The Dollyrots – Uptown VFW -Minneapolis MN – March 13th 2025

The Dollyrots live at the VFW Uptown in Minneapolis MN with special guests Cindy Lawson and Cheap Bouquet 

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Cheap Bouquet has hit the ground running in Minneapolis and aren’t looking back. The trio is carving out a new path in the pop punk scene, through unapologetic authenticity and drawing influence from icons across the rock and alternative spectrum. Fronted by long time listener, first time frontman Sam Awad, with Twin City scene vets Chelsea Oxborough and Brandon Evilla on guitars, Cheap Bouquet is the amalgamation of a broad range of individual experience. The band has found their footing with a dynamic sound, candid storytelling, and, more than anything else, a genuine joy to be sharing their music. – VFW Uptown

Cindy Lawson began her rock and roll career in Minneapolis in 1985 with her all-female rock band, The Clams. Over the years, she has played in several bands in Minneapolis and New York City. Currently she’s backed by longtime collaborator and inventive guitarist Jerry Lefkowitz (of The Young Nashvillians, Something Fierce, Whoops Kitty, and Fauna, among others), bassist and multi-instrumentalist Dave Randall, whose rock bonafides include The Spectors, The Boot R&B, The Silent Treatment, Kinda Kinky, and many more, and on the drums is Mark Devaraj, who’s kept the beat going in bands High on Stress, Whiskey Rock and Roll Club, The Heavy Sixers, as well as dozens of other Minneapolis bands.- VFW Uptwon

The Dollyrots are known for their infectious energy, catchy punk-pop hooks, and feel-good live performances, and their latest concert did not disappoint. Whether playing a small club or a festival stage, Kelly Ogden (vocals/bass) and Luis Cabezas (guitar/vocals), Simon Hancock the drummer, deliver an electrifying set that keeps the crowd engaged from start to finish.

Their setlist typically includes fan favorites like “Because I’m Awesome,” “My Best Friend’s Hot,” and “Hyperactive,” blending their signature mix of punk attitude and bubblegum melodies. Ogden’s charismatic stage presence and playful banter with the audience create an intimate, fun atmosphere, while Cabezas’ guitar work injects a raw energy into each song.

The band often throws in a few covers, putting their signature spin on classics like Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” or even a surprise pop song, adding to the unpredictable, party-like vibe of the show. The crowd is always engaged, singing along, dancing, and feeding off the band’s infectious enthusiasm.

Overall, a Dollyrots concert is a high-energy, feel-good experience that blends punk rock grit with sugar-coated melodies, making it a must-see for fans of upbeat, fun, and unapologetically catchy music.