Source: morecowbell.net

Cloud Cult made a stop in Minneapolis on Friday night, after their long journey into Chicago and Madison this past week.  It was a welcome night at home for the band after their van broke down on the Chicago freeway during rush hour Wednesday afternoon.  The band was stranded for over two hours, and lead singer-songwriter Craig Minowa was actually pooped on by a passing bird.  Not a great start to this brief Midwest jaunt.  Fortunately, things picked up in Madison with what I hear was a wonderful outdoor show, and so the band was upbeat and ready to go for Friday’s show in the First Avenue mainroom.

Opening for Cloud Cult was hometown hero Charlie Parr, the band Redstar, and Stars of Track and Field.  They also had a guest painter for this show, who created his art from a landing on the stairs just to the right of the main stage.  As always, Cloud Cult’s show is quite the spectacle, with both live music and painting occurring simultaneously.  Connie Minowa and Scott West broke out the acrylics and gave the audience something additional to ooo and ahh over during the 90 minute set.  The creation of the paintings is so interesting and inspiring to watch as the artists move in time to the live music taking place right next to them.

Cloud Cult mixed it up with selections from their newest release “The Meaning of 8,” as well as fan favorites from “Advice from the Happy Hippopotamus” and other past albums.  The crowd sang along to every track, cheering hardily for their favorites.  The room was packed and hard to move through as more and more people seemed to appear from nowhere for this grand display of artistry.  “Please Remain Calm” from the newest album garnered cheers all around and I definitely pounded out the beat with my hands and feet as the song went on.

Overall it was a highly entertaining set, with cello sounds making me swoon, amazement at watching art created right in front of my eyes, and the manly power trio of bassist Matt Freed, drummer Dan Greenwood and Craig Minowa, busting out the rock all over the place.   The crowd was excited and fun, and the band was gracious and upbeat, bringing a glowing ending to yet another great show.

Cloud Cult is taking a break, and their next shows will take place in Portland/Seattle in August.   There is a national tour planned as well, but details are not yet available.

Source: theregoesthefear.com

“We’re proud to be able to play in one of Tony Blair’s legacies to the UK” David Kay of Tiny Dancers said of their chance to be one of the first bands to play the indigo2 at the former Millenium Dome.

One of the most state of the art venues in the UK Indigo2 is the smaller of two venues at the new O2 complex which comprises shops, bars and cinema as well as the 20,000 arena and the 2,500 capacity indigo2. A contender to the likes of Koko and Shepherds Bush, its small enough for it to be used as “club gigs” for big bands, and large enough for small bands to aim for.

Up in the balcony the venue looked distinctly like a cinema, with plush seats (complete with stewards to tell you to get them off the seat in front) and speakers throughout. However, it lacks the quirks of some older venues: Whilst the sound is simply superb, the place lacks some of the atmosphere that darker, dingier places like the Astoria have and makes them so loved.

For the first nights entertainment, AOL took it over for their “sessions”, which last night saw Tiny Dancers, The Thrills, Magic Numbers and Crowded House take to the stage. Tiny Dancers were first up, playing to a half empty venue, however soon got into the spirit of things, playing five songs. Highlight was “Hannah, We Know” which saw dancing lego people on the giant screens behind the stage.

The Thrills were next up, debuting new material from their forthcoming album “Teenagers” alongside old favourites “Santa Cruz”, “Whatever Happened to Corey Haim?” and “One Horse Town”. Conor Deasy went into showman mode pretty quickly, getting everyone clapping along. Their new material is a natural progression from previous two albums, summery and Irish-American tinged.

In between sets AOL showed some of their previous sessions, with Paul Weller, Paolo Nutini and Ghosts all making appearances. In between The Thrills and Magic Numbers the crowd were treated to a backstage set from Siobhán Donaghy, which showed off her beautiful voice perfectly. However, being shown on video screens just made the entire audience feel detached from the experience.

