Tour Dates

04/28/11 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
04/29/11 Salt Lake City, UT – State Room
05/01/11 Spokane, WA – The Empyrean
05/02/11 Seattle, WA – Neumos
05/03/11 Vancouver, BC – The Rio Theatre
05/04/11 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
05/06/11 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
05/07/11 Costa Mesa, CA – Detroit Bar
05/08/11 Tucson, AZ – Plush
05/10/11 Austin, TX – The Mohawk
05/11/11 Houston, TX – Mink
05/12/11 New Orleans, LA – Republic
05/14/11 Louisville, KY – Headliners
05/15/11 Columbus, OH – Wexner Center
05/16/11 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
05/17/11 Carrboro, NC – Cats Cradle
05/18/11 Philadelphia, PA – World Café
05/19/11 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
05/20/11 Wilmington, DE – World Café Live
05/21/11 Burlington, VT – HG Showcase
05/22/11 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
06/12/11 Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo

Junip is a Swedish band, with singer José González. The impression I got from the audience at last night’s show at the Cedar Cultural Center, in Minneapolis, was that most people there were already familiar with Gonzalez’s work and this was their first time seeing him in the band Junip (also featuring Elias Araya on drums and Tobias Winterkorn on keys). Although, Gonzales said on stage that it was his fourth time playing Minneapolis, but that it was Junip’s second Minneapolis show.

Opening up for them were New York’s Acrylics, a boy (Jason) girl (Molly) vocal pop band. They seem really grateful to stuck in a tour bus with Junip, it’s their sixth show with them and their first time in Minneapolis. They sounded really amazed at the Walker Art sculpture garden. Hint: the museum is free on Thursday!

Anyway, my favorite song played on their set is their title track from their new album, “Lives and Treasure” (recently released March 1^st, 2011). The song is really upbeat and Johan Grettve, from Junip, joined them on stage to jam on the bongo drums. Personally, I thought they should’ve ended their set with that song, but instead they played out to “The Catacombs”.

Junip came on stage to a very excited crowd. When they play live, they also include an extra percussionist, Grettve, and extra guitarist, Joel Wästberg. They added a nice stronger sound, especially Grettve who juggle a variety of instruments, including a glass cup, towels over the percussions, tambourine, bongo drums, and recorder. Winterkorn also added a lot to their songs, he’s producing some really interesting organic sounds from his Moog machine.

As you can see from the setlist, most of the song were from their album, Fields, including a delightful version of “It’s Alright” (my favorite from the live set). They mixed it up with some songs from their previously EP, including “Official” and “Black Refuged”. Also, interestingly enough, a b-side, “Wait Rain”, from their new EP, In Every Direction, which is available on iTunes.

Since I suspect Junip will come back to Minneapolis, based on the good turnout for a Monday, I would suggest a seated show next time (the Cedar can accommodate for either seated or standing room). The problem with performers who sit down for performances is that it’s harder for people, in general, to see what’s happening on stage.