Everclear at Uptown Theater, Minneapolis (24 Sep 2023)

Everclear Setlist

Tour Dates

This is the first time we’ve attended the “new” Uptown Theater (the venue only opened to the public in June 2023 with the kickoff party with Yam Haus). For years and years, it was a movie theater, before it eventually had to close during the pandemic when its owner Landmark Theaters was evicted due to unpaid back rent. The same company that redeveloped the Armory, Swervo Development took over and upgrade the old theater into a concert venue. Currently, it looks like Live Nation is operating and booking acts.

When you first enter the venue, you may notice that it’s actually much larger from what you remember. That’s because there is a whole new section on the left with a massive bar all along the wall. This area used to be a hair salon that was integrated to the new Uptown Theater.

The dancefloor is sunken, so if you don’t want to get close to the stage, you can still view the stage on the higher rails (much like the Palace Theatre layout). There’s also a balcony, which is seated, and it looks like a great view of the stage.

If you were to ask me the size, I would say it is very spacious. I would think it’s about the size of First Avenue, perhaps even bigger. However, I think the official capacity is 2,500 people, but I feel that number might be a little conservative.

While I am glad there is a new venue in town, I do not love the location. It is in a very congested part of town.

Unfortunately, at the last minute, it was announced that The Ataris had to cancel due to catching COVID.

The Pink Spiders paid homage to the Ataris by dedicating their cover of “The Boys Of Summer” to the group. The song was originally by Don Henley in 1984 (yes, I had a cassette of this), but the Ataris made a harder rock/faster version of the song in 2003 and it peaked at #2 in the Billboard Modern Rock charts. For younger fans, they may have only known the Ataris version.

The highlight of the Pink Spiders set was an unexpected happy birthday cake to the guitarist. Everyone sang Happy Birthday, and when it got to the name, lead singer Matt Friction lovingly sang loudly, “Happy Birthday you as*****e!”

Shortly after the birthday thing, the group left to take a break, leaving Friction to play a very nice cover of “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding.” The song was originally by Nick Lowe (as Brinsley Schwarz), but I’ve only known it as an Elvis Costello song. I think Costello made the song famous, much like the Ataris did for the Don Henley song, for their generation.

As the Pink Spiders said earlier, get ready for “two hours of hit songs!”… and that’s what Everclear delivered. Everyone who grew up in the 90s knows the famous Portland band. The group, led by Art Alexakis, had found success when they signed to Capitol Records in the mid-90s. Their two famous singles, “Santa Monica” and “I Will Buy You a New Life”, which, of course, they played on their set.

Over the years, the band has become one of the best live band out there, honing their skills by constantly touring. Much of that magic is captured on Everclear’s new live album Live at The Whisky a Go Go (Sunset Blvd Records), so you can re-live hearing their greatest hits live on record.

Only Art is from the original formation of the band, but this new band, featuring Dave French on guitars, Freddy Herrera on bass, and Brian Nolan (the newest member) on drums, they bring a new energy to Everclear.