchair Records Compilation Tape Release, along with Donx, Stereo Confession, Ripper (not the metal band), Nancy's Raygun, and DJ Teenage Strangler.

Cassette is on sale for an unholy price of $6.66.

Track listing:

1. DONX - Cab to the the Liquor Store
2. Stereo Confession - Sick
3. Narco States - Soma Holiday
4. Slushy - Did You Let Your Hair Grow Long
5. Teenage Strangler - Desert Power
6. Jonny and the Cowabungas - Drunk On Wine
7. Nancy's Raygun - Sulfur
8. Ripper - Abstract Attraction 01:32
9. TJ Sicilia - For Eye to I Will Fall 02:51
10. d. english - Girl Like a Q-Tip 02:44
11. Boys Age - World After Havoc Night 03:04
12. Emotional - Learn 2 Love 02:56
13. Love Cop - Night on Earth
14. Frankie Teardrop - Diet
15. Smiles - These Games
16. Henry James Patterson - Windbreaker
17. El Greco Explosive - Habits
18. Chalk - Haunted House
19. Connor Nolan - The Branches

Read More Little Dragon Swedish band Little Dragon's fourth album Nabuma Rubberband (Loma Vista Recordings) album has been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Dance / Electronic Album category for 2015. ...

LITTLE DRAGON
at First Avenue
Thursday 05/28/15, 7:30pm ($25/18+)
first-avenue.com

We're pretty excited to see that Sweden's Little Dragon will be back in town (their last appearance was at the 400 Bar in 2009). The band recently got a Grammy nomination for best Dance/Electronic album of the year and currently on tour for their latest Nabuma Rubberband (which we previously mentioned earlier in February 2015).

Michigan based producer Sango, currently signed to Los Angeles Soulection records, set to open the Minneapolis show.

Tour dates:

5/19/15 - The Catalyst - Santa Cruz, CA
5/21/15 - Roseland Theater - Portland, OR
5/22/15 - Sasquatch Festival - George, WA
5/23/15 - Malkin Bowl - Vancouver, BC
5/25/15 - The Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB
5/26/15 - Flames Central - Calgary, AB
5/28/15 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
5/29/15 - Concord Music Hall - Chicago, IL
5/30/15 - The Crofoot - Pontiac, MI
5/31/15 - Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON
6/01/15 - Virgin Mobile Corona - Montreal, QC
6/03/15 - House of Blues - Boston, MA*
6/06/15 - Governor's Ball - New York, NY

*Co-headling with ODESZA

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

The Spatter Analysis Tour at Turf Club, St Paul (09 Oct 2014)

Photo Gallery Eternal Summers Tour Poster Eternal Summers Setlist We are Scientists We are Scientists Setlist We Are Scientists Setlist Courage Dumb Luck Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt Nice Guys Chick Lit What You Do Best Sprinkles Textbook Inaction Something About You Lethal Enforcer Central AC Make It Easy I Don't Bite The Great Escape After Hours It's a Hit -- Encore -- (Instrumental Jam) This Scene Is Dead Surfer Blood Setlist Floating Vibes Twin Peaks Squeezing Blood Weird Shapes Miranda Voyager Reprise Take It Easy Drinking Problem Gravity Say Yes to Me Demon Dance Harmonix Swim Anchorage Eternal Summers Setlist Jammy Wonder Viper Gouge You Kill Millions Structure I Love You Never Enough Tour Dates 10/10/14 Madison, WI The Sett 10/12/14 New York, NY Various Venues 10/15/14 Newport, KY Revival Room 10/16/14 Louisville, KY Zanzabar Read More We Are Scientists We Are Scientists took the stage quite late into the night, and Chris Cain and Keith Murray chatted with the audience frequently between songs. They had a booming rapport that reminded me … Surfer Blood "This is our seventh time in Minneapolis," stated singer John Pitts from Surfer Blood, making their stop at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis last night, Sunday, October 13th. The Floridian band is … Eternal Summers I love fuzzy, lo-fi, shoegaze-y, poppy music. Eternal Summers is all of that. It's a recipe for the formula of music or genres that will almost always grab my attention. They started out their set …

"The Spatter Analysis Tour", with co-headliner Surfer Blood and We Are Scientists, just came through St Paul's Turf Club last night.

