On the Patio with Coach Said Not To

Written by Emily Kessel

On Thursday, June 28th Coach Said Not To filled the Minnesota Museum of American Art’s Patio Nights event with an evening of music and relaxation. The outdoor concert was held on the patio overlooking the Mississippi River. Coach Said Not To, a local indie band, followed up the opener, Small Cities. They performed for a patio full of guests eager to join the girls for yet another gig. Since coming together in 2002, the female group has attracted a growing Minneapolis/Saint Paul fanbase and the crowded patio was living proof.

Before the show, I had the privilege to interview the members of Coach Said Not To and learn about their journey on and off-stage. Playing music is a side job for the band, but a passion they all enjoy. They consider themselves to be a “pretty tight foursome” and an “undead band.” During the interview, their love of writing and performing music was definitely apparent. One member said her favorite song to write or record “is always the one that we just wrote.”

During the performance, Eva and Linnea serenaded the audience with their vocals. Taking turns as lead singer and performing some songs together kept the night interesting and full of variety. They played everything from “Bust Out Birthday” to “Shadow Puppets.” One song that stood out was performed by Linnea who sang a mellow, emotional tune involving a powerful performance on the keyboards.

Later, Eva roused the audience with the livid lyrics of the popular song “Words that I Employ.” Throughout the evening, Annika played her heart out on the drums and Lee provided an excellent performance on the keyboards.This Thursday night’s performance is sure to keep Coach Said Not To’s fans coming back for more. The gorgeous night view of the Mississippi was a perfect accompaniment to the music.