Girl at the Rock Shows

What will be your legacy? Have you thought about it? I know, it’s kind of morbid because it means that your life on this planet is over, but if you leave a legacy, is it really over? Although he left this world after a short battle with pancreatic cancer, local legend Paul Engebretson’s (referred to as Front Row Paul by many of those who knew him) legacy is nowhere near dead. In fact, it’s just getting started, as was proof of the FIGHT! For Your Civil Rights! event held on Sunday at The Hook & Ladder Theater & Lounge in Minneapolis.

One of Paul’s many legacies is the Minnesota Music Resistance. This is a group of people who take their love of music and use it to build and heal the community. Paul started this organization in 2024, and it truly stands for everything that Paul believed in and is being continued by some of his closest friends and people who just really believed in Paula and everything he stood for. It’s a power-to-the-people movement. A movement that tries to replace the ugliness of fascism with the beauty of music, and that was absolutely on display on Sunday, as even acts performed while many organizations tabled the event and provided information about how to get involved in making this world a little brighter. From the ACLU to the ERA, the movements that were tabling this event were movements that preached Paul’s ideals. Many of the people who volunteered their time to table for these organizations were familiar faces from the local music scene, just proving what Paul felt so strongly about —that we can use music for more than just entertainment; we can use it for a movement.

I’m going to move on and start talking about all of the amazing music I saw on Sunday if only to keep myself from crying. I didn’t know Paul super well, but I idolized this man and continue to do so even after he’s left this planet. So, before we go on and talk about the music of the day, what legacy will you leave? Personally, I hope my legacy is even half as great as what Paul left behind in this world.

Getting the day started was Dad Bod. I’ve been watching this local band evolve ever since I saw them for the first time in August 2021, and it’s safe to say that, after all these years, they’ve finally come into their own and are making waves. Their shoegaze and chill sound took over the space of The Hook and Ladder’s main room with ease. It was a beautiful soundscape that soundtracked both the conversations happening in the back of the room and the reason we were all there. Although sonically, Dad Bod was very chill, the energy that came through with every passing note was not, and every beat felt like a rallying cry for the most beautiful benefit show you’ve ever been to (because, at the end of the day, that’s what Sunday was).

The day was a constant back and forth between the main stage of The Hook and Ladder and the super intimate “Lounge Stage” situated on the other side of the room. The first act to take the Lounge Stage was The Daily Norm. I was instantly captivated by The Daily Norm’s distinct finger-style guitar playing. Although The Daily Norm’s music was easily drowned out by the conversations happening at all of the tables, there were moments when his grasp was inescapable due to the sheer beauty that he brought to the stage and air around him.

The Muatas is a duo with a sound that must be heard to truly be understood. It’s an understated, almost darkwave sound with a post-punk energy to it and lyrics and vocals that will make you stop whatever it is you are doing. There was something beautifully intimidating about The Muatas’ short time on stage and something that definitely stuck with me. It left me in love with this duo but also left me with so many questions and intrigue. The Muatas are definitely a band that I would love to see again sooner rather than later (although that could be said for every single act that performed on Sunday).

Walken Schweigert of Open Flame was next on the lounge stage. Joined on stage by a guitarist, Walken wailed on the violin and gave the audience a few wholly original songs that felt as if they were straight out of a movie. As if the beauty of this set weren’t enough, there was a moment when Walken started playing a handsaw and manipulated it to sound a bit like siren-like vocals. It was wild to watch and definitely the cherry on top of a gorgeous set.

The Silent Treatment absolutely rocked the mainstage, but that’s no surprise. This band is a force to be reckoned with. Their sound was definitely more up my alley than some of the previous acts, which helped keep me going through the long day. With their punk energy and anti-fascist message, The Silent Treatment shone under the lights and the constantly shining disco ball with ease, giving everyone that small dose of piss and vinegar that matched the meaning behind this event so perfectly.

Out of everything that happened on Sunday, I was most moved by Strong Buffalo’s performance on the lounge stage. I wish I had all of the right words to describe this set, but the truth is, my words will never do this man justice. From the sense of comfort and calm that he cast over the entire audience with ease to the beautiful intensity with which he performed each word, I was struck and absolutely in awe of not only the beauty of Strong Buffalo but also the power and intention that came with it.

Turn Turn Turn are legends in the local scene, yet Sunday was my first opportunity to experience their magic live. Although this band’s more folksy sound isn’t quite my cup of tea, they had me captivated throughout their time on stage. It was a chill set that, like the previous chill sets, packed a punch of passion and fire that was perfectly addictive.

M.A.Y. is a local act that everyone has been telling me I have to see, so I was excited to discover what she was all about, as she was the final act to take the more intimate lounge stage. Although just a solo act, the powerful sound that hit as M.A.Y. kicked into her set hit me like a full band. It was loud and in charge, even abrasive at times, but in all of the right ways. Stylistically, I was getting everything from Bjork to Marilyn Manson to My Chemical Romance all in the same song. I quickly understood why this is a name that is making waves in the local scene, and I can not wait for another chance to experience the magic that is M.A.Y.

Christy Costello was the final local act and the second-to-last act of Sunday night. The power with which she and her band performed was perfect for those of us who had been at this event all day and were starting to feel a sense of exhaustion take over. Christy had a lot to say and started saying some of it. She talked about all of the things that suck and frustrate her right now but then stopped and just let perfectly curated angsty tunes do the rest of the talking. Joined on stage by her fabulous band, I loved (and needed) the electrifying energy I was getting from these local legends.

Closing out Sunday night were some friendly visitors from Chicago — Ganser. I caught this band last April when they opened for Gustaf at the 7th Street Entry, so I knew I was in for a treat. Unfortunately, the long day, combined with the extreme heat raging outside, meant that many people had bailed out before Ganser started, leaving a relatively empty room and a sense of frustration and slight defeat from Ganser. Even with that, this Chicago-based band produced a powerful set that, although it was extremely short, definitely showcased the talent and power of this band, which had me hooked that fateful night last April when I was introduced to them. Ganser has the perfect amount of quirky artistry woven into their dynamically genre-defying sound, and I loved that I got to hear that again on Sunday, if only for about fifteen minutes.

Front Row Paul left a legacy when he left this world, and I got to be a super small part of that legacy on Sunday while I was at this event. Anyone who showed up, performed, volunteered, or worked at this event was part of that legacy. Paul left this planet far too soon, but it was nice to feel him all day on Sunday through the music, the activism, and the sense of community that reigned supreme throughout the day.

Line Up:

Dad Bod

The Daily Norm

The Muatas

Walken Schweigert

The Silent Treatment

Strong Buffalo

Turn Turn Turn

M.A.Y.

Christy Costello

Ganser

Venue: The Hook & Ladder

Smell-O-Meter: Food from the food truck that smelled absolutely amazing

Average Age of the Crowd: 42

Crowd Surfers- 0

Stage Divers- 0

Mosh-ability- 0 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

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 0

Idiots Taken Out By Security – 0

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

Dad Bod – 3

The Daily Norm – 0

The Muatas – 0

Walken Schweigert – 0

The Silent Treatment – 3

Strong Buffalo – 0

Turn Turn Turn – 0

M.A.Y. – 0

Christy Costello – 4

Ganser – 1

Celebrity Sightings – Martin Devaney / Cindy Lawson / Katy Vernon / Danger Pins / Annie of Annie & The Bang Bang

Overall Score – 10 out of 10

Show on Deck — The English Beat

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