First Avenue

First Avenue is a legendary, independent music venue in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, famous for its role in Prince’s film Purple Rain and for its iconic exterior wall painted with stars recognizing performers. Opened in 1970, the venue hosts over 200 concerts annually in its 1,550-capacity Mainroom and 350+ shows in the 250-capacity 7th St Entry

Blitzen Trapper @ First Ave., MN 2/18/09

Originally scheduled to perform at the Varsity Theatre in Minneapolis, Blitzen Trapper outdid themselves with fan-age and the show was moved to the much larger First Ave. “Danceteria.”  Even so, the club was packed—not packed in the fun way, when a girl can casually rub against a sweaty young hipster and still play coy, but packed like a big awkward sardine tin, with the majority of the crowd standing, immobile, clutching Red Stripes and sort of doing the head bob.  Weird, huh.  I mean, Blitzen Trapper are certainly no Dance Band, but you’d think they’ve earned a few arm thrusts, maybe some leg spasms, at least a pogo or two (the shit’s going to rain on me for that comment; pogo = bad)*.