Dawes – Palace Theater – St. Paul MN – April 15th 2023

Dawes brought their The Misadventures of Doomscroller Tour to the Palace Theatre on Saturday night. I got there a little early, but as with most shows I’ve seen at the Palace, things got packed pretty quickly. I admit I wasn’t familiar with the group, but I enjoy most live music so I was curious to see what they’d do.

The best way I can describe it was just a really sick jam. Experimental folk rock with long feature solos from all the individual musicians. Having a pretty simplistic stage setup with lots of space between members, they still managed to fill out the stage with their sound. They really let the music speak for itself.  With meandering intros, outros, and bridges, it all blends. Their songs blended almost seamlessly into each other.  They created a unified general vibe to the whole performance. I do really love bands like this where they let each other shine.  Each member looked to genuinely be having a good time and enjoying what they were doing. Honestly, it was just really pleasant to watch and listen to.

If you’re into folk rock with a twinge of punk and jazz thrown in, I’d recommend. They have an ability to transform a simple melody into an elaborate musical journey, taking the audience along for the ride. The energy in the room was palpable, with the crowd responding enthusiastically to each song. It’s clear that Dawes has a dedicated fan base that deeply appreciates their unique sound. The encore was a perfect end to the night, leaving everyone buzzing with excitement and a sense of having experienced something truly special.