SPRINTS Were An Act of Resistance in Minneapolis

To say it’s been a complicated time in Minneapolis lately is a very large understatement. Deciding how to navigate these waters has been a different story for everyone. Do we keep having shows? Do we stop altogether and focus on the task at hand?

As this week’s SPRINTS tour-opening show approached I wasn’t sure we’d see them. Understandably, we’ve seen some show cancellations and date changes because of ICE occupying our city. There’s no handbook for how to exist while fighting fascism. 

SPRINTS decided that they would go ahead with the sold-out show in a touching post on Instagram where they stated

“As a band we vehemently believe in the power of the arts as an act of community, love, and solidarity. We believe in the power of catharsis and channeling our energies into the creative catharsis of music. We believe in creating safe spaces for those who are marginalized, persecuted and seeking shelter from the pain of the outside world.”

That said, it was the night that we all needed. They decided to donate a portion of merch sales to IRRF to support communities impacted by immigration-related harm. 

First up was Trophy Wife. They’re a Brooklyn-based four-piece making rip-roaring grungy poppy rock. I have to say it was one of my favorite music discoveries so far this year. Their set flew by so quickly. It felt good to be discovering music I know I’ll keep loving long after the show has ended. 

I was having so much fun watching them shred through their set. The songs had great melodic elements and then would flip into all out rage at the turn of a dime. All of the sudden the band members would be on the floor with their guitars against their amps to create a fuzzy grunge paradise. Singer McKenzie Iazzetta was an absolute dream.

After the set they communed with the audience as they flipped the stage for SPRINTS. They shared so much genuine love for Minneapolis and told us that they are so proud of us back home for our fighting back against ICE. It was really moving.

While I could have gone home happy with the opening set, I was happy to finally see SPRINTS. They have been a mainstay in my playlists lately. 

The Dublin-based four-piece has been making a name for themselves in the garage punk scene since 2019, but had never played Minneapolis before this performance. How lucky of us to be there in a venue this small! We showed up, packed it out, and we’ll need more space next time! 

The theme of the show could have been “rage as resistance.” It reminded me of Idles, Sorry, Lambrini Girls, and Fontaines DC. If you don’t know those bands, just know it’s a high compliment. It was so cathartic to scream together and really feel united. We were recouping. We were healing. 

“Take a seat, let me speak

I'm facing issue, it's reaching peak

The world is brutal, he's keen as peach

Cloaking daggers underneath his speech

And it's rage, rage, rage

And all he knows is rage, rage, rage

And all he spreads is rage, rage, rage

And all he knows is rage, rage, rage“

At one point, singer Karla Chubb was nearly swinging from the ceiling bars. She later worked her way into the crowd and performed while screaming on the floor as the crowd jumped and screamed with her. Absolute catharsis. 

The room was drawn together through music and heartache. What a beautiful way to spend a night. I left with such a sense of pride in who we are as a city, and as a music community. 

Setlist:

Shadow of a Doubt

Beg

Descartes

Feast

Rage

Adore Adore Adore

Coming Alive

Better

Literary Mind

HDTSG

To The Bone

Something’s Gonna Happen

Heavy

Pieces

Up and Comer

Need

Deception

Desire

Little Fix