The Dear Hunter + BTBAM w/ Leprous @ First Avenue in MPLS 3/3/18

The set lists are all below. I can 1st add since it's March 6th, this is a delayed review of course (new yet screwed up, and soon to be exchanged Laptop being a big reason).

Leprous: they were fun, energetic. Their drummer has mad chops. I like the atmosphere and they had this wonderful cellist on tour with them. Their music though, I can't say I feel any more strongly about overall than I did before really. I suppose they do add presence, but when it comes down to it, I question if their style of prog metal will be something I will ever get obsessed with.

But I thought they set up the evening well and hardly lacked interest. And oddly, I don't recall a ton of chatting upstairs where I sat during their show. But to counter, maybe per time limits, their singer didn't have a ton of stage presence.

The Dear Hunter: Of course I guess this was kind of a slight-double bill, so they got a bit of a longer set than the Coheed show in 2017. The sound:..well I suppose was BETTER than the terribly low mix at the Coheed show. But maybe it's just my hearing, I still found their levels to be too low. Especially Casey's vocals. Maybe that was intentional? or last year with Coheed as well? I dunno.

I thought their performance was fanboy-biased, quite good still. Liked the little guitar solo during "Mustard Gas."

"This Old Haunt" I don't recall if they played on the last tour, nor the "Bitter Suite IV and V." I enjoyed "The Moon/Awake" of course as a closer.

The new EP tracks? I'm not sure if I could even recognize half the time, but it might just be my familiarity or like I mentioned, the mix/sound. Or maybe it's what I get for sitting/watching upstairs?..dunno.

But, I'm counting in my head, and I think this was my 10th or 11th show seeing them, going back to 2007 with Say Anything, Saves the Day and Meg and Dia at First Avenue.

Of course being a Lifetime Member, that numbers seems pretty understandable, and now 11 years later. And oddly, with BTBAM headlining First Avenue finally, maybe First Avenue is starting to come around on Prog? with Coheed, BTBAM and maybe TDH will find themselves headlining there too in the coming years.

As I told many there, the likes of dredg, Porcupine Tree and Fair to Midland got ignored but The Dear Hunter may have endured long enough not to find the same fate with First Avenue.

Between the Buried and Me, especially considering the set list was almost entirely from Parallax-Present. The new album? haven't heard it beyond the 1st song/video, but I hopefully will soon.

I'm not sure, but I guess the newer music, or even include The Great Misdirect, I can accept live easier. Now I'd still prefer the Colors/Alaska/Silent Circus tracks of course, but I get that they want to play the new stuff. Focus on it, etc. And the jury is still out on both Automata I and of course II later this year.

I did really enjoy mixing with the fans both at Pizza Luce beforehand..even saying a few words to Dan Briggs of BTBAM with a group of fans, and then meeting up with some huge fans of The Dear Hunter.

And then waiting in line, between sets, and afterwards. I can definitely say the BTBAM fans are usually really cool and down to earth (even the ones who moshed, lol). Which I'm not sure was as much the case for many of the Coheed fans last year (although I met some cool people there as well mind you).

Anyway..that's  more than enough detail for now. I do think this show and being among TDH fans, I really want to write and publish a RIYL/FFO entry for them soon (so anyone who cares, maybe look for it in the near future).


also cool to meet some people who came just for Leprous, although it wasn't their 1st show here, it was nice to meet some hardcore, underground prog metal fans in MN.
The Dear Hunter

The Old Haunt
Blame Paradise
The March
The Most Cursed of Hands
The Tank
The Bitter Suite IV and V: The Congregation and The Sermon in the Silt
Wait
Mustard Gas
The Revival
Witness Me
The Moon / Awake


Between the Buried and Me
Condemned to the Gallows
The Coma Machine
Dim Ignition
Millions
Blot
Astral Body
Lay Your Ghosts to Rest
Obfuscation (second half only)

Encore:
Silent Flight Parliament
Goodbye to Everything Reprise


Leprous
Bonneville
Stuck
Play Video
Illuminate
The Flood
From the Flame
The Price
Mirage

Coheed and Cambria w/ The Dear Hunter @ First Avenue 5/13/17

Photos per Nate W on Instagram

So this show was a big deal to me given Coheed played Good Apollo 1, my favorite of theirs and a 5-star record, etc.

And with The Dear Hunter of course, And great to see them together, a billing that happened maybe 2 or 3 times historically, but I'm not sure if it's happened in 5 or 6 years.

First Avenue: I arrived 1 hour before the 7:30 PM listing online for the doors. I was maybe behind 20 or 30 people. Did my usual walk straight upstairs once I get inside, hunting for a chair so I wouldn't have to stand for 4+ hours.

