Mumford and Sons tickets

Indie folk is the new thing. As if hearing a warbling jumble of atrocious winy kids from Omaha or screeching vocals from DC isn't enough in this world we call Indie music, there is a new trend in town. I call it sad bastard music, some call it folk music. The newest IT band sensation is from London and they go by Mumford and Sons. These guys have been getting tons of airplay on the Current, their debut album, "Sigh No More" has gained critical and commercial success - it was even the Current's cd of the week.

Critics everywhere are absolutely peeing themselves over this band and I really just don't get it. I heard Bill DeVille (DJ on the Current), who is one of my favorite DJs in the world, use the term "Indie Folk" and I about threw up. I knew whatever band was going to follow that I was not going to care for - and I was right.

What is even more baffling, is Varsity Theater tickets are sold out for this show. Varsity Theater tickets for this show are not just a little sold out, they are super sold out. The Mumford and Sons show at the Varsity Theater sold out in record time, even for the Varsity. It took about two days. Varsity Theater tickets went on sale on a Friday for this show and were gone my Monday/Tuesday. Every local ticket outlet is SOLD OUT!

Mumford and Sons with Middle East
Varsity Theater - Tuesday, May 25th - 18+

And yes, that IS a banjo.

Phantogram tickets

So last week I was super bummed because I missed Phantogram's show at the 7th Street Entry. I was in Mexico, so all was not lost, however, Phantogram is opening for the Antlers on Tuesday, (are you ready for this one) April 20th. yes, another April concert. I keep saying my wallet can't take much more of this ... but I have to go!!! Ahh!!

Phantogram is a duo from Saratoga Springs, New York and have been recieving a lot of bizz lately for their album, "Eyelid Movies." Their sound is not for the close minded, Phantogram's jams are actually pretty haunting. "When I'm Small" is a song you may hear on the Current from time to time and I just simply cannot stop listening to it.


note: the video isn't that exciting, it's the only none live one I could find

Phantogram were a success story from South by Southwest last year, there they gained a lot of attention. Friends since junior high and forming the band in 2007, Josh Carter and keyboardist Sarah Barthelmembers have opened for Minus The Bear, Zero 7, Ra Ra Riot, Yeasayer, Brazilian Girls and The Slip as Phantogram. They have been getting stellar reviews for their live shows, I can't wait to see them. Varsity Theater tickets are on sale now for the Antlers and Phanotgram show. I heard that the 7th Street Entry show sold out at the door, so don't wait until last minute to buy your Varsity Theater tickets.

Aqualung tickets

Varsity Theater tickets are about to go on sale for another great Varsity Theater concert announcement - so hold the seat of your pants! Indie music's favorite Aqualung has announced a date at the Varsity Theater on May 4th. As you may have heard, Matt Hales, goes by Aqualung - an UK born musician.

You may know the name Aqualung from their song "Strange and Beautiful." It has been used in various commercials and in the movie "A Lot Like Love." Matt Hales was destiend to be a musician, his parents owned a small record store in Southampton. At age sixteen he was given a scholarship to Winchester College. By the age of 17 Hales had written his own symphony, "Life Cycle."

This past fall Hales moved from his home in the UK to Los Angeles. This could also have something to do with the fact that his wife, Bad Girls actress Kim Oliver, is an actress. But regardless, all settled into his new digs Aqualung is taking their jams out on the road this late winter/early spring.

Varsity Theater tickets go on sale this Saturday for the Aqualung show. The opening act is going to be Krista Polvere and as usual the show is 18+.

Jackie Greene tickets

Another installment of Quiet Please at the Varsity Theater has been announced. As you may remember Low was announced as the first band in this installment, however they had to rescheduled their performance. Now that date is going to be on May 6th. Jackie Green will now actually be the first musical guest in this unique concert experience taking place on Thursday, March 4th.

'Quiet Please' is an event that showcases a band and is strictly acoustic. There are no amplifiers or subwofers, it is a small intimate setting. The stage is featured 'in the round' at the Varsity and couches and plush chairs surround the circle stage.

Varsity Theater tickets are on sale now for both Quiet Please performances. Low is more locally known that Jackie Greene. Jackie Greene is a California based singer/songwriter who has been playing music since the age of 14. In 2003 he was the first artist signed to DIG Music Group. Jackie Green's album, "Gone Wonderin'" stayed on the Americana charts for over a year and in 2003 it won an award for California Music Award for the Best Blues/Roots Album. Jackie Green has toured with B.B. King, Phil Lesh, Ratdog, Huey Lewis, Susan Tedeschi, Taj Mahal, and Buddy Guy just to name a few.

