Moment of Remembering

This weekend the Minneapolis music scene lost a very talented man. Eyedea (aka Micheal Larson) was found dead in his home yesterday. It is not clear what he died from, however, it is a shock to all.
Eyedea, as I am sure you know was part of the local Rhymesayers label. Label mates include Atmosphere, Brother Ali, etc.
Oh Friday night Eyedea was seen at the 7th Street Entry checking out fellow friend/artist/collaborator/band mate Abilities who was performing with Pigeon John from LA.
It was one of those deaths which has taken everyone by surprise and leaves a lot of unanswered questions. There is a memorial account set up to help his mother pay for funeral costs, which can be found on this facebook page.

What a loss.

Brandon Flowers tickets

The Killers frontman, Brandon Flowers, has embarked on a solo tour. He has booked dates in Vegas (I think his ultimate goal is to have a long term gig there) and Brandon is now touring in support of his solo album, "Flamingo" around the country. Another notable fact about this tour is the lead singer of Train has also branched out on his own and is the opening act. Fran Healy is touring in support of his solo album, "Wreckorder."

First Avenue tickets are on sale now for the Brandon Flowers show. Last time the Killers were in town they managed to sell out the Northrop Auditorium. A place which hold three times the amount of people First Avenue does! First Avenue tickets will sell out fast for this one. Granted, I will readily admit I cannot name a solo Brandon Flowers song, but I can sure name a few Killers songs. Brandon Flowers will I'm sure do a mixture of both, but if you want to go make sure to buy your First Avenue tickets early.



Brandon Flowers: Sunday, November 21st.

Andrew Bird tickets

It seems that Andrew Bird loves the winter - he always stops by Minneapolis during the great ol' month of December. And this year is no exception - Andre Bird will be bringing his whistling jams to the First Ave mainroom on December 2nd. First Avenue tickets are on sale now for this show, however, I wouldn't be surprised if this show sold out quickly. Andrew Bird tickets were hard to come by last year when he was on his small church tour. Andrew Bird added not, one, but two more additional shows. And he sold all three of them out. People love their Andrew Bird!

Andrew Bird has booked churches in other cities, however, Minneapolis is the only city that will have a full band. First Avenue tickets will go fast for this one, I really suggest buying First Avenue tickets now! In Chicago, where Andrew is playing one of his church shows, he already has three shows. Also, on this Minneapolis date Alpha Consumer is the opener.

First Avenue tickets are on sale now for this show!

Mason Jennings tickets

Mason Jennings is one of those local artists that I love to hate. But unfortunetly his jams have grown on me and I can't help but like the guy. I see him around town at shows and you can't help but smile at the guy as you walk by out of respect. He has been around the Mpls music scene forever, he has dozens of records, toured with the best and has worked with a lot of reputibale artists. I think my frustration for Mason Jennings started with my love for Ryan Adams, but its hard to say. They are both very talented guys.

What Mason is most know for around these parts is how he loves to play live shows. Not just loves, but LOVES to play live for more hours than people are awake. And he does it for days in a row without stopping. Mason Jennings hold the record for playing the most live hours in a row and now he is trying to break it again with a take over at First Avenue. Mason Jennings has a pretty extensive catalog, so hopefully during this particular takeover he won't have to worry about running out of jams to play.

Mason Jenning First Avenue takeover begins on Saturday, December 4th and runs through Sunday, December 5th. First Avenue tickets for both of those shows are on sale now and rest assured that First Avenue tickets for both shows will sell out!

Social Distortion on October 19th

On Tuesday, October 19th, the punk rock band Social Distortion will be performing at the First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The group consists of Mike Ness, Jonny Wickersham, Brent Harding, and David Hidalgo, Jr. They have released 6 albums and have another one planned for a November 2010 release. Social Distortion is considered one of the pioneering bands of the punk rock movement in America. Purchase your Social Distortion tickets today!

Dawes tickets

I have been so busy at work lately that posts have been pretty scarce around here, my apologies. Another thing about working so much is that I have missed out on a couple great shows because of pure exhaustion. Dawes (a band I saw open for Edward Sharpe at the beginning of the summer) played at the Taste of Minnesota this year. The TOM required a $20 cover charge this year, a tactic that crushed their crowd this year. I was super bummed that I had to miss Dawes. As you know the Taste of MN is always over 4th of July weekend, which was also smack dab in the middle of a long Twins home stretch.
Needless to say I had to miss the show :(

Not long after their show at the Taste of MN, Dawes announced their return to Minneapolis. Dawes must really like Minneapolis because they have been here 3 times this summer. First Avenue tickets when on sale for their Thursday, November 11th show. First Avenue tickets will sell fast for this one due to local favorites Peter Wolf Crier supporting the show.

I am excited for this one - see you there!

Ludacris on September 12

On September 12 hit rapper and actor Ludacris will be performing at First Avenue in Minneapolis. He has won Screen Actors Guild, Critic's Choice, MTV, and Grammy Awards during his career. All 7 of his albums have been Top 5 in the US Charts which include Back For the First Time, Word of Mouf, Chicken-n-Beer, The Red Light District, Release Therapy, Theater of Mind, and Battle of the Sexes. His hit songs "Stand Up" and "Money Maker" have reached #1 on the US Charts. Purchase your Ludacris tickets today!