Yarrr…Flaming Lips play Roy Wilkins on Talk Like a Pirate Day

By Greg Swan, on June 22nd, 2010%

Flickr CC: paulcalypse

Flaming Lips and Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti will play Saint Paul’s Roy Wilkins Auditorium on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 26 at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium Box Office . . . → Read More: Yarrr…Flaming Lips play Roy Wilkins on Talk Like a Pirate Day

Music in Mears Park Schedule Announced

By Greg Swan, on June 6th, 2010%

I used to live in downtown Saint Paul just off Mears Park and always enjoyed the Music in Mears series at the bandshell there. It’s returning for its 7th year.

Here’s the schedule:

June 10
Opener: Kevin Anthony
Headliner: Romantica
June 17:
Headliner: Pippi
June 24
Opener: Star Again
Headliner: The Idle Hands
July 8
Opener: Molly Dean
Headliner: Communist Daughter
July 15
Opener: TBA
Headliner: TBA
July 22
Opener: Huna
Headliner: A Night in the Box
July 29
Headliner: School of Rock’s Road Crew (downtown St. Paul high school)
August 5
Opener: Minor Kingdom
Headliner: Zoo Animal
August 12
Opener: The Spectaculars
Headliner: Unknown Prophets
August 19
Co-headliner: Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps
Co-headliner: Halloween, Alaska
August 26
Opener: TBA
Headliner: . . . → Read More: Music in Mears Park Schedule Announced

Michael Buble didn't kill me last night

By Greg Swan, on March 29th, 2010%

Approximately 13,000 folks packed into Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul last night to see Michael Buble, the 34 year-old crooner known for his voice, boyish looks and distinct ability to make my wife glaze over like I never existed.

No, I’m serious, here. We made fun of the cougars, at first. And by cougars, I mean at least 10,000 women at 55+ wearing stiletto heels, leather jackets and with young fellas in tow. We made fun of how they cooed at the opening act and screamed at every Buble eyebrow lift. How they laughed at his jokes. How they took flash . . . → Read More: Michael Buble didn't kill me last night

SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 12

By Greg Swan, on March 1st, 2010%

This is an interview series in preparation for my SXSW Panel: The State of Music Blogs in 2010. I reached out to a number of influencers, musicans, labels, marketers and music fans to get their perspectives on the topic and will be posting these in a series leading up to the conference.

Today we hear from Jora Deziel, public & media relations coordinator for the acoustical marvel known as Xcel Energy Center and the horrendous echo cave known as Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

Why do you think music blogs are so popular?
It lets regular people voice their opinions – people can relate to . . . → Read More: SXSW: State of Music Blogs in 2010, Part 12