Low Cut Connie Dedicates Concert To First Avenue Stage Manager Conrad Sverkerson

Low Cut Connie dedicated their concert at First Avenue to the storied Minneapolis music venue’s longtime stage manger, Conrad Sverkerson, who died this week at age 66.

Sverkerson — best known as simply “Conrad” — was a fixture at First Ave since first being hired there in 1988. Two years later he took on the role of stage manager, which he maintained for 35 years.

First Ave honored Conrad several years ago with by adding his name to one of the iconic stars painted on the outside walls of the venue. The Conrad star was placed on the door he accessed to help bands load in and out their equipment.

Thursday’s concert was Low Cut Connie’s sixth time playing First Ave. The Philadelphia band’s frontman Adam Weiner spoke to the audience during the band’s set and shared his admiration for Conrad and First Ave.

“This is our sixth time on this stage,” Weiner said. “The second best thing about First Avenue is the crowd, the greatest live music fans in the world. But the greatest thing about First Avenue is the staff. Six years ago this venue took a shot on a little tiny indie band from Philadelphia and the first person to greet me here was our pal Conrad.

“I’ll never forget it. He always made me feel good, he made us all feel good. And I knew it was gonna be beautiful night because he’s here. So tonight’s show is dedicated to our pal Conrad. The one thing we can do to honor his memory is to have god damn good time!”

Watch Low Cut Connie’s performance at First Avenue and scroll on for additional tributes to Conrad Sverkerson below: