ZZ Ward and Cat Clyde packed the Fine Line Cafe on Friday evening for a sold-out show. ZZ has played many times in the Twin Cities and has always put on a great performance, but this was Cat Clyde’s debut in Minneapolis. ZZ Ward has a huge following here in Minneapolis. I have been lucky enough in my career not only to meet ZZ and talk with her but to photograph her several times. I always look forward to seeing her on each tour.
Opening up the evening was Cat Clyde a brand new artist out of Stratford, Ontario. Cat released her debut album “Ivory Castanets” in early 2017. She is a fresh take on the classic sounds of yesteryear; breathing new life into the velvety vocals, tack-piano, slide-guitar-style that can instantly walk you through the swinging doors of a packed saloon with her voice alone. Her major influences range from Etta James to Janis Joplin.
Cat played a solo thirty minute set with her acoustic guitar. Her vocals are so good she doesn’t need a band behind her. Cat had said “before the show she had the chance to sit down and jam with ZZ Ward and what a treat that was”. The fans loved loved her energetic performance.
At 9:30 pm the lights went down and the capacity crowd went nuts as ZZ walked out on stage. I was truly excited with anticipation for another great concert. ZZ opened her set with the song “Ghost” and then right into her monster hits like “Put the Gun Down” and “Til the Casket Drops”. The fans were blown away with excitement and energy from ZZ and her band. After the fourth song ZZ was trying to speak to the fans and the fans began singing “Happy Birthday”. ZZ thanked the fans over and over. She said “ She loves to play in Minnesota so much for all the love the fans show her”. She played an incredible sixteen song set including her smash hits “Ride”,”Love 3x”, “365 and “Blue Eyes Blind”. ZZ Ward is definitely a performer I would recommend everyone seeing. Her new album will be out soon.
