Last night’s show was announced only two weeks ago and ended up being a near sold-out show at the legendary First Avenue. It takes a lot of time to put together a show like last night let alone get it to the point where it nearly sells out. Kudos to the whole Go 95.3 Radio family because what they pulled off last night was more than amazing and a great representation of the amazing music we have here in the Cities.

I was definitely out of my comfort zone last night. Yeah, it was at my favorite venue in the Twin Cities that I frequent multiple times a week, but it seemed like a completely different place because I didn’t recognize many people in the crowd and the music wasn’t what I usually go and see. It was a hip-hop show full of famous national and local hip-hop acts. If you’ve been following this blog (which you obviously should be), you probably caught onto the fact that although I’m not a huge fan of hip-hop and rap music, I absolutely love the local hip-hop and rap scene. I mean, how could you not? We have Doomtree and Rhymesayers and individuals that are absolutely slaying it in the rap world.

Last night’s show was a mixture of local and national acts. It was put on my a new radio station in town that plays modern hip-hop and mixes the local acts in with huge names like Drake and Rihanna. Now, I’m not a fan of that mainstream hip-hop but I will say I think it’s awesome that there a radio station up here that can play so much local stuff in between the mainstream crap. The fact that the community came out to support these artists and the radio station as a whole is something that makes me super proud to be so involved in the music scene up here.

The main reason I went to the show last night was because of Sims of Doomtree. I’ve written about him before, I love him. His music is relatable and he is downright gorgeous (insert fangirl scream here). He promised new songs last night. Actually, he had posted online that he was only going to play new songs but last night turned into a giant party and he ended up playing some of his old songs which I completely love. That’s not to say that his new stuff wasn’t amazing, because it was, but it seemed to be a bit darker than the “party” music he has done in the past. I guess I was more looking for a party last night but I look forward to seeing more of Sims new music.

The night was full of “surprises”. Okay, maybe it wasn’t that surprising that locals Prof and Sean Anonymous showed up and played quick sets, but it was still awesome and the effort into making it a surprise was nice. Sean Anonymous blew his cover by walking around in the crowd during the opening set of DJ Sophia Eris (of GRRRL PRTY and currently on tour as Lizzo’s DJ). I noticed Prof’s hat under the stairs during Greg Grease’s set. I knew what was coming and the surprise was ruined but I was still super excited.

Honestly the surprise sets of Prof and Sean were the best part of the night. I think it was because I was familiar with their sound and music. I was less familiar with the other acts of the night, especially the touring ones. I felt completely out of my element and just wasn’t feeling it. I truly have to be in the mood for this kind of music.

I really wanted to stay until the bitter end of the show. I had run into a friend I hadn’t seen in years and he was talking up Curren$y. I was intrigued but also exhausted. Unfortunately, I had to be up for work this morning and have a huge, intense show in my future tonight so I decided to call it an early night… or at least early for me. Looking at the pictures online this morning, I wish I would have stayed. It looked like the night only got better and better as it went on.

Maybe I missed the headliner, maybe I’m not too big of a rap fan, maybe last night was a bit out of comfort zone but I still felt at home because I was at a show and surrounded by people who love live music almost as much as I do… almost. I love supporting local businesses, musicians, and now I have a local radio station that I can really get behind. Peter Parker, DJ on Go 95.3 and host of last night, promised there would be more shows like this. You can bet that I will be at all of them.

Last night was a perfect display of just how down right amazing the Twin Cities local hip-hop scene is. Hell, we have the best music scene period.

Line Up:

Curren$y
Your Old Droog
Sims
Greg Grease
Sophia Eris
and friends

 

Venue: First Avenue Mainroom

Sausage Fest Meter- 8 out of 10

Crowd Surfers- 0

Stage Divers- 0

Broken Bones- None

Average Age- 25

Moshing Level- None

Drink of Choice Throughout the Crowd- Weed

Spotted Flying Through the Air- Clouds of Weed Smoke

Drunkards Taken Out By Security- I saw one that must have fainted during Prof’s set because he stopped to make sure she was fine. I went outside after that and saw her sitting with her head in a trashcan and security calling her a cab.

Celebrity Sightings- Sean McPherson of the Current; Adam DeGross- photographer

Overall Score- 7.5 out of 10

Show on Deck— Reflections music video shoot!!! This will be interesting.