Another great sold out show for BD1 and the band at First Avenue this weekend. It just kills me that we haven’t booked these guys at the resort – complete no-brainer, in my opinion. This concert was our Christmas present from kid one and she paid for the tickets entirely from her own work income – thanks, kiddo!

The opening lineup had some people I would’ve normally seen, but we decided to stop in at The Depot Tavern first for some drinks (and snacks). 4otf wasn’t scheduled to start until 11:30 and I’d say we got there just as Communist Daughter was starting up. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a band get cut off at First Avenue before, but it undeservedly happened to them.

When we first came in, the place was packed. We pushed our way over to the merch table, then headed upstairs. I hadn’t been on the second floor for a long time and now I remember why – the sound is terrible and all the worst talkers hang out up there. The sight lines were good, but we decided to head back downstairs and maneuver ourselves behind the soundboard.

The headliners started about ten minutes later than scheduled, but the new light and smoke effects were worth the extra set up. Rupert was of course there, along with someone in a gorilla suit and two people operating a giant smoke ring cannon. Colleen and I disagreed about the quality of the new guitarist, but we were both very happy to have them play David Bazan’s Wolves at the Door, which Colleen had requested on their Facebook page.

The show lasted until about 1 a.m. and included an encore with dedications to former First Ave staffer Billy Sverkerson and singer-songwriter Zach Sobiech, who we saw perform Clouds with them at the Current’s birthday party earlier this year.