070 Shake @ First Ave - Minneapolis

February 9th, 2025: 070 Shake, Johan Lenox, Bryant Barnes @ First Ave- Minneapolis, MN

070 Shake | Photos Courtesy of: Juliet Farmer

On a bitterly cold Super Bowl night in Minneapolis, I wasn’t sure what the crowd would be like at the First Ave Mainroom. Sure, 070 Shake and her opening acts (Bryant Barnes and Johan Lenox) have an impressive collective fan base—but given the circumstances, I feared their usual crowd might not venture out. At first, it seemed likely. The crowd was thin for Lenox’s act as he started the night with his melodic and heartfelt songs, occasionally waving his arms in conductor fashion to communicate with the two strings players that shared the stage. Despite the size of the audience, Minnesota pride was heard loud and clear as Johan announced that the players were both local artists. It is a testament to their talent that I had no idea they weren’t with him every night of the tour.

The crowd thickened ahead of Bryant Barnes, who came on stage to the screams of a few girls somewhere in the middle of the room. Seemingly unfazed, it didn’t take Barnes long to flow confidently into his act, a certified lover boy whose passion could be felt.

By the time 070 Shake came on stage, it was obvious that no Super Bowl would keep her true fans away. The room was packed, and the excitement was palpable. 070 Shake stoked those flames of excitement with her entrance, spending the entirety of her first song behind a curtain, allowing her hulking silhouette to make her presence known. By the time she joined us in the flesh, her fans were practically foaming at the mouth, elated by her arrival. Her cinematic and dreamy music filled the room easily, commanding attention as it enveloped the crowd. She had us in the palm of her hand, and it remained that way for the duration. You could almost forget that outside was a Minnesota winter.

Johan Lenox

Bryant Barnes