MUSIC REVIEW | Imagine Dragons headline at the Varsity Theater

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Some of the best shows happen when a band is really blowing up and out on their first headlining tour still playing small rooms selling out every show. Lucky fans of Las Vegas band Imagine Dragons experienced exactly that at the Varsity Theater on Friday, March 8.  After a good experience at the Basilica Block Party, frontman Dan Reynolds said they remembered Minneapolis and were looking forward to performing here again. The audience did not disappoint showing their excitement with deafening screams and applause that clearly fueled the band to an inspired performance.Reynold’s began the show beating a massive drum leading into “Round and Round” a perfect example of the band’s mostly uplifting sound often driven by heavy beats. Their unique sound really stood out during “Rocks” and “Demons” was a sure fan favorite. The shows energy steadily built throughout the set and ended with the fun anthem “On Top of the World” and the song responsible for putting them on the map “It’s Time.” The band returned for an encore performance of “Nothing Left to Say” and seemed genuinely moved by the audience approval stating they already have plans to return to the Twin Cities.Setlist:”Drum Intro””Round & Round””Amsterdam””Tip Toe””Hear Me””Cha-Ching””Rocks””Radioactive””30 Lives””Bleeding Out””Demons””Underdog””On Top of the World””It’s Time”Encore:”Nothing Left to Say”Supporting act Atlas Genius from Australia put on a nice show anchored by their hit “Trojans” and Nico Vega started the evening out with a solid performance.Atlas GeniusNico VegaImagine DragonsCoverage of issues and events that affect Central Corridor neighborhoods and communities is funded in part by a grant from Central Corridor Funders Collaborative. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Ruthie Foster pleases the crowd at the Hopkins Center for the Arts

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The Take Five Tuesdays Concert Series at the Hopkins Center for the Arts presented another first-rate performance to more than 550 music fans on Tuesday, January 29. Not everyone who came out to see rising talent Ruthie Foster was familiar with her music, but guaranteed everyone left a fan. The stage was setup simple with basically just instruments and there was no special lighting needed as all focus was placed on the music. The room sounded good for the whole performance and remained at a comfortable listening volume enabling you to enjoy the full band sound as well as the more subtle acoustic moments. The 90-minute, 15-song show incorporated a diverse mix of material revealing the influences that shaped the development of this gifted singer. Foster is a well-rounded entertainer who appears very comfortable sharing her experiences and inspirations with the audience and her love of playing music translates to pure joy for those lucky enough to be on the receiving end. Foster is also a skilled guitarist and was joined by her talented band; Tanya Richardson (bass), Samantha Banks (drums) and Twin Cities own Scottie Miller (B3 organ, piano, mandolin). The show started out with several of Foster’s uncommon selections of cover tunes: “When it Don’t Come Easy” (Patty Griffin), “Fruits of My Labor” (Lucinda Williams), “This Time” (Los Lobos). Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Grace Potter and the Nocturnals amaze First Avenue

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With so much of mainstream music today still being performed against preprogrammed dance tracks, there is a hunger to see real bands playing honest music on live instruments. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals served up a generous helping of new music inspired by the late ‘60s/early ‘70s era to a sold-out crowd at First Avenue on Friday, January 25. Tickets for the first show were gobbled up quickly resulting in a second show added Saturday night as is happening in many locations throughout the country. The Roar Tour, supporting the release of The Lion, The Beast, The Beat, takes the band across the US before joining up with The Avett Brothers for some international dates. There was a feeling of anticipation in the room since it appears many in attendance had seen the band play with Kenny Chesney at Target Field or the Sue McLean Music in the Zoo series show and knew they were in for a treat. Well they got it as this show rocked First Avenue harder then it’s been rocked in awhile! Potter said “We’re playing two nights here, but don’t worry we’re not going to hold back.” She first appeared on stage dressed up in a black vest, short leather skirt and stockings and swung her long blonde locks about as she ignited the crowd with “Medicine.” The band sounded super tight and is no doubt playing at the top of their game. Potter grabbed her signature series Gibson Flying V for a couple tracks off the new album “Never Go Back” and “Turntable.” The performance of “Oasis” showed off how perfectly complimentary the unique guitar styling’s of Scott Tournet (now clean shaven with a short haircut) and Benny Yurco are. After the show began with such fervor, the stirring “Apologies” allowed a calmer space to really appreciate Potter’s amazing vocal tone. Her range has this sweet spot that she plays around in which has the ability to speak directly to your soul and is really something special. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Keane bear the cold at First Avenue

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Winter packed a punch Monday, January 21 with temperatures in the double digits below zero as fans of the English alternative rock band Keane got plenty of warmth from their red-hot performance at First Avenue. Vocalist and frontman Tim Chaplin spoke of walking a block outside earlier that day, “Never again will an Englishman complain about the weather.”
The stage was lit up nicely from all directions and you couldn’t have asked for a better sounding mix all night. A simple backdrop contained line art depicting a sun with a round metal sign hanging in front bearing the title of the band’s fourth album Strangeland. The album liner contains a picture showing the clear inspiration for the backdrop, an identical sign for the De La Warr Pavilion, a contemporary art gallery and auditorium located in the band’s home East Sussex England. Like this backdrop, so many things about this band appear simple, but in reality are clearly thought out and have a much deeper meaning. For example, most bands these days choose songs from other writers to compile an album, whereas Strangeland is a themed project that was years in the making. Keane’s actual stage performance doesn’t contain dance routines, pyrotechnics or confetti canons; they’re just a really good live band playing well-written songs that seem to speak to the masses. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Brian Setzer Orchestra bring Christmas early to the Orpheum Theatre

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What better place for Brian Setzer and his 18-piece Orchestra to kick of their ninth Annual Christmas Rocks! Extravaganza tour then at the historic Orpheum Theatre—a gig walking distance from the home of the now-Minnesota resident for the past 10 years. The hometown crowd expressed their appreciation of Setzer with a sold-out show made up of a diverse group of fans who came anxious to get in the Christmas spirit by means of Swing, Jump Blues and Rockabilly music. The performance held on Saturday, November 17 was the first of 26 scheduled shows in the U.S. winding down on the West Coast just a couple days before Christmas.

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MUSIC REVIEW | The Monkees please their daydream believers at the State Theatre

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Nostalgic fans gathered at the State Theater Thursday November 15 to celebrate the music of The Monkees. It was great to see an exceptional turnout for the historic reunion of the three remaining original members, Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork, for one of their first shows together since 1997. The atmosphere was fun with people dressed up in 60s fashion and a feeling of excitement about revisiting some childhood memories associated with the band.

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MUSIC REVIEW | Sonny Landreth attracts Blues fans to the Cedar Cultural Center

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The orange signs taped to the entrance doors of the Cedar Cultural Center on Wednesday, November 14 read, “Show is Completely Sold Out.”  That’s as it should be for Louisiana based Blues guitar wizard Sonny Landreth. Although his name is not as commonly known as some of those he has collaborated with (Eric Clapton, John Hiatt, Jimmy Buffett, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Mark Knopfler), guitar enthusiasts and serious Blues fans make sure to clear their calendar when he’s scheduled to come to town. The tireless 61-year-old slide guitar master appears to love touring and performing as he told the audience, “As long as you keep coming out, we’ll keep coming back no matter what time of year.”

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MUSIC REVIEW | Pentatonix sing without fanfare at Mill City Nights

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As seasons come and go on the seemingly endless selection of reality TV singing competitions, many of the winners don’t end up doing much and are simply forgotten. The a capella vocal group Pentatonix, on the other hand, is doing all the right things to expand their exposure and grow a fan base. It seems Minnesota has been paying attention judging by the size of the crowd that showed up for their performance at Mill City Nights November 7.

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MUSIC REVIEW | Geoff Tate downsizes, in a good way, at Mill City Nights

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Geoff Tate, the voice of 80s progressive metal band Queensryche, brought his solo tour to Mill City Nights Sunday, November 4. Tate performed songs from his brand new November 6 release King & I, along with the Queensryche material that made him famous. Having played stadium gigs all over the world, it was a real treat to see a seasoned Rock singer of this caliber in a desirable club setting like Mill City Nights.

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MUSIC REVIEW | The Script return to a fanatical crowd at the Orpheum Theatre

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Fans of Irish band The Script packed the Orpheum Theatre Friday evening October 26 and were lucky to be present for one of those shows where you get back what you give. Seems like you hear it at every show, but when charismatic frontman Danny O’Donoghue praised the Minneapolis audience for being one of the best on their tour so far, it was believable. The crowd’s roar was deafening as the band walked on stage to purple beams of light shooting up like searchlights while a bass note rumbled behind recorded words spoken like a breaking news report. The theater felt alive as fans rose to their feet for the opening number Good Ol’ Days, the first track off the band’s third studio album appropriately called #3.

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