December 2025 Recap
With Thievery Corporation, The Lemonheads, Alan Sparhawk with Trampled By Turtles, The Big Wu, Disco Biscuits, Twine, and more!
12.3 Thievery Corporation at Palace Theatre
DC based Thievery Corporation incorporate all kinds of world music, plus hip-hop, trance, and dub into their unique sound, which I’ve been a fan of for a couple decades now. Rob Garza (turntables, keyboards, percussion, acoustic guitar) led the band as the other TC founder Eric Hilton doesn’t tour. Longtime touring band member Rob Myers took center stage on several occasions to sit cross legged and churn out some dynamite solos on sitar, especially on “Lebanese Blonde”.
The highlight of the show for me was “The Heart’s A Lonely Hunter”, Thievery’s 2005 collaboration with David Byrne, exactly one month after Byrne played the proper side of the river. Like the other times I’d seen them, they did a handful of songs acoustically mid set for a cool tempo change. It seemed like the sitar was more prominently featured than the other two times I’d seen them, at the Varsity Theatre a couple years ago and at First Ave last September. I was in the loge for the first time ever at the Palace, which gave me the best view possible of the stage. Loge is actually just across the aisle from the normal balcony seats, just a little pricier. It was the somehow the first show I’ve ever seen from any part of the balcony level, despite having seen dozens of shows there since it was renovated by the city and re-opened in 2017. I’d heard the upper levels are fantastic when the venue is sold out, with the designated seats. With plenty of room on the floor and everyone remaining seated upstairs, I spent the last half of the show with the posse on the dancefloor.
Guest vocalists Mr. Lif, Puma, and Laura Vall were all outstanding!
“Lebanese Blonde”:
“The Heart’s A Lonely Hunter” sung by percussionist Frank:
12.3 Twine at Bunker’s
As with many Wednesday evenings, it was prudent to drop into Bunker’s for a night cap and some (more) good tunes. This was my fourth consecutive Twinesday.
12.5 O Brother Where Art Thou 25th Anniversary Tribute at Granada Theater
The groundbreakingly old-timey soundtrack to the beloved Cohen Brothers cult classic came out exactly 25 years ago this very day. Around a dozen musicians were onstage, with a different combination of musicians taking center stage for nearly every song of the triple Grammy award winning album. The collective did a superb job recreating the vibe and songs, and I’ve never seen so many people in the lovely Granada Theatre! I absolutely adore the Gillian Welch and Allison Krauss version of “I’ll Fly Away”, Krauss’ “Down To The River To Pray” and of course Dan Tyminski’s “Man Of Constant Sorrow”, recipient of one of the three Grammys.
12.6 Lemonheads at Fine Line
The set from the legendary and influential band started out with somewhat of a tame, slow rocking pace, but the intensity increased into sheer punk rock as the power trio got warmed up. Lemonheads mastermind Evan Dando was joined by bassist Farley Glavin and drummer John David Kent, who he recoreded the new album Love Chant with in his now home country of Brazil. Dando is responsible for two of the 90’s most melodic and popular alt-rock/grunge/punk pop tunes, “It’s A Shame About Ray” and “Into Your Arms”. Both fantastic pop songs that have held up for decades now and were a delight to hear live.
12.6 Travis Urness and Friends at Gluek’s
Just a short snowy walk down 1st Ave N brought us to the famed bar, where Travis and Friends played to a packed house following the Timberwolves victory across the street. Wolves and music fans alike were treated to an excellent rendition of “Back on The Train” and the band brought up a guest singer for the Zutons/Amy Winehouse number “Valerie”.
12.11 Alan Sparhawk with Trampled By Turtles at Fitzgerald Theater
A captivating show from Alan Sparhawk with Trampled By Turtles! It was powerful from start to finish. No surprise that two of my favorite artists put on one of my favorite shows of the year.
The seven musicians were in perfect harmony whether singing or playing their various stringed instruments. A particularly moving portion of the show was when Hollis Sparhawk joined her father and TBT for a few songs: Low’s holiday staple “Just Like Christmas” and the newer “Santa’s Coming Over”, after a duet on the gorgeous “Not Broken” from the new record.
Sparhawk’s lyrics have always been profound, and this new album, Alan Sparhawk With Trampled By Turtles, is a deep, existential reflection a few years after the untimely passing of his wife and Low co-founder Mimi Parker. The orchestral and sparce vibe of the album translated into an astoundingly beautiful live show - “Get Still” and “Heaven” featured some of the most soaring vocal harmonizing of the evening. As on the album, Ryan Young’s tormented, gut-wrenching fiddle solo on “Screaming Song” captured that song’s emotion perfectly.
Unlike the last performance of Sparhawk with Trampled, at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park in October, which I am happy to report I was also at, this show featured precisely zero Trampled songs. All nine tracks from the brilliant new album were performed, as well as a handful of Low classics like “When I Go Deaf” and “Silver Rider” - the latter of which was of course covered by Robert Plant a few years ago. Sparhawk was an early mentor to TBT and produced Trampled’s fantastic 2014 album Wild Animals, and he’s appeared on stage alongside (or right in the middle of) them many times to perform that title track. It was awe inspiring to see these musicians perform this new album, especially at an intimate venue like the Fitz, with a capacity of just 1,000.
Opening act Nona Invie:
12.13 The Big Wu with Kiss The Tiger at First Ave
Another fun late December show from Minnesota’s beloved Big Wu! Third year in a row, and I appreciate this new holiday season tradition. Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back In Town” kicked off the night. A lively “Kangaroo”, “Rhode Island Red” and a huge “Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald” within “SOS” were highlights, as was a rocking version of “Got To Get Better In A Little While” with Meghan Kreidler and Michael Anderson of Minneapolis power pop rockers Kiss The Tiger.
