The Faint show was awesome!

Due to being a little short on cash this month, I decided to go to the Faint show at First Avenue instead of the super sold out Coldplay show at the Xcel Energy Center. If you were looking for Xcel Energy Center tickets for the Coldplay show you were probably having to look far and wide for tickets - the show has been sold out since it went on sale at the beginning of the summer!
However, First Avenue tickets for the Faint were still around on Friday, but I got in for free!
I love having friends that can do cool favors like that for you.

The Faint played a great show! I didn't get to hear 'Southern Bells in London' - which is one for my favorite jams. They also played 'Paranoia Attack,' 'Drop Kick the Punks,' and 'Glass Dance.'
The band is so much fun to see live because they put a lot of energy into the show and actually look like they want to be playing music and are not up there simply because they have to.
Its a rare occasion that they come to down (which is sad considering they live only in Omaha, NB).



Next up at First Ave: I'm going to Darker My Love this Friday night at the 7th Street Entry!
I can't wait!

Tough Decisions

This Friday twin cities music fans will have a difficult decision to make: to see the Faint or to see Coldplay? Coldplay has a nearly sold out show at the Xcel and the Faint have a show at First Avenue.
Xcel Energy Center tickets for Coldplay are insane! There has not been a great ticket released yet within the first 10 rows of the floor and very few in sections 102 and 118. I am positive that Ticketmaster is holding onto all the good ones until the last minute!
First Avenue tickets for the Faint will definitely sell out, they haven't been here in a really long time and they sell out every time they are in town! I've seen the Faint just about everytime they've been in town and I've even taken a road trip to Milwaukee to see them. They are just a super fun band to go and dance to.

If you're looking for great Coldplay tickets - good luck! I've been looking and I haven't been finding, but if you act fast you can still get Faint tickets!

So did anyone make it to Girl Talk last night for the super sold out show at First Ave. There was not a First Avenue ticket to be found for the show. The only way you could have gotten in to the show is if you knew someone that could get you on the list. First Avenue tickets have been difficult to find these past few days. Atmosphere was on Sunday and that was sold out, you had to know a guy who knows a guy just to get in! Even the Halloween party on Friday was sold out. I went their early enough to get in, but around 12:30 they stopped letting people in that didn't have a pre bought because First Ave was wayyyy over capacity!

I just found out that one of my new favorite bands, Darker My love, will be headlining a show at the 7th Street Entry at the end of the month. First Avenue tickets for this show will not be as difficult to find as Atmosphere or Girl Talk, but the show will be better! I love these guys!

Conor Oberst Review

Last night I went to see Conor Oberst's newest musical venture, which includes him and the Mystic River Band. I don't know his solo catalog nearly as well as I know his Bright Eyes catalog, but I was very impressed by the show. It was way more exciting than TV on the Radio last week!
Bright Eyes' music is more mellow and low key, whereas the Mystic River Band sounds more alive and filled with energy. There is a mandolin/piano player, 2 guitarists other than Conor, bass player, and all band members sing. They were loud, alive and definitely not boring.




First Avenue tickets were still available the day before the show, which surprised me because usually when Conor Oberst is in town it is a difficult ticket to find. Every show I have seen him at in the past 5 years has been wayyyyy sold out!


Next up at First Avenue is the Halloween show on Friday! Costume contest and Thriller dancers at midnight! I can't wait!

TV On The Radio Show!

As you may have heard, TV On The Radio played not one, but two shows at First Avenue this week. Monday's show was the 21+ show and Tuesday's show was all ages. Last time they were in town the band sold out one show at the First Avenue and the supply far exceeded the demand. The band smart enough to have 2 shows this time around!
First Avenue tickets for this show were still hard to find. First Avenue's capacity of 1200 was exceeded, it was wall to wall people! I went with my friend, Shannon, and we could barley move! We stood in the back by the DJ booth where it was elevated so we could see for at least part of the concert.

"Staring at the Sun" - their major hit from 2004 and was the song we were waiting to hear was the last song they played - at 12:30. That was one of my only complaints about the show: it went wayyyyyy too late.