The Turf Club closed for the Summer for renovations, and this was the first time we had time to re-visit the venue. What I can report that it is indeed cleaner. The bar now has a new flooring, fresh paint (raised walls), a much nicer bathroom, and most importantly: new sound speakers, new lighting, and a raised/extended stage. They also got rid of the black drapes in the background (replaced it with a large painting of race horses) and also removed the secondary "minor" stage. All in all, it is the same old Turf Club, just improved.

Eternal Summers

Starting the Splatter show was Eternal Summers, a lo-fi/garage rock band from Virginia. The trio, lead by singer/guitarist Nicole Yun, is touring in support of their third studio album The Drop Beneath, out now on Kanine Records.

The band previously appeared in Minneapolis last year, but it was their first time in St Paul last night.

Their 40-min set was filled with high energy guitar-driven fuzz, including a few tracks, "Gouge" and "Never Enough", from their latest record.

Surfer Blood

Next up was co-headliner Surfer Blood, who, if you recall, the last time they were in Minneapolis, singer John Pitts said it was their "seventh time". From my understanding, I thought he said it was Surfer Blood's first time in St Paul... or at the very least, their first time at the Turf Club.

Surfer Blood is always fun to see live. If you've never seen them before, wait until you see them playing music with their teeth (for "Drinking Problem"). I've seen many bands, but Surfer Blood is the only one that does the teeth-playing-guitar thing.

For "Take It Easy", they invited singer Keith Murray on stage to help them jam, as John Pitts takes his singing mic into the audience.

Surfer Blood is, as always, tight on their nearly 55-minute set... thanks to many years as a touring band. The only problem they had was a false start for "Swim", but they quickly recovered and blasted the song as soon as they got their timing back.

Before I tell you about We Are Scientists at the Turf Club, let me tell you the first time I heard about them. It was 2006 and we were driving to Wisconsin, leaving from St Paul (!) and a friend had their major label debut album With Love and Squalor in her car. I'd never heard of them, but as soon as we put in the CD, I was already singing along with their songs. That's right, I have never heard of them before hearing that album for the first time.

So obviously, all the songs on their set from With Love and Squalor were favorites ("Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt", "The Great Escape", etc). I also got the impression that the other fans in the audience also felt the same way, based on their dance moves.

Also, last night was a very special night for We Are Scientists, as it was Keith's birthday. They joke around on stage a lot. Clearly the band don't take themselves too seriously, but what can you expect from a band ironically called We Are Scientist.

For example, they joked that "Make It Easy" was a cover of the Eagles' "Take It Easy", but their lawyers sent a cease and desist letter. So they changed the tune and the name to "Make It Easy". A complete lie, of course, but still fun to hear them tell that story.

With "I Don't Bite", Surfer Blood's guitarist and bassist was invited to jam, a favor returned from Keith's earlier stage invasion. You can tell that the two bands are both friends and fans of each other.

The highlight of their show was for their epic outro of the show, starting with "The Great Escape" and "After Hours" (which they incorporated "Eternal Summers" into a lyric from the song). That was supposed to be the last song on their set, but the band continued to medley in "It's a Hit", plus various song jams. If they ended the show, that would have been just fine, but since it was Keith's birthday, they came back with long instrumental jam, followed by "This Scene Is Dead".

If you are a fan of both bands, seeing them live on this Spatter Analysis tour is a no-brainer. While you're at it, pick up their exclusive tour 7" with sleeve artwork and tour poster for $10.

We Are Scientists at Turf Club, St Paul (09 Oct 2014)

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

Rocktober: October 8 - October 10, 2014

Here are shows taking place in Minneapolis/St Paul on October 8 to October 10, 2014.

Read More Banks For the month of October, we talked about Lily Allen, Paloma Faith, Kooks, Bastille, Augustines, and Banks. …

BANKS
at First Avenue
Wednesday 10/08/14
first-avenue.com

American singer-songwriter Banks is currently on tour in support of her Goddess album, out now on Harvest Records.

Rolling Stone described her music as “Midnight R&B melodies intermingled with post-grime and post-Grimes beats — and a penchant for Fiona Apple” and the buzz has reached deafening levels for her debut full-length, Goddess - see this rising self-taught pianist, vocalist, and songwriter's while you can.

