A few weeks ago, I saw several social media posts advertising five finalists for a spot opening at this year's Northern Invasion rock concert festival in Somerset, WI. It was hard for me to choose, as I have friends in all of the nominated bands. One band (Sin City Escape) decided not to participate in the popularity concert, and their reasoning made good sense. I still decided to go to the "battle of the bands" show last night to support my friends.
I got to the venue just in time to meet some of my concert friends. With several shows, a Twins game at nearby Target Field and the usual Friday night shenanigans in downtown Minneapolis, I knew it was going to be busy. I got in the doors in time to buy a ticket and chat with some friends for a while before the first band, Ashes from Stone, started the concert. They played several fan favorites like "Illusion" and "Mine Oh Mine" along with a few new songs that have yet to be released on CD.
The next band, Vaudeville, was one that I hadn't heard for a while. Their bass guitar and keyboard-fueled songs kept the growing crowd enthralled. Their unique rendition of the rock classic "House of the Rising Sun" had everyone on their feet! They had the biggest crowd of all of last night's acts, so based on popularity, it's no surprise to me that they won the contest.
The third act was my friends in the spacey rock group Antistar. I was familiar with their songs having seen them most recently at their CD release show at the Park in Fridley, MN a few weeks ago, and they never disappoint. Creative songs and a captivating stage presence keep the audiences coming back to their shows.
The final band, Via, was another band I hadn't seen for a few months. They put on a great set, although I couldn't stay for the entire performance. The rigors of another busy workweek had me growing tired earlier than expected.
I still have some reservations myself about the "popularity contest" theme, but it was good connecting with a couple dozen friends last night, some I hadn't seen in months. No more shows for me in April, but May looks to be a very busy and entertaining month-stay tuned!
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Purple Reign
I woke up this Thursday excited for my one and only concert of the week-another acoustic performance from Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor at First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. I'd gone to his solo show last July at the Turf Club in St. Paul and had a great time, and got to meet Corey after the show, so I was looking forward to another great time. Little did I know at the time what was about to happen that day.
Just as I was getting ready for my lunch break at work that day, I started seeing news reports that local pop music icon Prince Rogers Nelson had been found dead at his Paisley Park recording studio at the age of 57. While I wasn't a fan of his music, I had to give him credit for his influence on so many other musicians, and the fact that he had a big had in putting Minnesota music in the national spotlight at times.
Prince played a lot of shows at First Ave, and I started hearing rumors that there were going to be streets blocked off around the venue that night. I later heard about an all-night dance party outside the venue later that evening. After coming home from work and having a quick supper, I made it to First Ave in time to join a few friends for the show just as workers were starting to set up for the dance party.
Shortly after 7 pm, ticketholders for the sold-out show were allowed into the building. I made my way to the front row. There was a large screen pulled down over the stage, where staff started projecting images of Prince as some of his songs began to fill the speakers overhead. Very appropriate, given the circumstances.
Shortly after 8 pm, Taylor took to the stage launching into a fitting cover of "Purple Rain." Corey live streamed this song and it has so far reached 10 million views and counting. Corey admitted the Purple One's influence on him as well.
Corey played several Stone Sour hits and the Slipknot classic "Snuff," dedicated to his late bandmate Paul Gray. Stone Sour guitarist Christian Matrucci joined Taylor onstage for several of their hits and a few more covers by the Buzzcocks, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Cure, Johnny Cash and several others.
After an intermission/"pee break," Corey returned to close out the show with a few more numbers, closing out with "Little Red Corvette." I think the crowd was pleased that he started and ended the show with Prince classics.
As the house lights went up, I turned around to see the crowd of people outside the front doors-there was no way we could get out there. Instead, the staff directed us all to exits at the side doors. I walked into a sea of people. I had wanted to get a picture of Prince's star on the First Ave wall, but there were just too many people crowded around. I had to work the next day, so I made my way back to my parking spot and headed home, ready for another adventure the next night.
Friday night I went to Corey's book signing at Magers and Quinn bookstore on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. After navigating some rush hour and road construction traffic, I made it to the bookstore in time to buy a copy of his latest effort, You're Making Me Hate You and find a seat next to my friend.
Shortly after 7 pm, Corey took to the podium to talk a bit and answer questions from the audience. I got to ask him who his dream list of musicians to work with would be - some of his answers would probably surprise you!
Afterwards, we were directed to another area of the bookstore for a meet and greet and photo op. Corey's wife was standing by ready to take photos and I got to chat with Corey again and get a photo with him for the first time. For someone who's in some of the biggest rock bands in the world, he really is one of the nicest people I've ever met. Great to meet artists who are so humble!
Just as I was getting ready for my lunch break at work that day, I started seeing news reports that local pop music icon Prince Rogers Nelson had been found dead at his Paisley Park recording studio at the age of 57. While I wasn't a fan of his music, I had to give him credit for his influence on so many other musicians, and the fact that he had a big had in putting Minnesota music in the national spotlight at times.
Prince played a lot of shows at First Ave, and I started hearing rumors that there were going to be streets blocked off around the venue that night. I later heard about an all-night dance party outside the venue later that evening. After coming home from work and having a quick supper, I made it to First Ave in time to join a few friends for the show just as workers were starting to set up for the dance party.