I bet a lot of fans can't wait for them to be back, but I don't think I would venture out on a Monday night to see them again.



TV on the Radio will tour through the end of the year for their new album, Dear Science

Lucinda Williams at First Ave

Lucinda Williams will be at First Avenue Minneapolis not once, but twice in the upcoming weeks. Williams will be putting on a show on Thursday, October 23 and Wednesday, November 5…do you suppose First Ave got some sort of deal for booking two gigs with her?

Lucinda Williams is popular in the Twin Cities, but I doubt she will sell out both shows. Known for her great song writing, Lucinda Williams is practically an icon in the music industry. I am sure it will be a varied crowd at the First Ave Club, but I don’t think I will make either show. I can’t help but wonder what the two shows thing in a matter of weeks means – Does she have that big of a twin cities fan base? Is First Avenue desperate for bigger name acts? LEAVE ME A COMMENT on your opinion! If I get a lot of opinions I will move them to the front page of this First Avenue Blog to promote further discussion about the future of the legendary First Avenue Nightclub.

First Ave Tickets

Need tickets to an event at First Ave? Check out Ticket King. They have tickets to just about every First Ave Concert and they can get you the tickets quickly, even at the last minute. Ticket buying hint: If you wait until the last minute some times ticket prices come down, but be careful, you don’t want to get left out in the cold!

First Avenue Schedule

First Round of Holiday Shows Announced!

It's that time of year again when local staples of the Minneapolis music scene announce their holiday time shows. Soul Asylum will be playing a First Avenue show on Friday, December 19th and the Bodeans will be headlining another show on Monday, December 19th.

Both bands always sell out their shows when they are in town, however, the holiday shows are special because it's a once a year kind of show - it's a tradition. Soul Asylum always has at least one First Avenue show at First Ave and the Gear Daddies always play back to back nights at the Fine Line. It's like Christmas - it only happens once a year!

First Avenue tickets for both shows are on sale now, and both shows will sell fast. I went to a Jayhawks show 4 years ago around Christmas time and tickets immediately sold out. I actually had to go to the second show because I did not get tickets to the first one in time!

The Black Crowes to try out First Avenue

Just off of their summer tour, which included a stop at the Minnesota State Fair with one of my personal favorites, the Black Keys, the Black Crowes will be making a stop on their Fall 2008 tour at First Avenue.
First Avenue tickets for this event will no doubt sell faster than the Black Crowes' show at the State Fair a few months back. I think it is a good decision on their part to play at a venue they know they can sell out. Last fall they played at the Orpheum and the State Fair show a few months back were just too big of venues. I think First Avenue is a good fit.
The Black Crowes are not touring in support of a new album, but rather are celebrating the fact that they are able to all get along and acutally tour together.




Wednesday, December 10 @ First Avenue
(Don't forget! December 10th is also the same day Oasis and Ryan Adams are in town!)

The Dandy Warhols Are Awesome-O!

Hooray to you if you picked up on the South Park reference!
But ahywho, The Dandy Warhols kicked off their US tour in Minneapolis last night and it was awesome!
The opened the show with 'Minnesoter' - Courtney Taylor told the crowd that since they are starting their tour here they may as well start it outwith out song. The Dandys' set clocked in over 2 hours of non stop jams. First Avenue tickets for this show were difficult to come by - when I got to the show, First Ave was near empty, but by the time the Dandys took the stage it was so packed you could barley move! It's good to see that they can still sell out shows.
The band that really stole the show was the Upsidedown, they are another Portland band like the Dandys who drove 38 hours to play the show. They were amazing. Darker My Love was the other opening band and they were awesome as well! I can't wait to see them again!

Atmosphere !

Everyone's favorite band in the land, Atmosphere, will be back for a hometown show on Sunday, November 2nd. First Avenue tickets for this event will fly out of the store, every time Atmosphere comes to town it is always a big deal! They are a very well loved and very well respected in their home town.

