Girl at the Rock Shows

Another day, another show. That’s right, I’m on a bender right now and, although it’s exhausting, it just feels so good. 2026 got off to a rocky start. I found myself out in the streets to protest more than out at venues to enjoy shows. I don’t regret it, but it does feel good to get back to what I love and to get my mental health back in check because, let me tell you, I was suffering without daily shows. Everything I’ve seen lately has been amazing, but Thursday night felt extra special because, out of all of the shows I’ve been to during this current bender, it was the first all-local line-up. My heart and soul were ready, and I showed up to the 7th Street Entry bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

I was enamored with Sophie Hiroko the first time I saw her at The Hook & Ladder last October, but the set felt short, and I felt like just when I really started to fall into this local songstress’s sound, the set was over. I was beyond excited for another chance to experience her magic and, although Thursday night was another short set from this amazing woman, I feel like I got more of what I wanted. Sophie isn’t afraid to lay her heart out on the stage. Her vulnerability wasn’t just heard, it was felt throughout the room as she and her bandmates powered through a set full of songs with vocals that felt more like diary entries than actual songs. It works for Sophie, but I really think it’s solely because of the way the songs are presented. It sounds simple enough to turn diary-styled words into songs, I know, but it really takes a performer with conviction and fire to pull it off, which Sophie does in spades.

Stylistically, Sophie is not just another singer-songwriter. Sure, I suppose when it comes down to it, that’s exactly what she is- a singer-songwriter, but when you see her perform (especially with a band as talented as the one who joined her on Thursday night), it’s so much more than that. The way that Sophie can go from the sweetest of tones to something so grungy and angsty in the same song, but make it feel wholly cohesive, is insane. Naturally, I was drawn to the more angsty moments of her set, but there’s no denying that they wouldn’t have hit as hard if it weren’t for the contrast heard and felt through every song. Kind of like the weather here in the Twin Cities, if you don’t like what it is, hang around for a couple of minutes, and it’ll surely change. If you didn’t like a particular moment of Sophie Hiroko’s set on Thursday, all you had to do was wait around for a few seconds for everything to change. Magical and perfect, Sophie Hiroko was the best way to kick things off on Thursday night at the 7th Street Entry.

I’m pretty sure I’ll never figure out Killed By Kiwis, and I’ve not only come to terms with that fact, but I’m also in love with it. As I think I put it the first time I saw this local rock band live, they are in the midst of an identity crisis. They are a huge band (six-piece) where everyone in the band clearly brings their own spice and flavor to the sound. Whether you want synthwave, pop-punk, nu-metal, psychedelic, glam rock, or just good ol’ fashioned rock n’ roll, Killed By Kiwis has it hidden within their intricate and ear-catching sound. It’s because of all of these different ropes that weave together to make Killed By Kiwis sound that makes it impossible to classify this band, but, as I’m coming to find out, that’s the point. This band doesn’t care what kind of music you like or what you want to classify their sound as. As long as it’s good music, presented well, and performed with an undeniable sense of heart and fire, it’s up for grabs, and this band does all of those things and more every time I see them.

Having seen Killed By Kiwis five times previously, I know some of their songs just from hearing them live. I loved hearing those familiar tunes and noticing how the band has really honed in on the tracks or added a little extra razzle-dazzle here and there that wasn’t there previously, but it was their opening song that really had me hooked. Killed By Kiwis kicked their set off with a brand new track, and it really highlighted the talent of this band. From the guitar riffs to the drum rhythms, I just felt like this new song really nailed it when it comes to highlighting all of the things that this band can do. It perfectly showcased the powerhouse that is vocalist Annie Thoma and left me absolutely stunned. Killed By Kiwis grinds. I feel like they are always playing out and always getting their name in some sort of press (as they should be), and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this year will bring for them.

I fell in love with Admiral Fox, the next band to play, back in 2024. I quickly became obsessed with this local indie-pop band and just could not seem to get enough, but then, as often happens, they fell off my radar. I don’t know if this is because they took a small step back or because I live in a place where there’s just too much music and not enough time, but I know that I hated the fact that they had fallen off for me. Thankfully, seeing them on Thursday night sparked my love for this band again, and I feel like this spark is even brighter than the last. I’ve always been enamored with the way this trio puts so much emotion not only into the words they sing but into the notes they play, and that was definitely the case on Thursday night, but it was more than that. I recognized their indie-pop sound but picked up on some new details that I either didn’t hear in the past or are new additions to their sound. Those details ranged from an almost prog-rock styled guitar to an arena-ready MUSE kind of vibe. These two “new” additions blended perfectly with a more Pedro the Lion kind of shoegaze that Admiral Fox has always done so well. I don’t know if Thursday night was a “return to the stage” for Admiral Fox or just a “return to me,” but I’m thankful it happened so I can become re-obsessed with them.

Closing things out on Thursday night was full catholic. Much like Admiral Fox, this is a band that I saw a couple of times a few years ago and fell head over heels in love with them, but for whatever reason, I just stopped seeing them live. I was beyond thankful that I had the chance to revisit their sound on Thursday night because it’s a sound that this world needs right now. Much like how the night started, full catholic has this way of blending angsty and slightly chaotic moments with moments that can only be described as tear-jerkers. I definitely wouldn’t classify this band as a dream pop band, but they definitely have some elements that would lean into that classification, while other elements lean them a bit more into a folk outfit. Either way, like the three previous acts of the night, full catholic bled emotion all over the stage and audience at the 7th Street Entry. Their raw and vulnerable sound was served with this almost dark and polarizing energy, making it impossible not to pay attention or even think about turning away. Beyond their sound, the way that full catholic isn’t afraid of space and silence is something that will always make this band stand out. They take care with their words, but not just the time that the words spend in the speakers, but the time that they don’t. This creates not only a dynamic performance, but also one that, at times, has a sense of tension that can only be soothed over by the healing power of full catharsis.

There were a lot of choices to be made on Thursday night. Cardi B at Target Center? Jesse Welles at First Avenue? The DollyRots at the Uptown VFW? Along with a smattering of other shows. I could have easily gone to something else, but my gut told me that the 7th Street Entry was where I was meant to be, and I am so glad that’s how I decided to spend my Thursday night.

Line Up:

Sophie Hiroko

Killed By Kiwis

Admiral Fox

full catholic

Venue: 7th Street Entry

Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable

Average Age of the Crowd: 28

Crowd Surfers- None

Stage Divers- 0

Mosh-ability- 1 out of 10

Amount of Beer Spilled On Me While Walking Around- $0

Broken Bones- None

Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing

Fights- None

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 0

Celebrity Sightings – 0

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

Sophie Hiroko – 1

Killed By Kiwis – 5

Admiral Fox – 2

full catholic – 2

Show on Deck —Lungs / SILVA / Caustic Abyss / RAHVN

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