CAKE Served At Surly Field!
After a long wait, CAKE’s triumphant return to the Twin Cities was a smash. Last night was full of Minnesotan fears and dreams, and everyone came out on top. Let me explain.
First, the weather. I know I wasn’t the only soul feverishly checking the fate almost every hour, using all my psychic powers to make the rain light, or maybe, miss us entirely. A last quick look before driving to Surly? 60% chance of showers at 6. Doors were at 6:30. Ooof. Well, we may be getting wet. That’s fine I guess, it will be a good show either way, right? Right. Got to the brewery a bit early, wanted a good parking spot and some food without crowds. As driving through the poltergeists that haunt every mid-west summer, aka road construction, was getting a bit nervous about not being able to find a decent spot. When going to a show at Surly Field, highly recommend using public transit or getting a ride if you don’t want to battle. It can be a bit tricky parking due to their main lot being usurped by additional bathrooms, security, food trucks, etc.
Second fear, no clutch parking spot, evaporated immediately; a delicious 50 cent an hour metered spot was wide open. Parking at any show can be a headache in Twin Cities in every season, never know if a snow bank will steal your potential or a forgotten construction cone icing you out of another. Thankfully some luck was with me last night. $2.50 total to park til 10pm. Sweet. Now, food time. Snagged myself a Hazy Mosh Pit IPA before heading upstairs to grab a pizza. Pretending to consider other pies, succumbed to my tried and true favorite Pizza Upstairs za choice; the spicy and sweet I’m Your Daddy. Enjoyed my slices while watching the potential for rain turn into a light mist, then nothing. Tummy full and with double luck of no rain AND scoring a juicy close parking spot, my Minnesota joy levels were already off the charts.
Alrighty, concert time. Met up with fellow Twin Cities Media fellow and photographer, James Perovich, before heading in. The screening process at Surly Field is efficient, so not much time waiting around. Just look up the rules on bag policies just in case. Example, because the weather was debating on acting up, looked at their umbrella policies just in case I wanted to drag one around. No dice on those, not allowed. James and I got in line for some beer tickets ($10 plus tax per ticket) and scoped out the crowd. The sea of band eclectic band shirts was entertaining to peruse, in addition to many cargo pant varieties. As you know, more pockets = more storing and activity possibilities. Lots of food options inside the field for those needing to nosh. Everyone seemed to be in a chipper mood waiting for the 8:00pm showtime.
Opening up with “Sad Songs and Waltzes,” the audience was tickled by the Fashion Nugget throwback, and immediately captivated. CAKE is known for their killer covers, was hoping for a few to be on the setlist. One of my favorites, SSAW is originally a Willie Nelson song released in 1973. As each new song started, you could feel the swell of elation in the audience. Can’t recall the last concert I’ve been at where almost every person could have been a backup singer due to their razor sharp recollection of lyrics. Also, unique to this show, CAKE split their performance into two sets (10 songs first set, 8 second set) with a small but incredibly quirky intermission, centering around a tree giveaway (shoutout Julie for correctly identifying the Eastern Red Bud.) Two of my all-time loves, “Long Time” and Osvaldo Farres’ cover “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” were played in the first set. Second set had some snappy choices that every CAKE devourer relishes hearing live including “Frank Sinatra” and “Daria.” Just so perfectly dreamy. I’m convinced that once you get a taste, every song is a jam. Heavy hitters studded each set, as expected. They sounded fresh and effervescent even rocking their radio titan “Never There.” Fangirling aside, all the boxes were checked and expectations exceeded for an enjoyable experience. For me, I know CAKE will always be on the menu.
Photography by James Perovich