One of the greatest indie hip hop acts around, Atmosphere will no doubt put on one of their infamous live shows. First Avenue tickets are on sale now for this show!
If you really want to go to the show you may want to buy them asap!




see you at the show!

Bon Iver is SOLD OUT! TV On The Radio Announced!

If you were planning on going to Bon Iver next week you may want to exhaust all First Avenue ticket options that you know because tickets are completely sold out!
Bon Iver is a folkie-indie singer that has received much critic acclaim and has a large fan base. It helps that he is known for his live shows.

Fellow indie rockers TV On The Radio will be in town for not one, but 2 shows in October - Monday, October 20th and Tuesday, October 21st. The first show is 21+ and the second is all ages. First Avenue tickets for this show will go fast despite the fact there are two shows! TV on the Radio have always sold out their shows here in Minneapolis!

I'll be at She and Him tonight - First Avenue tickets for this show are still available if you can believe it!!!



First Avenue tickets for TV On The Radio go on sale Friday, August 8th!

MMMMMBop .... Hanson's Back!

Everyone's favorite band of brothers from 1998 are back in town for a show at First Avenue on Friday, September 26th, 2008. Now that all three brothers are married and have kids their music has matured just as much as they have.



Like their last tour, this Hanson tour will benefit their charity interest TOMS Shoes which provides shoes to people living in Africa. After their last tour they were able to donate and deliver 50,000 pairs of shoes to Africa, something the band hopes to do again.

Every time Hanson is in town I always say I want to go, but I never make it!
However, First Avenue tickets for Hanson shows always fly out the door. Hanson is smart because they know not to play somewhere, like the Xcel (I'm talking to you New Kids on the Block!) that they cannot sell out. The demand is far greater than the supply First Avenue can offer, but they are at least they are selling out shows instead of playing to a half house at the Xcel!

Neko Case Show Announced!

Everyone's favorite alt country songstress, Neko Case, has just added a show at First Avenue. First Avenue tickets for this show will be quick sellers seeing as Neko has quite the following and a very dedicated fan base. Not only does she have a solo career, but also sings for The New Pornographers, another band that has its own set of dedicated fans.



Neko Case
Thursday, September 18th at First Avenue 18+

Dandy Warhols Are Coming Back!

Guess who is opening up their US Fall tour here in our very own little ol' Minneapolis?
THE DANDY WARHOLS.

You know who they are, their songs have been in a million movies and car commercials. They're from Portland. They were in that DIG! movie a few years ago, you know, the one about the Brian Jonestown Massacre? You know what I'm talking about. And if you don't, well, shame on you. They're awesome.



Not to mention, they are playing with the Upsidedown and are you ready for this, Darker My Love!!!!!! !@#$%!!!!!!
This kind of excitement doesn't come around very often, The Dandy Warhols AND Spritualized playing at First Avenue in the SAME WEEK!!!

First Avenue tickets for this event will definitely go fast, the last time the Dandys were in town it was WAYYYYY sold out.

The Dandy Warhols will be here September 9th and First Avenue tickets for this show go on sale Saturday, June 21st.

See you there!

Spiritualized Show Announced!!

I know I say this a lot, but one of my all time favorite bands, Spiritualized, will be playing at First Avenue!!!!!
Excited? YES.
A lot? YES!!!!

I was thinking of traveling to Chicago to catch them at the Pitchfork Music Festival in July, but I decided to save my gold pieces for my trip to New York. If you haven't heard of Spiritualized or Spaceman 3 get over to iTunes or your local independent record store and buy "Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating Through Space." You will not be disappointed. I picked up the new Spiritualized album, "Songs in A & E" and you can definitely sense the change in Jay Spaceman's voice since his near fatal bout with pneumonia a few years ago.
Regardless, tears of joy are welling up in my eyes when I think about hearing "Shine A Light" performed live.
Even if you're not a fan now, be sure to check these guys out and introduce yourself to a new musical experience. First Avenue tickets for this show will no doubt go fast, they go on sale Friday and I will no doubt be busting the door down to buy one!
Take yourself, invite your friends, and hell, even bring the cat!

