Charlie Parr – State Theatre – Minneapolis MN – October 30, 2026

Charlie Parr – State Theatre, Featuring Dave King  October 30, 2026

Photos and Written by Brian Underhill

Photographed by Blair Harrington

Stepping inside the historic State Theatre feels like stepping back in time. It is almost as if the building has never been touched. The architecture and interior design are breathtaking. You find yourself wondering, if only these walls could talk, what stories they could tell about all the incredible performers and people who have walked through those doors over the years. If you have never visited the State Theatre, I highly recommend checking it out. It is a beautiful venue with a history and atmosphere all its own.

Before the show, Charlie Parr took time to meet and greet fans at his merchandise table. It was immediately apparent that he has quite a following. The line was incredibly long, winding its way up the staircase toward the upper balcony. I am not even sure he managed to get through everyone before the show, because during intermission, the line formed again as more fans waited for their opportunity to meet him.

When Charlie finally took the stage, I was seeing him perform live for the very first time. One thing I did not realize until that evening was that Charlie is also from Austin, Minnesota. As someone who appreciates where artists come from and the roots behind their music, that made the experience even more meaningful.

His performance was spectacular. Charlie’s guitar-playing style is raw, grassroots, and incredibly technical. There is something special about watching a musician who can make an instrument sound so effortless while delivering such a distinctive style. His vocals were equally impressive. They have a raw yet smooth quality, but it is the emotion and expression he puts into certain lyrics that take the performance to another level.

Between songs, Charlie’s storytelling kept the audience engaged throughout both sets. I found myself connecting with many of the things he talked about, especially the stories behind his music, his upbringing, and the roots he comes from. Songs such as “817 Oakland Ave,” “Mag Wheels,” and “Cheap Wine” were among the memorable moments of the evening. His ability to weave personal experiences and storytelling into his music gives the audience a deeper understanding of the person behind the songs.

Dave King – Drums

Dave King, who collaborated with Charlie on his new album, Rooming House, was another performer who quickly caught my attention. This concert also served as the album release show, and after spending time listening to the entire album, I was especially interested in seeing how these musicians would bring the material to life onstage.

Dave impressed me almost immediately. What stood out was his drum setup. I have never seen someone play a kit consisting of a snare, bass drum, floor tom, and just two cymbals while delivering such an impressive performance.

He positioned himself facing Charlie, and throughout the show, he never seemed to lose focus on him. He maintained the timing and rhythm while doing multiple things behind the kit without missing a beat. His concentration, coordination, and musical awareness were fascinating to watch.

To me, Charlie has found a collaborator who understands what it takes to make this musical partnership work. There are a few things that stood out: playing with your heart, staying focused and concentrating on the music, and most importantly, having fun while doing what you love. I got the sense that having fun is a big part of what Charlie Parr enjoys about performing, and Dave certainly brought that same energy to the stage.

Liz Draper – Bass

Liz Draper was equally impressive. As an upright bass player and collaborator for the evening, she brought an incredible amount of musical skill to the performance. Her ability to match the technical guitar work of Charlie while complementing Dave King’s rhythms took real talent and timing. Together, the three musicians created a blended sound that brought a new dimension and a whole different dynamic to Charlie’s music.

What I particularly enjoyed was that Liz also played electric bass guitar. The combination helped fill out the lower end of the sound, giving the music more depth and creating a fuller overall mix. Her playing added another layer of excitement and energy to the performance.

She also appeared to genuinely enjoy herself onstage. Charlie mentioned that simply being around Dave and Liz could feel a little overwhelming because of how accomplished they are as musicians in their own right. But that is part of what made the collaboration so enjoyable to watch. There was a natural chemistry between them, and Charlie seemed comfortable bringing these talented musicians into his musical world.

Charlie is someone audiences often associate with performing solo, so seeing him collaborate with other musicians was a real treat. I think bringing other artists into the mix can open up an entirely new world of musical possibilities. This lineup demonstrated just how much more dimension and excitement can be brought to songs that audiences already know and love.

The Atmosphere and Production

The overall atmosphere was electrifying and full of excitement. The audience responded with plenty of cheers and applause after each song. There is something special about watching a hometown musician who has stayed true to his heart, his music, and the roots of where he came from.Charlie Parr is a local legend, and you could feel the appreciation the audience had for him throughout the evening.

The stage production was relatively simple, but it worked beautifully. A few spotlights with hints of blue and purple, along with some plants, candles, and a couple of lamps, created a warm and intimate atmosphere. Nothing felt overproduced or distracting. The focus remained exactly where it belonged: on the musicians and their music.

The evening was divided into two sets. The first featured material from the new album, Rooming House, while the second brought audiences back to some of Charlie’s other songs. Tracks such as “Boombox” and “1922 Blues” were highlights, and the evening came to a memorable close with “Jubilee.”

Final Thoughts

My biggest highlight of the evening was simply getting the opportunity to finally see and hear Charlie Parr perform live. I had heard about him before, but I had never made it back home to see him perform. After experiencing this show, I can honestly say it was worth the wait. Charlie comes across as a very humble, down-to-earth individual who genuinely enjoys what he does. He loves playing music for his fans, and that enjoyment comes through in his performance.

What I appreciated most was how his storytelling went hand in hand with his music. Whether he was sharing experiences from his past, stories involving his father, or talking about growing up in Austin, Minnesota, everything seemed connected. His songs are more than just music. They are experiences, memories, and pieces of his life that he shares with the audience.

I also loved how he used expression and emotion to bring the audience into those stories. You are not just sitting there listening to someone play guitar. You are being invited along on a journey through his experiences and the music that has shaped him. Having Dave King and Liz Draper alongside him made the evening even better. Their musicianship brought a fresh dynamic to Charlie’s sound, and seeing the three of them work together was one of the real highlights of the night.

This was my first Charlie Parr concert, and it certainly will not be my last. It was an evening filled with incredible musicianship, storytelling, hometown pride, and a genuine appreciation for music.

Charlie Parr is an artist who has never lost sight of where he came from, and that is something you can hear in every note he plays.

Sometimes the best performances are not about elaborate stage productions or flashy effects. They are about musicians who love what they do, stay true to their roots, and share that passion with everyone in the room.

That is exactly what Charlie Parr delivered at the State Theatre.