Minneapolis: This Week (02/23/2025)

What’s happening this week.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

17 Feb 2025 Monday
Jordana 
with Rachel Bobbitt
at 7th St Entry 
first-avenue.com

Maryland-raised and LA-based songwriter Jordana returns to Minneapolis this February 17, 2025, in support of her new album Lively Premonition (Grand Jury).

 

We saw Jordana in Aug 2022 and noted, “Comparing the two shows, Jordana seemed much more excited to play in front of a much larger audience. She is a real fan of Local Natives, so it’s an honor for her to play with them. And she’s made plenty of newfound fans, who would sometime shout out, “you’re awesome!” as she played on stage. As with her previous appearance, Jordana is joined on stage by guitarist/sometime keys Hayden, guitarist Sagiv Rosenstock, drummer Blake, and a bendable Gumby toy sitting on the mic stand. God, she loves that thing.”

 

Rachel Bobbitt to open. We saw her in her first MN appearance in Sep 2023 and wrote, “Next up was Toronto’s Rachel Bobbitt, on her adventures through the USA. She’s joined on stage with guitarist Justice, drummer Stephen, and bassist Isaac. It was their first time in Minnesota, and Rachel confessed that the only thing she knows about the state is from the movie Fargo… “so no one murders anyone tonight!” she joked.
Her set included some songs from her EP The Half We Still Have, such as “Two Bit”. Although her latest release is a cover of The Cranberries’ “Dreams”, she actually didn’t play that track. Instead her cover of Sharon Van Etten’s “Love More” was played. This is one of her first cover that she posted in seven years ago.”

Tour Dates:

 

21 Feb 2025 Friday
David Shaw
with Angel White
at Varsity Theater
livenation.com

David Shaw, the acclaimed singer-songwriter and frontman for The Revivalists will be headlining the Varsity Theater, in Minneapolis, on February 21, 2025.

 

We saw The Revivalists in June 2023 and wrote, “As can sometimes be the nature of co-headlining tours, the two bands had just met for the first time, at their pre-show dinner, but seemed already musically sympatico and prepared for the numerous cities that lie ahead. New Orleans favorites The Revivalists also had a seventy-five-minute set (plus additional encore time) to win over the crowd, in support of their latest album, Pour It Out Into the Night which was just released on June 2nd via Concord Records.”

Angel White to open.

Tour dates:

 

21 Feb 2025 Friday
Septicflesh
with Vltimas and EX DEO
at Amsterdam Bar
amsterdambarandhall.com

Leo presents… Septicflesh at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall, in St Paul, on February 21, 2025.

Vltimas and EX DEO to open.

EX DEO is described as Death metal gladiators and is Katakylsm frontman Maurizio Iacono’s new project.

It’s a regular metalfest, full for all… at least 16+.

According to the listing, there will actually be one more band on the bill, but will be announced closer to the date.

Tour dates:

 

21 Feb 2025 Friday
22 Feb 2025 Saturday
Lucia Sarmiento
at Berlin 
berlinmpls.com

Peruvian American Tenor Saxophonist Lucia Sarmiento is celebrating the release of her debut album, Escape, at Berlin, in Minneapolis, on February 21st and 22nd. Berlin is a new music venue, in Minneapolis’ North Loop, catering to a wide range of jazz, electronic, and experimental music, in a small, cozy space.

Sarmiento will have a full band (billed as Lucia Sarmiento Quintet), featuring David Feily on guitar, Jason Craft on keys, Anibal Soares on bass, and Pete James Johnson on drums.

Sarmiento, currently a Chicago-native had previously lived in Minneapolis for a decade, comments, “Minneapolis raised me musically. It’s a smaller city, but the music scene is vibrant, steeped in the legacy of Prince. I began performing with Prince’s long-time collaborators and Weather Report’s legendary drummer Eric Gravatt right out of college. I explored every genre from Minneapolis funk to brass band, and from Motown to free jazz. What was really important was that I came to develop my own sound. At first, it wasn’t easy to keep up with the loud drums, distorted guitars and very experienced funk players, so I spent lots of time working on my sound and time. I also admire how Brecker, Mintzer, and Potter play with so much strength and a sense of urgency—that’s how I want to play.”

 

22 Feb 2025 Saturday
Molchat Doma
with Sextile
at First Avenue 
first-avenue.com

Belarusian post-punk / synth-pop group Molchat Doma is currently on tour in support of their new album Belaya Polosa (Sacred Bones); the band will headline First Avenue on February 22, 2025.

Sextile to open.

Tour Dates:

 

23 Feb 2025 Sunday
Kelsy Karter & The Heroines 
with Surly Grrly and Rebel Queens
at 7th St Entry 
first-avenue.com

Australian Kelsy Karter fronts this Derby, English band, billed as Kelsy Karter & The Heroines. The group will be headlining the 7th Street Entry on February 23, 2025. The four-piece’s debut album Missing Person was critically acclaimed.

Update: Surly Grrly and Rebel Queens to open.

We saw Surly Grrly in June 2023 and said, “Opening the show was Surly Grrly (a band led by Medbh McNamara & Eloïse Boigenzahn), who wasn’t originally on the bill. We previously liked them with the Aquadolls in May 2023, describing them as “very Bikini Kill”. They’ve changed up their setlist a bit (as well as hiring a new bassist Lou Levy) since we last saw them, starting with “I Had Sex with a Girl”, a song that they’ve previously mentioned that most guys who come up to them said they’ve had the very same experience.”

We saw Rebel Queens in Nov 2024 and said, “Minneapolis based Rebel Queens is a throw back while also carrying the torch of hard rock & roll. An all women band playing that style of rock makes an easy comparison to The Runaways, and founder and vocalist Tiffany Xtine cites it as a strong part of the inspiration for the group. And they lean into that 70’s era feel, with a microphone stand that is mocked up as a motorcycle (used effectively in one late song), the clothing choices, and even some extra sound effects (a bullhorn made an appearance). There’s a ton of fun and energy from the band and they know the on stage moves (band movements in unison, two members dropping to their knees opposite each other, etc). They have also been busy performing, and this was their second time at Turf Club this year.”

Tour Dates:

 

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.