Electric Fetus 40th Year Celebration!!!

My favorite local record store, Electric Fetus, is celebrating their 40th Anniversary with a party at First Avenue. That sounds like way more fun than your usual 40th Anniversary parties!

First Avenue tickets for this event are very affordable and in high demand, especially for such a great line up that the party has to offer.

The headliners in the main room on Friday night are: Doomtree, Polara, and The Hypsterz just to name a few. In the 7th Street Entry the headliners are: Moon Maan and A Night in the Box among others.

Be sure to leave work early, the doors open at 7 pm (the show is 18+, sorry kids!)

I'm sad that I won't be able to make it because I love Electric Fetus, but I must go see my favorite band in the whole world, SHY, at Stasiu's Place in Northeast!

Iron and Wine is just around the corner!

If you were looking to make is to Iron and Wine next week you may want to beg and plead with the fine staff at First Avenue because First Avenue tickets for this event are sold out through Ticketmaster!
You may recognize Iron and Wine's cover of the Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" which was featured on an M&M's commercial.



Iron and Wine is the brainchild of folk singer Samuel Beam. He has been touring and recording under this name since 2002. Fun trivia fact: Before Iron and Wine, Beam was a professor of film and cinematography at the University of Miami.

You can see Iron and Wine Wednesday, June 11th at First Avenue. Doors are at 7:30, this event is 18+.

OMG DYING OF EXCITEMENT: SHE AND HIM SHOW JUST ANNOUNCED!!!!

OMG!!!
Since we got screwed out of seeing M.Ward with Conor Oberst in December, we are making up for it now! M.Ward's She and Him project with none other than the beautiful and talented Zoey Deschanel.

First Avenue tickets for this show WILL go super fast, GUARANTEED!!!!

As if you couldn't get enough Zoey Deschanel on the Coconut Records release last year, you get a whole other album with her beautiful voice on it!


She and Him
Thursday, August 7th
Doors at 6pm, Music at 7pm, 18+
Tickets on Sale Saturday, May 31st!

Have I mentioned I'm super excited?!

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Countdown!

Lets take a walk across the street from First Avenue to the Target Center for a show that I am super excited for ....

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!!!!

Do you have your Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tickets yet?

If you don't that is something you might want to change sooner than later. There are not a lot of tickets left for the show and are certainly in high demand. I bought my Target Center tickets for the Tom Petty show the day after the Superbowl when they went on sale.




Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Special Guest Steve Winwood
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 7:30 pm at The Target Center
(Exactly 2 months from today!!!!)

I will DEFINITELY see you there - I'll be the girl in 131 cheering with my mom!

Dead Meadow Was Awesome, New Shows Announced

It's been awhile since I've been back here, so I would like to start out with saying that the Dead Meadow show at First Avenue was amazing. It was one of the better shows I have seen in a long time. First Avenue tickets for this show were hard to find once it got close to show time. As you know the 7th Street Entry holds about 200 people, tops. Dead Meadow are 3 guys who look like they walked straight out of 1975 with their long hair, Charlie Manson beards and all. It was nice to see a band play that didn't feel like they had to play all their 'hits.' Dead Meadow played for almost 2 hours and it felt like they were playing from the depths of their souls and you could feel the music in you. It was awesome, I hope everyone can experience a live show like this one. I can't wait until they're back!

Anywho, Dead Meadow can't be here everyday, so here are some other great shows at First Avenue in the coming months:

Iron and Wine - Wednesday June 11th, 18+, 7:30pm doors


Mindless Self Indulgence - Thursday, June 12th, All ages, 5:00 pm doors


Mark Mallman (2 Shows!) - Saturday, June 21st - 5pm (all ages) 9pm (21+)


Maria Taylor - Monday, June 30th - door 8pm (21+)


First Avenue tickets for these shows will go fast, especially the Mark Mallman ones!
Be sure to buy your First Avenue tickets before they're all gone!

See you there!

Dethklok Just Announced!

Everyone's favorite band from Cartoon Network's Metalocalypse, Dethklok, will be in town for a show at First Avenue on Saturday, June 14th, 2008.


