By Jon Bream

"I've never been here before and either has anyone I know," Owl City's Adam Young told me after his soldout show Saturday at the Cabooze, the venerable concrete-walled music bar on Minneapolis' West Bank.

The setting didn't seem to matter to Young or any of his fans, most of whom weren't old enough to drink at this all-ages show.

Backed by a drummer, keyboardist, cellist, violinist and his own guitar, keyboards and laptop computer, Young charmed with his bubbly, bouncy emo pop. The guy with the skinny black tie, white shirt with epulets and well-kempt moptop seemed fairly comfortable for someone who hasn't done many gigs. It helps, though, when the crowd adores you and sings along with nearly every song from "Ocean Eyes," Owl City's Internet-loved debut album.

Musically, the smiling, friendly Young with his gee-whiz "thanks you guys" personality sounded like a hybrid of Mika, Death Cab for Cutie and even the Jonas Brothers. The 23-year-old knows how to write personal-as-an-email-like lyrics about birds, oceans and icebergs. When he sang "Fireflies," the crowd singing along was almost as loud as he was.

The show was over by 9:30 p.m. and after the last T-shirt was sold, the Cabooze closed at 10 o'clock -- on a Saturday night. For probably the first time in 36 years.