MUSIC REVIEW | All Time Low play a marathon at First Avenue

By |

Pop-punk rockers All Time Low thrashed their way onto the main stage at First Avenue Monday, October 22 in celebration of their fifth studio album release Don’t Panic. Anxious to spread word of the new material, Alex Gaskarth (vocals/guitar), Jack Barakat (guitar), Zack Merrick (bass) and Rian Dawson (drums) embarked on a three-day “World Triptacular” mini kick-off tour earlier this month that included performances in Tokyo, London and New York City. The effort paid off as first week record sales topped 48,000 copies. Three days later, they played the first performance of the “Rock Show at the End of the World” tour that will take them across the US through the end of November with 33 scheduled shows. The Minneapolis show was on the front end of their trek and the band showed up fully energized and clearly excited to play for our hometown fanatics. Gaskarth said this was their fourth time playing First Avenue and they have never had a bad show here.

Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | David Nail at Mill City Nights: A little bit country, a little bit pop

By |

As the now mainstream music style labeled “Today’s Country” has combined elements of traditional country with popular music, so is the makeup of many of its new artists like David Nail who names Elton John and Glenn Campbell as two of his major influences. Nail is growing in popularity now with two albums (I’m About to Come Alive and The Sound of a Million Dreams) under his country belt and a new three song EP named 1979, the year of his birth. His Jagermeister sponsored Fall 2012 tour made a stop on the evening of October 18 at downtown hot-spot Mill City Nights. There was a nice turnout for the show as the venue is attracting more country fans having had previous shows by Easton Corbin and Hunter Hayes.

Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Joss Stone does Joss Stone at O’Shaughnessy Auditorium

By |

British singer Joss Stone brought her Soul Sessions Tour to The O’Shaughnessy Thursday evening as part of their Women of Substance series. The venue’s intimate feel and great acoustics make it the perfect venue for this high-quality music performance. Although Stone brought a large band with her (three horns, three backup singers, guitar, bass, keys, drums) the stage set retained a nice open feel leaving her room to dance and twirl about barefoot like the free spirit she is rumored to be. The backdrop made up of flowing crinkle curtains was nicely lit with mostly shades of blue and purple adding a warmth that assisted in creating the right mood for the tunes.

Continue Reading