Sugar – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN – September 11, 2026

Sugar (with J. Robbins)  – September 11, 2026 at First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

Review and photos by Jim Zons

So Friday afternoon, I was sitting around, contemplating how I wanted to spend my Friday night, when I got a text:

KYLE: “Dude. You want to shoot Sugar?”

ME:  “When?  Tonight or tomorrow?”

KYLE:  “Dude.  Tonight”

Or something like that. So, since it was almost 5pm, I grabbed my photo gear and headed out the door, because who’s going to pass up a chance to see Bob Mould and Sugar at First Avenue??  Not me!  So out the door I went  … and shortly after 7pm I was walking into First Avenue ready to experience Sugar!

Opening for Sugar was J. Robbins from the Washington D.C. area.  Despite the fact J. Robbins once fronted the post-hardcore band Jawbox, his set at First Avenue was very laid-back:  just him and a guitar.  It was definitely quite a contrast with Sugar!

Finally, it was time for Sugar! Sugar was formed in the early 1990s by Bob Mould, former guitarist/vocalist with St. Paul’s infamous punk rock band Hüsker Dü, along with bass player David Barbe and drummer Malcolm Travis.  They were only together for a few years, releasing two albums and an EP, but gained a very loyal, devoted fan base, thanks to Bob Mould’s signature “wall of noise” guitar sound. After over 30 years, Mould got the original three piece band together in 2026 for gig work and touring, and I was lucky enough to be there at First Avenue for one of three sold out shows.

Sugar hit the stage with a blast of guitar sound, kicking things off at the very beginning, playing the first three songs in order from their 1992 debut album, Copper Blue: “The Act We Act” , “A Good Idea” and “Changes.”   The rest of the set featured songs from their 1995 album, File Under: Easy Listening (F.U.E.L.), their EP Besides, and a few surprises thrown in.  It was pretty much non-stop music all evening, with the extremely energetic Mould roaming the stage and wowing the crowd with massive guitar sound and incredible stage command.  The set wrapped up after over an hour and 20 minutes with two of my favorite tracks: “Gee Angel” and “If I Can’t Change Your Mind.”   It was loud.  It was mind blowing.  And it was so, so good!  Thanks for the text, Kyle; I’m glad I got a chance to see Bob Mould and Sugar at First Avenue!