After the Blizzard – The Role of the Crowd

It’s hard to remember when it was… March 31, 2023? It was a show at Shakopee Bowl that we nearly canceled the day of, as there was a big storm looming.  Sometimes the forecasters are wrong, but not this time.  That was the show where we barely made it home.  People came out, but left…

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Can’t remember what the dancefloor looks like

There’s a synergy between the location, and your history with the locals that creates the mood for the night. This Minnesota cover band could easily tell by 30 minutes to showtime it was going to be very busy. People were in great spirits, there was an extra bar set up in the corner as we…

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Up to the Subwoofer

Bogart’s Entertainment Center is a venue we love to play: very classy atmosphere, 3-level spacious stage, new lighting, a green room, and a house sound person who calls this Minnesota cover band “his favorite band to mix” The ingredients were there for a fun evening.  The room was full excepting 3 tables.  This venue is…

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The Minnesota Cover Band Concert Experience

Bands tend to evolve over time. Especially those that have a longer history of existence. As a Minnesota cover band, Sugar Buzz boasts more than 10 years as a band, with the current lineup together a solid 3 years. The smartest moves we make are when we continue to study what works and what doesn’t,…

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Home Base

Some places feel like home.  Warm, familiar, and you know everyone.  At least 2 band members frequent Route 47 nearly every Thursday for an open mic night, so walking into the green room, loading onstage, and the hellos to all the regulars felt automatic. There was supposed to be a snowstorm. It didn’t materialize –…

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The Nights Before Christmas

Twas a few nights before Christmas and at the DOG HOUSE All us creatures were stirring including the mouse We wore our fun headbands and holiday gear And told all the patrons to tip for the beer!     The sound man was brilliant, and took extra care To make sure all of the music…

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Back into the Groove

We had not played Neisen’s in at least 6 months.  That’s a long time in band life to require one get re-acquainted with the venue, the owner, and the local crowd.  On top of that, it seemed that every notable Minnesota cover band was playing locally that evening, which meant it’s a competition for live…

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Ingredients for a Great Minnesota Cover Band Show

Our Minnesota cover band plays at all sorts of clubs around the Minneapolis metro area, as well as festivals in greater Minnesota.  Many ingredients make the cake for us for a particular show: stage, lighting, sound, venue ambience, menu.  It’s not solely the band and what they can produce.   Bogart’s Entertainment Center was busy…

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For the Vets

For the Vets

“Vietnam Vets Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club” is a group we’ve partnered with in the past. Their charitable cause they support is called Operation Zero. It’s a cause that puts together programs to help eliminate veteran suicides. When they asked us to partner again on Veteran’s Day, we jumped at the chance. Of course that meant…

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Winning Records

Sugar Buzz has had the honor of playing US BANK Stadium Plaza prior to Minnesota Vikings football games in the past.  We considered it a wonderful privilege, even if it was outdoors in December.  That’s the fortitude we Minnesota cover bands display.  But—this one is different. It’s October, the weather is mild with no wind,…

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Deja Vu Debut

This was our first time at the Everett-McClay VFW in Bloomington. It’s been a long time since this Minnesota cover band has played inside any VFW or American Legion type venue, but this one boasted a big music program, great crowd and location. They’d been courting us a while, and after making the stage large…

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Tapped, Uncorked, Lost and Found

As a Minnesota cover band, we play all sorts of events.  We are mostly a nightclub act, but we often play festivals and large-run fundraisers for causes.  Sugar Buzz recently had the opportunity to play Tapped and Uncorked, a beer, spirits, and wine tasting event that raises money for the Roseville, Minnesota parks system.  So,…

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FUN is a job well done

Mainstreet Bar & Grill is a venue we’ve played numerous times.  Every time the crowd is there for us.  This time was no different.  Jamison was our relatively new sound tech and couldn’t have been more attentive and courteous. By the way, attentive is THE thing you want from a sound person as everyone in…

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Sugar Buzz at Mid Summer Music Fest

