The Current

Great Music Lives Here ®
Listener-Supported Music
Donate Now
Local Current Blog

Local Gig List: September 5-9

by Andrea Swensson

September 05, 2012

We've got a slightly truncated version of the Local Gig List to share due to the Labor Day holiday this week, but that doesn't mean the concert calendar is any less crowded. In fact, fall tends to be one of the busiest times for shows by both local and national acts.

Get your day planners out and let's get started! For even more gigs, check the Current's event calendar.
 

Wednesday, September 5

Sativa Flats
Turf Club Clown Lounge, St. Paul
9 p.m., free, 21+
A collaborative group that describes themselves as an amalgamation of Vibe/Dub/Kraut/Folk/Ambient, Sativa Flats comprises several familiar Turf Club players in a newer configuration, including Chris Rose (Vampire Hands, Heavy Deeds) and the exceedingly busy Neil Weir (The Chambermaids, Pony Trash). Added bonus? The Hymie Records Roadshow will be happening at the same time upstairs.


Thursday, September 6

Ben Rosenbush & The Brighton CD-Release Show
Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis 
7 p.m., $10 adv/$12 door, all ages
I can't think of a better venue than the Cedar for this triple-bill of talented folk-pop songwriters. Headliner Ben Rosenbush has played cello in both John Mark Nelson's and Rogue Valley's live bands, so it makes sense that they are joining him as openers for his release show.

Old Moon
Kitty Cat Klub, Minneapolis 
9 p.m., free, 21+
It's been a year since the band formerly known as Strong Bones took the stage. Fans of Hockey Night and Malachi Constant take note: former members of each group have come together to form an excellent new project that's now called Old Moon, and this gig provides a chance to see them in an intimate setting for exactly zero dollars. They're performing as part of the monthly Modern Radio Night along with Unhappy Virgin Damage and DJs Son of Norway (Nate Grumdahl) and Adam Bubolz.


Friday, September 7

Atmosphere with I Self Devine
Cabooze Outdoor Plaza, Minneapolis 
6 p.m., $25, all ages
The last time Slug and Co. tried to play outdoors in the Twin Cities, a severe thunderstorm warning shut down the entire Soundset festival and led to an impromptu gig in front of a much smaller audience at First Avenue. Atmosphere return to Minneapolis this week to give it another go, with "special guests" and opener I Self Devine in tow.

Carnage CD-Release Show
Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis 
9 p.m., $8 adv/$10 door, 18+
Rapper and beatboxer Carnage has been performing as an opening act on Atmosphere's tour this summer, but for this stop he gets the full share of the spotlight. And for good reason -- this Triple Rock show also doubles as the CD-release party for the recent City Pages cover subject's long-awaited full-length, Respect the Name. With Unknown Prophets, Meta, Wize Guyz, and DJ X-Caliber.

Farewell Milwaukee
Varsity Theater, Minneapolis
7 p.m., $10 adv/$14 door, 18+
This highly accessible alt-country band has steadily been growing a massive following here in the Twin Cities. Recommended for fans of Romantica, Uncle Tupelo, Ryan Adams, et al. With openers Pistol Whippin' Party Penguins and Walker Fields. 


Saturday, September 8

Summit Backyard Bash
Summit Brewery, St. Paul
11 a.m., $14. 21+
The ideal event for casual local music fans looking to ingest a sampler of high-caliber music (in addition to some of the Cities' best beer). With "Master of Ceremonies" Mark Wheat. Set times:

11:00 a.m. Hotpants DJs (and inbetween all sets)
11:30 a.m. Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps
12:45 p.m. Heartbeats
2:00 p.m. Halloween, Alaska
3:15 p.m. Now, Now
4:30 p.m. Doomtree

Diver Dress
Hexagon Bar, Minneapolis
9 p.m., free, 21+
We recently highlighted this new act in the Local Radar. Diver Dress is a lo-fi garage project led by Aaron LeMay, who you may recognize as the drummer for Mark Mallman and International Espionage! They will be joined by the Sex Rays and Brothers Nature.

Concrete and Grass Lowertown Music Festival
Mears Park, St. Paul
4 p.m., free, all ages
The three-day Concrete and Grass festival caps of Saturday with an excellent lineup: headliner Gary Louris of the Jayhawks, along with openers All Eyes. Earlier in the evening, the Minnesota Opera will also perform. 

Nightosaur
Cause Spirits & Soundbar, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $5, 21+
Have you caught this sludgy metal band live yet? Put it on your to-do list. Nightosaur will be sharing a bill with headliners Doomstruck! and openers Slow Form of Suicide and Sexy Dirty. 


Sunday, September 9

Totally Gross National Party 2012
Icehouse, Minneapolis
5 p.m., $10
The label led by Drew Christopherson (Poliça, Votel) and Ryan Olson (Marijuana Deathsquads, Poliça, Gayngs, etc) hosts their annual blowout bash, and what a lineup. Set times are below; note the tantalizing "TBA" artists filling out the headlining slots.

Outdoors:

5:00 Lewis and Burnet
6:00 Umami
6:30 Father You See Queen
7:30 Votel
8:30 Tha Clerb
9:30 Andrew Broder (w/ Crescent Moon, Mike Mictlan, and Mally)

Indoors:

7:00 Heavy Deeds
8:00 Tender Meat
9:00 Leisure Birds (record release for Globe Master, out on Moon Glyph)
10:00 TBA
10:30 Plain Ole Bill
11:00 TBA / Marijuana Deathsquads / Slapping Purses
12:00 TBA

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.