New Year's Eve: Twin Cities Music

In less than two weeks we will be stumbling our way into another year! With the holidays still left to endure it's difficult to think about where you want to be when that ball drops at Midnight.  House party? On a couch w/ a loved one? Drunk outside The Drink in Uptown?

Well, the Twin Cities' music scene is giving you plenty of reasons to spend your last seconds of 2009 at a concert venue near you. Some of the best in local music are throwing killer parties throughout our little metropolitan area. Here's three that are on my radar:

*NEW YEAR'S EVE W/ MARK MALLMAN*
Veteran rocker, Mark Mallman, has put together a stellar lineup for his New Year's Eve bash in Dinkytown.

Featuring: Mark Mallman, White Light Riot, & First Communion Afterparty

Where: The Varsity Theater

Details: Doors @ 8pm
                Tickets: $12
                18+

*2010: THE YEAR WE MAKE CONTACT*

89.3 The Current presents this benefit for music programs at Edison High School in Minneapolis. It may be one of the more expensive events of the night (go figure, it's in Downtown...at a hotel), but what it has to offer could be well worth the admission.

Featuring: Solid Gold (above), Freddy Fresh, Heatbox, & The Histronic

Where: Marriott City Center Ballroom

Details: Doors @ 8pm
                Tickets: $25 General/$75 VIP or donate an instrument
                18+


*NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE TRIPLE ROCK*
Perhaps one of the more eclectic shows of New Year's Eve, the Triple Rock is offering a night of R&B, hip hop, reggae, and soul. Also included...champagne jello shots and Confessions of 2009.

Where: Triple Rock Social Club

Featuring: Black Blondie (above right), Toki Wright, The Prizefighters, & DJ Turtleneck (of MPLS Kids Have More Fun)

Details: Doors @ 9pm
                Tickets: $7 Advance/$10 Door
                18+

Just a little food for thought. I began 2009 with a flying-champagne-cork to the head at a house party, so I plan on starting this new year a bit more positively with some good music and friends. Hope to see you out.

Here's City Pages' list of music events for Dec. 31st 2009.

-Tim

New Year's Eve: Twin Cities Music

Tis the Hip Hop Season

First Ave. brings the fire this season.

The 3 Days of Hip Hop:

Dec. 3rd
Unknown Prophets CD Release w/ Cunninlynguists, Grieves w/ Budo, Looptroop Rockers, Tunji with DJ Espada, and DJ Anton


Dec. 4th (@ Varsity Theater)
E&A, Themselves, Sector 7 G


Dec. 5th
Doomtree Blowout V

And of course you won't miss the Fresh Air Tour w/ Brother Ali, Evidence, Toki Wright, and BK One on Nov. 20th and 21st.



Enjoy,
Tooth

Tis the Hip Hop Season

Third Eye Blind This Sunday!

Hey everybody! I'm Sonja, a new intern at 50e.
I'm blogging to brag about the Third Eye Blind concert that I'm going to this Sunday. Its at First Ave, just a couple blocks away from us, and my brother is taking me for my birthday. We're both pretty severe 3eb fans along with another intern here, Hannah, who's also going the concert.
If you like 3eb, you might want to check out other artists that sound like them. iTunes pairs Third Eye Blind with popular artists such as Jimmy Eat World, Matchbox 20, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Dashboard Confessional and semi-popular artists like Jack's Mannequin, New Radicals, Sister Hazel, Something Corporate, and Brand New. But they also link 3eb to rising artists that I'm about to check out. They've got Matt Nathanson, State Radio, The Spill Canvas, Del Amitri (remember them?), Can't Hang, and All Time Low.
I personally love The Spill Canvas by first listen, but check them all!

In other news, I always check iTunes' free download of the week (located on their homepage) and have frequently downloaded their stuff. This weeks its Vib Gyor, a band consisting of 5 brits who have collaborated with bands like Sigur Rós, Radiohead and The Cure. Their song is "Fallen" and its got a background like The Cure and vocals like Marc Roberge from OAR.
Enjoy!

-Sonja

P.S. Hannah will have a review of the 3eb show for you sometime next week!

Third Eye Blind This Sunday!

REO Speedwagon

I spent an entire outdoor REO concert last Thursday (Taste of Minnesota Festival) seated in a lawn chair surrounded by heavyset people also in lawn chairs, protecting me from the thousands of standing fans trying to push their way to the stage. There were only about six of us seated, right front and centre, and I'm sure we gave the bands something to talk about backstage (Cosmo opened for REO, mostly playing Boston songs). So, would you want to be me, or would you want to punch me? Do you get to a rock concert extremely early (like we did) to grab the best seats or do you prefer to fight your way to the front? Our ring of lawn chairs was impenetrable, but I don't think I'd do it again.

Aussie Ben

REO Speedwagon