Girl at the Rock Shows

Do you ever walk into a show knowing nothing about the performers and have your mind instantly blown? I’m not talking about walking in and hearing something delightful. I mean, that’s always a good time and a goal nearly every time I go to a show, but I’m talking about having your mind completely blown, annihilated. I’m talking about a show where you walk into the room, someone starts performing and, instantly, nothing else matters. You forget where you are, who you’re with, hell, you may even forget who you are because, in that moment, all that matters is the magic you are seeing unfold in front of you. Okay, this may not be something many people feel. I know not many people have the privilege of showing up at concerts they know nothing about and experiencing them without breaking the bank, but I truly urge you to show up at a venue at least once a month and let whatever happens, happen. That’s what I did Thursday night at the 7th Street Entry and, honestly, I don’t know that my life will ever be the same (and yes, that’s me being dramatic, but really, what an amazing show).

Kicking off Thursday night at the super cozy 7th Street Entry in downtown Minneapolis was hometown heroes Woolly Mack. Okay, I’ll be honest: I had never heard of this band before seeing them on Thursday, so calling them hometown heroes may be a bit of a bold statement, but this band is bold, so eff it; I’m running with it. I’m not sure that this band knows what year it is. I’m also not sure that I care. Their music felt very 70s and came off as chill yet energized, making you want to dance and instantly forget that maybe you’re not much of a dancer. There was something about seeing the stage filled to the brim with brilliant musicians that just made me feel at ease. I wish I could expand on that, let you see into my brain and how seeing a full stage brought me a sense of comfort, but truly I can’t. So why even bring it up? Because it was something that stuck with me. Truthfully, it just continued on with that timeless vibe that this band had. I wasn’t around in the 70s, but I feel like Woolly Mack not only nailed the sound; they nailed the vibe, and I was here for it on Thursday night.

Although I loved Woolly Mack and definitely hope to see more of this local band in the near future, they aren’t what blew my mind. I was splitting my time between the 7th Street Entry and First Avenue (the iconic, larger of the two rooms that make up this venue block), so I missed the transition between Woolly Mack and the headliner. I even, unfortunately, missed the first song or so of the headliner because I wanted to see what was happening upstairs. I don’t think me being in the 7th Street Entry as soon as MT Jones started his set would have changed anything. I wandered into the 7th Street Entry after joking with the doorguy for a hot minute and instantly regretted thinking working two shows on Thursday night was going to work because, truthfully, MT Jones had me absolutely stuck.

I walked into the dark and cozy room and forgot everything. The cameras that had been held firmly in my hands dropped to my sides (don’t worry, they were on a harness so no damage done), which matched the motion of my jaw. I didn’t have to hear the music; all I had to hear was MT Jones’ voice. It was timeless, it was classic, it was perfect. To say that you could see and feel souls through every word that MT Jones sang would be a painful understatement, but I also don’t know how else to explain it. Joined on stage by a bassist and drummer, MT led the charge of heart-filled anthems and slightly crooner-like ballads. None of what this band was playing was my normal jam. There were no blast beats, no breakdowns, but I was in love. I was enamored, and I was lost for words. It’s the morning after, and clearly I am still struggling to find the right words. Like I said at the beginning, my mind was just absolutely blown.

I may have been a stranger to the world of MT Jones, but clearly, I’ve been living under a rock. The show on Thursday wasn’t sold out but, for a chilly and misty Thursday night at the tail end of summer here in the Twin Cities, there were more people than I expected at this show. Sure, some conversations were happening at the back of the room, but, beyond that, it was all eyes and ears on MT Jones. It was truly remarkable to watch the power that this man had on everyone. I wasn’t the only one having my mind blown; we all were, and although it surely happened differently for everyone in the audience, one thing was constant: the unwillingness to miss a single beat of a single song. MT Jones controlled us without even trying, and it led to a stunningly beautiful and powerful set I will not soon forget.

Thursday night at the 7th Street Entry was one of those shows that, if I weren’t in the position I am in, I wouldn’t have gone to. I knew nothing about either act playing, and based on their bios on the venue’s website, neither sounded up my alley. That said, I took a shot and checked it out, and it truly added a spark to a week plagued by stress and exhaustion. I know very few people have the privilege of just walking into a show free of charge, but again, I urge you to try it at least once a month. This was a cheap show in the grand scheme of show-going, and it was worth every penny and more.

Line Up:

Woolly Mack

MT Jones

Venue: 7th Street Entry

Smell-O-Meter: Nothing Notable

Average Age of the Crowd: 41

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

Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing

Fights- None

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 0

Celebrity Sightings – None

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

Woolly Mack – 0

MT Jones – 0

Show on Deck – Unsane / Hammerhead / In Lieu

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