After wrapping up their successful reunion run last year, Babes in Toyland sat dormant through 2017. And then Dave Grohl called.
Twin Cities music notes: Babes in Toyland return by request; Mustard Daze squished
Dave Grohl called on the Minneapolis trio, sparking Friday's hometown show.
September 21, 2017 at 7:50PM
The Foo Fighters frontman invited Minneapolis' reformed punk trio out to their Cali Jam festival in two weekends. Hard to say no to that. To warm up for the big gig, Kat Bjelland, Lori Barbero and their young-but-broken-in bassist Clara Salyer decided to add a hometown gig Friday night at the venue where they feel warmest, First Avenue (9 p.m., $20).
Joining them at the show will be Babes heiresses Bruise Violet as well as Porcupine, the new band with Hüsker Dü bassist Greg Norton, who believes this will be the first time in 30 years he's played the main room. That it comes just a week after the death of his ex-bandmate Grant Hart, he said, should make it "an emotionally fueled rocket sled ride." …
Maybe the coolest music lineup to hit Rochester since the 2004 Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson ballpark concert, this weekend's Mustard Daze festival at the Mayo Civic Center with the Suburbs, Low, Poliça, Sarah White and more was abruptly canceled earlier this week due to poor ticket sales. This is why you can't have nice things, Rochester (well, except for world-renowned medical care). … Somehow, Low has gone all year without playing a Twin Cities gig, so let's hope talk of another Christmas gig in town comes true. …
After also lying low locally all year while they worked more on individual projects, all seven members of Doomtree will finally hit the stage again on Nov. 22 — and it'll be a new stage for most of them. The show will mark their Palace Theatre debut as a group ($25-$40, eTix.com). … Andrea Swensson of 89.3 the Current will celebrate the release of her new book on the '60s-'70s funk and R&B scene, "Got to Be Something Here: The Rise of the Minneapolis Sound," with a fittingly old-school party at the Fitzgerald Theater on Oct. 28 featuring the Valdons, André Cymone, Willie Walker and a Family Band reunion along with new-schoolers Nooky Jones and PaviElle ($25-$50, eTix.com). …
Holding down Sunday and Monday nights at Bunker's in Minneapolis since 1987, Dr. Mambo's Combo will mark its 30th anniversary with — what else? — a Monday gig at Bunker's on Oct. 16. That night promises to feature some special guests and other surprises from the all-star groove band, anchored by Margaret Cox, Michael Bland, Sonny Thompson and Billy Franze, among many other reputable local players and Prince alumni. … KFAI's "Womenfolk" will celebrate its 15th anniversary and kick off the public station's fall membership drive with — what else? — a stellar lineup of women artists at the Hook & Ladder Theater on Sunday, including Reina del Cid, Ellis, Mary Bue, Prairie Fire Lady Choir, Vicky Emerson and more (7 p.m., $10 suggested donation).
Critics’ picks for entertainment in the week ahead.
