Portugal. The Man Warms Up The Twin Cities With Two Sold Out Shows At The Palace Theatre

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Portugal. The Man is one of those bands that I’ve been seeing live for years but never get tired of. They’re not a band that I always remember to put on my “TOP FAVORITE OF ALL TIME!!!!” lists but I’ve never passed up an opportunity to see them perform in concert. So, naturally, when I heard that they were coming to the Twin Cities to play two nights, back to back, I knew I had to go. In typical fashion, I dropped the ball on getting tickets to night one but was lucky enough to review the second of the two shows.

When I arrived in St. Paul and made my way into the Palace Theater, a familiar feeling of excitement and comfort came over me. I knew what I was getting in to, and what I was getting in to was *good.* The Palace itself is a beautiful venue that I always jump at the chance to attend shows at. Which says a lot in itself since I’m the type who usually dreads having to travel all the way  to St. Paul for anything.

There was merch available immediately when I walked in, and I couldn’t resist taking a look. Taking a look turned into buying two shirts. Buying two shirts turned into me buying one more on my way out, but that’s a whole other story. I finally set my sights on the GA floor and found a decent spot towards the left where I hoped that, although the show was sold out, my view wouldn’t be too obscured.

The opening band, Twin Peaks, took the stage right on time and didn’t have any trouble getting the crowd going. They’re a five-piece indie/rock/punk outfit from Chicago. I’ve seen them open for some of my absolute favorite bands over the past few years and always make sure I don’t miss their set. I definitely wasn’t the only person there ready to rock out with Twin Peaks. Their set flew by and before I knew it, it was time for Portugal. The Man to play.

Portugal, The Man puts on a stage show that’s hard to forget. The lights are always impeccable. The communication with both the crowd and each other while on stage is impressive. And Saturday night was no disappointment. They started out the evening with two cover songs, one Metalica song and one Pink Floyd song. Then, they began their expansive setlist that had both new and old fans alike grinning from ear to ear.

They went from playing their current huge hit, “Feel it Still,” to “All Your Light/I Want You,” a Beatles cover. All three of those songs got, from what I could see, every single in the person in the Palace Theater singing along.

They finished their set with a Oasis cover, “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” and then came back for an encore. Their medley of “Sleep Forever / Smile / Hey Jude” brought the evening to a high point and ended it with a bang. That bang is what led me to buy a third tee shirt on my way up. That same bang also is why I found myself watching other live performances of theirs on Youtube that same night. I’ve been down the Portugal. The Man rabbit hole pretty much nonstop since Saturday, and I’m not trying to work my way out of it anytime soon.

Set List: For Whom the Bell Tolls / Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 / Purple Yellow Red and Blue / Number One / Atomic Man / Modern Jesus / Creep in a T-Shirt / Live in the Moment / Feel It Still / All Your Light (Times Like These) /I Want You (She’s So Heavy) / Evil Friends / Day Man / So American / People Say / Hip Hop Kids / Noise Pollution / Waves / Don’t Look Back in Anger

Encore: Sleep Forever / Smile / Hey Jude

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