Declan Mckenna Brings “Protest Songs”
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June 1, 2018 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 17 Declan McKenna brings “protest songs” to MN Cari Spencer all loved this artist who isn’t very well- moving along as they sung the Editor in Chief known,” junior Alexis Mullen said. “We anthem back to him. were taking pictures at the wall and every- Outside of an unassuming beige build- one was cheering us on saying ‘Yes! Slay!’ For reasons beside the name itself, ing, a line of teenagers dawning Fresh It was just a great kind of community.” “The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Prince of Bel-Air-esque windbreakers and Home” was the perfect start to the mom jeans stretched all the way out to the Declan McKenna was the main event of concert; in an interview with New street, waiting to pour into the Burnsville the night. Before he took the stage, he was Musical Express, McKenna said Civic Center on March 13. Two hours opened by Chappel Roan, a female singer that the song is about young peo- later, they would see a 19-year-old indie from Missouri who made many new fans, ple being a movement of change artist from London dance around the Ga- judging from the various “your voice is despite the darkness in the world. rage stage in a sparkly bowler hat and gold iconic!” screams that sprung out from the The rest of the concert seemed to crowd. She played a few songs from her live out that meaning. From “Beth- tights. But for now, they waited, buzzing Photo/ Cari Spencer from excitement, or perhaps the cold. EP School Night, but since most didn’t lehem” to “Paracetamol” teenagers know her lyrics the crowd got the most were singing along to lyrics that 19-year-old Declan McKenna interacts with the Inside, the atmosphere of the venue was fired up when she covered “Dreams” by the demanded change--whether it be crowd. Cranberries, an Irish rock band that rose change from religious corruption, like an 80s or 90s time capsule party, from him that day. In many of his songs, the to popularity in the 90’s. a patriarchal society or the misrepresen- the dress of the concert-goers to the drum beat was switched up from the stu- tation of transgender issues in main- music played before the artists came on dio recorded versions, but it worked well. stage. Even without a live performer, the By 7:30 p.m., when McKenna took the stream media. stage, the audience was already amped up audience screamed out lyrics to whatever “You’re a lively bunch,” McKenna said, on music and life, but the show had only Each song that McKenna blessed the audi- the intermission stereo played--from “Take smiling at the crowd in the same semi- begun. As soon as he appeared, the crowd ence with was a nostalgic concoction of on Me” by A-Ha to “Gimmie! Gimmie! shy way any normal teenager in front surged forward to get a closer view, as if catchy guitar riffs and old-school pop, with Gimmie!” by ABBA--and danced with each of a crowd would. Although he was an extra 6 feet of space had appeared out a more modern use of synth. The whole other, regardless of being friends or not. comfortable enough to make a few jokes of nowhere. With an audience composed performance was raw, his characteristic The wake-up call of 2018 came with the (noteable was his comment about bring- primarily of high school kids, it was fit- lisp-like blending of words endearing air-dropping of memes from iphone to ing a mini Sprite on stage so he could say ting for the set list to begin with “The and genuine; there was no autotune or pre- iphone, every 30 seconds; a sign of classic “Hello Mini-soda!”--to which the crowd, Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home” from recorded vocal track, but that’s what made 21st century behavior. in his own words, laughed more than the his sophomore album What Do You Think him believable. He was real--a real musi- joke deserved), it was clear that he was “All of the people were super nice, and About the Car? Nearly everybody in the cian and a real dude--playing exceptional we had this kind of community where we audience responded by screaming then songs, and feeling wherever the music took ►See DECLAN on page 19 Sunflower Bean debuts shoegaze Ty Segall brings album Twentytwo in Blue some punk to Ellie Burr Bean are as musicians. This album Combining their rock edge with Opinions Editor wanders down a much more melodic their obvious passion for making and shoegaze path, unlike their previ- playing music, the band has had no Minneapolis Alt-rock sensations Sunflower Bean ous releases. This means that in the trouble being picked up for tours and debuted their second full-length al- recording of the songs, the musical festivals. Ticket sales have gone hand Nikki Praus psychedelic rifts that would bum on March 23. Twentytwo in Blue instruments and vocalization seem- in hand with record sales and overall Editor in Chief switch into an extremely is a mellow yet melodic coming-of- ingly blend together. It is apparent listeners. The band has over 282,000 punk sound within two sec- age album for the rock trio. Having that the band spent a great amount monthly listeners on Spotify. Ty Segall and Freedom onds. The band played one not released any new material since of time writing, producing and fine Band played at First Avenue song after the other with 2016, the band’s eagerness and tuning this record as it displays their Sunflower Bean will make their way on Apr. 7, and it was noth- almost no commentary to musical energy are boundless in the hard work. to the Midwest during the summer ing less than completely the crowd besides a, “this is creation and release of this eleven portion of their album promotion wild. The Bed Band came awesome, thank you.” This track LP, or full length album. Songs like “Twentytwo” and “Only tour. I would recommend grabbing before Ty Segall late Sat- allowed people to really A Moment” are softer and sweeter tickets to go see this talented young urday night and there were get into the songs and the The band, consisting of Julia Cum- than most of their previous work. band play an 18+ show at 7th Street some more mixed feelings overall concert. mings, Nick Kivlen, and Jacob Faber, Combining new elements like tam- Entry in Minneapolis. The show about his performance. blossomed in Brooklyn, New York. bourine and backing string sections, takes place on June 27 and costs There were drinks thrown Ty Segall started off with It originated while the trio were still it’s obvious in these songs that the $14 per ticket, according to First at the one man show while “Alta,” an example of a in high school in 2013, according to band has instrumentally widened Avenue’s website. people cheering him on. A song that started off slow, Mom+Pop Record Label. They re- their horizon. The guitar playing classic example that ‘Min- then completely slapped leased their first EP, or half of a full is focused more on softer soloing Overall, I would give this album a nesota nice’ can, and will, you in the face with punk. length album, Show Me Your Seven and melodic rhythm sections, rather nine/ten rating as I enjoyed it exten- prevail. It was the perfect amount Secrets two years after forming the than their previous use of solely sively. If the band blended a couple of happy and intense which band and began embarking on tours heavy guitar distortion. of their song transitions together, Ivan Antonio, who is in The kept people on their toes across the United States. leaving no space between tracks, it Bed Band, truly confused and excited. I don’t think Julia’s writing style has progressed would have made the record even the crowd while wearing one person left the concert Due to their success, they were as she sings, “If I could do it I better. You can find Twentytwo in a flannel over his face and without being drenched in picked up by Fat Possum Records would take her in my arms/ I Blue on all music streaming sites smashing cardboard moun- some sweat accompanied by early on in their career. However, would unwrong all his wrongs/ I such as iTunes, Spotify and Band- tains over his head. People a smile. they moved on to Mom+Pop Record could stay here and write a thou- camp. It is available for purchase for honestly tried to get into Label for releasing their latest sand songs/ just to show her that around $9.99. Special edition colored his performance and would Some may think people album, according to Mom+Pop the stars still come out behind the vinyl copies are also available online cheer him on, even when who are into punk would be Record Label’s website. fog.” This is only a tiny sliver of for order around $20. others were booing. It was punks, but it was the oppo- lyrical sophistica- a loose, strange, confusing site. You would get a hand Their unique sound combines tion present on performance but with some helping you up or a, “I’m so distorted guitar and bass sounds this album. Lou Reed tendencies and sorry,” if you got an elbow creating psychedelic melodies. Cum- psychedelic guitar, people to the face.