Craving synth-pop sustenance? We’ve got you covered. Hankering for gypsy-flavored folk? Coming right up. Can’t face another day without the prospect of feasting on some thoughtful hip-hop? You’re in luck. Read on for Metromix’s guide to the best live music hitting the smaller Twin Cities stages this week.
Wednesday, May 7th
Is the accordion to trendy indie music what the keytar was to bad ’80s groups? It’s starting to look that way with the number of Eastern European influenced indie-folk that’s grabbing the hipster spotlight. Among those leading the charge is Devotchka, a group which seamlessly blends folk traditions and outré instrumentation into an inviting modern musical cocktail. Check out their set at First Avenue and marvel at just how hard a sousaphone can be rocked in the right hands.
Looking for musical kicks of Minnesota origins? Then cross over from First Ave’s main room to the 7th St. Entry for a show featuring Vampire Hands and First Communion Afterparty two heavily buzzed about Twin Cities based acts both specializing in hypnotic psychedelic rock and awesome band name selection.
Thursday, May 8th
One thing’s clear when listening to North Carolina’s Avett Brothers—this ain’t your Daddy’s bluegrass. Sure they’ve got plenty of close harmonies and buttery banjo plucks going on, but the band is far from a nostalgia act. Those wise enough to hit up their gig at The Cabooze will be treated to an ass kicking musical experience in the here and now with plenty of tunes from their excellent 2007 album, “Emotionalism”.
Friday, May 9th
Hip-hop heads have reason to rejoice tonight, as it marks the Minneapolis arrival of critically acclaimed MC and former Black Star member Talib Kweli. He’ll be spitting his surefire rhymes at the Epic Nightclub , the newly reopened space formerly known as the Quest (and even further back as Prince’s club Glam Slam), here’s hoping the club’s kept some of the Purple One’s unique sense of style in its interior design.
On the other end of the musical spectrum for your weekend listening enjoyment is Philadelphia’s Dr. Dog, suppliers of awesomely shaggy-haired folk pop with whacked-out barbershop harmonies, they’ll be showing off their bong friendly tunes on stage at the 400 Bar.
Want great music with the possibility of lounging in a plush chair? Then hit up the Varsity Theater for a hotly anticipated CD release show from longtime Minnesota music scene stalwarts Polara, the sextet’s been cranking out fuzzy psych-rock for more than a decade and proves they’ve still got it even after a four year recorded lay-off with new album “Beekeeping”.
Saturday, May 10th
The local music scene toasts the emergence of an exciting injection of fresh blood tonight with CD release shows from up and comers The Softrocks and The Plagiarists. Over at Stasiu’s Place in Northeast Minneapolis The Softrocks will be playing tunes from “Summer Apocalypse,” a tasty garage-rock rumble recorded with Todd Tobias of Guided By Voices.
A little ways across town on the West Bank at the Nomad World Pub the youngsters who make up The Plagiarists, all of whom are soon to be St. Olaf graduates, will be celebrating the birth of “Literal Scene,” a promising platter of cleanly sculpted keyboard abetted pop.
So there you have it, a recipe for a rich and balanced musical diet and an end to your sonic hunger pangs—try not to binge too much.
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