12/29/2023 Friday
Soul Asylum
with Tommy Stinson
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Local favorite Soul Asylum is doing their holiday show at First Avenue on December 29, 2023.

We caught the band in Jun 2015 and said, “The hits came fast and hard from Soul Asylum as tracks like “Black Gold” and “Just Like Anyone” got everyone moving around and singing along – it’s truly mind-blowing just how jam-packed with hit songs Soul Asylum’s catalogue is. The current line-up, which consists of Pirner, bassist Winston Roye, guitarist Justin Sharbono and Michael Bland on drums, have obvious chemistry which makes for some entertaining moments. Pirner enjoys hamming it up for the crowd, skidding across the stage on his knees and joking around with Bland: “Michael Bland likes it when my ass is hanging out of my pants.””

Tommy Stinson to open.

12/30/2023 Saturday
Daphne Jane and Bloodline
with Chutes and Lana Leone
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Local groups Daphne Jane and Bloodline will be co-headlining the 7th Street Entry this December 30, 2023.

We saw Daphne Jane in April 2023 and wrote, “Opening the show was local, by the way of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Daphne Jane. Jane is joined on stage with her band: Nate on guitar, Anna on bass, Connor on keys, and Martin on drums. Jane seems to love being on stage, this may be because she’s been writing music and playing gigs since she was just 12 years old. Again, she rather be nowhere but on stage, as she mentioned she’s actually missing graduate day to be here with us.

Most of her 30-min set were taken from her Dreamland EP with songs from her debut album, I Wish I Was in the Clouds, including a couple of pink songs: “Pinky Promises” and “Pinkest Eclipses” (which ended the set), “Green”, the title track “Dreamland”, and “Gemini.”

Highlight was a cover of Sixpence None The Richer’s “Kiss Me”, which Jane declares is the “greatest song ever.””

Chutes and Lana Leone to open.

12/30/2023 Saturday
Caroline Smith
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Singer Caroline Smith (or her stagename Your Smith) is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of record Half About Being A Woman. The show will feature “super special guests.”

We saw Caroline Smith, 10 years ago, in Sep 2013 and wrote, “As for Caroline Smith, it’s fun to watch her grow as an artist. We talked about her in 2008, which Brody mentioned that she opened up for B.B. King when she was only 16 years old. So we watched her progression from blues to folk with her band Good Night Sleeps. Then, earlier in June 2013 we had a preview of her R&B and soul music from Half About Being A Woman.

As expected, the majority of her set is from the new record, Half About Being A Woman, including the intro song, “Magazine”, “All That I Know Is (I’m Your Baby)” and the title track. The new songs sounded great, particularly with the two dedicated backup singers who added a retro soul sound.

I think if you like old 60s soul with some rhythm and blues, you’re going to find a lot to love on Half About Being A Woman (out October 8th on United Interests). Caroline Smith will be taking the full band and backup singers on the road this October, so check them out if they are coming to your town. ”

12/31/2023 Sunday
Kiss Me – A ’90s New Year’s Eve
with You Oughta Know
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Cover lover band You Oughta Know (named after the Alanis Morissette song) will be featured at this year-end’s Kiss Me – A ’90s New Year’s Eve.

We saw the group accidentally at Wizard World Minneapolis in May 2017 and wrote, “As you can see from their setlist, they only cover 90s songs, with the exception of Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, but that’s forgivable because they probably discover the song from 1992’s Wayne’s World (based on Silberschmidt as Garth, of course).

A cover lover band is good for these kind of events, because most of the audience will know and likely sing along to some of their favorite 90s tunes.

After You Oughta Know finished their set, there were DJ Gabe and 7Days A Capella group, ending with a highly entertaining swing dance group Uptown Swing and Hudson, Master Magician (from America’s Got Talent).”

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to vu@weheartmusic.com with a good lead time. Thank you.