Live Blog: Totally Gross National Party 2023 at Icehouse
We’re going to be checking in from the first Totally Gross National Party to happen in many years. If you’re in the area, swing down to Icehouse for music from 3pm until bar close, both inside and outside.
- 4:02show up fashionably late (music was supposed to start at 3) to…no bands having started yet. Who says rock and roll is dead?
- 4:05unlike some of the previous years, a really nice tent is outside, so if you’re reading this in real time, don’t fear the rain.
- 4:09longtime local group and TGNP regulars Stolyette kicking things off. Dual drum machines flanking the usual bass/vocal duo. Welcome back TGNP!
- 4:16they also had a corner on enchanting, dark pop music, but there’s a real springy new wave beat that’s coming out of the songs today. Some people are even dancing!
- 4:30just the kind of eclectic, art-infused, dance-adjacent set this party deserved.
- 4:42running an hour late, so the next band is up and ready to go…just kidding.
- 4:51Zach Khan is a whole band (keys, horns, guitar, drums) that seem to have an average age of 12. Feeling like I should get a senior discount on my next beer when comparing my sore back to these kids.
- 4:56real glowed out funky pop that seems to be shooting for the radio. I’m a bad judge of what is popular but seems possible they this crew would have something down the line that breaks out.
- 5:12good crowd growing here. Also if you want some video evidence of the night, videos are on the ole Twitter.
- 5:42looooong break between set. Luckily seems like everyone knows each other and are enjoying some catching up. Seems like some issues with sound equipment?
- 5:46Xina now starting with a few holdovers from the last band. Real glossy pop music. Sounding good on a cloudy but nice summer afternoon.
- 5:53a great mix of warmth (vocals/horns) and mechanic (keys/drums) from Xina and band. And she is a totally captivating front person. Haven’t heard her stuff before but will be checking out.
- 6:14are the fries worth the cost? A spirited debate happening now. Stay tuned for results is informal poll.
- 6:32Albert, who put out an under-appreciated LP on TGNP back in the day, spraying noisy synths now.
- 6:42now dancing in crowd while the chaotic noise continues. Doing his part to make a dance party start.
- 6:47if you wish Aphex Twin was a little more weird, this is your jam.
- 6:56quite the jarring transition from that to Lambchop, but here we are.
- 7:03transfixing set by Lambchop, with Broder on keys. Just spellbinding the crowd.
- 7:06one long, haunting song. Just beautiful. Right as the rain starts.
- 7:12now we’re moving. Cole Pulice & Lynn Avery with some hypnotic sax/synth ambient. More beauty. Just great stuff.
- 7:32remembered food. Good decision.
- 7:43they’ve made the switch to music both inside and out, which seems smart. Local MC is inside, while Yonatan Gat setting upon outside stage.
- 7:51some cinematic post rock from the crew. Kinda over the top but in the best way possible.
- 7:54another “blink and you’ll miss it” set that could have gone on for an hour in my book. Just great stuff.
- 8:05another quick turnaround and Sid Srirham is on stage. Really deep, soulful R&B that sounds massive.
- 8:11wow. This is massive, stadium filling music happening in a parking lot in south Minneapolis. Just epic.
- 8:24well that was amazing.
- 8:33Godspeed to the understaffed bar staff. They’re doing their best.
- 8:52excited to see Joe Rainefirst time. Love his album and collab with Broder.
- 8:56yep, this rules. Two people creating a massive wave of sound around Rainey’s powerful vocals.
- 9:08as good as the album is (and it’s very good), the music takes another level life.
- 9:23who I think is Greg Fox playing an ambient synth set inside. Whoever it is sounds great.
- 9:27was doing some awesome ambient synth stuff and he spun around and started *throttling* the drums. it’s a one man Marijuana Deathsquads (who I think he’s joining later. Whew
- 9:29rain coming down as huge crowd welcome Polica back. Good to see Chris back on stage.
- 9:35they sound sharp and the crowd is loving this. Good stuff. A little rain won’t stop us.
- 9:52kudos to the people standing in the rain just outside the gates. I guess you win?
- 10:01really beautiful close to the outdoor set, now the fun moves inside. DJs playing, Marijuana Deathsquads setting up and Alan Sparhawk and Jeremy Ylvisaker ready to jam.
- 10:14Ylvisaker and Sparhawk using feedback to create walls of sound with a DJ in tow.
- 10:23ear splitting feedback and harmonics. Ear drums may bleed. Now they’re wrestling.
- 10:31they end in a wave of feedback, transitioning into a set from the DJ they were working with, Peder Mannerfelt.
- 10:46a dj set is happening. Many are dancing. Some good. Some mean well.
- 11:14the three drum cadence of Marijuana Deathsquads has begun. The electronic orchestra is taking flight. People are dancing.
- 11:43ears are ringing and drinks were spilled, but that was another wild MDS set
- 11:54more DJs, who seem quite good, and more dance (still questionable) but I’m old and my feet hurt and it’s time to go home. Thanks for a fun day TGNP!
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Writer / co-founder