U.S. Tour dates:

10/07/14 Chicago, IL Metro / Smart Bar
10/08/14 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
10/10/14 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre
10/11/14 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
10/14/14 Seattle, WA The Showbox
10/15/14 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
10/16/14 Portland, OR McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
10/19/14 San Francisco, CA Treasure Island
10/21/14 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
10/22/14 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern

Other notable shows in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro:

Motopony with The Family Crest @ Cedar Cultural Center

Stick Figure w/Pacific Dub @ 7th St Entry

Hank & Cupcakes with Danger Ron & the Spins, White Boyfriend @ Turf Club

Al Stewart @ Dakota Jazz Club

Yellowman @Cabooze

Charmings + The Meadows @ Icehouse

Read More Screaming Females New Jersey's Screaming Females is known for their amazing live shows, and teaming up with legendary Steve Albini, they recorded their first live album during the two sold out shows at the Hideout in Chicago. … Pujol Opening up for J Roddy were Pujol, from Nashville, Tennessee. The five-piece band (although for live shows, they only have four members) played tracks from their sophomore album Kludge (like "No Words") and their 2012 debut album …

SCREAMING FEMALES
at Triple Rock Social Club
Wednesday 10/08/14
ticketfly.com

If it's at the Triple Rock Social Club, it usually means one thing: three bands.

Headlining this triple-action show is punk rock band Screaming Females. The trio (Marissa Paternoster, Jarrett Dougherty, and King Mike) are currently touring in support of the the Steve Albini-produced live album Live at the Hideout, available now on Don Giovanni Records.

Second of the three bands are Nashville's Pujol, who we recently saw at a sold-out show for J Roddy Walston & the Business. Pujol are touring in their re-issued and re-titled Reunited States of Being on cassette.

Third on the list is Minneapolis' own Kitten Forever, the riot trio features Corrie Harrigan, Laura Larson, and Liz Elton.

Tour dates:

10/05: Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr Roboto Project*
10/06: Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups*
10/07: Chicago, IL @ Logan Square Auditorium*
10/08: Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club*
10/09: Spearfish, SD @ Back Porch*
10/10: Denver, CO @ Lost Lake Lounge*
10/11: Boise, ID @ The Crux*
10/13: Portland, OR @ Holocene*
10/14: Olympia, WA @ Obsidian*
10/15: Seattle, WA @ Black Lodge*
10/17: Oakland, CA @1234 Go!*
10/18: San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern*
10/19: Los Angeles, CA @ Los Globos*
10/20: San Pedro, CA Harold's*
10/21: Tucson, AZ @ The Flycatcher*
10/23: Austin, TX @ Red 7*
10/24: Houston, TX @ Walter’s Downtown*
10/25: New Orleans, LA @ Community Records *
10/26: Cleveland, MS @ Green Room *
10/27: Birmingham, AL @ Seasick Records*
10/28: Nashville, TN @ Stone Fox*
10/30: Ybor (Tampa), FL @ Pre-Fest 2
10/31: Gainesville, FL @ FEST 13
11/01: Atlanta, GA @ 529 Bar*
11/02: Raleigh, NC @ Kings Barcade*
11/03: Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter*
11/04: Washington, DC @ Black Cat*
11/05: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s*
11/06: Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bear’s Place*
11/07: Providence, RI @ Spark City*
11/08: Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes*

*=with PUJOL

Read More Surfer Blood "This is our seventh time in Minneapolis," stated singer John Pitts from Surfer Blood, making their stop at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis last night, Sunday, October 13th. The Floridian band is … We Are Scientists We Are Scientists took the stage quite late into the night, and Chris Cain and Keith Murray chatted with the audience frequently between songs. They had a booming rapport that reminded me … Eternal Summers I love fuzzy, lo-fi, shoegaze-y, poppy music. Eternal Summers is all of that. It's a recipe for the formula of music or genres that will almost always grab my attention. They started out their set …

SURFER BLOOD + WE ARE SCIENTISTS
at Turf Club
Thursday 10/09/14
turfclub.net

Surfer Blood and We Are Scientists have embarked on a co-headlining tour which has been coined by the bands as “The Spatter Analysis Tour”.

