First Avenue & 7th St. Entry

First Avenue Staff Favorite Shows of 2011

Another year, another year end list. Check out some of the First Avenue staff member’s favorite shows of the year. 

Byron

Paul Simon in the Mainroom

Dayna

Lauryn Hill (First Ave)
M83 (First Ave)
Arcade Fire/the National (Coachella)
Wild Flag (SXSW)
Jay Z and Kanye (MSG)
Dessa/Doomtree week (Entry)
Bon Iver (Orpheum)
Dolly Parton (Hollywood Bowl)
Adele (Palladium)
Prince (Troubadour)
EMA (Entry) Kurt Vile (Varsity)

Alex

Bill Callahan, Cedar
Tune-Yards, Cedar
Owen Pallett & yMusic, History Theatre, St. Paul
Battles, Fine Line
Tobacco, Triple Rock Social Club
Swans, First Ave
The Besnard Lakes, Triple Rock
The War on Drugs, Entry
Polica, Entry
CSS & Sleigh Bells, First Ave

Honorable mentions:
James Blake, First Ave
The Budos Band, First Ave
Cut Copy, First Ave
Gang Gang Dance, 7th St. Entry
Gayngs, Mohawk, SXSW
Hank III, First Ave
Moon Duo, Turf Club
The Soft Moon, Red 7, SXSW
Tom Tom Club, First Ave

Special award for hotness:
Joe Jonas, First Ave 

Machen

1. Robyn in the Mainroom on February 13 
1. Janet Jackson at the Orpheum on August 19 
2. Ms. Lauryn Hill in the Mainroom on January 18
3. M83 in the Mainroom on November 16
4. Sharon Van Etten at the Cedar on April 6
5. Cystral Castles in the Mainroom on March 11
6. James Blake in the Entry May 16
7. CSS in the Mainroom on May 19
8. Method Man in the Mainroom on October 28
9. Big Freedia at SXSW
10. And of course, that whole Doomtree thing 

Eli

1. 3/11/11 Crystal Castles, Teengirl Fantasy 1st Ave: An audio visual assault to the brain
2. 5/16/11 James Blake 7th Street Entry: The quietest I’ve ever heard a sold out Entry, until the bass hit.
3. 1/20/11 Lissie, Dylan LeBlanc Cedar Cultural Center: I swear her voice sounds better live than on cd, great band behind her too.
4. 7/19/11 KRS-One First Avenue: Playing to a very small crowd, he acted as if he was headlining MSG, crazy energy, ended the show by rapping in the middle of the floor.
5. 2/05/11 The Moondoggies 400 Bar: Great place to see these guys for the first time, roudy drunk crowd on a weeknight made it all the better.
6. 10/09/11 Moonface, Mystery Palace 7th Street Entry: Sparse Sunday in the Entry, only organs, synths, vibes and Spencer Krug’s harrowing vocals.
7 2/13/11 Robyn, Diamond Rings First Ave.: Girl can dance, nuff said.
8. 5/01/11 Femi Kuti Majestic Theater, Madison,WI: Obligatory b-day show, from what I remember it was a show to remember.
9. 4/09/11 Cut Copy, Holy Ghost, Holy Ghost (DJ Set) 1st Ave: Dance party all night
10. 4/05/11 Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O., Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers 7th Street Entry: Shilpa Ray for my first time, great opener for the hypnotic thrashing that Acid Mothers bring each night. 

Ellie

Kurt Vile (4/2, 7th St Entry)
Mount Eerie (9/5, Cedar)
The Besnard Lakes (10/1, Triple Rock)
Bill Callahan (7/1, Cedar)
Bon Iver (9/6, Orpheum)
Future Islands (11/1, 7th St Entry)
Baths (2/24, 7th St Entry)
Polica (12/7, 7th St Entry)
M83 (11/16, Mainroom)
Gang Gang Dance (10/18, 7th St Entry)

Jon

1. 10/04 Chromeo + Mayer Hawthorne
2. 4/12 Destroyer + War on Drugs @ Cedar
3. 1/08 MC/VL + Pink Mink + Slapping Purses + Kitten Forever @ 501 RIP
4. 11/11 Shonen Knife + Heavy Cream + Blind Shake @ Entry
5. 10/11 Dum Dum Girls + Crocodiles + Colleen Green @ Turf
6. 4/15 Peelander-Z + Birthday Suits + Anamanaguchi
7. 4/09 Cut Copy + Holy Ghost!
8. 7/23 Mucca Pazza @ Turf
9. 2/13 Robyn
10. 5/16 James Blake @ Entry

Kristin

1 ) Ben Folds at First Avenue, January 2011

I’ve been waiting years to see Ben Folds in concert and he really was worth the wait. Not only was his performance charming and lively, he was also backed by some very talented musicians. The energy of the show was great (considering he’s a dude on a piano) and I especially loved how interactive he was with the crowd.

