After a couple of relatively slow months (as is always the case in the summer), First Avenue's calendar is starting to fill in nicely for the autumn (also always the case).
Current 89.3 folk-rock darlings Dawes and Blitzen Trapper announced a co-headlining tour today that includes a Nov. 4 date at the club. Tickets are a very reasonable $22 and go on sale Aug. 12 at noon, or both bands' sites are offering some pre-sale tickets this Friday along with a free six-song sampler (three by each band). I'd make the case that Dawes should top the bill, especially in Minneapolis, but it sounds like they'll be swapping slots night to night. Blitzen Trapper's latest Sub Pop album, "American Goldwing," lands Sept. 13.
Also newly announced is another Drive-by Truckers gig on Oct. 25, which will probably be twice as long as the band's 90-minute set last month at the Basilica Block Party. And God love 'em, the Truckers are bringing Those Darlins along as openers this time. Those tickets ($20) go on sale this Friday.
First Ave also just announced what I believe is its first show with NOLA party band Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, who put on a riotous Minnesota Zoo set in June despite playing in the rain. Also look for another Rural Alberta Advantage main-room gig on Sept. 24 (on sale Saturday). That same night as RAA, First Ave will also present a Triple Rock show by British buzz band the Horrors, whose album I found quite hollow and tritely retro, but that one's sure to sell out.
And speaking of retro, '80s hair-mousse users should note that the club also recently put on sale a Sept. 8 show with the Psychedelic Furs and the Tom Tom Club as well as the Sept. 26 return of O.M.D.
