Some might think my musical cachet peaked early in life. At 14, Belle and Sebastian were my favorite band. My friends disliked them, but that just made me love them more. Images of Spoon, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and that random British band I’d like to think you’ve never heard of were carefully cut from the […]
On Saturday evening, it was sibling central at First Avenue. There is something so magical about sibling harmony. It feels effortless, natural, and seamless. The trio Bailen (brothers Daniel and David, and sister Julia) opened for Portland-based Joseph (sisters Natalie, Allie, and Meegan Closner). Having released an EP just a couple weeks ago entitled Stay […]
Being at a Sylvan Esso concert feels like standing in a confetti shower. That’s not how I would’ve described their music before last night’s show at First Avenue. But standing as small strips of noise tumbled onto each other, watching one of the best light shows I’ve ever seen, I felt a silly glee that’s […]
In the mid-2000s, Prince had returned to the mainstream spotlight in a way he hadn’t since the 1980s. His battle with his longtime label, Warner Bros., was over. He had reclaimed his birth name, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and was living out in Los Angeles, throwing star-studded purple parties […]
“Rest peacefully, friend,” wrote First Avenue on Instagram, sharing a photo of a star newly painted in honor of the late great Sonny Knight. The soul sensation died earlier this month at age 69, and yesterday his life was celebrated with a memorial service at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. Read the story of Knight’s life […]
Today, Minnesota is buzzing about the show U2 have just announced for U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 8. As we anticipate the upcoming show, we thought we’d look back on U2’s second local show: at First Avenue on Feb. 21, 1982. They’d previously played the venue in 1981 — when it was still known as […]
After thousands of fans gathered Saturday night at First Avenue for a street party and a dance party in memory of Prince, the next generation of much younger fans had their own event the very next morning called “I WOULD DANCE 4 YOU.” Before doors opened you could feel the buzz of excitement as families […]
The thousands-strong singalong to “Purple Rain” at the Memorial Street Party, right at the spot where the Kid once pulled his motorcycle up to the door of First Avenue, may have been the climax to this weekend’s celebrations of Prince’s life and legacy — but it wasn’t the end. As crews efficiently started to clear away […]
Last night, First Avenue played host to the Star Tribune’s eighth annual Are You Local? Showcase — an annual show celebrating the local talent of the Twin Cities. The show boasted two well-established local acts as headliners: the longtime hometown heroes the Suburbs and the quirky post-punk band Gramma’s Boyfriend. The winner of this years Are You […]
The second night of the The Current’s 12th Birthday Party was greeted by a crowd buzzing with anticipation. Fresh off a successful first night of the birthday celebration, First Avenue concertgoers were excited to see what the sold-out Saturday show would bring, and it did not disappoint. The lineup included three local acts — Monica LaPlante, […]
