Brandi Carlile Performs ‘XOBC’ EP In Minneapolis

Brandi Carlile concluded a three-show stand at The Fillmore Minneapolis with a special Valentine’s Day concert on Friday night. Carlile, who held the new venue’s first concerts on Wednesday and Thursday, performed her 2010 EP, XOBC, alongside other songs from across her catalog.

After opening with “Hold Out Your Hand,” Carlile commended the sold-out Fillmore, telling the crammed together crowd that she used to say they were Colorado’s house band, but now they felt like they were Minnesota’s house band. Carlile then complimented the venue – adorned with ornate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling – noting that it had the vibe of an already well-established hall.

Carlile also addressed those who might have recently become fans from her appearance on the Grammys and noted that the evening’s setlist contained some of her deeper cuts. That promise materialized in the form of the rarely played “Looking Out,” “I Belong to You” and “Dreams,” the last of which was ushered in with the intro to Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.”

More rarities were called upon in the middle of the set when Carlile presented the five-song XOBC, which she noted was written in reaction to a breakup. Following the sequence of the EP, Carlie covered The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” and then proceded through “Love Songs,” “Way to You,” and “Us Again,” and finally Bryan Adams’ “Heaven.”

The encore began with Carlile and “the twins” — bassist Phil Hanseroth and guitarist Tim Hanseroth — in the venue’s balcony singing three-part harmony around a single microphone as they serenaded the crowd below with “Beginning to Feel the Years.” The full band returned to the stage for a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.” Carlile was then left alone onstage for a final rarity, which was a solo acoustic cover of Indigo Girls’ “Ghost.” The night and the opening run of shows at The Fillmore came to an end with “Party Of One.”

In typical Fillmore fashion, apples and posters were passed out as the audience exited the new venue neighboring Target Field. While the extremely sold-out crowd made exploring the venue a challenge, sightlines were unobstructed and the sound was clear and loud. The Fillmore staff was friendly and professional (but please stop taking water bottle caps) and it was refreshing to see a variety — that hopefully grows — of local breweries on the menu.

Earlier in the night, Carlile correctly stated the Twin Cities needed another venue of The Fillmore’s capacity, and given that it was just the third show held there, the experience was promising for many more memorable concerts to come. Check out videos from the Valentine’s Day concert below:

All You Need Is Love

Beginning to Feel the Years

Ghost