Tapes ‘n Tapes, Wild Light & Solid Gold @ First Avenue

Tapes ‘n Tapes

Last night was a true hometown celebration in downtown Minneapolis, with local bands Solid Gold and Tapes ‘n Tapes managing to completely sell-out First Avenue’s main room (and then some). The large venue allowed Twin City music fans the opportunity to pack the club and show their love to both bands, and gave the groups the chance to fill the room with the sounds and spirit that have garnered them all of the acclaim in the first place. Tapes ‘n Tapes have already made their way rapidly up the musical hierarchy and from all indication Solid Gold should soon join them on the national stage—last night’s entertaining and energetic show was further proof why both bands warrant all of the attention and accolades.

Solid Gold

Solid Gold

Solid Gold

Normally, when you have three bands on the bill for a show at First Ave., people are still filing in while the opener is finishing its set. Friday night however, the club was good and packed by the time Solid Gold took the stage. That must have been quite a confidence boost to the band (who were playing one of their largest Twin Cities shows to date), because they came out sounding tight and focused, with their mix sounding superb and their smooth sound easily permeating the entire club. By the time they played their second song of the night, “Armored Cars,” they were settled in and the club was theirs for the taking. They rattled through most of their stellar debut record, even playing one new song that fit seamlessly into the flow of the set, and other than thanking Tapes ‘n Tapes for having them as openers, kept strictly to the music.

Solid Gold

Solid Gold

Solid Gold

Tapes ‘n Tapes selecting Solid Gold to open the show was quite a smart move, and certainly no accident. Their longer than usual set (for an opening act) confirmed not only that they were a local band that Tapes were generously providing a larger stage (and audience) to for the night, but also that the band has the kind of sound and appeal that can fill First Ave. on their own, which I’m sure they will soon. I’m curious to see how they go over in Austin for SXSW but based on their captivating performance last night national success should be imminent. And these guys certainly deserve it for they have crafted one of the most unique and listenable local records in recent memory with Bodies Of Water, and have an enthralling live show to match. Solid Gold were given a golden opportunity to play to a full room at First Ave. and they stepped up and delivered a knock out set to an admiring audience that will most assuredly propel them on to bigger and better things.

Solid Gold

Wild Light

Wild Light

Wild Light

Wild Light

Following Solid Gold’s set would prove to be a difficult affair for any band, and New Hampshire’s Wild Light, while being a tight live band with anthemic songs and earnest choruses, were a bit of a let down after such a stirring opening set. Under different circumstances their sound and style would perhaps be more engrossing, but I found myself anticipating the headliners more and more as their set progressed. “California On My Mind” is a hell of a song though, and was the highlight of their set for me.

Wild Light

Wild Light

Tapes ‘n Tapes

With the club now packed well beyond capacity, Tapes ‘n Tapes didn’t waste any time in tearing into the beginning of “The Dirty Dirty” before the projection screen covering the stage was still rising, starting a fiercely paced set that rarely let up all night. Due to incessant touring and a burgeoning familiarity with their material, they have become an even tighter band since I last saw them headline the main room last year. Their sound last night was buoyed even more by the addition of drummer Jeremy Hanson’s brother Jacob on guitar during part of their set. It was clear right from the start that the boys were on point and out to set fire to the place, tearing through early set highlights “Hang ‘Em All,” “The Illiad” and “Headshock” without so much as a word to the capacity crowd nor much of a chance to catch their own breath. It was a blazing start that was inevitably bound to subside a bit, as it did with “Conquest,” which finally allowed front man Josh Grier the time to acknowledge the capacity crowd and thank us all for coming.

Tapes ‘n Tapes

After a sped up and feisty version of “In Houston,” the set really took off with the rousing one-two punch of “10 Gallon Ascots” and “Insistor” that reminded me why these guys blew up in the first place. They tore through these familiar songs with the same intensity and energy that they did when the songs were first written, fleshing them out with a grittier sound and a potency born from years now spent on the road. Josh went on to say that this is the first time they’ve played Minneapolis while being in the middle of their tour, and it was nice to be home after three weeks on the road. The band also debuted a few new songs during their set that had a fresh and lively sound that will fit right in with their varied and distinctive catalog.

Tapes ‘n Tapes

Tapes ‘n Tapes

The set did have a few lags in energy (it would have been nearly impossible for any band to keep up that level of ferocity all evening), so while songs like “Demon Apple” and “Say Back Something” were good additions to the set, they just lacked the whip-crack potency of the earlier part of the show. That strength of sound returned quick enough, though, with the slow build of the cacophonous “Manitoba” and the frenetic set closer “Jakov’s Suite” that had a good part of the capacity crowd thrashing right along with the band. The encore was as tightly wound and focused as the main set, with the band wasting little time backstage before storming back out to play spirited and explosive versions of “Cowbell” and “Just Drums” that proved to be a perfect finale to a set that found the local band showcasing their continually evolving talent and dexterity before an audience that has been rooting for them since the beginning.

Tapes ‘n Tapes

And that’s what the night ultimately became—a celebration of two local bands that, while already having achieved great things, are hopefully both bound for more. And if all goes well, the enormous crowd that greeted them at First Avenue last night will just grow in numbers and stick with them every step of the way. I know I will.

[Review by Erik Thompson, photos by Jon Behm]

Tapes ‘n Tapes: Purchase | Official | MySpace | Wikipedia
Wild Light: MySpace
Solid Gold: Purchase | MySpace

Also: Solid Gold “Bodies of Water” Review