After seeing twelve shows last weekend at the Midwest Music Festival I had to take a break from concert going and actually concentrate on my job this week.    Plus I had to stay home and see Trampled By Turtles and Polica on National TV.  But all reved up and ready to go for a weekend of great music and this week I am concentrating on things my friends might find interesting.

First what I am going to this weekend:

Friday April 27-Freedy Johnson, Alison Scott and Kevin Bowe and the Okemah Prophets-Yes that Freedy Johnson-“You Know I Got a Bad Reputation” plays the Amsterdam Bar and Hall Friday night.  He is has two great opening acts with local connections.  Waiting to see Kevin Bowe playing with all three bands.  My friend Youa Vang will be there working for Freedy.  Plus I also have an extra pass if anyone is interested.

Sunday April 29-Rocksteady Breakfast, Umbrella Bed and Cantankerous Folk –Back to the Amsterdam on Sunday night for three local SKA acts.  Taking my biggest SKA fan, my son, to the show plus my concert going friend Troy Carrick will be attending with his boys; planning on seeing some other good friends there also.  For $5 you cannot beat it.

Other shows that would be of interest to my friends:

Friday April 27-Grace Potter and the Nocturnals I would expect my friends Dan and Ursala to be headed down for the show in Rochester on Friday night.  Saw Grace at the Zoo last year, she puts on a terriffic show bringing blues and southern rock together in blonde package.

Monday April 30-Machine 22 at 7th Street Entry-for my good friend Paul Barber who has been booking some great bands here in Stillwater.  One of the best bands he has booked at Pub Moniques in Stillwater is Machine 22 and their garage rock sounds.

 

And Events that are worth thinking about sharing with your friends:

For my friends in Duluth this weekend begins the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival with Trampled by Turtles returning to their hometown for the show.  It runs for an entire week and next year it might need to be on the tour list.

Sue McLean Minnesota Zoo SRO Tickets go on sale tomorrow.  If you want a great way to see shows at the Zoo on the cheap and take multiple friends.  Last year ten admissions was $200; its worth the price and you can take one friend per show plus you will be amazed how many friends you will run into.

Presale tickets go on sale on tomorrow for the Soundtown Music Festival.  They have really ramped up the line up this year-it almost looks like Lalapalooza and they have changed the camping arrangements to encourage you to find a group of friends to share a site with (the more friends on a site the per person price goes down).  If you are thinking of going let me know I am looking at putting a group together.  The event is July 27 and 28.

One other noteworthy piece of news, City Pages and their Gimme Noise music blog has launched a new music calendar.  So far it looks like it will be great for looking up shows without all the hassle there use to be on the page.  Check it out to decide what shows you should be catching.