No chairs on either side available. It seems nearly if not all of them were taken by Coheed's VIP members, at different levels.

Luckily though, I managed to snag one from 1 of the tables wayyy off to the obstructed view area. And I managed to move it to an area I could hear and see the stage, but not on the rail/front in the balcony.


Now I met a bunch of very cool people there, as I often do, which seems almost a very high percentage at concerts I attend, are not from the Twin Cities.

-A few guys from Duluth waiting in line.

-A couple from Iowa who I sat behind, and were nice enough to save my chair while I went to get Merch (which I picked up some of the Coheed Amory Wars graphic novels involving Good Apollo, and Act IV Score Book, which I hope to show in a video soon).

-2 guys at the Merch table who were huge TDH fans, which was kind of rare surprisingly. The line for Coheed Merch was like 20 people long, But there was no one in line at TDH table. Although they had no cds to sell which was odd.

Travis and I forget the other guy's name. But Travis I think is the fella whose also into Cloud Cult and I may see at the Northrop show coming up next month. And I also mentioned to 1 of them, I think it was the other fellow TDH fanatic about The Family Crest show at Turf next Saturday. I think he told me he lives in Mankato. But a few hours for TFC, if he enjoys them like I do, might still be worth it.

2 TDH fans (a couple I think) from Winnipeg as I was walking to my car. They did see the show at Fine Line I missed, I asked the guy I was chatting about if he knew the band The Psychics who are from Winnpeg, but he did not. But he was a Porcupine Tree fan (but didn't know Marillion, which I shared my Chicago story with him while waiting for the light to change).


Coheed did not have, or had sold out of copies of Good Apollo 1 Vinyl  when I got to the front of the line, which to go along with getting shut out on Record Store Day for it, is a 2nd strike. I am going to have to monitor many sites soon for a copy as I really need a copy on vinyl of that album.


About the show:

Clip per The Dear Hunter's twitter 

The Dear Hunter: This was likely the largest crowd to ever see them perform in Minnesota, which beyond anything else is a good thing. Also Gavin Castleton was with them as he was last September (the show I missed), and I was happy to go up and meet after the show. Very cool guy, who I name dropped probably a dozen bands, many of which he knew which I found cool. He's a sElf fan, per the fact both him and Matt Mahaffey are multi-instrumentalist songwriters (like Casey too of course). Kevin Gilbert of course didn't ring a bell, but he doesn't to many.

But TDH's actual performance was quite good as always, albeit shorter than I'm used to. The big issue though for me was the MIXING. I could barely hear the vocals at times. Now part of that could have been per there were 2 or 3 Coheed fans behind me who talked literally during 75% or more of TDH's set.

Although I still suspect the fact I heard a lot more bass and guitar and the vocals seemed buried, even with those babblers in my ears, I wonder if the people behind the board may not have been aware of the balance (or lack-of).

Set list? I totally get that it's a set list Casey and the band want/like to play, etc. And it's as an opener/support so not as much ground was covered (even playing a 10+ minute track like "The Night on the Town" etc might not have worked for this tour per that reason).

Mostly songs from Act IV and V logically, along with 2 or 3 songs from TCS and and Act III. And it was neat to hear that Beatles outro at the end.


As for Coheed, I adore Good Apollo 1. It is such a melody/hook and energy fest, it never gets old. I am a sucker for incredible hooks. And the band had a very cool Video for each and every song which added a lot frankly.

Although I will try and make a video or 2, getting more into this show and maybe Good Apollo 1, but I can say, the concept about a playwright of some kind being self-tortured either in his story/trying-to-write the story, and/or real life experiences kind of hit me more than it ever did before. Almost that I really want to read those GA Amory Wars Graphic Novels I bought.

But at the same time, for the year 2005, I can't place it #1 still because as progressive as it is, when it comes down to it, the meat of the album is major-key melodies, which I love immensely when done well and strongly, but compared to some other 5-star records, I don't see it as quite as unique or adventurous.

Mind you, I still find the album and tons of things about it very progressive and appealing, but I can follow why say in 2005, I look at Between the Heart and the Synapse being slightly better. I almost see GA1 like Fair to Midland's Fables from a Mayfly, strong  melodies and energy hitting you left and right. But that's the biggest takeaway from it.

Also "The Telling Truth," specifically the 1st 4 or 5 minutes and then the end is really a Reprise/Coda or Overture of 3 or 4 of the main themes/melodies which I guess I never consciously thought-about or realized.