Song to Spotify: Levi Johnston’s Blues

2) Death Cab For Cutie at First Avenue, May 2011

DCFC was the first show I ever went to at First Avenue (co-headlining with Ben Kweller in 2004, I was 19), so it was great to see them back at First Avenue again this May. It was a very nostalgic experience for me, and although I was a little worried on whether or not I would enjoy the performance (since I hadn’t kept up with anything past Transatlanticism), they really delivered when they played mostly older songs at the show (the “classics” as I would say). Awesome!

Song to Spotify: The Sound of Settling

3) AM & Shawn Lee at the Turf Club, November 2011

A collaboration project I only heard about because we booked them at the Turf Club. I’m VERY glad that I randomly decided to check them out because their album, Celestial Electric, is easily my top album of 2011. Check it out if you are into the vintage-sounding, psychedelic 70’s vibe.

Song to Spotify: Promises Are Never Far From Lies

4) Mark Mallman in the 7th St Entry, October 2011

I’ve seen Mark Mallman a handful of times, but this show was something else. I think it was partly because I got to bring a friend who had never seen Mark Mallman live before (what a shame!) and partly because I had forgotten how much damn fun he is, but MOSTLY he put on a great performance and really went all out for us, even after he’d just gotten off the road with Electric 6. I can’t wait for his two NYE shows in the Entry.

Song to Spotify: Minneapolis

5) David Crowder Band at First Avenue, October 2011

David Crowder Band was a real treat to have in house at First Avenue. A very talented group of musicians on a wide variety of instruments, playing Contemporary Christian music that doesn’t suck. I particularly loved their fun renditions of old bluegrass and folky classics. I’m so sad that this was their farewell tour, but I am excited to see what is next for all of the members.

Song to Spotify: I Saw The Light

6) Wilco at The State Theatre, December 2011

I often say that I am not a huge Wilco fan (as in, I don’t own ALL of their records nor do I know ALL of their songs by heart), but I do respect these guys and enjoy their music immensely. It was awesome to finally get to see them live and experience the fantastic performance and light show they had to offer. I can’t wait to see them again. Now if only I could find out where I can get that blinking owl they had on stage with them…

Song to Spotify: I Might

7) The Bloody Beetroots at Lollapalooza, August 2011

Long ago I was a fan of “serious bangers.” These days I’m more into “chillwave” or 80’s sounding electronica, but The Bloody Beetroots hold a special place in my heart and I was very excited to get the chance to finally see them at Lollapalooza this year. This was one of the rare shows where I’ve ever inched my way to the front through a packed crowd of sweaty 20-somethings, danced my ass off, and then had to crowd surf my way out. I felt like I was 16 again. My shoes were ruined.

Song to Spotify: I Love The Bloody Beetroots (Extended Mix)

8) Drop The Lime (Live) in the 7th St Entry, October 2011

I randomly stumbled into this show from the Explosions In The Sky show in the mainroom and was blown away. Blending what seemed to be dub step, techno, and rockabilly (yes, really), this guy had it all: choreographed back up dancers in leggy costumes and fishnets (who also played the harmonica!)… and that’s all I can think about. Those girls were SMOKIN! He, himself, was dressed as a sort of 60’s greaser, played a sweet guitar, and kind of reminded me of the Driller Killer from “Slumber Party Massacre II” (in a good way).

Song to Spotify: Hot As Hell (Original)

9) Release The Sunbird at the Turf Club, August 2011

Being the side project of Rogue Wave’s frontman, Zach Rogue, I had to see this show (myself being a HUGE Rogue Wave fan). The live performance of Release The Sunbird was sweet, intimate, and light-hearted.

Song to Spotify: Come Back To Us

10) Deadmau5 at Lollapalooza, August 2011

I just kind of stumbled past to watch all the funny kids with their glow sticks on the last day of the festival. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the show. What a serious light show and amazing sound. I had never heard his music, nor had I any expectations. I’ve been a huge fan of his ever since and can’t wait to see him again.

Song to Spotify: A City In Florida

Amy

Yo La Tengo - 400 Bar
Cults - Triple Rock
m83 - First Avenue
Wye Oak - Turf Club
Megafaun - Cedar Cultural Center
Best Coast - Varsity
James Blake - First Avenue