The special guest for Cecil Otter's Doomtree Blowout set tonight is...

...Ira, First Avenue's mascot! (AKA @FirstAveBoss)



Aww!

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Gwar guitarist found dead on tour bus after Mpls show

So, this happened. Last night, here in Minneapolis after Gwar's First Avenue show: Via Gawker via AP:

More via Gimme Noise. Yikes. Some local Facebook reactions:

Via Gawker on Facebook
Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Special TML at the Entry this Tuesday boasts "special surprise guest"

Saturday night dance party Too Much Love just announced a special Tuesday night edition happening in the neighboring 7th Street Entry next week, and it features some big name DJs: Devlin & Ghostdad's WIN WIN project, Ron Darko (the DJ for SR & Amanda Blank), Roofeeo (who'll be stopping by after drumming for TV on the Radio next door), and TML resident DJ Sovietpanda.

[TV on the Radio]

But something in the Facebook invite caught our attention: "You can expect a special surprise guest to make an appearance." Who could the mystery guest be? We're thinking it will have a little something to do with the big name band next door at the Mainroom...

Via Peter Lansky on Facebook
Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

First Ave's Conrad Stars in The New Ben Folds Video

Conrad Sverkerson, who's been a First Avenue staffer for over 20 years, gets his 15 minutes (or 3 seconds) of fame in this recently released Ben Folds video. Random, yes. Awesome? Definitely.





Submitted by @marrina.

First Ave now on Tumblr

First Avenue, everybody's favorite concert venue, continues evolving in the digital space. Several weeks ago they unleashed the mobile app and just today they announced they were joining Tumblr as well:

Everyday we're tumbling. Follow First Avenue on Tumblr for more looks behind the scenes and posts from our archives.

We love this photo of Iggy Pop that was posted today and can't wait to see more classic First Ave concert photos.

Photo by Daniel Corrigan.
Submitted by @marrina.

Conor Oberst does guest DJ set, gets wasted at 400 Bar

Last night, Conor Oberst did a guest DJ set at the 400 Bar after Bright Eyes' set at First Avenue - and you were all there to capture the moment.


LOL/OMG's own @thebitchelor got photographed with a very bro-tastic Conor (of course). (Photo courtesy of Heidi Vader.)

SCREAM indeed!

@steveskavnak snaps a pic of Conor DJing.

Not bad for a Monday night.

Wish we could say it was ours.

Aww.

Double aww. @_perkins also got in on the action.

Okay, now we're getting jelz.

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

First Avenue Goes Mobile

First they got rid of Ticketmaster (thumbs up for that!) and today the folks at First Avenue have announced the release of their first ever mobile app:

First Avenue has just released our new mobile app!

Buy concert tickets, review shows, share photos, win prizes for being the top user and receive special giveaways via push notifications. And it's compatible with iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry.

Nice!

Via First Avenue Facebook.

Submitted by @marrina.

Gayngs Return to 1st Ave, Announce Spring Tour

Gayngs are throwing another biiig party at First Avenue and this time, they're bringing friends. The Gimme Noise folks have announced the "GAYNGS AFFILIYATED SHOWCASE", happening on Sunday, March 6. The roster is quite impressive: GAYNGS, Doomtree, Solid Gold, Megafaun and more in the Mainroom; Har Mar Superstar, Slapping Purses, Marijuana Deathsquads and more at the Entry; plus DJ sets by various artists at the Record Room. We can't wait!

Gayngs also made another announcement just this morning about their spring tour that kicks off in Minneapolis, continues at SXSW festival and ends in San Diego. You can see the full schedule here.



According to Gimme Noise: "The Gayngs showcase at First Avenue will serve as a precursor to some exciting events that Gayngs, Gimme Noise, and First Ave have planned down in Austin, Texas this year at the SXSW music festival in mid-March."

Submitted by @marrina.

The Jah-Hawks live at First Avenue's Best New Bands

We just came across this video by musician/DJ Danny Sigelman of The Jah-Hawks (a new dub-step project covering the songs of The Jayhawks) performing their three-song set ("Blue," "Waiting For The Sun" and "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me") at Wednesday's Best New Bands showcase at First Avenue. The band features Zach Coulter of Solid Gold on vocals, plus Jacob Hanson of Halloween, Alaska, J.T. Bates of Fat Kid Wednesdays fame, and James Buckley.



Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

First Avenue's Best New Bands showcase video recap

City of Music's Dan Huiting was running around First Avenue on Wednesday for First Avenue's annual Best New Bands showcase, and he got some great footage - including The Tangential's Jay Gabler jamming to BadNraD. (For a written/photo review, check out our very own Jahna Peloquin's recap for Vita.mn here.) Bonus points for spotting the Peloquin with l'etoile music editor Robyn Lewis hanging backstage.

Best New Bands of 2010 at First Avenue from Dan Huiting on Vimeo.

First Avenue Wishes You a Happy Birthday

This is very cool.
Via @Firstavenue.

Submitted by @marrina.

SPIN comes to town for Motion City Soundtrack's Popsickle Fest

SPIN Magazine was in the TC for Motion City Soundtrack's first annual Popsickle Fest last Saturday at First Avenue. The lineup also included Minus the Bear (which includes Minnesota native Erin Tate) and Foxy Shazam, as well as up-and-coming bands like Chicago's Gold Motel and Minneapolis acts like Take Cover, Party House, The Chord & The Fawn, Gospel Gossip, and Now, Now (formerly Now, Now Every Children), and Justin Pierre of MCS' side project Farewell Continental. They have a slideshow of images from the show and backstage.

Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre backstage at First Avenue. Photo: Joe Lemke for SPIN

Click here for the slideshow.

Via @ArtsOrbit

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Awesome First Avenue Infographic

Our friends over at Gimme Noise created a super cool infographic as a tribute to First Avenue's 40th Anniversary that is coming up in December. We. Love.

Click here to read more.

Click image to enlarge

Submitted by @marrina.

Eyedea gets First Ave star

Star Tribune is reporting that Eyedea (along with Abilities) has gotten his own First Avenue star, albeit posthumously. It comes just in time for his memorial concert and tribute tonight at the nightclub on November 9. A public wake is being held for the noted emcee tonight from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown St. Paul, 11 E. Kellogg Blvd.

[Photo courtesy Star Tribune]

Via Chris Riemenschneider on facebook

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Mark Mallman gets his First Ave star

Mark Mallman is among the local faves getting shiny new star on the First Avenue wall. Here he is posing with another star newb, Har Mar Superstar. Both are very deserving honorees, if we do say so!

via Mark Mallman's facebook page.

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Famous Peeps wish First Avenue Happy 40th Anniversary

Watch Yeasayer, Mayer Hawthorne, Passion Pit, Flogging Molly & Gogol Bordello wish First Avenue Happy 40th Anniversary.




Via @Firstavenue

Submitted by @marrina

Phoenix loves MPLS

It's true, see for yourself. What, you don't read Spanish? @bobbykahn does!

Submitted by @marrina.

We See Stars

The first star has been painted back on First Avenue wall!


Via @firstavenue.

Submitted by @marrina.

Bye Bye First Ave Stars

OK, OK, Don't panic: they will be back. As you may have noticed, the iconic First Avenue stars have recently been painted over as part of a major "makeover" the establishment is getting. Gimme Noise reports they've received "assurance from marketing and promotions director Machen Davis that the stars will be back soon -- with new additions." Good! So, not only are we getting brand new stars, but a new restaurant (the Depot) and even a women's bathroom in the Entry (we never thought we'd see the day!).

We're not sure about the polling method First Ave has put up to decide what bands get the new stars -- leaving such things up to the "public" could easily go awry. But, we trust our old friends at the Ave. So, make sure to go over to First Avenue's website or Facebook page and tell them who you think deserves a star!


UPDATE: First Ave tells us via Twitter about the pre-opening party at the Depot happening next Monday. Check the deets here.

Submitted by @marrina.

Prince at GAYNGS!

Yes, people, it's true: the Purple One casually strolled into First Ave Friday night to check out Gayngs who were having a fantastic time entertaining delighted fans in tuxedos and prom dresses. Prince, according to several witnesses, had a guitar around his neck and was (possibly) thinking about playing, but decided not to. " They don't need me up there" were his words, to be exact. How much do we love this guy?? For the skeptics, we have collected some photo evidence as well. Check out these 3 photos of Prince that our new BFF Claire took backstage at First Avenue:




LOL/OMG offers congratulations to Gayngs for putting on a fantastic show. And of course, big props to Prince for acknowledging and supporting local talent. We heart you.

Photo credits: Claire Molepske

UPDATE: We just got 2 more backstage photos of Prince!
Via: Hard-Up Photography Facebook page

Submitted by @marrina.