October 28, 2026

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

Only Frozen Sky - Jonathan Richman (Vuart)

Jonathan Richman at First Avenue (October 16, 2025)

dnord520 October 16, 2025

Jonathan Richman returned to First Avenue with drummer Tommy Larkins for a phone-free night of unfiltered sincerity. Mixing new songs from Only Frozen Sky Anyway with old favorites, Richman danced between languages, laughter, and tenderness — proving again that simplicity, delivered honestly, can still rock a crowd.

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Grandaddy-100825-1080x1654-1

Grandaddy at First Avenue, Minneapolis (October 8, 2025)

dnord520 October 10, 2025

Twenty-one years after their last Minnesota show, Grandaddy returned to First Avenue to perform The Sophtware Slump in full. Note-perfect and emotionally heavy, the set traced millennial dread and fragile hope before loosening into celebratory encores—including birthday cake for guitarist Jim Fairchild. Vermont’s Greg Freeman opened with a beautifully restrained set.

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ex-NEW POWER GENERATION with BROWN MARK at First Avenue, Minneapolis (2025-07-10)

The Music of Prince featuring ex-NPG and Brown Mark at First Avenue, Minneapolis MN (2025-07-10)

JohnC@weheartmusic.com July 22, 2025

The NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice presented "The Music of Prince" at First Avenue in Minneapolis which featured former members of Prince’s late ‘80s/early ‘90s backing band, The New Power Generation and special guest Brown Mark from Purple Rain-era fabled band, The Revolution, to celebrate Prince's music and support the mission of the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice.

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Deltron 3030 at First Avenue (Nov 13, 2000)

Flashback: Deltron 3030 at First Avenue (Nov 13, 2000)

vu@weheartmusic.com May 7, 2025

You guys don’t know how excited I was when I heard that Deltron 3030 have reunited and will be doing a special 25th Anniversary tour. The band first came together in 2000, for their self-titled album, and it was the most unbeatable hip-hop, rap album you’ve ever heard. I was a big fan and saw the band in 2000, at First Avenue. I even bought their instrumental album. The instrumental record was marketed to DJs, who may want to use the background music to mix with other records.

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Transmission 24 at First Avenue (March 22, 2025)

Thaddeus-WHM March 23, 2025

In addition to live music, First Avenue hosts a number of DJ dance parties. King among these is the annual Transmission show hosted by DJ Jake Rudh. Rudh is well known for his weekly show of the same name on The Current radio station, as well as throughout the Twin Cities night club scene.

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Frank Black

The Current’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, feat. Frank Black performing Teenager of the Year

Thaddeus-WHM January 25, 2025

Frank Black Setlist Czar Ten Percenter Whatever Happened to Pong? Thalassocracy (I Want to Live...

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