Kaitlyn Gilliland, trained at Minnesota Dance Theatre (under the guidance of her mother, MDT artistic director Lise Houlton), is surely basking in the rave review she garnered this week from the nation's No. 1 dance critic, and certainly its most acerbic: Alastair Macaulay of the New York Times. The "tall and appealing" Gilliland, a New York City Ballet veteran now with Twyla Tharp Dances, "exemplifies the best virtues of Tharpism in the evening's three works while remaining powerfully herself: statuesque and sweet, deadpan, playful and forceful," he wrote. Neither of her partners were a perfect match, Macaulay added, but no matter: "Nothing stops Ms. Gilliland."
RICK NELSON
Idol record
Of all the revered artists to play First Avenue in the club's 46-year history, the act that now holds the record for the highest-priced general-admission ticket might surprise you. It's not Prince with his landmark 7/7/07 finale (a mere $31.21 ticket). Not Paul Simon for his underplay in 2011 ($51). Not D'Angelo, Lauryn Hill or comic Dave Chappelle, who each purposefully picked the "Purple Rain" spot to host some of their first gigs after decadelong hiatuses (each charged $60-$65). Not even one of rock's most legendary recluses, Sly Stone, who charged only $65 for one of his first comeback shows in 2008 (canceled a week out). Nope, the record now goes to the guy who sang "White Wedding" to a crowd of 40- and 50-somethings on Sunday night. Asking price for Billy Idol: $70. To his credit, the show sold out weeks in advance.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
Holy homecoming
Craig Finn of Hold Steady fame was excited about playing at last weekend's Basilica Block Party for two reasons: It was the first rock concert for his nieces (age 3 and 5) and he had attended the Basilica of St. Mary as a kid growing up in Edina. "I had big life moments in that building," the Brooklyn rocker told the throng as he pointed to the Basilica. "This song takes place in another [Twin Cities] building less holy — the Riverside Perkins." He then performed "No Future" about meeting the devil at the late-night restaurant on Riverside Av. and I-94. Less holy, indeed.
JON BREAM
Wilson's double LP
Twin Cities pop/rock hero Matt Wilson finally has a second album hitting shelves this week by the Twilight Hours, the band he formed in the mid-'00s with his Trip Shakespeare bandmate John Munson. And he couldn't be prouder of it. "One of the reasons it took so long is because we probably made the record three or four times, really not accepting anything less than great," Wilson said of "Black Beauty," which the Twilight Hours will celebrate Friday at the Turf Club and Saturday at 7th Street Entry. Concurrently, he is also touting a new reissue of what might be the album he's proudest of: his 1998 solo debut, "Burnt, White & Blue," which he recorded about the same time and place that his brother Dan Wilson and Munson made Semisonic's breakthrough album "Feeling Strangely Fine."
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
Peterson comes alive
Twin Cities musician Paul Peterson has toured in recent years with the likes of Kenny Loggins, Oleta Adams and Donny Osmond. Peterson told Artcetera that his wife Julie really "approves" of his playing bass in Peter Frampton's band. "Frampton was the second concert she ever saw in her life, sitting on some guy's shoulders, holding up a sign that said 'Frampton Forever' inside a big heart," Peterson reported. We saw Julie Peterson Wednesday at Frampton's concert at the State Theatre but we didn't spot a sign that declared "Frampton Forever" or "I Heart Paul." At least Frampton gushed about Peterson, calling him "one of the finest bass players ever."
JON BREAM
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