Common People got Saturday night's show off to a strong start at the historic First Avenue, setting a rock and roll tone with a sound that carried a nostalgic '90s grunge influence. With three guitars featured for much of the set, the band delivered a full, guitar driven performance that provided an energetic introduction to the evening. They also gave the Minneapolis crowd a reminder that they had been in town last summer for the Yacht Club Festival.
By the time Brigitte Calls Me Baby took the stage, First Avenue was packed.
My introduction to the Chicago based band came a couple of years ago through Minneapolis radio station The Current. Their sound immediately caught my attention, particularly the distinctive voice of frontman Wes Leavins. His smooth, crooner style delivery carries shades of Morrissey, giving the band a sound that stands apart from much of today's alternative rock landscape. The release of their latest record, Irreversible, only strengthened my interest, especially after "Slumber Party" began receiving significant airplay on The Current.
I came into Saturday night's performance hoping for a high-energy, no frills rock show. Brigitte Calls Me Baby delivered that and considerably more.
The band opened with the haunting "These Acts of Which We're Designed" before quickly shifting gears into "Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction." It was an effective opening that showcased both sides of the band's sound: atmospheric melodies paired with an energetic rock and roll edge. From there, the momentum continued to build as the crowd responded to nearly every song.
There was an added local connection through bassist, keyboardist and songwriter Devin Wessels, who has hometown ties to Stillwater, MN. His parents were in attendance, singing along to every word throughout the night. It was a personal moment that added another layer to what was already beginning to feel like a special evening.
Leavins also took time to recognize the important role The Current has played in the band's growing success. He specifically thanked Dave Safar for the station's support and radio airplay. For a band from Chicago that has found such a welcoming audience in Minneapolis, the appreciation was genuine. It was difficult not to view the evening as something of a homecoming, even if the band technically hails from a few hundred miles down the road.
The connection between the band and the audience was evident throughout the performance. Following "The Pit," the crowd erupted into an extended round of applause and cheering, bringing the band to a pause as they took in the reaction. It was one of those moments that gives you goosebumps and reminds you what live music is all about.
They followed with one of my personal favorites, "There Always," which prompted another enthusiastic response from the audience. Leavins has a knack for knowing when to let a vocal line linger, occasionally holding a note just a little longer before the room responded with another round of cheers. His voice is undoubtedly one of the band's biggest assets, but his stage presence and ability to command an audience are equally impressive.
The band wrapped up the main set with "Slumber Party," the song that helped introduce them to a wider audience through The Current. The response made it clear that the crowd wasn't ready for the night to end. Brigitte Calls Me Baby returned for a four-song encore that included "Eddie My Love" and "Impressively Average," giving the audience one final opportunity to enjoy a band that had clearly won them over.
Saturday night's performance felt like a homecoming for a band that may not be from Minneapolis but has certainly developed a strong connection with the city. More importantly, it felt like a glimpse of what could be ahead for Brigitte Calls Me Baby.
Leavins is a captivating frontman with a distinctive voice and natural charisma, backed by a band whose musicianship and songwriting continue to set them apart. They have the sound, the presence and the songs to take things to another level.
If the packed First Avenue crowd and the response throughout the evening were any indication, Brigitte Calls Me Baby may be approaching a turning point in its career. And if Saturday night was any preview of what's to come, don't be surprised if the next Minneapolis stop finds them playing an even bigger room.