And a song like "Ten Speed (of God's Blood and Burial)" and maybe "Crossing the Blade" sound an awful lot like Iron Maiden at times, specifically the song "The Trooper" which Claudio I know has admitted to enjoying and maybe even covering.

"Mother May I" might be my favorite track on this record now. Love it to bits.

All in All, an epic show that I sweated buckets at and was very happy to get to witness.

I would like to see In Keeping Secrets live someday, but I dunno if it'll happen again. And at First Avenue? I am not sure I can handle another Coheed-mob there again, but who knows how I'll feel or even if they will end up there if they do come back again to do it.

1 of 5  of my 5-star records I've now seen live. Which I should post a list soon about (not just 5-stars, and include even Tributes).


The Dear Hunter
Regress
The Moon / Awake
Wait
Mustard Gas
The Revival
The Most Cursed of Hands
Echo
Is There Anybody Here?
This Body/She's so Heavy (The Beatles)


Coheed and Cambria
Keeping the Blade
Always and Never
Welcome Home
Ten Speed (Of God's Blood and Burial)
Crossing the Frame
Apollo I: The Writing Writer
Once Upon Your Dead Body
Wake Up
The Suffering
The Lying Lies & Dirty Secrets of Miss Erica Court
Mother May I
The Willing Well I: Fuel for the Feeding End
The Willing Well II: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
The Willing Well III: Apollo II: The Telling Truth
The Willing Well IV: The Final Cut
Bron-Yr-Aur (Led Zeppelin)

Encore
Island
Delirium Trigger
In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3

Coheed and Cambria (GA1) + The Dear Hunter US Tour Spring 2017

Holy mother..my favorite Coheed and Cambria album in FULL plus The Dear Hunter, is a can't ,miss barring some unforseen conflict.

First Avenue, which, while my take on them in the distant past and still recently has been documented in here a lot, I guess I'm overall happy to see TDH especially back there for the 1st time literally in 10 years.almost to the day.

edit: April 23, 2007 with Meg and Dia, Say Anything and Saves the Day.

Good Apollo 1, while I was obsessed with 10 or more years ago, I still love and is a staple 5-star masterpiece.

And I know TDH have toured with Coheed in the past, namely with Porcupine Tree in 2010 if I recall, etc..but of course that tour didn't come to Minnesota anyway.

I guess the only issue I kind of have is the fact it's on a Saturday night in downtown Mpls of course, but so be it.

Conflicts? no Twins game since they play in Cleveland that day/night. Nothing scheduled at Target Center unless the Timberwolves make the playoffs and have a long series in the 2nd round (assuming they win their 1st round series, lol). No Lynx either.

The wife of course, "Papa goes off and party while I stay home, etc"..if only she was willing to sit through these 2 bands, but that would be torture to her. At least it's on or even the Saturday/Weekend after her bday.

And I may somehow get on my Lifetime Membership guest list spot, although I'm not expecting it, given TDH aren't headlining, but Max posted in the FB group this show is a bit of an exception.

Honestly though, I love The Lifetime Membership thing, and don't mind the amounts of things it comes with going fwd, but the Guest List thing kind of has been challenging and maybe more work to worry about than it has been worth for me given I have been put on the guest list a few times, but from memory, those times were after many attempts to email the email request. I'm not sure how much time it requires or more of the busy schedule that Max and whoever else has organized it has had.

Or maybe just a bad luck thing. I do know there have been a number of Lifers at shows in MN and so it's not like I've been the only one requesting it with limited spots, etc. But in the last few years I kind of resounded to the fact just to buy a ticket regardless. This show with Coheed and being First Avenue, I suppose is a little pricier ($35 or more for the VIP pkgs), and given I am trying to save money again, the guest list thing would help maybe more so. Plus I know Coheed has a Rabid fanbase and have played First Avenue before, so selling tickets for this thing I suspect won't be a struggle.,

Hopefully nothing will be in that RECORD ROOM too, although their likely will be. And currently nothing scheduled at  7th Street The Entry either, which I'm sure will change soon.

edit: I sent the email and GOT ON THE GUESTLIST! WOOHOO THANKS MAX!

