Vampire Weekend, Japandroids, Cowboy Junkies announce Minneapolis dates

Photo by Esther White

​While the show calendar in January may look like a barren wasteland for touring acts, at least it's a good time of year for show... announcements. A little anticipation can help us to get through these cold, dark days, can't it? Here's a quick summary of the show announcements we've heard so far this week:

Vampire Weekend
First Avenue
March 22
Luckily, not every track on their new album, Contra, is as grating or dippy as the first single "Horchata." Stream the whole thing for free over on their MySpace page.

Japandroids
7th St. Entry
April 10
These bands have been getting a lot of bluzz (you know, blog buzz. Hipster stuff. Whatever.), and it's for good reason. Everyone that I know that has seen them live has said they are one of the most promising new garage rock bands around right now. Check it:




Cowboy Junkies
Dakota Jazz Club
March 21
Okay, so maybe they don't have as much hipster street cred, but a good band nonetheless. The Dakota seems like a good fit for this moody, downtempo roots rock band.