Big Star Quintet at First Avenue, Minneapolis (July 23, 2025)

A reminder that not everyone was performing at last weekend’s Minnesota Yacht Club Festival, it was a retro power pop evening with Big Star Quintet in town to play at First Avenue.

Opening the show was Chris Stamey. Founding member of The db’s and performer in the main act, Stamey is a long-time performer, songwriter, and producer. He has released eleven albums from the early 1980’s all the way to his brand new 2025 album, Anything Is Possible, released a mere ten days ago. Stamey appeared solo with guitar and it was a very intimate feel. After an early song from his days with Alex Chilton, Stamey played Lost Without You, the first track off the new album.

Stamey mentioned that the new album has a lot of Beach Boys influence and that he might as well be fully explicit about it by doing of their songs. That cover, Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)came out just a day after Brian Wilson’s death, which added an emotional layer to the performance. Another ballad followed (“a torch song”) and let Stamey be pretty expressive as a singer, with pretty minimalist guitar work. Stamey was as much conversationalist and story teller as singer and was really delightful on that’s front. Another cover, Venus, let Stamey sparkle with an acoustic guitar solo and a song he had played many years ago when performing at 7th St. Entry. Closing out his very efficient set with the title track of the new album, Stamey had charmed the audience and was going to be right back as part of the main act.

1970’s power pop band Big Star offered a distinct sound with their three released albums in the decade, with songs like In the Street and I’m in Love with a Girl. Sadly, three of the four original members have passed away, with only drummer Jody Stephens alive. And yet, Stephens drove an idea of performing that music and has put together a pretty amazing line up: Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Chris Stamey (The db’s), Jon Auer (The Posies), and Pat Sansone (Wilco). The band was so talented that they moved around instruments and lead and backing vocals as needed for each song. It was almost overwhelming as between numbers, the band might switch guitars or even change places to take over different instruments, such as keyboards (at least three people played keys in the first set). While Sansone and Auer seemed to take lead on vocals early on, like in the enjoyable Don’t Lie to Me, it wasn’t always the case. Even Stephens got in on the act, as he came up from the drums to the front to sing for a very acoustic number that was a good early change of pace from the more power pop vibe of the evening.

We were six songs or so in when I realized that Mills was the only one who hadn’t sung (he had been owning the bass licks throughout the early going). But they finally remedied that as they let him take lead (with cowbell!) on Mod Lang. Sansone was back on vocals with O My Soul and he was really well suited to that more soulful rock number. Sansone mentioned it was his first time playing at First Avenue, which was kind of amazing to think about. Stamey broke out the harmonica on Life Is White, and the band configurations continued between songs (I think Stamey got the most steps in as he changed stage sides completely when he was at keys or guitar). The first set was all over the map of Big Star’s catalogue and was outstanding. Near the end of that set, Stephens was back at microphone describing the history of the Big Star Quintet, and to hear about the connections of Stephens with all of these musicians was an amazing insight and led to him singing Way Out West. Stamey took lead vocals and at that point all five members had sung lead. Closing out was Auer blazing away on Daisy Glazeand as they headed off stage for a break, Stamey joked, “call the babysitter, it’s gonna be a long night”.

Set two started with Sansone playing solo on stage with acoustic guitar for I’m in Love with a Girl. Triple harmonies behind Stamey’s lead vocals on Watch the Sunrise were very well done. That jangle rock, with the bright, clean guitars, was just so much fun to listen to. After bringing Stephens back up front to sing the brief Blue Moon, we had more percussion with tambourine on Night Time, a heavier reverb song held together by Stamey’s vocals. Mills was taking lead vocals and said, “Pat (Sasone) may be a First Avenue virgin, but I am not…”, describing an early show that R.E.M. had at the venue. With Auer hitting keyboards, it was back to four vocalists on Give Me Another Chance. I was impressed with how the band were having fun playing with each other without making it feel like just a jam session. They were really holding to the Big Star sound. In the Street got Mills on lead vocals and big, big cheers from the crowd. Stephens was back at lead vocals (though with four vocalists) for the very sweet Thirteen. Mills brought it home with lead vocals on the appropriately titled Thank You Friends. A very brief break had the band back for a short encore, ending with September Gurls, and Big Star Quintet had absolutely rocked the audience with their talent and a true homage to one of the great 70’s bands.