Looking back at 2017 TCM will have covered over 450 shows and well over 1,000 artists. Asking our staff to give us their 5 favorite sets led to quite a bit of head scratching. We will share them with you over the next few days. Here are Jeremy Larsen’s favorites:
First on the list has got to by Halestorm. I’d been waiting to cover one of their shows for a while. I finally got my chance at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN. The first three songs went by like a blur and I actually stayed for the entire show. Lzzy’s voice was as amazing as when I first saw them several years back before I started taking photos. Everyone in the band made the show one that I won’t forget and I can’t wait until the next time Halestorm comes to town!
A close number 2, (if not tied for first), was Lindsey Stirling at the Orpheum Theatre. The recent Christmas tour had all of what people love about her shows. Dancers, humor, moving speeches in between songs, and great music is what you get from Lindsey’s performance. The tiny instrument section of her show was hilarious and it was impressive the band could play them. Lindsey Stirling captures your attention right from the start and holds you there for the entire set.
Doll Skin is a band that you have probably heard of recently, since they have a huge surge in fans due to the many shows they have played this year. They played in Mankato at The What’s Up Lounge and packed the venue just like they have in past shows. Even though they are starting to hit the tour circuit hard, they have been playing for years, and it shows in their performances. Doll Skin certainly has a live show that is packed with energy and talent.
Another local Mankato show makes it to number 4. Throw The Fight and City of the Weak are based out of Minneapolis at The What’s Up Lounge. Round off the show with Mankato based Diskord and you have a show full of local music and a packed house! This show makes the list because I love local music. We have so many wonderful bands here in Minnesota and I love being able to support them however I can! Plus, how often do I get to go up on stage mid-set and take a crowd photo like I did during City of the Weak’s performance!
Finishing off this top 5 list is the Agent Orange show at The What’s Up Lounge. A full night of punk from them, Libido Boyz, and Get Dead showed Mankato and surrounding areas that punk is not dead. Even though the venue is not very large, there was a floor full of moshing people and everyone had a great time! People had waited a long time for Agent Orange to return and they were not disappointed in the show!
Great