Calexico Brings The AZ Heat to Fine Line

Just be thankful you didn’t roll through a week ago! That’s right, you guys got it lucky. Less than a week ago we were swimming in over 18” of that white fluffy stuff. From the sounds of it your opener, Ryley Walker, would have been into it! That is, only if that white fluffy stuff means some fake speed that you bought off the street for $50 last time you were in town. Never happened to you? Ask Walker what it’s like, he may have some insight!

On tour in Support of their new album The Thread That Keeps Us, Calexico brings their fun Tex Mex indie sound to the Fine Line with opener singer/songwriter Ryley Walker. On one of the first nice night Minneapolis has cataloged for the year, not every ticket holder showed up (presumably enjoying the much needed time outdoors). The light crowd gave everyone enough room to get a good spot, but enough fans were present to make it feel full enough.

Ryley Walker kicked off the night playing along with just one other electric guitarist, commenting that he wished Metallica was in town so he could “stop playing this folk shit.” As a musician who used to play in a punk band, I get it. Sometimes playing the regular stuff just gets old. Although he may have wanted to rock harder than their material allowed, their bluesy folk stuff sounded great.

After a short break, Calexico took the stage with damn near every instrument other than a theremin. With around eight live members on stage it’s not hard to get all those bases covered. They started out playing a lot more of their indie folk sounding songs, which oddly reminded me a lot of Andrew Bird or Devendra Banhart, but their sound did change quite a bit throughout their set. Soon enough they busted out the horns we were all waiting for.

Playing tunes off of their new album, like the poppy Beck sounding “Under the Wheels,” as well as their most well-known, hand-clappy/sing-along songs including “Alone Again Or,” they had a little something for everyone even if you weren’t familiar with the band. They even closed with some interesting melodies, accompanied by Mr. Walker himself, that included a quick jam on Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” What?!

You heard it first, Calexico plays a fun and original show. So don’t miss them next time! Even if the weather has sucked for months, and you NEED to do something outside, just don’t. Especially if you have your tickets already. How often do you get to hear a tex-mex/indie/new wave? Every time Calexico puts out a new album I guess. Thanks Calexico!