Yam Haus – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN – January 10th, 2026

Yam Haus with LAAMAR – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN – January 10^th, 2026

Review and photos by Kate Klaus

Minneapolis artists Yam Haus and LAAMAR brought the connection and healing power of music to the city on a particularly heavy night with a beautiful and powerful set of indie pop-rock that gave the packed crowd a space for reflection and solidarity. That weight was unmistakable in the room, where there was a collective sense of grief, reflection, and quiet solidarity before the music even began. Rather than ignoring the moment, the bands acknowledged it with care, setting a tone that felt respectful, human and valid, and reminding everyone why live music can matter so much in times like these.

LAAMAR opened the night with a set that fit the mood well, balancing warmth with power and purpose. Flanked by a simple sign stating, “Abolish ICE”, they opened with lead singer Geoffrey Lamar Wilson making a powerful statement with the song “Home to my Baby”, with the lyrics reflecting on the fear of being pulled over for people of color, an especially poignant reflection that resonated years after he wrote this song.  As their performance progressed, it eased the room into the evening, offering melody-driven indie rock that felt grounding rather than distracting, and helping set a thoughtful tone before Yam Haus took the stage.

Yam Haus lead singer Lars Pruitt took a moment to speak to the crowd before the band took the stage, offering a reflective message on the evening. On a night that many shows and events were cancelled in the Twin Cities, Yam Haus made the decision to hold their show both to bring a beacon of light and music and solidarity to the city, but also to give the band and the crowd alike a space to be present and breathe.  He spoke the crowd asking for support for each other as well as a moment to abandon reality and just be present with each other and be light, and it was a beautiful moment before the show even began.  Musically, Yam Haus delivered the kind of set they’re known for full of polished, energetic pop-rock that leant equally on tight musicianship and emotional openness. Songs that normally feel purely celebratory took on added depth, with lyrics about connection and perseverance landing harder against the backdrop of the evening. The crowd responded in kind, with the whole floor singing along, moving together, and also listening closely and reflecting, as if the show had become a shared space to process and breathe. In the end, this wasn’t just another night at First Avenue. It was a reminder of how music can bring people together when words fall short, with the bands and crowd reciprocally offering comfort, unity, and a sense of community for a city that needed it. Yam Haus didn’t try to turn the night into something it wasn’t, but instead, they met the moment with sincerity, and that made the show quietly powerful and healing, while also being the exceptional musical experience that Yam Haus consistently delivers.