Minnesota Music at the Fine Line Music Cafe

Happy Easter, everyone!

I just got back last night from my fourth concert of the year, this time I got to see four Minnesota bands at the Sin City Escape album release party at the Fine Line Music Cafe in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday.

I haven't been to this venue since the Nonpoint concert there last September, but I arrived in Minneapolis in enough time to talk to a friend from the band Fifth Hour as his band was setting up before the show. I was looking forward to hearing the music from all the bands, even though there was only one that was brand new to me.

At 7:30 p.m. the new band to me, Arson River, took the stage. I was just friend requested by the lead singer on social media that afternoon, so I looked up some of their music online before the show. I thought they did a good job of entertaining the growing crowd with their original songs and covers of Nazareth's "Hair of the Dog" and Black Stone Cherry's hit "White Trash Millionaire." I made a point to pick up a free copy of their CD sampler towards the end of the show.

I found a friend who I'd been rocking with at the Nonpoint concert in Rochester the weekend before just as Fifth Hour began their set. I'd heard the band open for 10 Years at Pov's in Spring Lake Park, MN last August, so I knew to expect a solid, energetic set. The band is a local favorite, and I saw many people in the venue grooving along to every note. I got to chat with some of the guys after their set and had a few of them autograph their latest album for me.

The next act, Cold Kingdom, was another one I was familiar with, having seen them open for Nonpoint at this same concert hall last September. I liked the female vocalist's range and their diverse songs, so it was good to hear them play an extended set for once. I walked back to the merch table after their set to pick up a few albums, said goodbye to my friend for the evening after posing for our usual selfie together, and even thought I'd noticed a fan in a Batman costume during the set.

The final act, Sin City Escape, was another band I'd seen open for major headliners, this time it was for Black Stone Cherry and Theory of a Deadman at the Myth in Maplewood, MN last September. I'd picked up a copy of their 5-song EP at the merch table before they went onstage, and found myself stage right trying to get a good view of their performance. The remaining crowd seemed to be dedicated fans, and I liked seeing the crowd interaction during their set.

After taking what seemed like an eternity to get out of the parking area and onto the freeway, I found myself smiling again, realizing how glad I was to have gotten to hear four local bands in the company of their followers and some of my friends. I plan on hearing some of these artists again later this year, and am hopeful that some of them might even find their way up to the St. Cloud area sometime.

Well that's all for now, so until next time, enjoy your holiday, everyone!