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Posts tagged first ave

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Real life update since I felt like I haven’t done one in a while…

Total concert love this past Sunday featuring The Darkness at First Avenue. 

Discovered a new modern-day 80’s band with openers Crown Jewel Defense. While researching this band, I wasn’t impressed with their publicity shots. However, seeing them live was an entirely different story. An abundance of scarves on the microphone and the lead singer wearing these pants (image not from Sunday’s show) equates to fun times. It appears they’re relatively new to the scene, judging by their extremely short set, lack of merchandise table, and their semi-difficult-to-find online store being the only place that carries their EP. Nevertheless, I hope to see these guys again in the future. 

Foxy Shazam. Still keepin’ it weird. Seriously, do yourself a favor and see these guys live. Energy exudes from every members’ pores. The very bottom left image features the lead singer after he demanded several cigarettes and lighters. He proceeded to light up several cigarettes, created a large haze of smoke, and then bit them all in half before launching into song. Their badass merch man (and hell of a seller) mentioned a planned headlining tour this April. However, dates were announced yesterday and no Minnesota venues are listed. Contemplating a roadtrip to Chicago or Omaha to catch them again.

The Darkness.  Good to have all original members back. And judging from the plethora of new songs at the show, the upcoming album is going to be great. The only other time they’ve visited Minnesota was nearly seven years ago (side note: that factoid just made me feel incredibly old). Their performance seven years ago was good but poor venue choice. Anyone who’s attended at Roy Wilkins Auditorium can concur the audio is shit. Plus, the band was still relatively new and didn’t fill occupancy. However, First Ave was a much more appropriate choice; as obvious by the sold out show. 

Brief notes:

Maybe I was reading too much into the group dynamics, but it appears lead singer Justin Hawkins is intentionally trying to include bassist Frankie Poullain more. Possibly due to Poullain being the first member to originally split from the band. 

Hawkins practically outright said the second album was “meh”. When addressing the audience he mentioned how the show will consist of a lot of the first album, quite a few new songs, but only a couple from the second because *iffy hand gesture*. Found that interesting. 

Yes, there were costume changes. 2 ½ to be exact. I say half because the last time he came out was in a new pair of pants and no shirt.

Sorry, the Hawkins facial hair is gross. And this is coming from a girl who typically loves at least scruff on a guy. 

Caught Justin Hawkins’ guitar pick. Straight shot to the chest, bounced off, caught it, and received a thumbs up from the singer. For all the shows I’ve been to in my life, that’s actually the first time that’s I’ve ever caught any of the band’s equipment. Not going to lie, fangirled briefly. 

Very entertaining show. This tour isn’t hitting up very many places but, if you get a chance, attend!

(Source: citypages.com)

Filed under Crown Jewel Defense Foxy Shazam concert darkness darkness first ave first avenue justin hawkins live live music minneapolis minneapolis concert minnesota music the darkness real life personal concert

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This is happening February 12th at First Ave.

P.S. extremely happy with the venue choice. The last (and only) time they’ve been to Minnesota they performed at Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Their performance was great but, as so many can attest to, that venue is wretched. Horrible sound and, considering The Darkness was only just gaining popularity, they only filled approximately half of the auditorium.

Filed under the darkness darkness i believe in a thing called love concert first ave first avenue minneapolis music music minneapolis minnesota music video video youtube

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First Ave is going VIP by offering First Ave Memberships.
We know there is an avid art and entertainment community here in the Twin Cities. We know you are passionate about music and experiencing it live. And we want to offer you more access, more fun, and more opportunities to see and share music. We have committed ourselves to bringing you premier entertainment over the past 42 years, and now we want to bring you closer to the action.
First Ave, with deep roots in the Twin Cities, prides itself on being the center of a vibrant, close-knit music community. We hope to take it a step further with the newly revitalized Membership program by giving you information and discounts, and even free tickets to help you experience all the memorable music moments to come in 2012. There is something special going on here at First Avenue, and we hope you’d like to join in as a member and experience it in an even deeper way.
Gold membership costs $75 while platinum will run you a cool $400. The gold membership actually sounds like a decent deal. However, some of the exclusives expire at the end of the year so, if I (or anyone else) were interested, I’d wait off until the new year. Assuming it’ll still be offered…

First Ave is going VIP by offering First Ave Memberships.

We know there is an avid art and entertainment community here in the Twin Cities. We know you are passionate about music and experiencing it live. And we want to offer you more access, more fun, and more opportunities to see and share music. We have committed ourselves to bringing you premier entertainment over the past 42 years, and now we want to bring you closer to the action.

First Ave, with deep roots in the Twin Cities, prides itself on being the center of a vibrant, close-knit music community. We hope to take it a step further with the newly revitalized Membership program by giving you information and discounts, and even free tickets to help you experience all the memorable music moments to come in 2012. There is something special going on here at First Avenue, and we hope you’d like to join in as a member and experience it in an even deeper way.

Gold membership costs $75 while platinum will run you a cool $400. The gold membership actually sounds like a decent deal. However, some of the exclusives expire at the end of the year so, if I (or anyone else) were interested, I’d wait off until the new year. Assuming it’ll still be offered…

Filed under first ave first avenue minneapolis minnesota minnesota music minneapolis music music venue venue music

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Upcoming Shows

After months of purposely avoiding shows (combination of me attempting to be more fiscally responsible and lack of artists that really stood out this summer) I am getting back into the swing of things.

Upcoming Shows:

Michael Ian Black. 9/15- Varsity Theater. Technically not purchased yet. But I’m without a doubt going. Despite the fact it falls on my father’s birthday.

John Oliver. 9/24- Pantages Theatre. A 4-day late birthday gift to myself.

Minus the Bear. 10/10- Varsity Theater. Playing “Highly Refined Pirates” in its entirety? Yes, please.

Portugal. The Man. 10/13- First Avenue. This is a maybe as I’m semi-seriously contemplating visiting the best bud in NYC during this timeframe. Which also happens to be Day 1 of New York Comic-Con conveniently enough…

Pssh, who needs to be fiscally responsible?

Filed under shows concerts michael ian black mib varsity theater john oliver the daily show pantages theater pantages theatre minneapolis minneapolis concerts minus the bear highly refined pirates music portugal. the man portugal the man first ave first avenue new york nyc new york city new york comic-con comic-con new york comic con