Varsity Theater tickets for this unique show are limited. No opening act information has been released as of today. See you at the show!


and FYI: I googled his information and as far as I know Jackie Greene is not related to Rick Ocasek

Varsity Theater Tickets Review: Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard

Well, the night has come and gone :( I went to the Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard show last night at the Varsity Theater. I am a huge fan of both of these guys! Their set list was amazing, and the played for about an hour and a half - so Minneapolis music fans really got their money's worth. Varsity Theater tickets were sold out for this event so the place was packed.

Well, to begin with they played every song off of the soundtrack begginning to end. It was the last night of the tour for Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar. Jay Farrar is going to go back into the studio to record some Woody Guthrie tracks (he was invited by Woody's daughter to record songs that he had written, but never recorded before his death). I'm not sure if Ben Gibbard is going back in the studio to record new Death Cab songs, but regardless he gets to go home to his super hot wife, Zoe Daschenal, or should I say Zoe Gibbard.


Ben Gibbard is a lucky man!

Since it was the last night of the tour they threw in two cover songs to say farewell. Jay and Ben covered Bob Dylan's "Absolutely Sweet Marie," and then they ended with Neil Young's "Don't Cry No Tears - that of which the carefully chose to say good by to the tour with. It was a fantastic finale to a fantastic show!


I feel very fortunate that I got to go. As tired as I was every minute of the show was worth it (despite the stinky man standing in front of us!) When I arrived at the Varsity Theater there was a sign on the door that said Varsity Theater tickets were sold out for the show - I am glad I wasn't one of the fans left outside in the super cold air!

Here is the set list from Sunday's show:
California Zephyr / Low Life Kingdom / Williamine / All in One / Big Sur / One Fast Move or I'm Gone / Final Horrors / Couches in Alleys / Sea Engines / The Void / Breathe Our Iodine / These Roads Don't Move / You Remind Me of Home / Voodoo Candle
ENCORE: San Francisco / Feel Free / Absolutely Sweet Marie / Don't Cry No Tears

Jim Jefferies tickets

Australian comedian, Jim Jefferies will be performing his stand up act at the Varsity Theater this summer on June 17th. Isn't it nice to think about how warm it will be in June?! Haha,anyways, back to Jim Jefferies. His first taste of fame is for a YouTube video that has been viewed 500,000+ times. It was of Jefferies getting attacked on stage at the Manchester Comedy Store. I haven't seen it, but hopefully it is just Jefferies getting pantsed or something and not actually physically assaulted.

Varsity Theater tickets go on sale for the Jim Jefferies show tomorrow at 10am. June is a long ways away, I know, it is difficult to plan what you may want to do so far in advance. Who knows, there may be a Minnesota Twins game at the new Target stadium the same day! I am so excited for Twins season, regardless of what people think Joe Mauer will NOT be playing for the Yankees EVER! Ughh, I am so tired of the Minnesota Twins rumors.

Varsity Theater tickets are on sale now for a lot of other shows. I look at the Varsity Theater event calendar and I am so impressed by how many upcoming events they have listed (and how many I want to go to) - just a couple months ago there were about five upcoming concerts. It is great that the Varsity is incorporating stand up comedy to their repertoire.

Who knows, maybe I will buy Varsity Theater tickets in time to go to the show in June - it is a long ways away!


show is 18+!

Jay Farrar tickets

Only a few days away from the Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard show at the Varsity Theater! The show is on Sunday, January 31st. Varsity Theater tickets are available for the show, although I am a little suprised to say the least. How are Varsity Theater tickets not sold out for this amazing show?! Ben Gibbard will never play in a venue this small with his regular gig, Death Cab for Cutie ... a little band you may have heard of! And Jay Farrar is in an awesome band called Son Volt ... also a band that could sell out the Varsity by itself. How is that not sold out?!

As you may have read before, Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard are touring for the soundtrack that they recorded together for the Jack Kerouac movie. And I bought the soundtrack so I know the jams at the show on Sunday and it's a pretty good cd. The songs that they play on radio are the better songs on the disc. I can't wait to go to the show on Sunday!

Varsity theater tickets are still available for Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard. The opening act has been announced: Sera Cahoone.