Maybe it was the warmer temps, maybe it was the spring fever that is plaguing us Minnesotans that drew a sold out crowd to First Avenue’s 7th Street Entry on a Wednesday night (no easy feat). But more likely it was the stellar lineup of Courtship, Coasts and The Hunna that brought a lively sold-out crowd to the Entry. Whatever it was – there was no shortage of good music and better vibes to go around on Wednesday night.
Opening up the evening was Los Angeles based duo Courtship. And though these two hail from LA, they felt right at home among the crowd in Minneapolis. “You guys – Minneapolis is actually the first city that ever played our music on the radio, Go96.3, which is kind of crazy,” said guitarist Eli Hirsch. “Yeah – we feel like we know all of you guys, this is awesome,” keyboardist Micah Gordon went on. Though Courtship has only been making music together for a couple years, both Hirsch and Gordon has roots in music – playing in various projects throughout LA before coming together to form Courtship. So though their “up-and-coming,” the two are no strangers to the stage. For the moment Hirsch and Gordon took to the stage, they had the Entry dancing and clapping along with their infectiously feel good sound. Their like a beachier Passion Pit, combining shimmery synth and hooky, ear-wormy chorouses. “Come on, come closer, you guys can get closer,” Hirsch urged the crowd. “Alright, it’s starting to feel like a show,” he laughed. Courtship commanded the Entry like a headliner, not an opener. Their set featured Perfect People, Bad Fun and Sunroof. Although this was Courtship first time in Minneapolis, we can only hope it won’t be their last.
Following Courtship was Bristol-based five-piece Coasts. “Last time we played here there was probably half this many people,” vocalist Chris Caines said. “It’s sold out? We’re glad we finally sold it out,” he went on with a laugh. Coasts, like Courtship, have the stage presence of a band who has been doing this for much longer than it seems. Caines live vocals are near perfect and their sound as a band is polished from top to bottom, while maintaining that gritty, garage rock sound we love that so often comes out of Bristol. Coasts has that arena-ready sound of Bastille, Kings of Leon or a heavier 1975. Their songs that need to be sung along too, which is exactly what the packed crowd at The Entry did. It’s clear that thought Coasts was a long way from home in Minneapolis, they’ve got quite the following here already. And with a sound is that perfect blend of gritty and polished, darker and heavier but accessible, it’s no wonder why. “You guys, we’re having so much fun, you’re our favorite crowd so far,’ Caines said half way through the set. Their set featured Ocean, Your Soul and Let Me Love You. Coasts is one of those bands we look forward to watching continue to play to bigger and bigger crowds each time they stop through town. Add these guys to your playlists because we’re sure to see plenty more from them in the months and years to come.
And headlining the evening was of course The Hunna – a quintet who has been making major waves since their debut album was released just two years ago. The Hunna was formed back in 2015 in Hertfordshire by singer/guitarist Ryan Potter, lead guitarist Dan Dorney, bassist Junate Angin and drummer Jack Metcalfe. Since breaking onto the scene with their debut single Bonfire, The Hunna has racked up quite the accolades – from climbing both UK and US charts to touring with Jimmy Eat World, it seems to be nothing but up for the five-piece. And after seeing them live for the first time at the Entry it’s evident why. Frontman Ryan Potter, with looks like a young Kurt Cobain but a sound that is part Foals part Bastille part Queen part something all their own, is a force to be reckoned with. His vocals are so distinctly unique – he really is one of those voices that doesn’t come along too often. “We’re a long way from home, and so we never really know how many people are going to show up, so thank you for all being here,” Potter said through his thick accent during the set. The Hunna played a powerful set that featured a handful of tracks off their debut album, as well as tracks from their forthcoming release Dare – due out this May.
It was packed wall to wall, there was a touch of spring in the air, there was great music from the opener to the headliner and just all around what Minneapolis needed to get through another hump day.