The Adult Swim adult comedy has a large cult following. It is on Cartoon Network late night on Sundays, between Robot Chicken (one of my favorites) and Family Guy rereuns.

If you haven't seen the show I would highly suggest checking it out.
You will understand why First Avenue tickets for this show will sell fast!

Upcoming Events!

How excited are you that Dead Meadow is only 2 days away!!!!
I have been looking forward to this one for quite some time now.
In case you've been living under a rock, Dead Meadow will be playing the 7th Street Entry this Wednesday! First Avenue tickets for this event are available now, but will no doubt sell out!
Local bands Vampire hand and First Communion Afterparty open the show.

Another great show coming soon to First Avenue is Rilo Kiley. If you do not have our Rilo Kiley tickets for this show you better act fast. I think Ticketmaster is already sold out. Not to mention that Rilo Kiley sells out every time they're in town!

If you're looking for some other local shows, First Avenue is hosting the best of the City Pages show on Wednesday, May 18th. Doomtree, The Alarmists, Romantica, and Gospel Gossip will be playing at that show and it is 18+.

Alt-country crooners, Drive by Truckers will be in town for a show July 2nd and the Old 97s for a show on June 4th. Both shows are 21+.

Get your First Avenue tickets for these great upcoming shows as these will sell out!

Sly and the Family Stone = CANCELLED!!!

Sly and the Family Stone have canceled their show scheduled for next week at First Avenue. First avenue tickets that were purchased for the show will be issued a refund at the point of purchase.
It turns out that there was a scheduling conflict with the band members. No one bothered to tell them that they were booked for a show in Minneapolis, so they made commitments to other engagements. As long as you have Sly there, just send in some house musicians! After all, it's Sly that the people want to see.

The Go! Team are Coming Back to Town!!!!

If you're not tired out from the Tom Petty show on July 23rd, then you should check out the just announced Go! Team show on Wednesday, July 30th at First Avenue.
A few years ago when The Go! Team had their hit album "Thunder Lightening Strike" First Avenue tickets were very hard to come by. The show was completely sold out! As I am sure it will be this time around, too.

The Go! Team are playing with CSS, a band from South American that has gathered national attention due to the fact that one of their songs was featured in an iPod Touch commercial.
It seems these days if you can get on an Apple commercial you can easily sell a million records!!!





Both bands are a lot of fun and will undoubtedly put on a great show at First Avenue!

CSS with The Go! Team - Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 Doors @8pm, Music @ 9pm 18+

OLD 97's at First Avenue!!!

Alt country crooners, Old 97's, will be at First Avenue for a show Wednesday, June 4th.
It's hard to imagine a nice night in June when the weather is as crappy as this today!
The Old 97's have an expansive collection of songs from their many albums. This tour is in support of their new one, Blame it on Gravity, which was released this month on New West Records.

First Avenue tickets for this show are on sale now. The show will no doubt sell out, even though it's on a weeknight! The Old 97's have been around for over a decade and have developed a large live following due to their great live show. Also, Rhett Miller, the lead singer of the band has established himself as a solo artist as well.

Old 97's tickets are on sale now!

Rhett Miller of the Old 97s ... he's a babe!
Old 97's @First Avenue; Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 - doors @7:30, show @ 8:30 - 18+

See you there!

Upcoming First Avenue Shows!!!!!!!!

The countdown is on for the Dead Meadow show. Less than three weeks and I couldn't be more excited!!! They're new album is amazing and their live shows are legendary. Not to mention my friends are one of the opening bands. BUT, enough about Dead Meadow, lets move on to another band that is sure t blow up First Avenue tickets!

Alternative girly rocker, Rilo Kiley will be at First Avenue on Thursday, May 22nd. They used to be on the infamous Saddle Creek Records before deciding to sign with Warner brothers. Rilo Kiley has toured with Bright Eyes, Coldplay, and headlined many tours in the past. Rilo Kiley are known for their catching little pop song "Bad News" and have been featured on soundtracks for Grey's Anatomy and The O.C. You may also recognize singer Jenny Lewis's voice from Give Up by the Postal Service.


