Night 4 of Monsters Ball Tour
Night 4 of Monsters Ball Tour
Sioux City, Iowa, The Marquee
Sioux City, Iowa is not just another dot on the map for musicians and artists. For those on the Monsters Ball Tour, it proved to be a stage where budding talents shine, familiar faces made unforgettable performances, and memories were etched deep in the hearts of all those present.
The day began with a nostalgic 3-hour journey from Des Moines to Sioux City. Our pit stop for gas, 100 miles out of Des Moines, was a poignant moment for me. I vividly remember standing at that same gas station five years ago, hitchhiking to Des Moines. That day, I was racing against time with my buddy, Ben Glanzer, to catch Watsky and make it to our VIP Meet and Greet. The memories attached to that very spot made the drive even more special.
Upon reaching Sioux City ahead of schedule, we were greeted by the tantalizing aromas of the SoHo Kitchen & Bar. After indulging in a hearty meal, it was time to set the stage at The Marquee for what would be an unforgettable night. We were instantly greeted by familiar faces of bartenders we have seen for years at this venue.
Opening the evening was the local sensation, Faith Niebaum. While it was evident that the Monsters Ball was her debut, her initial jitters soon gave way to raw passion and talent. By the middle of her set, her phone (a safety net of lyrics) was discarded, and the audience witnessed the evolution of an artist in real-time.
Following Faith was the vivacious Ukalady. Having known her for years, I had high expectations, and she did not disappoint. Her eccentric flying squirrel outfit, comedic originals, and an impeccable ukulele rendition of "Hallucinogenics" by Matt Maeson had the audience hanging on her every chord. The rapt attention she commanded from even the rowdiest attendees speaks volumes about her stage presence.
The evening then took a dynamic turn with the local rap groups 7$quad and Fetty Fred setting the stage on fire. While 7$quad's performance was commendable, it was Fetty Fred's impeccable enunciation, especially given his rapid pace, that truly stood out.
Soon after, the tour support 'Enlightened Ones' took over. Even on their 4th consecutive performance, their energy levels showed no signs of waning. At one point, Donny Bravo's moves could only be described as stage karate!
But the true crescendo of the evening came with the electrifying performances of headliners Louie Fontana and Gorilla Pimp. Their infectious energy had everyone, including Ukalady, dancing and singing along, especially to the hit song "Chris Gnarly".
Interestingly, the night in Sioux City highlighted a peculiar trend on this tour at least - while nights with lower attendance seem to bring in more merchandise sales, the nights with higher door sales surprisingly rake in less in merchandising.
As the Monsters Ball Tour heads next to the Twin Cities area, followed with the anticipation of the Hometown show at The District looming, one thing is clear – the best is indeed yet to come.
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