Magic Numbers provided more summery tunes, with Michelle and Romeo seemingly a bit more used to the stage compared to when this Londonista saw them back in early 2005. Songs like “Forever Lost” and “Love Me Like You” sounded not at all faded, and performed with as much gusto as if they were written yesterday.

Finally, the guys most of the crowd had been waiting for, Crowded House. Hurtling through their set at a decent speed, they were chatty and genial to the crowd, with the Ozzies commenting that “It feels like I’m playing the Bowling Club Social” in regards to the number of summer hats floating around the crowd that were given out free by AOL. On their slower tracks, Neil Finn was clearly peeved with the amount of talking the balcony was doing, commenting “Listen you bastards! You can talk tomorrow!” which was a very fair point.

Four sets in four hours is a decent speed for any venue, however it’s just a shame it hasn’t got any of the soul some of London’s better venues have. The bands meanwhile overcame any issues they may have had with the venue by putting in a thoroughly entertaining show for all.

Source: morecowbell.net

Click HERE to get your Global Bike Days Poster….

Only Portland, Oregon beats Minneapolis in the amount of people who bike to work everyday. More than 4,700 people in the Twin Cities ride their bike to the workplace daily and over 10,000 people in the TC ride for recreation or to run errands, daily.

Check out the story on Startribune…

This weekend at Midtown Global Market there is a Global Bike Day Celebration including many talented musicians. Here is a full schedule for the outdoor music stage. Morecowbell recommends checking out Great Plains & Mouthful of Bees on Saturday. We also recommend Lucy Michell, Calusa, and Traditional Methods on Sunday.

There is also a separate indoor stage with a bike-giveaway, tune-up advice and other bike-related activities.

Source: soundchronicle.com

Country star Gary Allan revealed dates of his summer/fall 2007 US tour which stretches to late October. Singer is touring in support of his recently released Greatest Hits album. The disk spawned hit single “A Feelin’ Like That” which topped Billboard Country Chart this March. Gary Allan’s tour kicks off July 4 in Lexington (KY), lists about 40 dates, and wraps up October 26 in Morton (MN). Artist will give concerts in Verona (NY), Columbus (OH), Louisville (KY), Sacramento (CA), Salt Lake City (UT), Memphis (TN), and in many other cities. Tour includes headlining shows, and country fair appearances. Concerts schedule is below, Gary Allan tickets are available to buy online.

Gary Allan Tickets

Gary Allan 2007 Tour Dates
7/4/2007 - Lexington, KY- Red White and Boom
7/5/2007 - Fort Loramie, OH - Country Concert at Hickory Hill
7/8/2007 - Essex Junction, VT - Champlain Valley Exposition
7/9/2007 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Resort & Casino
7/12/2007 - Manchester, IA - Delaware County Fair
7/13/2007 - Kentland IN - Pun’kin Vine Fair
7/14/2007 - Bucyrus, OH - Crawford County Fair
7/18/2007 - Saint Charles, IL - Kane County Fair
7/20/2007 - Eau Claire WI - Country Jam
7/21/2007 - Madison, IL - Gateway International Race Track
7/28/2007 - Owensville MO - Gasconade County Fair
8/2/2007 - Columbus, OH - Ohio State Fair
8/3/2007 - West Allis, WI - Wisconsin State Fair
8/6/2007 - Jackson, MI - Jackson County Fair
8/9/2007 - Des Moines, IA - Iowa State Fair
8/15/2007 - Sedalia, MO - Missouri State Fair Grandstand
8/17/2007 - Athens, TX - Henderson County Coliseum
8/18/2007 - Thackerville, OK - WinStar Casino
8/21/2007 - Louisville, KY - Kentucky State Fair
8/23/2007 - Meadville, PA - Crawford County Fair
8/24/2007 - Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
8/26/2007 - Gilford, NH - Meadowbrook Musical Arts Center
8/29/2007 - DuQuoin, IL - DuQuoin State Fair
8/31/2007 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheater
9/2/2007 - Fort Worth, TX - Fort Worth Stockyards
9/7/2007 - Puyallup, WA - Western Washington Fair
9/8/2007 - Grand Ronde, OR - Spirit Mountain Casino
9/9/2007 - Sacramento CA - Country In The Park
9/11/2007 - Saint George, UT - Burns Arena - Dixie College
9/12/2007 - Salt Lake City, UT/2007 - Utah State Fairgrounds
9/19/2007 - Frederick, MD - Great Frederick Fair
9/22/2007 - Oklahoma City, OK - Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Arena
9/24/2007 - Memphis TN - Mid-South Fair - Main Stage
9/27/2007 - Omaha, NE - River City Round Up
9/29/2007 - Poplar Bluff, MO - Black River Coliseum
10/14/2007 - College Station, TX - Texas World Speedway
10/20/2007 - Niceville, FL - Mullet Festival Site
10/26/2007 - Morton, MN - Jackpot Junction Casino