Regarding the tour, Keith and Chris of WAS said, “We've been fans of Surfer Blood’s music for years, and have played on a couple of festivals together, but the blend of the two bands in a club setting is going to be a glorious thing."

While they are on tour they will be selling a limited edition 7" vinyl with original WAS track “Distillery” and Surfer Blood’s “NY Passage”

Also on the bill is Eternal Summers, a band that Laurie described as "fuzzy, lo-fi, shoegaze-y, poppy music."

Tour Dates

10/05/14 Ithaca, NY The Haunt
10/06/14 Toronto, ON Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
10/07/14 London, ON Call The Office
10/08/14 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
10/09/14 Saint Paul, MN Turf Club
10/10/14 Madison, WI The Sett
10/12/14 New York, NY Various Venues
10/15/14 Newport, KY Revival Room
10/16/14 Louisville, KY Zanzabar

Other notable shows in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul metro:

Here Come the Mummies with The Oddfathers @ Varsity Theater

Blockhead with Elaquent, Lost Midas @ 7th St Entry

J Mascis @ Minneapolis Institute Of Arts

Jungle with Empress Of @ First Avenue

Merchandise w/Lower, Condominium @ Triple Rock Social Club

Read More Sloan The boys of Sloan kindly stopped by the 400 Bar Friday evening and charmed a small, but excited collection of fans, new and old. The guitars were huge, the stage was hot and the lyrics ...

SLOAN
at Turf Club
Friday 10/10/14
turfclub.net

Canadian power-pop veterans Sloan have returned to our musical shores with an ambitious new double album, Commonwealth, due out September 9th on Yep Roc - and these guys aren’t messing around! Each side of the record is labeled after a different card-suit symbol and will feature compositions from a specific member: Jay Ferguson opens Commonwealth with his “Diamond” side, Patrick Pentland follows with “Shamrock,” the “Heart” is Chris Murphys’ section and “Spade” is the grand finale, an 18-minute suite compliments of Andrew Scott.

The band has been premiering tunes left and right starting with Pentland’s Beach Boys-rave-up “Keep Swinging (Downtown).” The A.V. Club debuted Ferguson’s “Cleopatra,” Consequence of Sound dropped Murphy’s “Carried Away” and USA Today pushed another Pentland tune, “13 (Under a Bad Sign)” - all songs have a great swagger and superior melody that Sloan are known for while still reflecting each writer’s unique fingerprint.

Although it’s been a few years since the band’s last full-length album (2011’s Double Cross), Sloan were still actively releasing music in between outputs. Following a tour celebrating the reissue of Twice Removed, the band put together a limited edition 7” single inspired by the hardcore bands of their youth titled Jenny/It’s In You, It’s In Me. The single came with download card so fans could access a covers record featuring versions of Sloan’s favorite punk groups like The Descendents, 7 Seconds and Bad Religion.

So far, Sloan only has FIVE dates lined up for their US tour and one of those dates includes a stop at the newly remodeled Turf Club in St. Paul - I consider it a personal victory when one of my favorite bands shuns both Chicago and Detroit in favor of the Twin Cities. It’s ALWAYS a great time when Sloan comes to town, so walk, drive or hop a ride on the light rail and get your butt to the Turf!

US Tour Dates:
10/10: Minneapolis, MN - Turf Club
10/19: Portland, OR - Star Theatre
10/20: Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
10/22: San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop
10/24: Los Angeles, CA - Bootleg Theatre

Other notable shows in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul metro:

Grieves with Soulcrate, Unknown Prophets, Sol @ First Avenue

Om with Watter @ 7th St Entry

Pieta Brown album release @ Dakota Jazz Club

Sponge w/July Fighter, CrashMatic, Young & Tender @ Amsterdam Hall

Born Of Osiris w/After The Burial, Thy Art Is Murder @ Skyway Theatre

Shannon Curfman @ Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues

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

Surfer Blood at the Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis (10/13/13)