Rilo Kiley @ First Avenue May 22nd, 2008 - 18+ doors @ 6pm

The Black Keys Kick Ass!

As the date approached for the Black Keys last week, I was getting pretty nervous about whether or not First Avenue tickets would become available. There was not a Black Keys tickets to be had in the entire city!
The Black Keys' new album Attack and Release came out the week before and it is amazing, which made me want to go to the concert even more! I called around to local ticket offices and had no luck.
But what's better than getting a ticket to a sold out show?
Getting a free ticket to a sold out show!
I made a couple of phone calls and I was able to get on the guest list!

The Black Keys played a great show. To say that First Avenue was at capacity is an great understatement. First Avenue's capacity is posted at 1200, but there was at least 1400-1500 people there. It was wall to wall people!

I understand now why First Avenue tickets were sold out for this show, The Black Keys are amazing! I can't wait to see them again!

Home for a Show: Cloud Cult

Local band, Cloud Cult will be performing at First Avenue next month.
Cloud Cult is the very environmentally friendly indie band that has born from the solo project of Craig Minowa. Nationally releasing albums since 2002, this Cloud Cult album is turning a new leaf in the band's history.
They have filmed a video, interviewed with MTV, and are having a cd release party on the 26th all in celebration of the new album "Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes)"

Cloud Cult is the band that I've been meaning to catch for about the past 4 years since I moved to Minneapolis, but I am going to really make the effort to see them this time around. Minowa is backed by a steady band now and it seems like things are going in a great direction.

First Avenue tickets are on sale now for this show!

See you there!

Great Shows Just Announced at First Avenue

After the disappointing news of The Black Keys being sold out you can get your live music fix with some of these other great shows just announced:

Mike Doughty's Band will be at First Avenue for a 2 night stay this month:
Saturday, March 22nd & Sunday, March 23rd

VHS or Beta with Tigercity 18+
Friday, May 9th @ 8pm

Clinic with Shearwater 21+
Tuesday, May 13th

Rilo Kiley 18+
Thursday, May 22nd @ 5:30 pm

The Long Blondes (7th Street Entry) 21+
Sunday, May 25th

Coheed and Cambria - All Ages
Wednesday, May 28th @ 5pm


If there is a show you want to see don't wait until the last minute to get your First Avenue tickets or you'll be sad like me about the Black Keys!

Dead Meadow Show Announced!!!!

Wednesday May 7th will bring Dead Meadow to town (one of my favorites!!!!!!)

They will be playing at the 7th Street Entry, which is even better. Dead Meadow is the type of band that is a great best kept secret. They are up there with Spindrift and the Black Angels in my book.

First Avenue tickets for this show are on sale now. I know I will be getting mine asap because this is not a show that I want to miss out on.

You can also see the band this March at Austin's South By Southwest festival along with my friends, First Communion Afterparty, who will also open for them in May.



See you there!!!

Upcoming First Avenue Shows

It's been awhile since I updated things here and there is a lot to talk about!
A few of the show announcements in the past week:
Steve Earle on March 9th
Raveonettes on March 17th (7th Street Entry)
Leslie and the Ly's on March 19th (7th Street Entry)
Nada Surf on April 3rd
The Black Keys on April 11th
Clinic on May 13th

And hometown artists Bob Mould and Mike Doughty have shows schedules in March:
Bob Mould Band on March 5th
Mike Doughty's Band on March 22nd and March 23rd

Both Bob Mould tickets and Mike Doughty tickets are sure to sell fast, a home town artist enver has a problem selling out a show in their city. Especially at First Avenue, Minneapolis's favorite concert venue.

First Avenue tickets are on sale now for all of these events. I am the most excited for the Raveonettes show and they're playing in the very tiny 7th Street Entry. I think this might be the same situation as Buffalo Tom where they move the show to the main room due to the high ticket sales.

