Coming in through the back left of the stage, the venue opens up into a general admission, multi- floor, concert utopia. There is a huge circle light installment that covers the entirety of the main dance floor, which you must take a staircase down into. The GA floor is lowered into the center, with a ground level around area wrapped around the sides that is home to bars, coat check, merch tables, and bathrooms.  There is also an upper balcony that wraps around the back and right side of the stage, and 3 VIP booths located on the upper left of the venue. The view from up top is pretty sweet and the support beams don’t cause much of a disturbance in your view – unlike at EPIC Nightclub. All of this exploring was while Blood Diamonds, a 6’9” Los Angeles native, took the stage by command. He skillfully switched between house & trap and kept the crowd going the whole night. It was pretty cool and I was definitely impressed this first time seeing him on the decks. I would definitely like to check him out again sometime and see if he can deliver a second time around.

Here is the link from Prince (@3rdeyegirl): https://www.wetransfer.com/downloads/e59e7b53ed5eef555c66e1c41cafc9ac20131118102323/7c35e0

If you are not living under a rock and have ever been to First Avenue, you have undoubtedly seen the stars painted on the outside of the building honoring some bands that have graced the stage. After a very successful four night eight show run at the legendary venue, First Avenue has honored Dave Chappelle with his own star. 

After attending the Tuesday night late show, I can honestly say that Dave Chappelle is as funny as ever and more than deserves the star. My wife and I were lucky enough to grab a couple of  seats right in the front and were (at several points in the evening) engaged by Dave Chappelle asking about our marriage and kids which blended right into his material on his family. We even got a couple of fist bumps for still holding hands after twelve years of marriage. Definitely a memorable experience and one I will not soon forget. Thanks Dave!  

Still trying to decide what to do this weekend?  If you are a fan of EDM at all, you have heard the name Pretty Lights.  Well, Derek Vincent Smith aka Pretty Lights, will be invading Myth night club in Maplewood Saturday night.

 His most recent album, A Color Map of the Sun is, in my opinion, his best yet.  Rich in musical style and character, Smith called upon the skills of some of New Orleans' most talented musicians to create sounds to work with.  By all accounts, the tour is nothing short of incredible.

This show is SOLD OUT, but I found a number of tix available on Craigslist and eBay...  We have ours on lock...

Check out this review of Dave Chappelle's Monday late show at First Avenue from the Star Tribune's Chris Riemenschneider. Dave Chappelle performed for nearly three straight hours! Could be a long night since I have tickets to tonight's late show.

 

Dave Chappelle goes nearly three hours in second First Ave set

Trampled By Turtles played three sold out shows at the famous night club, First Avenue, in downtown Minneapolis. The shows ran April 17,18 and 19th and from all accounts were incredible.We made it to one of the shows and was arguably the best TBT show we have ever been to. They have a limited run of picture books that document the night in spectacular fashion as well as LP or CD/DVD combo. They have multiple packages for a very reasonable price, so don't be afraid to give a little TBT for Christmas. I know I will.

Several of the MN Underground crew will be venturing out to the suburbs tomorrow night to see The Black Crowes (@TBlackCrowes). The Black Crowes have sold over 35 million albums and are known as one of rock’s best live acts. They’re currently touring the U.S. on their “Lay Down With Number 13” tour, their first tour since recently ending a two-year hiatus. The tour has been getting rave reviews and we are certainly looking forward to the show. Tickets are still available.

The Black Crowes @ Myth - St Paul, MN

Michael Franti and Spearhead drop a new video for "Life is Better With You" today...  Mr. Franti may be the most positive human being on the planet and his tunes just make you wanna smile.  Here's a little love to end your work day...  :)

Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett took the stage right at 9:00 and dove head first into a collection of tunes nearly any music fan would recognize.  Just the two of them on stage, their guitars and microphones.  That's all they needed.



Not familiar with The New Orleans Suspects...  Well, let me suggest you get acquainted. These guys are some of the most storied and talented musicians in New Orleans music, and arguably rock music as a whole. "Mean" Willie Green has been the drummer for the Neville Brother's Band since the 1980's, Reggie Scanlan has played bass for The Radiators for over 30 years, Jake Eckert was the lead guitarist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, CR Gruver has played keys for The Meters Experience, and a laundry list of other jazz legends, and Jeff Watkins has lent his saxophone skills to James Brown for over 12 years, and worked as Joss Stone's producer for 6.  These 5 guys put more funky-jazzy musical talent on stage than your brain can handle.



As if all of that wasn't enough, the third and final set of the evening was all these ridiculously talented musicians on stage together, at the same time...  Playing favorites from both The Suspects and Little Feat's rosters, as well as a few artfully chosen covers, not a person in the Cabooze was sitting still.   The party was rockin', and we were all sad to see it end, including the guys on stage.

A Special thanks to the Krewe of D.A.D.s for putting this show together.  Further proof that the Minnesota music scene has a little bit of everything, and a little NOLA funk doesn't go unappreciated.

Watch Poliça + Marijuana Deathsquads perform live from the 9:30 Club in DC around 8:00 CST via @nprmusic. Here is the link: http://www.npr.org/event/music/243265907/poli-a-live-in-concert?sc=tw&cc=share

Dave Chappelle is coming to town for a 4 night stand at the iconic First Avenue starting Monday November 11th. There will be two shows a night and it does appear that all of the shows are sold out at this time. However, if you are willing to spend the extra cash, I'm positive that many tickets are available on all of the various ticket broker sites.

DAVE CHAPPELLE | First Avenue

 

Tomorrow night at the Cabooze, something special is happening...  The 28th Annual DAD’s Ball will feature Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett, the guitarists from Little Feat, and the New Orleans Suspects at the Cabooze on Saturday, November 2nd. This event will feature three sets of music with the 3rd Set featuring Paul, Fred and the Suspects playing songs from the Little Feat catalog. Insider info tells me there should be some very cool song selections that these guys have not played together before.

Reggie Scanlan just posted this to his Facebok page recently:

The New Orleans Suspects have been rehearsing for the last two weeks for the upcoming shows with Paul and Fred from Little Feat ...  In addition to a bunch of surprise covers we have ready for you, we have got these Little Feat tunes in really good shape. I think everyone is going to love it.

*Dixie Chicken
*Spanish Moon
*Two Trains Running
*Fat Man in the Bathtub
*Willin'
*Down on the Farm
*Skin it Back
*Rocket in My Pocket
*On Your Way Down
Plus lots more from the New Orleans Songbook.....