One of rock's most lauded new acts of the year -- and certainly the best one I saw at last month's South by Southwest Music Conference -- the Alabama Shakes will finally make their Minnesota debut Aug. 2 at First Avenue. Tickets go on sale Friday at noon for $21.50 through eTix.com and First Ave outlets.
The young, scrappy-looking but polished soul-rock quintet -- which really is from Alabama -- has been in steady rotation at 89.3 the Current for several months with the uplifting single, "Hold On." Its full-length debut, "Boys & Girls," only just dropped a couple weeks ago, and it has yet to perform here on tour. They're playing here on their way to Chicago for Lollapalooza. This is one buzz band that's definitely ready for the First Ave main room from the get-go. They rocked the comparably sized Stubb's BBQ amphitheater in Austin to the tilt during SXSW. Seeing them live not only demonstrated the thick, deep-down grooves heard on the record, but the live set especially emphasized the compelling charisma of frontwoman Brittany Howard, who hardly looks like rock-star material but bowled over the crowd with her preacher-like fervor.
Consider this a sermon: You don't want to miss this gig.
