Let’s get this out of the way up top: no, Solid Gold is not a syndicated top 40 countdown show which aired from 1980 to 1988 featuring the Solid Gold Dancers. But I could see the Solid Gold Dancers doing a fine routine to a couple of Solid Gold’s numbers—maybe the slinky “Bible Thumper,” or the dreamier “Who You Gonna Run To?” Now that we’ve cleared that up, here’s the deal: Solid Gold is a band with the ability to compel you to Shake. Your. Ass. 

To call Jeremy Messersmith a musician is half-truth: He’s also a storyteller, who has carefully crafted a trilogy of songs that narrate life. His first full-length release The Alcatraz Kid is a moving collection of acoustic-driven lullabies with titles like “Novocain” and “Beautiful Children” that innocently question the purpose of things to come. The integrity of these delicate songs immediately struck a cord with critics and fans alike, and captured the attention of Semisonic’s Dan Wilson, who offered to produce Messersmith’s follow-up album, The Silver City.

First Communion Afterparty's music belongs to a distinct family: psychedelic rock. It's true: there is no other honest way to describe it. The point is they belong. Their sound is built on psychedelic bands you've heard and some you haven't. There is nothing unfamiliar but there's a fresh personality behind it. With seven band members it would be easy to get tangled up in too many limbs, but that never happens. Each song is an artful balance of dual guitars, bass, keyboard, tambourines, drums, floor tom and vocals from all over.

If you've caught The Idle Hands live, you know they're a band that will stand and deliver with charm, fashion and sexuality. Ciaran fronts the stage while guitars swirl, Criostoir's bass lines take hold and the room is transformed into a booze-soaked indie disco. The band was formed when the brothers relocated from the British Isles to Minneapolis and joined Eileen Omizo-Whittenberg on keys, adding Al Wires on guitar and Nicco Franz Huber on drums.

Having proven himself a force with which to be reckoned, the co-creator of Dre Day, Triple Double, and Bomp! knows how to deliver some over-the-top party experiences.

MIKE 2600 is a 15-year veteran DJ, having rocked parties from San Francisco to St. Paul, from Oregon to Osaka. After moving to Minneapolis from St. Louis in 2003, Mike immediately began throwing the "Let's Get Electric" party in First Avenue's V.I.P. room (now The Record Room), a monthly excursion into Miami Bass, Southern Bounce, 1980s pop classics, disco, and post-punk.