By the time I arrived at First Avenue on Saturday, there was barely a square foot of floor left to claim. The iconic Minneapolis venue was packed wall-to-wall, a living sea of anticipation humming with energy before a single note song was even started. It might as well have been declared sold out at the door—every corner, ledge, and balcony was occupied by fans ready for a night of foot-stomping folk fury. And when the music finally started, that crowd didn’t just stand there—they clapped, they howled, they sang along like a choir of the damned. It wasn’t just a concert. It was communion.

Bridge City Sinners took the stage like they were conjuring a séance, and in many ways, they were—calling out to the past of old-time Americana, folk-punk, and ragtime with a vibe that bordered being like a ritual. Their full stage setup was packed with instruments and character, the kind of ensemble that makes genre purists nod in respect and newcomers lean in with curiosity. But beyond the old-school aesthetic and raucous sound was a noticeable evolution. Six years ago, the Sinners leaned hard into their outlaw persona; now, there's an intimacy and groundedness in their presence that adds weight to every note.

Lead vocalist Libby Lux commanded the room with a voice that cuts through chaos like a rusty blade—sharp, raw, and real. She took a moment mid-set to reflect on the band’s journey, calling her bandmates her best friends. That warmth broke through the grit and hit hard. Another member noted how shows like this bring people together from all walks of life, and looking around at the crowd—who were singing back lyrics with passionate devotion—it was hard to disagree. It was a punk-folk revival led by a band that's grown not just tighter musically, but rich in soul.

When The Devil Makes Three hit the stage, it was like flipping the switch from gritty to god-tier. Their sound was so precise and clean, you’d swear you were listening to a recorded album—if not for the sweaty, cheering crowd reminding you this was very, very real. The trio—Pete Bernhard, Cooper McBean, and Morgan Eve Swain—held the stage with the seasoned confidence of a band that’s been doing this for over two decades but still plays like they’ve got something to prove. And the crowd? A glorious mess of flannels, cowboy boots, neon hair, fishnets, and leather. It was Americana meets punk, Burning Man meets dive bar, and everyone was welcome. From bluegrass twangs to outlaw ballads, the band tore through their set with ferocity and finesse. Highlights included tracks from their latest album Spirits, which digs into themes of grief and redemption without losing the toe-tapping thrill the band is beloved for. "The Devil Wins" and “I Love Doing Drugs” were shout-along anthems; "Ghosts Are Weak" silenced even the loudest bar chatter for a moment of collective reflection.

It was a sensational performance, and for a Saturday night at a rock venue doing folk/americana? It was an absolute treat.

There’s something sacred about a night like this—when every voice in the room rises together, when genre boundaries blur into a shared rhythm, and when bands like Bridge City Sinners and The Devil Makes Three don’t just perform, but connect. First Avenue was the perfect host: gritty, iconic, and alive. Both acts brought something different—one with reckless soul and the other with relentless polish—and the audience gave it all back tenfold.
It wasn’t just a show. It was a reckoning and reminder to all attending that real music isn’t just heard—it’s felt in your bones.