Halloween 2014: Where to see live music in Minneapolis and St. Paul
October 29, 2014
As the 2014 Halloweekend approaches, the Twin Cities will be crawling with shows for every ghoul and boy. Whether you’re seeking spooktacular celebrations or refuge from incessant trick-or-treaters, there are plenty of options to make this a festive Friday night.
Halloween Party & Costume Contest
First Avenue, Minneapolis
8:00 p.m., $5 advance/$10 day of show/$15 doors, 18+
For those with a knack for costume creativity, try your luck at First Ave’s annual getup contest. Over $1,000 in cash prizes will be awarded throughout the night, featuring beats by DJ FooLProoF, MC CLOUD, DJ Espada, Mike 2600, DJ Smitty, Roy Freedom and more. Stop by the Record Room next door for Holla’ween with DJ Verb X.
Tickets available here
Koo Koo Kanga Roo Halloween Party
Nomad World Pub, Minneapolis
9:00 p.m., $5 with costume, $10/$25 without a costume, 21+
Jump around the dance floor with hip-hop crew Koo Koo Kanga Roo. Joined by Gabriel Douglas of the4onthefloor with Super Friends and disco/funk rockers Golden Bubbles, this lineup is sure to keep you on your toes. Bonus: costume-clad attendees receive a pretty discount.
More information here
Martina’s Broadway Horror Cabaret
Bryant-Lake Bowl, Minneapolis
9:30 p.m., $12/$14
For an evening of childhood whimsy, witness Martino Gabriel-Mayoette perform nostalgic classics from The Addams Family, A Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, and more. Sport your quirkiest apparel for a chance at the “Queerest Costume” award.
Tickets available here
Wookiefoot Halloween
Cabooze, Minneapolis
8:00 p.m., $14/$18
Tap into the mystical magic of the holiday with the psychedelic stylings of Wookiefoot, Dead Larry, and Kinetix.
Tickets available here
Le Cirque Rouge Halloween
Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul
7:00 p.m., $10/$12/$50/$100, 21+
For a burlesque affair, join Iguano, Kiss or Kill, The Splendid End, and DJ Instigator for the 11th annual Le Cirque Rouge. Immerse yourself in the supernatural with tarot card readers, 3-D live birth, and a monster jazz band.
Tickets available here
HELLOween
7th Street Entry, Minneapolis
8:00 p.m., $10, 18+
For more spunk and less spook, check out the youthful hip-hop, R&B, and soul-inspired clan #MPLS alongside neo-soul group Nooky Jones.
Tickets available here
E.L.nO. Halloween Ball
Lee’s Liquor Lounge, Minneapolis
9:00 p.m., $10
When it comes to the spirit of costumes, few can rival the bodacious white-dude-afros of Jeff Lynne cover band E.L.nO. Join them and Bob-Dylan-tribute-band-for-the-night Joey Ryan and the Inks for a night of impressive impersonations.
More information here
Icehouse Halloween
Icehouse, Minneapolis
9:30 p.m., $8/$10, 21+
A rootsy shindig awaits with natives of the north woods Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank and Jillian Rae.
Tickets available here
Alt-J
Myth, St. Paul
7:00 p.m., $35
Wildly successful British indie-rock band Alt-J will take to the stage with special guests. Their dissonant but catchy sound will create the ideal ambiance for an eerie evening.
Tickets available here
The Hood Internet
Turf Club, St. Paul
8:00 p.m., $15 advance
The Hood Internet, Hologram Kizzie (a.k.a. Rhymesayers’ Psalm One), My Gold Mask, and Fluffy make for a monstrous mash-up of genres.
Tickets available here
Slowdive
Fine Line, Minneapolis
8:00 p.m., $25/$45, 18+
A band rooted in Halloween cheer, English rockers Slowdive originally held the name Pumpkin Fairies.Join them, Duluth natives Low, and DJ Jake Rudh at the Fine Line.
Tickets available here
The Protomen
Triple Rock, Minneapolis
8:00 p.m., $13/$15, 18+
Experience the darker side of All Hallow’s Eve with a dose of doom rock. The Protomen, Phantom Tails, and Vernon Wayne will add the proper amount of distortion to your evening.
Tickets available here
Davina & The Vagabonds
Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis
8:00 p.m., $15
If you’re feeling a bit bah-humbug about the holiday, find sanctuary in the jazz-pop stylings of Davina & The Vagabonds. This snappy quintet will sing your Halloween blues away.
Tickets available here
American Authors
Mill City Nights, Minneapolis
8:30 p.m., $18/$22, 15+
For an upbeat night of indie delight, experience alt-rock American Authors, Cali-folk artists the Mowglis, and harmonious duo Oh Honey. This lineup is sure to be sweeter than your night’s candy collection.
Tickets available here
Austin Lucas
Nether Bar, Minneapolis
9:00 p.m., $10/$12, 18+
The Nether Bar’s folkie lineup of Austin Lucas, Northcote, Jayke Orvis, and Caleb Caudle will give your evening an Americana twist.
Tickets available here
The Last Revel
Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis
11:30 p.m., $5
They’re last, but certainly not least—make the Last Revel> your late-night destination for some raucous, boot-stomping banjo riffs.
Tickets available here
Selena Carlson is currently tackling a double major in journalism and music business at Augsburg College. In addition to writing, she is an avid enthusiast of all things banjo; biking; and breakfast for dinner.