Girl at the Rock Shows

Live music transports you to different places. Sometimes it takes you to a dance party, other times to a smoky jazz club. Sometimes, it’s to a different part of the world, and other times, it’s into the seedy underbelly of civilization. This is why every show hits differently, and to say that I felt transported into a whole new world on Friday night as I sat and watched three acts take over the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis would be an understatement.

The first act, MüLLET, transported me into a garage in the best way possible. I had seen these guys one other time and knew what I would get- pure DIY-garage-rock perfection. Although it has been about a year since I’ve seen them, the second they started playing, I was reminded that this band is one of the best in the local scene. With the almost constant jangle of a tambourine and an attitude that will always remind me a bit of Fidlar, this trio powered through their opening set in what felt like record speed. Honestly, their energy didn’t hit me the same way it had the first time I saw them, but I didn’t mind the little break from what had been a super crazy day. I also feel their lack of energy made sense after seeing the other two acts. MüLLET was the black sheep on this line-up, which meant the kids in the crowd were hesitant to get into their set, but I didn’t let that get to me. I thought the band sounded great, and I am already looking for another chance to see them perform live.

As soon as the next act, Riki took the stage, it felt like the whole mood in the intimate venue had changed. Riki brought a sense of darkness to the room that felt inescapable, but, in the same breath, I didn’t want to escape it. Her goth-infused industrial beats mixed with her vocals somehow went from a beautiful siren-like sound to a super dark, almost primal growl at other times. It was mysterious and, honestly, a little creepy. Still, between her sound and her organic and flowing movements, there was something about Riki that I couldn’t take my eyes off of, which continued throughout her set.

I’ll be honest, the music wasn’t quite for me. It was more industrial-goth than goth-punk, which I am slightly familiar with, but I loved that her sound was so different from what I was used to. As I mentioned, music takes you to different places, and Riki’s music made me feel like I was in an industrial club in Germany. I don’t know if that is accurate in the slightest bit, but there was just something about the sound and ambiance that Riki created throughout her set that reminded me of every German club scene I’ve ever seen in a movie (which, admittedly, is not many). Although I picked up on the darker elements of Riki’s sound, there’s no denying that there were some moments where I couldn’t help but dance around a little bit. All of this culminated in a genuinely dynamic set that set the stage perfectly for what was to come from the headlining act.

Provoker’s sound stayed in the dark industrial-goth world that Riki had laid out but seemed to take it to another level. With a light show that felt bigger than the intimate size of The Entry, this trio played through their set with an air of mystery. I don’t know how to expand on that to convey what I’m trying to say, but there was something a bit creepy and mysterious about their sound and performance that, again, had me completely under their spell.

It didn’t take long for the vocalist to give up the stage and hop into the crowd, turning the otherwise tame audience into a bit of a sweaty mess if only for a song or two. Obviously, singers leaping into the audience is nothing new. I literally just spent my Thursday night watching Jon Batiste parade through a sold-out First Avenue Mainroom, yet there was something so intimate about this moment of Provoker’s set. I had never heard of this band before and was just at this show on a whim, but seeing how quickly Jonathan had connected with the audience both literally and on a deeper level was eye-opening.

Like Riki, the music of Provoker was different from my usual thing. As mentioned, I would put it in the industrial-goth vein of things, but it also came with nods to everything from new wave to post-punk. It was a dark and brooding sound that could be felt deep in your bones due to the booming bass sound. Again, I felt transported into a whole new world because of the sound, which was more than enough for me to feel entirely hooked by Provoker. I may have been slightly out of my element, but it was a welcomed feeling and a great way to kick off my weekend.

Line Up:

MüLLET

Riki

Provoker

Venue: 7th Street Entry

Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable

Average Age of the Crowd: 22

Crowd Surfers- None

Stage Divers- None

Mosh-ability- 3 out of 10

Amount of Beer Spilled On Me While Walking Around- 0

Broken Bones- None Noticed

Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing

Fights- None Witnessed

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 0

Idiots Taken Out By Security – 2

How Irritated I Was With The Audience – 1 out of 10

How Many Times I’ve Seen These Bands Before (or at least how many times I can remember)-

MüLLET – 1

Riki – 0

Provoker – 0

Celebrity Sightings – Spencer of LESLIE

Overall Score –8.2 out of 10

Show on Deck — Cold War Kids / Joe P // Militarie Gun / Pool Kids / Spiritual Cramp / Spaced

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