Frightened Rabbit vs. Sold out Minneapolis Crowd! Winner: Everyone 5/10/10 @ Varsity Theater

Above is corky openers Maps and Atlases. Lead Singer Dave Davison has a really unique voice, almost like he's singing into a distorted microphone. People call their music math-rock so I guess you could call his voice a calculator voice. Anyways the point is as bad as that sounds, he's voice is phenomenal and it really grows on you throughout the show. Coming from Chicago this band has stood the test of time touring for the lest 6 years with all sorts of bands. I have a feeling this could be a break out tour for them. I'm not a fan at all of banging instruments/experimental type music, but I love these guys. Which just goes to show you how talented they really are if they get me to enjoy a genre of music that I normally can't stand. I still don't think anyone can turn me into country or screamo, thats pretty much impossible.




These Scottish Folk-Rockers sure know how to put on a show. Yea the lead singer had a thick accent and all the girls would scream and giggle whenever he talked. But once they played music everyone was pretty much at awe. Snow Patrol, We Were Promised Jet Packs, and Glasvegas all come to mind because their all Scottish when making comparisons to Frightened Rabbit. The difference between FR and all the other Scottish bands is they keep the pace up with their sound and every slow song they play builds up. Yea the start of their slower material can get a little dull but with 4 guys playing guitar they usually make it interesting real quick. Most bands that gain hype have a big single or get a song on a car commercial, these guys like Mumford and Sons are getting the airplay on radio stations and the recognition they deserve. Quickly getting peoples attention from word of mouth and good show reviews has probably helped as well. Not a big fan of the "Winter of Mixed Drinks" album, but trust me everyone needs to see this band live. Set list is below, Enjoy!



This video will just make you laugh and put you in a great mood for the rest of the day!


Check out a bunch of other reviews here
Vu over at WEHEARTMUSIC.com
Erik T over at CityPages
Jay over at TCDAILYPLANET
+ Stacy and Carl's over at Cakein15

The Varsity Theater also has a great show tonight. All the way from Sweden Shout Out Louds will be performing with Freelance Whales.

Doors at 8pm Show at 9pm

The Kissaway Trail Interview in Minneapolis!!!

The Kissaway Trail Interview in Minneapolis from Brody McCoy on Vimeo.

Time of my life hanging out with this Danish band. Some of the most open-minded people I've ever met in my life. Me and my friend Casey hung out with the band after the interview, learned some Danish and got some insight on the real Rock N Roll life. Frank the tambourine player from the Kissaway Trail is always in a good mood in the photo below!

For all the photos from the show check out My Flickr Page and the posts below!

Videos from The Kissaway Trail / Temper Trap Concert last night in Minneapolis!

For the photos and review scroll down to the next post.
For all the photos check out My Flickr Page!
For another review of the show check out WeHeartMusic.com

The Kissaway Trail and The Temper Trap are the Talk Of the Town! 3/23/10 @ Varsity Theater

After getting back from SXSW I thought it was going to be a while before I witnessed a great show. Man was I wrong. Just look at this band above, they just look like the coolest band ever. The Kissaway Trail all the way from Denmark has been a big buzz band in Filter magazine. If you bring a cut poster of the them in the magazine, they buy you a drink and a tattoo! How cool is that? I didn't get a tattoo, maybe next time. Besides finding brilliant ways to draw attention and promote themselves this band is truly amazing live.
Yes they've been compared to the Flaming Lips and Polyphonic Spree but they've found their own little niche and are rolling with it. Thomas L. Fagerlund and Søren B. Corneliussen carry the load on vocals and compliment each other in every track. It will only be a matter of time before these guys blow up. Opening for the Arcade Fire or Flaming Lips? I'd say sold out shows with the Temper Trap across the states will do the trick. Interview with the band to come up shortly! Stay Tuned!



Looking at Dougie Mandagi above, not only does he sound as good as Prince he even looks like him! Oh yes, all the girls were drooling over this guy the entire show. But luckily instead of singing along everyone in the sold out crowd just whipped out their dance moves for the entire set. The Temper Trap has found stardom through TV shows and commercials, but deserve all the recognition with there kind of talent. Lead singer Mandagi is one of the top performers I've seen in a long time. Every move he makes and position he's in is a picture perfect shot. It's almost as if he's communicating with his arms the entire show. Make way folks for THE TEMPER TRAP!!!!!!!!!