Setlist Tour Dates 10.15.13 - Riot Room - Kansas City, MO * 10.16.13 - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO * 10.17.13 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT * 10.18.13 - Beauty Bar - Las Vegas, NV * 10.19.13 - The Irenic - San Diego, CA * 10.21.13 - El Rey - Los Angeles, CA * 10.22.13 - Independent - San Francisco, CA * 10.23.13 - Constellation Room - Santa Ana, CA * 10.24.13 - Crescent Ballroom - Phoenix, AZ * 10.26.13 - Trees - Dallas, TX * 10.27.13 - Red 7 - Austin, TX * 10.28.13 - Fitzgerald's - Houston, TX * 10.29.13 - One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA * 10.30.13 - Alabama Music Box - Mobile, AL * 10.31.13 - Club Downunder - Tallahassee, FL * 11.09.13 - Coastline Festival 11.10.13 - Coastline Festival * with Team Spirit, Andy Boay Read More Surfer Blood Needless to say, I was blown away the first time I saw Surfer Blood. I thought to myself that they should be headlining, and sure enough, the band is touring as headliner this year. …

"This is our seventh time in Minneapolis," stated singer John Pitts from Surfer Blood, making their stop at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis last night, Sunday, October 13th. The Floridian band is currently on tour in support of Pythons, which was released this Summer via Sire Records.

TEAM SPIRIT

Opening up for Surfer Blood were Montreal's Andy Boay and Brooklyn's Team Spirit. Ayad Al Adhamy from Team Spirit played very energetic garage music, such as "Jesus, He's Alright" and other songs from their self-titled debut EP, out now on VICE Records / WBR.

Before Surfer Blood took the stage, their tour manager doubled as their announcer. And as expected, Surfer Blood played some new songs from Pythons, but not without giving us the instrumental "Neighbor Riffs" and from last year's Astro Coast with "Twin Peaks". New songs included "Squeezing Blood", "Weird Shapes", "Slow Six", "Say Yes To Me", and one of the encore song, "Gravity".

Highlight from their set was prior to "Take It Easy", John Pitts said that the song was about the government shutdown. Then, during the performance, he jumped into the audience and wore someone else's glasses as he sang.

There was a three song encore, ending with "Catholic Pagans", which got a big cheer from the audience.

Surfer Blood is currently touring in support of their latest album, Pythons. Check out their tour dates.

Surfer Blood at the Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis (10/13/13)

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ surferblood.com ♥ facebook.com

Rocktober Round Three

Read More Surfer Blood You know, I caught Surfer Blood opening up for Foals this year and I have to say - they are quite good! I hope they come back to Minneapolis soon…

SURFER BLOOD
surferblood.com

Needless to say, I was blown away the first time I saw Surfer Blood. I thought to myself that they should be headlining, and sure enough, the band is touring as headliner this year.

Recently, the band teamed up with Google Play's Uncovered Sessions, to produce a cover of the Clash's "Spanish Bombs" (taken from their iconic 1979 album, London Calling). You can get the download on play.google.com, as part of their five-part documentary on The Clash titled"Audio Ammunition."

Opening up for Surfer Blood will be Brooklyn-based Team Spirit.

10.12.13 - Gabe's - Iowa City, IA *
10.13.13 - Triple Rock - Minneapolis, MN *
10.15.13 - Riot Room - Kansas City, MO *
10.16.13 - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO *
10.17.13 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT *
10.18.13 - Beauty Bar - Las Vegas, NV *
10.19.13 - The Irenic - San Diego, CA *
10.21.13 - El Rey - Los Angeles, CA *
10.22.13 - Independent - San Francisco, CA *
10.23.13 - Constellation Room - Santa Ana, CA *
10.24.13 - Crescent Ballroom - Phoenix, AZ *
10.26.13 - Trees - Dallas, TX *
10.27.13 - Red 7 - Austin, TX *
10.28.13 - Fitzgerald's - Houston, TX *
10.29.13 - One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA *
10.30.13 - Alabama Music Box - Mobile, AL *
10.31.13 - Club Downunder - Tallahassee, FL *
11.09.13 - Coastline Festival - Tampa, FL
11.10.13 - Coastline Festival - West Palm Beach, FL

* with Team Spirit, Andy Boay

Read More Fiona Apple and Blake Mills Fiona Apple and Blake Mills will be heading out on tour on a special 12 date, North American tour called "Anything We Want: An Evening With Fiona Apple & Blake Mills". …

FIONA APPLE AND BLAKE MILLS
anythingwewant.us

I was also going to mention that Superhumanoids and Delorean were playing on this Monday (October 14th), but apparently the tour was canceled due to Visa kidnapping problems. UPDATE: The band was kidnapped for 30 hours in Mexico.

