Clay Fulton and the Lost Forty – First Avenue – Minneapolis MN – December 5th, 2025
Clay Fulton and the Lost Forty with Ryan Necci and the Buffalo Gospel and Chris Porterfield – First Avenue 7th Street Entry – December 5th, 2025
Review and photos by Kate Klaus
Iconic Minneapolis venue 7th Street entry showcased a triple bill of Americana, roots, and folk songwriting filled with deep-rooted storytelling and raw musical craft on Friday, December 5th.
Chris Porterfield (best known as the songwriter behind Field Report) kicked off the evening with a set that felt like sitting around a campfire with an old friend. His guitar work was warm and precise, and his thoughtful and reflective lyrics and anecdotes drew the room in immediately. Porterfield’s style feels timeless, with shades of classic folk touched with a modern lyrical intelligence. His humble and approachable stories about his music brought a special sense of intimacy to his show, and the receptive crowd soaked up every note. At an intimate venue like the 7th Street Entry, his quiet strengths really stood out with every fingerpicked chord, subtle vocal inflection, and story-filled line came through with striking tenderness.
Next up, Ryan Necci & The Buffalo Gospel delivered a set rich in country/Americana storytelling. With roots that draw from heartfelt country traditions and the sounds of timeless icons, Necci’s voice carried the perfect blend of grit and tenderness. The Buffalo Gospel operates like a band of storytellers, with every note feeling intentional and woven into the story being told, from the beautiful violin resonance to the phenomenal harmonies of the vocalists. They felt like the perfect band to bridge Porterfield’s introspective folk and the more full-bodied roots rock that would follow with Necci’s songs often riding a wave between contemplative ballads and a more punchy rock feel. The lyrical themes of love, loss, and small-town longing landed deeply in the room, and it felt like the crowd could happily continue on the musical journey all night.
Clay Fulton & The Lost Forty closed the night with an energetic and deeply musical set that showcased both their dynamism and maturity. Hailing from Rochester, MN, they brought a rollicking blend of roots rock, folk, and indie influences with explosive energy mixed with deeply emotional delivery. Clay Fulton’s vocals led the charge with earnest, expressive, folk-rock swagger, and he was backed by tight harmonies from Carly Hornstine and drummer Nick Novotny, while the band around him locked into grooves that made it impossible not to tap your foot. The interplay between lead and rhythm guitars, solid low end from the bass, and twinkling keys kept the set lively and energetic, and Fulton’s smile and energy was contagious, showing such a deep enjoyment of performing that is captivating for a crowd to connect with. Their full-band sound filled every corner of the room without ever losing that live-in-your-living-room feel the venue is known for.
Nights like this are what local music is all about, showcasing raw talent, emotional performance, and an audience that was engaged with every beat. It was a beautiful journey through Americana, heartland songwriting, and roots-rock energy, with each artist bringing a unique voice, but together stitching a seamless musical and storytelling quilt that left the crowd buzzing on their way out into the crisp Minneapolis night.
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