Source: soundchronicle.com

Rock band Nickelback announced new dates of their summer 2007 US/Canada tour which stretch the jaunt to the beginning of September. The outfit continues to back their 2005 release All the Right Reasons, which already sold 8 million copies worldwide, and spawned number one hit singles “Animals”, “Far Away”, and “Savin’ Me”. Nickelback tour, launched June 28 by performance at Bay Roberts Festival in Saint John’s (Newfoundland), now lists about 40 dates, with final concert on September 2 in Kansas City (MO). Band will visit Toronto (Ontario), Ottawa (Ontario), Detroit (MI), Minneapolis (MN), New Orleans (LA), Memphis (TN), Cincinnati (OH), and many other markets. On selected dates the shows will be supported by Puddle of Mudd, Daughtry, Finger Eleven, and Yellowcard.

Nickelback Tickets

Nickelback 2007 Tour Dates
6/30/2007 - Charlottetown, Prince Edwards Island - Festival of Lights
7/1/2007 - Halifax, Nova Scotia - Citadel Hill
7/4/2007 - Toronto, Ontario - Molson Amphitheatre
7/5/2007 - Ottawa, Ontario - Lynx Stadium
7/7/2007 - Quebec City, Quebec - Festival D’Ete
7/8/2007 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
7/10/2007 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Center
7/11/2007 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
7/13/2007 - Mansfield, MA - Tweeter Center
7/14/2007 - Hershey, PA - Hersheypark Stadium
7/16/2007 - Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
7/18/2007 - Sarnia, Ontario - Bayfest
7/20/2007 - Noblesville, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center
7/21/2007 - East Troy, WI - Alpine Valley Music Theatre
7/23/2007 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
7/24/2007 - Grand Forks, ND - Alerus Center
7/26/2007 - Calgary, Alberta - Pengrowth Saddledome
7/27/2007 - Calgary, Alberta - Pengrowth Saddledome
7/30/2007 - Edmonton, Alberta - Rexall Place
7/31/2007 - Edmonton, Alberta - Rexall Place
8/6/2007 - Winnipeg, Manitoba - MTS Centre
8/7/2007 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Prairieland
8/9/2007 - Vancouver, British Columbia - General Motors Place
8/10/2007 - Quincy, WA - Gorge Amphitheatre
8/13/2007 - Glendale, AZ - Jobing.com Arena
8/14/2007 - Las Cruces, NM - Pan American Center
8/16/2007 - The Woodlands, TX - The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
8/17/2007 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena
8/19/2007 - Frisco, TX - Pizza Hut Park
8/20/2007 - Memphis, TN - FedExForum
8/21/2007 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
8/23/2007 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
8/25/2007 - Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach
8/26/2007 - Raleigh, NC - Alltel Pavilion @ Walnut Creek
8/28/2007 - Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless Music Center
8/31/2007 - Maryland Heights, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
9/2/2007 - Kansas City, MO - Kemper Arena