Anyway, there is a great show happening over at the O'Shaughnessy with Fiona Apple and Blake Mills, on that Monday. Not much to add to this date, other than the fact that Apple's been in the news recently with the new tour: Anything We Want Tour. One heckler/idiot shouted out an insensitive thing that caused the show to end early.

Hopefully the audience will be more respective on these future shows:

10/12/13 Lawrence, KS Liberty Hall
10/14/13 Saint Paul, MN The O'Shaughnessy
10/15/13 Chicago, IL Bank Of America Theatre
10/17/13 Toronto, ON Queen Elizabeth Theatre
10/19/13 Philadelphia, PA Merriam Theater
10/21/13 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
10/22/13 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
10/23/13 Boston, MA Emerson Colonial Theatre
10/25/13 Washington, DC Lincoln Theatre
10/26/13 Washington, DC Lincoln Theatre

Read More BOY After 7 million views on YouTube of their single ‘Little Numbers’, a Lufthansa commercial, and riding the ‘Current Effect’ (aka local awareness/buzz accelerated by airplay on the local public radio station), German/Swiss pop/folk …

BOY
listentoboy.com

Swedish /German duo Boy returns on a Fall Tour that is a victory lap of sorts. Singer Valeska Steiner and bassist Sonja Glass have had a very successful year-to-date, having their ear candy single ‘Little Numbers’ cross over into more mainstream channels and their initial Spring club tour, produce a number of sold-out shows across the country. The Hamburg-based pair brings a full band in tow this time out, and an infectiously poppy sense of optimism that should put a smile on everyone in attendance.

Boy will be in Minneapolis on Tuesday, October 15th at First Avenue. Other shows W♥M will be covering are The Blow at the Cedar Cultural Center and Communion over at the Varsity Theater.

Listen to:



Tour dates:

10/12/13 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
10/13/13 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
10/15/13 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
10/16/13 Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theatre
10/18/13 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
10/19/13 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
10/21/13 Vancouver, BC Venue
10/22/13 Seattle, WA The Crocodile
10/23/13 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
10/25/13 San Francisco, CA Great American
10/26/13 Los Angeles, CA The Fonda
10/27/13 La Jolla, CA Porters Pub

Read More Karnivool When asked where the name "Karnivool" came from, guitarist Drew said: That's one question I can never answer very well, as the name Karnivool …

TESSERACT
tesseractband.co.uk

While the term tesseract refers to a cubic prism in geometry, the UK progressive metal band TesseracT brings its tight, palm-muted riffs to these shores on a rare North American Tour this fall. Though started ten years ago and having to overcome numerous lead vocalist changes, the band remains largely unknown in America but has settled in to their sound comfortably, as most evidenced on their latest full-length, Altered State (Century Media). With a groove metal sound similar in technique to Meshuggah and playing the smaller Studio B in Minneapolis’ Skyway Theatre, on Wednesday, October 16th, this could be a rare chance to see a unique band in a completely intimate setting.

TesseracT's US/Can tour dates:

10/12/13 Calgary, AB The Gateway @ SAIT
10/13/13 Regina, SK The Exchange
10/14/13 Winnipeg, MB Union Sound Hall
10/16/13 Minneapolis, MN Skyway Theatre
10/17/13 Lawrence, KS Granada Theatre
10/18/13 Indianapolis, IN The Emerson Theater
10/20/13 St. Louis, MO Fubar
10/22/13 Fort Worth, TX Tomcats West
10/23/13 Houston, TX Fitzgerald's - Downstairs
10/24/13 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jacks
10/25/13 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn
10/26/13 Tampa, FL The Orpheum
10/27/13 Greensboro, NC Blind Tiger
10/29/13 Brooklyn, NY Saint Vitus

Read More Twin Peaks I bought the soundtrack on cassette originally, but through three seperation of friends and families - they had destroyed a portion of the tape …

TWIN PEAKS
twinpeaksmusic.blogspot.com

Thursday, October 16th we have Twin Peaks at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis.

