Samia Leads Sold-Out Local Triple Bill at First Avenue

There’s nothing quite like a sold-out show. The energy, the buzz, and the palpable yet indescribable vibe of sold-out shows make for a recipe ripe for memorable experiences. On Friday night, three fantastic local singer-songwriters gave the Twin Cities that and more at First Avenue.

Opening Friday night’s show was Ava Levy. Levy’s recorded output at this point consists of only a few songs, but she made the most of an extended opportunity in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd, showcasing a skillful and potent blend of indie rock and pop. The songs were sharp, and the band was on point, making for a very strong opening set. Levy’s talent was clear from the jump, and twin cities music fans should be very excited about her going forward.

Following Levy was Raffaella. Boasting a strong (and growing) recorded output, and a sizeable following locally and beyond, Raffaella’s mainroom set delivered on it’s considerable hype. Leaning musically a little more towards the pop side of the pop-rock continuum (with plenty of harder rocking moments included), Raffaella’s set presented a change of pace compared to the other two acts. Also working in her favor was her stage presence, which was fantastic. At every point during her engaging set, Raffaella felt in command of the songs, the vibe, and of the audience.

Headlining the night was Samia. A more recent twin cities connection (she moved here relatively recently), Samia’s set felt right at home in the mainroom. Touring in support of her heralded new album Bloodless, Samia entered the night riding a considerable wave of national acclaim. A gifted singer-songwriter and performer to boot, Samia connected deeply to the receptive audience.

The music on Bloodless ranges from more acoustic to heavier, and Samia and her band navigated this range skillfully and effectively, crafting an appropriately varied yet cohesive set that kept the audience connected and engaged throughout.

To see a sold-out show in the mainroom is always exciting, but to see three great local acts accomplish this, and with such strong results, was nothing short of special.