Photos below!!!!! Videos coming soon!!

Hey Minneapolis! Tonight at the Varsity Theater! The Temper Trap and The Kissaway Trail!

This amazing photo of The Temper Trap's lead singer Dougie Mandagi was taken by Ashley Beliveau at SXSW 2010 from the beautiful Cedar Street Courtyard. This photo was also just published in Paste Magazine! Congrats Ashley! Email her at Abeliveau@nhia.edu if you want to see more of her SXSW photos or are interested in her work.

Tonight in Minneapolis two amazing bands will be playing at the Varsity Theater. The Temper Trap from Australia and The Kissaway Trail all the way from Denmark. Let's just keep are fingers crossed The Temper Trap got their tour bus fixed. It had broke down on their way up from SXSW forcing them to cancel their Milwaukee date.

Tuesday March 23rd
The Temper Trap w/ The Kissaway Trail
@ Varsity Theater
Doors at 8 Show @ 9pm

Unfortunately this amazing lineup is SOLD OUT!!!!! If I were you I'd come down and just scalp a ticket from somebody!

We Were Promised Jet Packs @ Varsity 3/9/2010

Sorry folks missed the openers, but these Scots were freaking sick. They'll be down in Austin for SXSW if your going.

Citizen Cope at the Varsity Theater, Minneapolis (03/07/10)

Tour Dates 03/09/10 Diamond Ballroom Oklahoma City, OK 03/10/10 House of Blues Dallas, TX 03/12/10 Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheatre - SOLD OUT! Austin, TX 03/13/10 House of Blues Houston, TX 03/15/10 Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LA 03/16/10 Tipitina’s New Orleans, LA 03/30/10 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC 03/31/10 Roseland Theatre Portland, OR 04/01/10 Showbox at the Market Seattle, WA 04/02/10 Showbox at the Market Seattle, WA 04/03/10 Showbox at the Market Seattle, WA 04/07/10 Wiltern Theatre Los Angeles, CA 04/08/10 Wave House San Diego, CA 04/09/10 Fillmore San Francisco, CA 04/10/10 Fillmore San Francisco, CA 04/13/10 Knitting Factory Concert House Boise, ID 04/14/10 The Depot Salt Lake City, UT 04/15/10 Fox Theatre Boulder, CO 04/16/10 Ogden Theatre Denver, CO 04/17/10 Midland Theatre by AMC Kansas City, MO 04/19/10 Pabst Theatre Milwaukee, WI 04/22/10 WXRV Earth Day Concert Boston, MA 04/23/10 Music Box @ Borgata Atlantic City, NJ 04/24/10 Ram’s Head Live Baltimore, MD 04/29/10 Norva Norfolk, VA 04/30/10 9:30 Club Washington DC 05/01/10 9:30 Club Washington DC 06/03/10 BAMA Jam Enterprise, AL Discography [2002] Citizen Cope [2004] The Clarence Greenwood Recordings [2006] Every Waking Moment [2010] The Rainwater LP Read More Citizen Cope http://weheartmus... Brody is our guest host, updating us on some of the shows he's been seeing: Alberta Cross and Dar...

Citizen Cope is famous and he is loved. That's evident at the two recent sold-out show at The Varsity Theater (the beautiful venue is huge, so selling out the place is pretty impressive*). From what I've gathered, most of the people there last night was also at Saturday's sold-out show, stating that it was also quite crowded on Saturday.

The audience was surprisingly younger, about college age, a contrast to Gomez's parental audience. What this generally means is that it gets rowdier and people tend to drink and act rude and don't mind pushing/crushing you. I couldn't really brave the front and eventually left and watch the rest of the show at a safe distance.

Citizen Cope's been steadily gaining fans since signing with DreamWorks Records, a division of the movie company of the same name. So it's no surprise that you'll find much of Cope's music on television and commericals. From a quick scan, I noticed his music's been used in quite a few HBO shows, so even if you haven't heard of Citizen Cope, you're likely to have heard his music.