No, not the David Lynch cult television show… although the Twin Peaks: Season Two Music and More soundtrack was just recently Sacred Bones Records unearthed (originally released on CD by Lynch over five years ago). The CD is limited to quantities on hand, so once they're gone, they're gone from Sacred Bones.

Anyway, this band called Twin Peaks is from Chicago. They're currently tour in support of their debut album Sunken, which hipsters can get on cassette tape.

Tour dates:

10/17/13 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
10/28/13 Born Ruffians
10/29/13 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
10/30/13 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
11/01/13 Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop
11/02/13 Philadelphia, PA Underground Arts

Read More Jherek Bischoff Jherek Bischoff, started off the show. He said on stage that he's played some depressing gigs, and he seemed so happy to be playing chamber music to attentive fans …

JHEREK BISCHOFF
jherekbischoff.com

Friday is Jherek Bischoff. His special all-star show is taking place in St Paul at the Fitzgerald Theater.

Details below:

Jherek Bischoff: Composed
Fri, Oct 18, 8 pm / $25
Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul

When I say all-star, I do mean it:

Icelandic vocalist/songsmith Ólöf Arnalds
Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche
Poliça's lead singer Channy Leaneagh
Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO)

We've previously covered all of those bands, including Jherek Bischoff, who made an appearance with Amanda Palmer last year, and even SPCO.

The showcase is part of SPCO's Liquid Music series and in association with the American Swedish Institute and Minnesota Public Radio.

Read More World Party I've liked this British band since I first heard "Ships of Fool", in the early 90s. I'm sure most people will just disregard World Party as a simple one-hit-wonder …

THE WATERBOYS
mikescottwaterboys.com

Saturday is the worst of this week, check out these bands in town:

Alpine at Nether Bar
Celtic Thunder at The O'Shaughnessy
Soul Asylum/Fountains Of Wayne at First Ave
CocoRosie at The Cedar
Sir Sly at Studio B at Skyway Theatre
Judith Hill/Josh Groban at Target Center
Waterboys at Fitzgerald Theater
Chad Valley/Keep Shelly In Athens at 7th St
Fuzz at The Cave (Northfield)

Unfortunately too many good bands in town that night, so we're covering three bands that night. One of which is The Waterboys. Although the lineup has changed over the years (over seventy band members!), they mostly consisted of founder Mike Scott.

U.S. tour dates:

10/10/13 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
10/11/13 Seattle, WA The Neptune
10/12/13 Boise, ID Egyptian Theatre
10/13/13 Salt Lake City, UT The State Room
10/14/13 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater
10/16/13 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom
10/17/13 Chicago, IL Gary & Laura Maurer
10/19/13 Saint Paul, MN Fitzgerald Theater
10/22/13 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
10/24/13 Salisbury, MA Blue Ocean Music Hall
10/25/13 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
10/27/13 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
10/29/13 New Orleans, LA The Civic Theatre
10/30/13 Austin, TX The Belmont

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M

Bleeding Blood

Read More Surfer Blood You know, I caught Surfer Blood opening up for Foals this year and I have to say - they are quite good! I hope they come back to Minneapolis soon…

SURFER BLOOD
surferblood.com

The first time I saw Surfer Blood, opening up for Foals, I thought they were a very good live band. They certainly have the stage presence, and this is good to win over the audience when they were opening up for a headliner.



If you were curious what they sound like, you can grab a free demo of "Saber Tooth" via Australian magazine Monster Children.

You can hear the final mix on their second album, Pythons, out now on Warner Bros./Kanine Records.

NPR love the new album, saying the album contain "real craftsmanship into 10 songs that sound effortless, but surely weren't. By any definition, Pythons is more streamlined and straight-ahead than Astro Coast, but it's still catchy as anything."

Surfer Blood is set to tour North America this fall with opener, Gauntlet Hair, starting on September 29th in Atlanta.

Dates with * indicates with special guest Gauntlet Hair.

