Events This Holiday Week at First Avenue

Don't let the holiday weekend fool you! There are still shows going on this week at First Ave. In case you've got the opposite of cabin fever and are staying in town this weekend there are some shows that you can check out.

Nas June 30th
Matisyahu July 1st
The Roots July 2nd

First Avenue tickets are available for all of those shows, however, the Roots show has been a hot seller. I know a lot of people that are going and a little birdie told me that Electric Fetus is already sold out of the event - and that rarely happens before Ticketmaster is sold out.

The buzz behind Matisyahu has really quieted down. A few years ago there would not have been a First Avenue ticket for miles there was so much hype about the Jewish reggae rapper.

Just remember: there are options if you're stuck at home this weekend like me! No Doubt will also be rocking the Xcel Energy Center which I may not be able to resist!

Dinosaur Jr Show Announced!

Get out your nostalgia hats! One of your favorite bans fronted by J Mascis (jk the ONLY one) in the early 90's was Dinosaur Jr. I have been hearing rumors about how awesome their new album "Farm" is and I finally broke down and bought a copy. I must admit as of now I am only three songs into the album and I hooked. Definitely hooked! The first song is called "Pieces" which they recently performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Although they have been a band since 1984, which was before I was even born! "Farm" is only their 5th studio album. They were signed to Sire records in 1990 and after several player changes, fights amongst band mates, and slow record sales the band was officially broken up. However, like most bands that swear they will never play together again, by 2005 they were back together again. Good thing they did because I am loving this album! Hop on down to Electric Fetus and pick one up - no Dinosaur Jr. fan will be disappointed.

Dinosaur Jr will be at First Avenue Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 (Nothing like planning ahead, winter boots and all!) The opening act has not been announced yet, however, the show is 18+ (Sorry kiddies!) First Avenue tickets go on sale next week and like I said - the show isn't until November 18th!


An no, that is NOT Gandolf!

See ya there!

Three Great New Shows!

If you missed two super sold out show at the Cedar and the Varsity in the past couple of weeks, chances are you are a Grizzly Bear fan and a Phoenix fan. But never fear, First Avenue has confirmed that both acts will be back, and most likely at First Avenue which hold more people. The Varsity Theater holds only 800 and the Cedar Cultural Center holds less than 500. So with First Avenue being able to hold over 1200 people, there should be more opportunities for everyone who wants to go to get a hold of First Avenue tickets.

No dates have been confirmed, I would assume that both would be in the early fall. The First Avenue Concert Calendar has a lot more openings for big shows like this - it's pretty much full through the end of the summer.

And finally, the other great concert announcement at First Avenue is alternative godfathers, Sunny Day Real Estate. They are reunited, featuring singer Jeremy Enigk and the Foo Fighters drummer William Goldsmith and guitarist Nate Mendel — will reunite for a fall tour. The reunion tour stops in Minneapolis on September 23rd.
First Avenue tickets will sell out for this one, too, so if you're looking to go to any of these shows be sure to get your tickets when they go on sale - check back here for updates. Sunny Day Real Estate tickets go on sale this Saturday.



Sunny Day Real Estate


Grizzly Bear


Phoenix

Metal Heads Unite!

August 28th, 2009 metal grandfathers Motorhead will be playing at First Avenue. Everyone who loves loud, screaming guitars knows about Lemmy and the rest of the guys.
First Avenue tickets for this show are available starting on Saturday, June 20th.
Last time Motorhead was in town they played at the Myth which is substantially larger that First Avenue, so I am willing to bet that this show will sell out!

An opening act has not been announced yet.



I probably will not be seeing you at this show, but it's definitely worth checking out if not just for the people watching factor.

Ani Difranco show announced!

Ani Difranco has announced not one, but THREE shows in Minnesota this Fall. I think that is 2 too many, but what then again I don't know too much about Ani - except that her fans are obsessive and First Avenue tickets for this show may be hard to come by. The only thing that her fans have going for her is that they will have 2 other shows to catch her at in dear ol' Minnesota!
Here are the shows:

Tuesday, September 15th at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester
Wednesday, September 16th at the DECC in Duluth
Sunday, September 20th at First Avenue in Minneapolis

So if you're a fan I am sure you will be able to make to one (if not all three) of these shows. This has really got me thinking how much I wished some of my favorite bands would play three shows in Minnesota - such as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Brian Jonestown Massacre or even Spiritualized.

First Avenue tickets for this show are on sale now and so are all of the other shows in Minnesota. Be sure to check them out, Ani may not be back for awhile.

Trip Down Memory Lane

I sadly did not make it to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on Saturday (Beerfest got the best of me!) but I did make it to the Third Eye Blind show Sunday night. I had no idea that First Avenue tickets for this show would be in such high demand, however, I stand corrected. First Avenue was packed to the wall with people, my friends and I had to stand by the merch table!
Third Eye Blind played all the old jams that I feel in love with when I was in 7th grade. They played "Motorcycle Drive By" (I was not even dreaming of hearing that one!) "Graduate" "God of Wine" "I Want You" "Jumper" and of course "Semi Charmed Life." From an album that was from 12 years ago, it's pretty cool that Third Eye Blind played almost half of it. I was pleasantly surprised, however, I cannot belive how crowded it was. I made a point to wear a longsleaved shirt assuming it would be freezing in the half full First Avenue. Haha! I was wrong, instead I was left to swelter in the over packed place.
All in all I am kind of bummed that I missed the Yeah Yeah Yeahs show on Saturday, but I got to take a trip down nostalgia lane over the weekend!