Mid Summer Music Fest and Moondance 2023

Mid-week is a weird time for a show, but we arrived in Menahga, MN and the beginning of band vacation weekend.  We actually had two festivals to perform in the area, and this Minnesota cover band was going to make the most of the beautiful weather and festival atmosphere. Mid Summer Music Fest was in…

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Nisswa Freedom Days

Nisswa Freedom Days had us back for a second year, and it’s a treat for any Minnesota Cover Band to play such a large street festival. Attendance was fantastic with revelers as far as we could see from the stage. First a parade, then singer Beth had the honor or performing the National Anthem just…

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Sugar Buzz Cover Band at Route 47 in Fridley, Minnesota

Camaraderie

It’s a beautiful night in the summer. That always makes a Minnesota cover band nervous when they’re playing indoors. Will the fans come? Fortunately, yes. Although the first 20 minutes or so was lightly attended, the crowd picks up and we are grateful. Many musicians from local bands who have the night off are there:…

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New Songs and Familiar Faces

It had been a while since we played onstage, as our band members had vacations and such, but we were excited to debut 2 new songs to the lineup.  Our faithful followers would like anything we performed, as long as we brought our best efforts, but we know that people like to experience NEW sounds…

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The Debut

Playing a venue for the first time is always nerve-racking. There are expectations to get your followers there and unknowns of how management, stage, and sound operate. Will the regulars be welcoming? The Dog House Bar & Grill was built for live music, so the expectations were high.   For a debut we arrive extra…

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Sugar Buzz at Shakopee Bowl

The Snow Must Go On

6:30pm.  It’s raining. Hard.  And there’s a blizzard warning in effect beginning….sometime in the evening?  Most of the band is onsite setting up for an 8:30pm start. Many of the faithful are already putting the brakes on the evening. “sorry, we decided to stay home in case it gets worse.  We see sleet already.”  …

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Our Fans are the 7th Minnesota Cover Band Member

Our Fans are the 7th Band Member

We love when a place hums with the din of conversation and excitement before a show. The tables are full already.  People are eating, talking, laughing, and waiting for the music to start. That’s our first job – pack the house and make sure they support the venue. Now our next job begins. With a…

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Live Music Done Right: An Epic Night at Mainstreet Bar and Grill

We love playing at Mainstreet Bar and Grill. It’s a great spot for us, with a built-in crowd mixed in with our own fans, all gathered at a centrally located stalwart of the local music scene that always has the top Minnesota cover bands on the calendar. Our sound guy, Joe, recently purchased an EGO…

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Sugar Buzz: Bringing the Party to Neisen’s Sports Bar & Grill

Sugar Buzz: Bringing the Party to Neisen’s Sports Bar & Grill

It’s Neisen’s Sports Bar & Grill in Savage, Minnesota. It’s 7pm and all the tables are already full. We haven’t even started soundcheck yet. That adds a bit of anticipatory “excitement” for the band. We know it’s going to be a fun night. It’s always fun when people make the time to come early and…

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Sugar Buzz Minnesota Cover Band at Bogarts in Apple Valley

Rockin’ the Night Away at Bogart’s

On January 27th, we took the stage at Bogart’s Entertainment Center in Apple Valley, Minnesota. The excitement was palpable before the show even started, with a packed house and fans eagerly waiting to dance the night away. We spy a full house and talk to several of our Sugar Buzz faithful and chat with people…

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We Love Our Minnesota Fans!

As a Minnesota cover band, we have the privilege of entertaining audiences night after night and bringing joy to people through the power of music. But what truly makes our job special is the connection we have with our fans!   From the moment we step on stage, we can feel the energy of the…

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How to Find a Cover Band in Minnesota

What to Look for in a Minnesota Cover Band

When it comes to finding a great cover band in Minnesota, there are a few key factors to consider. A really good cover band should be able to captivate audiences with their setlist, entertain with their stage presence, and provide a memorable experience for all in attendance. In this post, we’ll explore what makes a…

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