Minneapolis: This Week (12/31/2023)

It’s the end of 2023 week.

12/28/2023 Thursday

Zakk Sabbath is headlining First Avenue this December 28. The Black Sabbath tribute band features guitarist and singer Zakk Wylde, bassist Blasko, and drummer Joey “C” Castillo.

The Native Howl to open.

Tour dates:

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
Caroline Smith
with Raffaella
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. ”

Update: Raffaella to open. We caught the singer recently in 24 Sep 2023 and said, “Local indy pop singer Raffaella Meloni opened up the evening. She’s actually a transplant from Manhattan who made the leap to the Twin Cities after a chance encounter with the lead singer of Hippo Campus, Jake Luppen, turned into something more, as in moving in together. “I like Minneapolis,” she said of her new home. “It smells better.””

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.