A few of the local music scene's youngest breakout acts of 2012 will join some of the oldest at the Current's eighth birthday party, which is coming up quick, Jan. 18-19, at First Avenue.
Orchestral pop wunderkind John Mark Nelson -- who issued his debut record last summer just after graduating from Minnetonka High School -- will kick off the Friday night lineup, which also features the dusted-off '60s-'70s stars of the Secret Stash Records compilation, "Twin Cities Funk & Soul," plus headliners the 4onthefloor. This morning's on-air announcement of the two-night bash culminated with the debut of a new track by Cloud Cult, who will return from a long break to top off the Saturday night bill along with Soul Asylum frontman Dave Pirner and a couple other young buzzers. Here's the full lineup:
FRIDAY, JAN. 18
John Mark Nelson
Chastity Brown
Twin Cities Funk & Soul All-Stars (members of the Valdons, Prophets of Peace, more)
The 4onthefloor
SATURDAY, JAN. 19
The Chalice
Now, Now
Dave Pirner
Cloud Cult
Tickets go on sale online Friday at noon to Minnesota Public Radio members, and a small number will be available in person (for non-members, too) at the Depot next door to First Avenue. If any are still available on Saturday, they will then open up to everyone online. Past years have sold out right away, and this year probably won't be any different. The 4onthefloor packed First Ave all on their own for their first-ever headlining slot there last April. Cloud Cult hasn't played in the Twin Cities since an Orchestra Hall gig last July, and fans are eager to hear the tunes off the band's first record since 2010, simply titled "Love" and due out March 5.