Source: morecowbell.net

Eisley (special Acoustic Show)
Varsity Theater, Minneapolis, MN
Mon, Aug 6, 2007 06:00 PM

Wednesday, September 19
The Entry door 8:00 PM / 18+
JAMIE T.
with special guests to be announced
$8.00 advance / $10.00 door

The Aliens (ex-Beta Band)
Varsity Theater, Minneapolis, MN
Wed, Sep 26, 2007 07:00 PM

Sunday, September 30
The Entry door 9:00 PM / 21+
JAY REATARD
with special guests CHOOGLIN’ and THE BLIND SHAKE
$8.00 advance / $8.00 door

Friday, October 05
Main Room door 10:30 PM / 18+
GIRL TALK
with THE SHOW IS THE RAINBOW
$14.00 advance / $16.00 door

Sunday, October 21
Main Room door 8:00 PM / 21+
THE RAVEONETTES
with special guests NICOLE ATKINS & THE SEA & GLISS
$15.00 advance / $15.00 door

Source: morecowbell.net

What a great double bill!

07/26/07 Minneapolis, MN 400 Bar
07/27/07 Chicago, IL Double Door
07/28/07 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
07/29/07 Detroit, MI The Magic Stick
07/31/07 Cambridge, MA Middle East
08/01/07 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
08/02/07 Washington, DC Black Cat
08/03/07 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell’s
08/04/07 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom

Source: soundchronicle.com

Country star Gretchen Wilson extended summer 2007 North American tour. The tour supports artist’s new album One of the Boys, which hit stores this May, and spawned singles “One Of The Boys”, and “Come To Bed” (with John Rich). Currently Gretchen Wilson’s tour itinerary list 37 dates up to the middle of October. Artist will visit Atlantic City (NJ), Calgary (Alberta), Indianapolis (IN), Milwaukee (WI), Kansas City (MO), Phoenix (AZ), and many other cities. Gretchen’s previous album All Jacked Up released in 2006 has sold 1.1 million, and has become platinum.

Gretchen Wilson

Gretchen Wilson Tour Dates
6/30/2007 - Oahu, HI - Kaneohe Bayfest
7/6/2007 - Fort Loramie, OH - Hickory Hill Lakes
7/7/2007 - Atlantic City, NJ - Caesar’s Palace
7/12/2007 - Merritt, British Columbia - Merritt Mountain Festival
7/13/2007 - Calgary, Alberta - Calgary Stampede
7/14/2007 - Craven, Saskatchewan - Craven Country Jamboree
7/19/2007 - Central Point, OR - Jackson County Fair
7/20/2007 - Oroville, CA - Feather Falls Casino
7/21/2007 - Murphys, CA - Ironstone Amphitheatre
7/22/2007 - Jackpot, NV - Cactus Pete’s Casino
7/27/2007 - Cheyenne, WY - Cheyenne Frontier Days
7/28/2007 - Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Motor Speedway
7/29/2007 - Milwaukee, WI - Germanfest
8/2/2007 - Davenport IA - Mississippi Valley Fair
8/3/2007 - Harris, MI - Island Resort & Casino
8/4/2007 - Harris, MI - Island Resort & Casino
8/5/2007 - Clarkson, MI - DTE Energy Music Center
8/9/2007 - Eastlake, OH - Lake County Captains Stadium
8/10/2007 - Springfield, IL - Illinois State Fair
8/12/2007 - Niles, OH - Eastwood Field
8/23/2007 - Cohasset, MA - South Shore Music Circus
8/25/2007 - Hyannis, MA - Cape Cod Melody Tent
8/26/2007 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino
8/31/2007 - Pelham, AL - Verizon Wireless Music Center
9/1/2007 - Orange Beach, AL - The Amphitheatre at the Wharf
9/2/2007 - Winter Haven, FL - Cypress Gardens Adventure Park
9/6/2007 - Kansas City, MO - Ameristar Casino
9/7/2007 - Hutchinson, KS - Kansas State Fair
9/8/2007 - Spencer, IA - Clay County Fair
9/14/2007 - Mashantucket, CT - Foxwoods Casino
9/15/2007 - Frederick, MD - The Great Frederick Fair
9/16/2007 - Poughkeepsie, NY - Mid Hudson Civic Center
9/21/2007 - Binghamton, NY - Broome County
9/22/2007 - Roanoke Rapids, NC - Carolina Crossroads
9/25/2007 - Bloomsburg, PA - The Bloomsburg Fair
10/12/2007 - San Jacinto, CA - Soboba Casino
10/13/2007 - Phoenix, AZ - Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Source: vipticketblog.com