I'll have to use that money instead on Merch and/or Dinner I suppose.



https://twitter.com/therealTDH/status/823960756844576768

We are excited to announce that we will be heading out on the road this spring with @coheedandcambria! Tickets are on sale January 27th at 10 AM (Local time). #Neverender2017 ???????
???????
4/11 The Showbox Seattle, WA
4/13 Roseland Theater Portland, OR
4/14 Fox Theater Oakland, CA
4/15 Hollywood Palladium Los Angeles, CA
4/17 The Observatory Santa Ana, CA
4/18 Observatory North Park San Diego, CA
4/19 The Marquee Tempe, AZ
4/22 The Complex Salt Lake City, UT
4/23 Fillmore Auditorium Denver, CO
4/25 Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheater Austin, TX
4/26 House of Blues Dallas, TX
4/27 House of Blues Houston, TX
4/30 Jannus Live St Petersburg, FL
5/2 Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
5/3 Marathon Music Works Nashville, TN
5/5 Terminal 5 New York, NY
5/6 The Fillmore Silver Spring Silver Spring, MD
5/9 Blue Hills Bank Pavilion Boston, MA
5/10 The Fillmore Philadelphia, PA
5/11 Royal Oak Music Theatre Royal Oak, MI
5/13 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN 
5/15 The Pageant St Louis, MO
5/16 Arvest Bank Theatre At The Midland Kansas City, MO
5/18 Stage AE Pittsburgh, PA
5/19 Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL

Godspeed You Black Emperor finally coming (back) to MN 2/11/16

http://first-avenue.com/event/2016/02/gybe

Chalk this one up in with Agalloch-finally-playing-in-Minnesota back in 2014. I'm not sure why finally they will be coming (back) to Minnesota after an extensive number of tours that did not hit my hometown,

Link
Setlist.fm shows they played in Minnesota twice, in 2003 in the First Avenue Mainroom and then in 1999 at the 400 Bar.

So, I did go down to The Electric Fetus tonight and somewhat surprising, managed to get a ticket for the upcoming February 11th, 2016 concert also at First Avenue's Mainroom.

How the show will be? I've seen mixed reviews of them live, but often they have next to no crowd interaction and may kind of take the *Shoegaze* approach of looking down on the stage while performing. But, they have included Video screens I guess which adds to their bleak, moody, style of atmospheric rock.

Now, for this upcoming show, if they end up playing a lot of (even only just) their new album, I may not be all that engaged because of the percentage of it that is methodical droney/doomy stuff. I honestly struggled with getting through Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress without being bored to tears.

So, I guess I'll see. But at least I'll be able to check them off my Bucket List finally, although whether it becomes clear why they finally managed to return here after X-number of tours, I may never learn. Maybe they were offered more $? Routing? Someone new at First Avenue likes them?

Now only if the likes of Faith No More, Imogen Heap and The Reign of Kindo come play here, my Bucket List may be able shrink even more.

Also on a sidenote, while browsing at The Electric Fetus, I saw a couple of Vinyls I have been looking for, for quite awhile. For one, Black Mountain's In the Future (I have seen some of their earlier records on Vinyl many times, but not that one, the 1 record I really like from them). And of course Rush's Presto (along with their entire 90's catalog), which just came in on 180-g remastered, etc with the rest of the Rush catalog in 2015.

I was awfully tempted, but decided to wait given I already was buying my Godspeed ticket. Raincheck, although I would ideally still want a 1st pressing of Presto, but other than Ebay, I question if it'll happen unless someone sells theirs for a copy of the new printing.

Mutemath: 2015 September/October NA Tour

I'm happy Wednesday September 16th, 2015 they are playing in Minneapolis (and only 3 days after The Dear Hunter show at The Triple Rock), but as  this link on First Avenue's page shows, it's NOT IN THE MAINROOM this time, but the 250-capacity venue, The 7th Street Entry.

Yet as the below history shows, they Headlined twice within the last 6 years in the Mainroom. Both of which were very full from my memory. I actually swear I saw them one other time in the Mainroom, but maybe I'm mixing them up with another band (Local Natives perhaps).

-February 18th, 2012 at the First Avenue MAINROOM Minneapolis, MN
-October 17th, 2009 First Avenue MAINROOM Minneapolis, MN

And it doesn't appear the Mainroom has anything confirmed listed on their calendar for September 16th right now, so this show not listed in the Mainroom is a pretty big WTF of today.

-Bad memory by the promoters who run First Avenue now?
-There's something else pending for that date that hasn't been announced yet?

I really wonder if this sells initially on Friday and the coming weeks, if ticket demand will force them to have it moved to a bigger venue (either to The Mainroom or at least somewhere like The Varsity Theater). It should. It was only 3 years ago when they HEADLINED to well over TRIPLE THE 7TH STREET ENTRY'S CAPACITY here, and they have never played a venue as small as The Entry (as 1 site with some venues info. The Fine Line, .even The Loft at Barfly, and the old Ascot Room held more than The 7th Street Entry).

So while I'm happy they are coming back and can't wait to hear Mutemath's new album Vitals this Fall, the fact they got booked to play a venue as small at The 7th Street seems rather baffling.

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