“Kangaroo”:
“Got To Get Better In A Little While” with Meghan Kreidler and Michael Anderson of Kiss The Tiger:
KTT:
12.14 Shotgun Ragtime Band at Driftwood
With Mike C covering lead guitar, and both Jazz and GR present on keys. Annie H sang on the “Sugaree” opener and Will sang “Althea>Not Fade Away”.
12.17 Twine at Bunker’s
I couldn’t possibly miss the final Twinesday of the year. Snowman, the hardest working sax player in town, took a rare sick day so it was a quartet, with Kale filling in for Jon on drums. A lengthy “Ain’t No Grave” kicked off the night, followed by “Midnight Rider”. A “Bird Song > The Other One > Bird Song” was a highlight, as was a groovy “Rescue”, played towards the end of the second set. These Wednesdays will feature on the best music events of the year list for me, they are consistently fun and the scene that has coalesced around the weekly gigs has steadily grown into a tight knit, goo time havin’ community.
“The Other One” jam inside of “Bird Song”
12.18 Disco Biscuits at Fillmore
I noticed that this is the only show the whole month at this Live Nation/Ticketbastard venue. I still have the hard ticket from the April 2020 Bisco show that was supposed to happen at the same place. For their return to MPLS, the 2,000 or so person capacity venue was only about half full (the upper level was closed, even for those who’d purchased VIP/balcony seats) but the Fillmore was thoroughly grooving to the electrojamfunk brought by the four piece Philadelphia veterans. This was the first night on their tour, and their first show with a new drummer.
12.20 Saltydog at The Party Palace
The Party Palace is a private residence near Lake Bde Mke Ska within a larger apartment complex - it was once six different apartments but over time the owner purchased more and more of them and removed walls so it is now one enormous dwelling spread out over three floors. There are several different balconies for an elevated perspective of the stage. It’s truly a one of a kind place for a big party! The ’Dogs played two lengthy sets and went ‘til 130am! The night got started with a fun opening set from Thor Leseman & the Savory Cats. Fiddle player Tessa from that band joined Saltydog for a few songs, as did Will Effertz of Twine. This was my 8th and final time catching Saltydog this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ve got planned for 2026.
12.21 Shotgun Ragtime Band at Driftwood
There was up to 10/11 people on stage as both keyboardists, GR and Jazz were again present, as well as two percussionists, Brandon and the other (newish) guy. Ben B was on drums and Brian was on lead guitar. Brad Ray joined for a good part of first set as well. And Happy Birthday, Terry!
Little Red Rooster w harp
New Minglewood Blues
Me and My Uncle
Mexicali Blues BR on vox
Run Run Rudolph BR on vox
Brown Eyed Women BR on vox
II
China Cat >
I Know You Rider
Truckin’
New Speedway Boogie
12.23 Dream Of The Wild at 331 Club
Jay McKinney of Dream Of The Wild, was joined by bassist Joe Barron and guitarist Joe Dunn for an evening of cover songs - always fun to hear surprises like Social D and Dr. Dog! And Will hopped on stage for a JJ Cale number, these are some active musicians!
Ball and Chain
Distant Light
Cortez The Killer
Terrapin Station
Long May You Run
On The Road Again Hot Tuna version
Magnolia w Will E
Shady Grove
12.26 Twine Holiday Party at The Cabooze
The more the merrier was the theme, with Jacob and Owen Mahon of Duluth’s SaltyDog joining for part of the first set, Mae Simpson joining for part of the second set, and Heatbox joining for some of the third set. Maxophone on the saxophone also joined for part of the set, and mentioned that this was somehow the first time he and Snowman had ever shared the stage.
12.27 About To Run with The Argus at 7th Street Entry
Art Hoffman’ s Phish Tribute band, About To Run, headlined this Saturday after Christmas show, along with guitarist Art Begley, drummer Mark ‘Munchie’ Collins and Berek Awend on keys. The band took on “Runaway Jim” to open, followed by “Run Like An Antelope”. There was a good sized crowd that must have been approaching a sell-out, even for opening band The Argus, a Ween tribute act. The lead guitarist of The Argus joined ATR for a few songs. Some of my favorite Phish songs, “Sand”, “Punch You In The Eye” and “Harry Hood”, were well executed highlights. Happy Birthday, Ryan!
About To Run:
The Argus:
12.31 Terrapin Stallion at Zora Darling
Terrapin Stallion is made up of musicians who also play in Dream Of The Wild. Tonight’s show, like the one around Halloween, featured the music of Grateful Dead and Ween mixed up together. It was a fun show with an appropriately celebratory audience. A few highlights for me were “Hell In A Bucket”, “Franklin’s Tower”, the Pigpen classic “Easy Wind” and Ween’s “Voodoo Lady”. Happy New Year!
Now that I’ve meticulously and ridiculously gone through all 12 months, I can say with a reasonable degree of certainty that I caught 172 shows throughout 2025. That’s across dozens of different venues in 4 different states (MN, WI, IL and CA).
Many of the shows involve more than one band - for example, at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass I saw 5-10 bands per day but would count each day as a single show. Some shows involve only one band - for example, the best band, Phish, at United Center in Chicago.
As we move into what is all but certain to be a sad, disheartening, challenging, exasperating, and exhausting year, take care of yourself and those around you. I will endeavor to heed the advice of Ms. Margo Price, who suggests “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down”.
Thanks for being here, and see you at the next show.