Shortly after 7 pm, ticketholders for the sold-out show were allowed into the building. I made my way to the front row. There was a large screen pulled down over the stage, where staff started projecting images of Prince as some of his songs began to fill the speakers overhead. Very appropriate, given the circumstances.
Shortly after 8 pm, Taylor took to the stage launching into a fitting cover of "Purple Rain." Corey live streamed this song and it has so far reached 10 million views and counting. Corey admitted the Purple One's influence on him as well.
Corey played several Stone Sour hits and the Slipknot classic "Snuff," dedicated to his late bandmate Paul Gray. Stone Sour guitarist Christian Matrucci joined Taylor onstage for several of their hits and a few more covers by the Buzzcocks, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Cure, Johnny Cash and several others.
After an intermission/"pee break," Corey returned to close out the show with a few more numbers, closing out with "Little Red Corvette." I think the crowd was pleased that he started and ended the show with Prince classics.
As the house lights went up, I turned around to see the crowd of people outside the front doors-there was no way we could get out there. Instead, the staff directed us all to exits at the side doors. I walked into a sea of people. I had wanted to get a picture of Prince's star on the First Ave wall, but there were just too many people crowded around. I had to work the next day, so I made my way back to my parking spot and headed home, ready for another adventure the next night.
Friday night I went to Corey's book signing at Magers and Quinn bookstore on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. After navigating some rush hour and road construction traffic, I made it to the bookstore in time to buy a copy of his latest effort, You're Making Me Hate You and find a seat next to my friend.
Shortly after 7 pm, Corey took to the podium to talk a bit and answer questions from the audience. I got to ask him who his dream list of musicians to work with would be - some of his answers would probably surprise you!
Afterwards, we were directed to another area of the bookstore for a meet and greet and photo op. Corey's wife was standing by ready to take photos and I got to chat with Corey again and get a photo with him for the first time. For someone who's in some of the biggest rock bands in the world, he really is one of the nicest people I've ever met. Great to meet artists who are so humble!
Afterwards, I hung out with a couple of friends and got to meet and have a nice conversation about music with Christian Matrucci. Before long, I made my way back to my parking spot, noticing a few nice tributes to Prince on the way.
It turned out to be a great weekend for music and displays of "Minnesota Nice," an entertaining and somewhat unexpected pleasure. Next show is a battle of the bands for the right to play at Northern Invasion on Friday. Until then, have a great week, everyone!
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Loud & Local Showcase at the Park: Antistar CD release
I just got home in the wee hours of the morning today, tired but very happy after a fantastic free all-local rock show with about three dozen good friends. This time, it was the CD release show for my friends in Antistar, with special guests Ritual Mayhem, My Zero and Gabriel and the Apocalypse.
I got to the Park in Fridley about 20 minutes before the first act Ritual Mayhem started the show. Another band I knew nothing about, but I thought they did a good job with their original songs and covers. The crowd for the most part wasn't really into their set, but the night was still young, and it was a free show, after all.
The next band My Zero soon took the stage for one of their first-ever performances. Lead singer John Wheeler admitted it wasn't a perfect show, adding the fact that their bass guitarist's axes were both broken! They still soldiered on, and I enjoyed hearing their original cuts, noticing the influences from Nine Inch Nails, Faith No More and Depeche Mode in their works. I grabbed a setlist after their set so I could familiarize myself with their songs, although I'm kicking myself now for not grabbing one of their free sampler CDs after the show!
I ran into more and more friends in time for local favorites' Gabriel and the Apocalypse's set. I hadn't seen this group since the Halloween show at Pov's but they kept up their energy right where I left off! They really had the audience enthralled, which was great to see.
Finally it was time for my friends in Antistar to celebrate their CD release show. They treated the crowd to a full performance of their new album along with a few fan favorites. By the time the show was over, it was hard for us to leave the venue. I spent some quality time catching up with good friends old and new before finally calling it a night.
Next show probably won't be until the Corey Taylor solo acoustic show at First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis on the 21st. Until then, have a great week and keep on rockin', everyone!
I got to the Park in Fridley about 20 minutes before the first act Ritual Mayhem started the show. Another band I knew nothing about, but I thought they did a good job with their original songs and covers. The crowd for the most part wasn't really into their set, but the night was still young, and it was a free show, after all.
The next band My Zero soon took the stage for one of their first-ever performances. Lead singer John Wheeler admitted it wasn't a perfect show, adding the fact that their bass guitarist's axes were both broken! They still soldiered on, and I enjoyed hearing their original cuts, noticing the influences from Nine Inch Nails, Faith No More and Depeche Mode in their works. I grabbed a setlist after their set so I could familiarize myself with their songs, although I'm kicking myself now for not grabbing one of their free sampler CDs after the show!
I ran into more and more friends in time for local favorites' Gabriel and the Apocalypse's set. I hadn't seen this group since the Halloween show at Pov's but they kept up their energy right where I left off! They really had the audience enthralled, which was great to see.
Finally it was time for my friends in Antistar to celebrate their CD release show. They treated the crowd to a full performance of their new album along with a few fan favorites. By the time the show was over, it was hard for us to leave the venue. I spent some quality time catching up with good friends old and new before finally calling it a night.
Next show probably won't be until the Corey Taylor solo acoustic show at First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis on the 21st. Until then, have a great week and keep on rockin', everyone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
