iDKHow Debut in First Avenue’s Main Room

After forming in secret in 2017, retro-leaning alternative rock band I Don’t Know How But They Found Me (shortened to iDKHow by fans) finally headlined First Avenue’s iconic main room.

Founded by Dallon Weekes (formerly of Panic! At The Disco) and now depurated drummer Ryan Seaman (formerly of Falling in Reverse), iDKHow has spent years building a strong local fanbase.

First performing to a room of 200 strong at Saint Paul’s Amsterdam Bar & Hall in 2018, the band has performed to increasingly larger crowds with each visit to the Twin Cities. From Varsity Theater, The Fillmore, Fine Line, and now First Avenue – I am proud to say I have seen every single one of their Twin Cities shows.

Seeing a band I’ve been following since day one grow like this has been extremely satisfying. Since their debut 2017 single ‘Modern Day Cain’, the release of their first EP in 2018, to now their second studio album earlier this year, Weekes has created an amazing catalog of modern alternative rock with a twist.

The list of things that keep me returning to iDKHow could span pages. Weekes’ soothing voice; clever and dark song writing; the world building and lore; and of course, the energy at their live shows.

Dallon Weekes easily commands the room with an earnest confidence few performers have. His connection with the crowd is genuine. He’s the kind of performer that is clearly so thankful to have an audience and genuinely loves this work.

Watching him take the stage in Minnesota’s most iconic room felt like a victory lap for iDKHow.

Earlier this year saw the release of their second studio album ‘Gloom Division’, a hazy yet vibrant record produce by Dave Friedman of MGMT and Flaming Lips fame. Touring all year behind the record, this was the band’s second visit to Minnesota this year, first visiting a sold-out Fine Line in April.

Now performing to well over 1,000 fans at First Avenue on the last leg of tour, fans screamed along to every word. Notable fan favorites were album opener ‘Downside’, lead single ‘What Love?’, and RIAA certified gold hit ‘Choke’.

A highlight came when Weekes came out to the middle of the crowd with a megaphone as he performed ‘Visitation of the Ghost’, a deep cut from his first band The Brobecks. This section also included short covers of ‘Hot to Go’ and ‘Please, Please, Please’.

Joking that he would love to open for Chappell Roan or Sabrina Carpenter, I can’t help but think where iDKHow would go from here. Before they announced this particular tour, the fanboy in me had hopes they would’ve joined Twenty One Pilots on the Clancy Tour.

I hope that they one day get an opening slot on a big arena tour. Most importantly though, I hope they continue to grow their fanbase. Dallon Weekes has truly put in the work and dedication, and it’s absolutely paying off.

No matter what happens next, I am just happy to be along for the ride as one of my favorite bands continues making great music and putting on amazing shows. If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend you give iDKHow, and their new album ‘Gloom Division’, a listen today.