U2 3D

Last time U2 was in town there wasn't a U2 ticket that went unsold. Their show at the Target Center instantly sold out, making U2 tickets very difficult to find. This time around Bono is making his presence known in yet another media form, this time with movies. If you missed his cameo in "Across the Universe" look no further than the IMAX Theater to see Bono's next silver screen sighting.
National Geographic is presenting the U23D movie. Yes, you read that correctly, 3D. You will need the glasses and everything to view the movie, and as if that is not enough you will be seeing exclusively at the IMAX theaters.



U23D is in select IMAX theaters starting January 23rd.

Har Mar is Back!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you heard of Sia? Yeah, me either, but you still need to get your Sia tickets asap! Everyone's favorite Ron Jeremy look alike and hometown (well, technically Mankato, but close enough) favorite guy, Har Mar Superstar is back opening for Sia at the Fine Line at the end of the month.



You may have heard Sia's voice before though. Familiar with the Garden State soundtrack? Sia's lended her vocals to Zero 7 for the song "Waiting Line."

I hope he plays a little longer this time though, last time he was in town for a show just happened to be the same night as Prince. Needless to say he cut the show short and was done by about 8:30. I don't blame him though! When the Purple One calls, you listen!

Black Angels Upon Us?

I was talking to my friend the other day about Spindrift tickets and how awesome it was that they will be playing in Portland not once, BUT TWICE! When Spindrift were here in November I had to miss them because the best band in Minneapolis, Shy, was playing the same night. But I heard through the grapevine that instead of Minneapolis getting to see Spindrift again, we will get to have a preview of Austin, Texas's very own Black Angels new album when they stop by the 7th Street entry in the Spring. This is all just a rumor right now, but the Black Angels swing through town at least 2 to 3 times a year. And they always play at First Avenue's 7th Street Entry!




Speaking of Austin, are you ready for South By Southwest this year?

Alt Rockers Buffalo Tom Take a Spin at the 7th Street Entry

Boston's Buffalo Tom will be taking the stage at First Avenue's 7th Street Energy on Friday, February 1st!
This tour is exciting to someone who hasn't been old enough to see the band play on their previous tours. They usually come to town on a weeknight and played at a bar where 20 year old and under kids need not apply! And this time around not only will I be old enough to go, but it's on a Friday night at the 7th Street Entry, which is the hole in the wall we all love so very dearly!

Buffalo Tom found success in the same fanbase as Dinosaur, Jr - J.Mascis even produced and contributed to the band's debut album. They found their own, independent success after that with songs like "Sodajerk" (featured on the My So Called Life soundtrack and "Taillights Fade" which was one of my favorite songs in middle school!

After taking a break for a few years, the band reunited in March of 2007 to play at Austin's South By Southwest festival. A short tour followed, and so did the release of their new album, Three Easy Pieces.




Buffalo Tom @ 7th Street Entry c/o First Avenue Danceteria, 701 1st Avenue North
Doors are at 8pm

SWEDISH INVASION: THE HIVES ARE BACK!!!

Mark your calendars and tell all your friends (but not until I get my ticket first)!!!
The Hives will be back in town February 28th, 2008!!!
Unlike last time when they opened for Maroon 5 at the Xcel, they will be playing at First Avenue (in the main room of course) !!!

In case you are not familiar with the cute boys from Sweeden, The Hives started in Fagersta, Sweeden in 1993 as your typical garage band. It wasn't until 1997 with their release of Barely Legal that they started to tour. The breakthrough album that put the band on the map Veni Vidi Vicious in 2000 - they had a radio hit "Hate to say I Told you so" and the other hits from the album ("Main Offender" and "Supply and Demand") were used in movies and commercials.

Taking an extended hiatus is nothing new to the Hives, so after taking a break after extensively touring through the new millennium, the band released The Black and White Album in 2007 before starting their tour with maroon 5 in the fall of the same year.

The Hives are back, playing on a small stage in 2008!


And yes, you can rest assured that you will see them in their signature black and white suits!



See you at the show!

The Hives @ First Avenue 701 1st Avenue North, Door at 6 pm, 18+
Punk lil' gals The Donnas open the show