08/09 San Francisco, CA - Outside Lands 08/10 Redmond, WA - 1077 The End's Summer 08/15 Hasselt, Belgium - Pukkelpop 08/23 Reading, UK - Reading Festival 08/24 Leeds, UK - Leeds Festival 08/25 Paris, France - Rock en Seine 09/06 Portland, OR - MFNW 09/08 Sacramento, CA - Launch 09/14 Chicago, IL - Riot Fest 09/29 Atlanta, GA- Terminal West* 09/30 Charlotte, NC- Visualite Theater* 10/01 Carrboro, NC- Cat’s Cradle* 10/03 Washington DC- Rock and Roll Hotel* 10/04 Philadelphia, PA- Theater of Living Arts* 10/05 Brooklyn, NY- Music Hall of Williamsburg* 10/09 Toronto, ON- Lee’s Palace* 10/06 New York, New York- Bowery Ballroom* 10/07 Boston, MA- Brighton Music Hall* 10/10 Columbus, OH- The Basement*

10/11 Chicago, IL- Bottom Lounge 10/12 Iowa City, IA- Gabe’s* 10/13 Minneapolis, MN- Triple Rock* 10/15 Kansas City, MO- Riot Room* 10/16 Denver, CO- Larimer Lounge* 10/17 Salt Lake City, UT- Urban lounge* 10/18 Las Vegas, NV- Beauty Bar* 10/19 San Diego, CA- The Irenic* 10/21 Los Angeles, CA- El Rey* 10/22 San Francisco, CA- The Independent 10/23 Santa Ana, CA- Constellation Room 10/24 Phoenix, AZ- Crescent Ballroom* 10/26 Dallas, TX- Trees* 10/27 Austin, TX- Red 7* 10/28 Houston, TX- Fitzgerald’s* 10/29 New Orleans, LA- One Eyed Jacks* 10/30 Mobile, AL - Alabama Music Box* 10/31 Tallahassee, FL- Club Downunder* 11/09 Tampa, FL- Coastline Festival 11/10 West Palm Beach, FL- Coastline Festival

Read More Reading Rainbow Philadelphia's Reading Rainbow and The Dodos played Cedar Cultural Center on March 23rd. Obviously the former band stole their name from LeVar Burton's* PBS programming of the same name. .…

BLEEDING RAINBOW
bleeding-rainbow.tumblr.com

Philadelphia's Bleeding Rainbow just released their third LP Yeah Right earlier this year on Kanine Records. And if you were wondering if they stole their name from the LeVar Burton show - yes they did. In fact, their first two records were released under Reading Rainbow, but probably through legal reasons they changed it to 'Bleeding'.

Tour kicks off this August:

8/28 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
8/30 Iowa City, IA – The Mill &
8/31 Madison, WI – The Frequency &
9/01 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
9/02 Fargo, ND – The Aquarium
9/05 Vancouver, BC – Media Club ^
9/06 Seattle, WA – Barboza *
9/07 Portland, OR – Star Theatre %
9/09 Santa Cruz, CA – Crepe Place
9/10 San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop #
9/11 Santa Ana, CA - Constellation Room
9/13 Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg Bar
9/15 Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
9/16 Tucson, AZ – Solar Culture
9/18 Dallas, TX – Three Links $
9/19 Austin, TX – The Mohawk $
9/20 Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s $
9/21 Baton Rouge, LA – Mud + Water $

& w/Heavy Times
^ w/TitusAndronicus
* w/Bleached
% w/The Dodos
# w/The Love Language
$ w/Twin Peaks

Read More Great Escape Festival Festival tickets for Great Escape are now sold out. Headliners are: Bastille (Saturday), Billy Bragg (Friday), and Everything Everything (Thursday). Plus one million other smaller support acts. .…

BASTILLE
bastillebastille.com

Bastille's debut album, Bad Blood, is coming out in the U.S. on September 3rd from Virgin Records. Bastille also be promoting the U.S. release with a tour - making his television debut on "Conan" last week (July 24th).

The US version of the album will include 3 bonus tracks: "The Silence," "Weight of Living, PT. 1," and "Laughter Lines." In addition, if you pre-order the album on iTunes, you get an instantly receive a download of "Flaws". Vinyl fans will want to look at getting the fan bundle with a signed lithograph, 12" vinyl collectors box, and more … I didn't look at the price, but it's probably expensive.

Bastille – North American Fall Tour
9/16 San Diego, CA House of Blues
9/18 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theater
9/19 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
9/20 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
9/21 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern
9/23 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
9/25 Toronto, ON Opera House
9/27 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
9/28 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
9/29 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
9/30 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M