Citizen Cope at the Varsity Theater, Minneapolis 3-7-10

When Cope took the stage at eight, the crowd went nuts. Citizen Cope looks tense and serious, while his backup band looks smiley, but dressed and plays like they belong in a blues band.

He started his set with "Comin' Back", followed by "Let The Drummer Kick". I don't have the setlist (I don't think they actually had any on stage). The rest was a blur, but I do recall hearing "Hurricane Waters" with its catchy line, "I will carry you through the hurricane waters, and I'll remember you in the blue skies".Also, the clear favorite of the setlist was "Son's Gonna Rise", off of The Clarence Greenwood Recordings.

He also did "Healing Hands", from the new The Rainwater LP (released March 2nd via Rainwater Recordings), which actually sounds a bit reggae towards the end of the song. The song is available as a free download off his website.

The Rainwater LP is out now, as part of Amazon's $5 MP3 album promotion, and be sure to check out the rest of Citizen Cope's tour.

03/08/2010 00:35:42 ♥ vu () ♥ citizencope.com ♥ myspace.com ♥ twitter.com

Sondre Lerche gives us a Lesson @ Varsity Theater 2/17/2010

The lesson was a combination of guitar skills and the ever so easy learning Norwegian language. Sondre Lerche was quite the character on stage and was very open to the screaming fans. I was hoping for some better new tracks and a longer set, but come on we can't all be picky. Either way Sondre can sure sing and it's always entertaining watching him perform.

Portugal the Man coming to Minneapolis Feb. 25th @ Varsity

Princeton / Ra Ra Riot / Maps and Atlases @ Varsity 9/17/09

 Once again another great triple bill at the Varsity Theater. Princeton lead off the night using members of Ra Ra Riot to help out in their set. These guys from Eagle Rock, California remind me a bit of Belle and Sebastian. Up-tempo indie rockers "Maps and Atlases", followed. Heavy drums with a very experimental sound make up the Chicago band. Led by Dave Davison his strong voice draws comparisons to Tunde Adebimpe(TV on the Radio) and has the look of The Doors with the long hair.
Headlining the night was the very popular Ra Ra Riot. Although not to a sold out crowd which was a big surprise. Still playing tracks from their debut album "The Rhumb Line" this band is always a blast to see live.

Phoenix lives up to the hype as Show of the Summer in Minneapolis 6/23/09

Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That (Minnesota 6/23) from Brody McCoy on Vimeo.

Phoenix - Girlfriend (Live @ Varsity Theater 6/23/09) from Brody McCoy on Vimeo.

Phoenix - Armistice (Live in Minnesota 6/23/09) from Brody McCoy on Vimeo.

Phoenix - Too Young (Live in Minneapolis 6/23/09) from Brody McCoy on Vimeo.

For more photos check out My Flickr Page

For More reviews check out MinnScene.com and also CultureBully.com 

Doves w/ Wild Light @ Varsity 5/28/09

Doves - The Outsiders in Minneapolis Live @ Varsity from Brody McCoy on Vimeo.

Doves - There Goes the Fear @ Varsity from Brody McCoy on Vimeo.

Doves @ Varsity in Minneapolis 5/28/09 from Brody McCoy on Vimeo.

First time catching these guys was quite the treat.  After canceling their last two shows in Minneapolis at the Quest and Fine Line, the Doves owed us big time.  An hour and a half set was a good apology. The apology was accepted, although I was hoping for a double encore. 

Everything about their set was fantastic,  the video in the background and the experienced stage presence from the band.  Doves are in a league of their own.  All my buddies were amazed that Jimi Goodwin could play a right handed bass upside-down.  

The Doves have four full length albums that everyone should listen to non-stop.  Kingdom of Rust just keeps everything rolling for these Manchester Boys.  

Go Read Erik's great review at CultureBully.com

Check out TheRockNRollStar.com  for more coverage

The Sounds 5/9/09 @ Varsity

The Sounds in Minneapolis 5/9/09 from Brody McCoy on Vimeo.