The Beastie Boys have announced a few shows to spice up their previously announced August tour.The “Gala Events,” as the New York trio is calling them, will follow already scheduled shows in four cities, generally in nearby or neighboring locations. Three of the shows–in New York, Denver and San Francisco–will be instrumental-oriented affairs, according to the band, with the new Aug. 20 Los Angeles date featuring a more traditional hip-hop production.

The “Gala” shows “will be in smaller spots, more exclusive, more intimate,” according to a press release from the group. “This will be more like quality time, our time, just you and the band sitting by a fire on a tropical beach late at night being serenaded with love songs. These shows are for people that are into our weird stuff.”

The group kicks off its summer tour Aug. 1 in Philadelphia, and is now scheduled to make stops in 12 cities by late August; the full itinerary is included below.

August 2007
1 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier
4 - Baltimore, MD - Virgin Festival
6 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion
8 - New York, NY - Central Park SummerStage
9 - Brooklyn, NY - McCarren Park Pool
10 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
16 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks
17 - Denver, CO - Fillmore
20 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
23 - Santa Barbara, CA - County Bowl
24 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
25 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre

Source: morecowbell.net

The Twin Cities are blessed with all sorts of amazing art galleries, but what makes Minneapolis/St. Paul so special are its art galleries that feature whole the interactive experience such as Rogue Buddah, Intermedia Arts, First Ammendment Arts, and the Soap Facory.

Here is one of many cool events happening this weekend….

(Plaster The Town on Myspace)
Sexy Poster Artists of Minnesota (S.P.A.M.) presents:

PLASTER THE TOWN 2007 at THE SOAP FACTORY
518 2nd Street SE Minneapolis MN

June 30 - August 12, 2007

Featuring poster art for sale by MPLS/STPL poster artists including:

Aesthetic Apparatus
Amy Jo
Burlesque of North America
DWITT
Squad19
Tooth
Adam Turman
Unitus
and more…

Opening party
SATURDAY, JUNE 30th, 2007
3-11pm

Live music and bar at 6pm

Birthday Suits
The Deaths
Seawhores
Mute Era
Death to our Enemies
DJ MIKE 2600 King and DJ Plain Ole Bill

Closing party
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12th, 2007
3-11pm

Live music and bar at 6pm

Chooglin’
The Blind Shake
The Deaf
STNNNG
Awesome Snakes
DJ Espada, DJ Mike the 2600 King, DJ Edawg

——————————————

Plaster the Town 2007 is a group poster show featuring Minneapolis/Saint Paul artists and designers.

Starting at BAG, a small gallery in Lower Town St. Paul, Plaster the Town drew capacity crowds for the first two years it ran. Last year the Minneapolis College of Art and Design took it over with a traveling poster show that started in Atlanta called Graphic Noise. MCAD pulled in more than 2000 people on opening night. This year Plaster the Town comes to the Soap Factory. A bigger venue with more room to party.

The six week gallery show will feature gigposters (posters done for bands to promote concerts) for shows both locally and nationally. Opening and closing show receptions will be held with posters and studio merchandise available for purchase directly from the artists, as well as live music and a cash bar.

For directions and regular gallery hours:
www.soapfactory.org/info.php