JESS BECK | Go Venue Magazine
This may or may not be noteworthy, but this marks my 14th different venue since moving to Minnesota in February.
The fact that Black Stone Cherry happened to be there was…well…the cherry on top.
I’ll see myself out…
But not before you get all the juicy details from the night! It was a brisk, but tolerable evening on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Amsterdam Bar & Hall where Black Stone Cherry disclosed that they’ve got a thing going on with Marry Jane, Giovannie and the Hired Guns are keeping tubas in business, and Jigsaw Youth are out here kicking names and signing asses…quite literally (image included).
First up was the sassy punk rockers of Jigsaw Youth, the kind of band that makes you question why you ever considered those basic pop hits as music in the first place. These fearless frontwomen are more than ready to turn up the volume, shatter your eardrums, and probably your expectations, too. They’ve got the attitude to match their 90s grunge inspired sound, but don’t be fooled by their punk rock veneer – these ladies bring the heat. Whether you’re into angsty anthems or just enjoy the sight of Nastacha Beck’s hair flying all over the place, Jigsaw Youth is guaranteed to make you jump up and down like an over-caffeinated kangaroo.
Catch ’em at the right spot after their set, and they might sign your ass too!
Next up was Giovannie and the Hired Guns, an act that’s as smooth as a well-aged scotch on the rocks. Giovannie Yanez certainly knows how to charm the crowd with his Texas swagger and swoon-worthy vocals and charisma that could outshine a thousand disco balls. He and his talented troupe of musicians serenaded us into submission, and we gladly surrendered to their silky tunes. It’s the kind of performance that leaves you pondering whether you’ve been truly living or merely existing up until now.
A five piece that really took command of the audience, I was left almost speechless when they brought out a fucking TUBA.
A TUBA.
Who plays a Tuba anymore?
Well…these fellas do…and it’s amazing – you definitely need to check them out if they roll through your city next!
And then there’s Black Stone Cherry, because what’s a musical fiesta without some good ol’ Southern Rock? Although the venue attendance had subsided a little bit after Giovannie and the Hired Guns departed the stage, those who stayed were treated immediately to “Me and Mary Jane” which was like a throat punch to open their set.
These guys have more grit in their riffs than a Minnesota winter has snowflakes, and they’re here to show you what real rock ‘n’ roll is all about. With a stage presence that can make even the coldest Minnesotan’s heart thaw, they’ll have you swinging your hips and raising your lighters (or smartphones) (or both in this case) in no time. It’s like a shot of bourbon straight to the heart, warming you up from the inside out.
Also, can we talk about what an absolute MONSTER drummer John Fred Young is?
This fella pulled off a 10-minute drum solo, and the only drummer I’ve witnessed that was as animated or even as close as talented is Arejay Hale.
Hailing from Kentucky, they are currently touring in support of their new, heavy album release called “Screamin’ At The Sky.” If you haven’t had the chance to spin this one yet, you’re really missing out. It tackles some heavy subjects while keeping true to their gritty, Southern inspired sound. Vocalist Chris Robertson really pours his heart into this one, and it’s an absolute banger from start to finish!
The highlight of the night, though? When they played “Blame It on the Boom Boom” and they didn’t even have to sing the chorus because the audience filled it in for them.
Apart from not having a photo pit, Amsterdam Bar and Hall was the perfect spot to host this show. It was gritty from start to finish, I got mistaken for the lead vocalist of Through Fire, and left with a whole new appreciation for Black Stone Cherry as they’re just as good live (if not better) than they are on record.
Thank you to the staff who worked diligently to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for us who attended. Your dedication doesn’t go unnoticed, because without y’all we wouldn’t have these spaces to escape reality for a few hours.
Keep being excellent to each other, keep wearing deodorant, and keep rockin’ on!
Now if you’ll excuse me, me and Mary Jane got a thing goin’ on…
We’ll see ya at the next show!
Black Stone Cherry
Giovannie and the Hired Guns
Jigsaw Youth
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