Come see The Sounds Tonight @ The Varsity Theater!

(This photo was taken at their last show at the fine line music cafe )

Friday May 8th
Varsity Theater (Dinkytown)
18+ Doors open at 8:00 pm, show at 9:00 pm.
Special guests (subject to change) * HEY CHAMP *



Everybody remembers this commercial, well this is also the sounds.

The Alarmists back with Avenges are Ready to Rock! CD Release Show set for June 12th @ Varsity!

City Pages wrote, "the best local band to break up in the last 12 months", Whatever inner workings caused the band's destruction will remain a mystery, but now that the group has quietly disbanded, they will lay amid a wasteland of local bands that could have been, should have been, but will sadly never be what we hoped.

Think again my friends The Alarmists were never gone and are still led by lead singer Eric Lovold.  They have replaced some of the band members and now have the 3 original band members back. The 3 include Eric Lovold, Joe Kuefler, and Ryan McMillan. The new album hits stores June 9th!   

Get ready to enjoy the best local band in town at the varsity theater June 12th! The Alarmists will reveal their second full length album. Joining the Alarmists will be these fabulous acts: The 757s, The Championship (Milwaukee), and Coach Said Not To!  

Holy F*ck Phoenix is Coming to Minneapolis and they just played SNL!

Phoenix - Lisztomania from 35east on Vimeo.

Phoenix w/ Amazing Baby
Varsity Theater
Tuesday June 23rd
Doors @ 8pm Show @ 9pm
$15 18+

Tickets on sale 4/18 @ 11am
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0600428F7EF24194?artistid=946877&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

Butch Walker 3/9/09 @ Varsity Theater

Butch Walker sings James -Laid in Minneapolis 3/9/09 from Brody McCoy on Vimeo.
Not a huge fan of Butch Walker's music, but man did he put on a show. Butch is an incredible entertainer and musician. He literally put's everything he's got into every song whether he's drinking or not. And unlike Mr. Ryan Adams who supposedly hits a wall and disappoints everyone when he's drunk, Butch just keeps rolling and has a good time. Nothing gets in the way of Butch, he just loves what he does.
The gorgeous Varsity Theater has gone through some remodeling giving it more of a vintage/old fashion look. Walker acknowledged how much he loved the venue, by asking the crowd if their is room to rent here. He gave us a quick spiel on his ex who wanted him to get a real job after his band got dropped a while back. Butch let everyone know why he didn't step away from the rock n roll, by singing in the middle of the crowd.

Butch played a few covers by Elton John (Tiny Dancer) and James (Laid). Cowboy hat for most of his set, the man even gave us the old, throw the guitar pic in the air/catch it in the mouth trick. He brought out openers The Films for the last track apart of his 3-song encore. The varsity was very close to a sell out, for Butch Cassidy as the kids like to call him.
For More Photos check out My Flickr Page
For More Videos check out My You Tube Page

Doves coming to Minneapolis!!!!!

Doves

Varisty Theater

Thursday May 28th 

Tickets on Sale Mar. 11th 

check out Astralwerks.com for presale!

Two of my favorite Doves tracks "Black and White Town" and "Caught By The River"

The rest of the Doves U.S. Tour
05.14 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
05.15 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues
05.16 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
05.18 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
05.19 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theatre
05.21 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
05.22 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
05.23 - George, WA - Sasquatch Festival
05.26 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre
05.28 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre
05.29 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
05.30 - Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre
06.01 - Toronto, ON - Kool Haus
06.02 - Montreal, QC - Le National
06.04 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
06.05 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
06.06 - Washington, DC - 9.30 Club
06.07 - Boston, MA House Of Blues

Thanks to Jeff over at SwitchBladecomb.com for the info!

Lisa Hannigan w/ The Low Anthem @ The Varsity 2/26/09

Lisa Hannigan sings a Bob Dylan Cover

Brett Dennen and The Little Ones @ Varsity 2/23/09

 The Little Ones Ripping it up at the Varsity!

Brett Dennen with special guest Angel Taylor




For More photos check out My Flickr Page

For More videos and photos check out CultureBully.com