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The Chart Show: Macca of The New Wave is back in our basement!

Elvis Costello
Elvis CostelloJames O'Mara

by Mark Wheat

August 16, 2018

Brandi Carlile stormed to the top this week on a wave of fan excitement about the THREE shows she now has booked at The State Theater, confirming her strong local support.

Bad Bad Hats slip to #4 after two weeks at the top but they will be playing a session for The Local Show this Sunday and they have their first headlining gig at First Avenue this Saturday.

Death Cab jump one place to #7, their album comes out this Friday and they are going to do our next Micro-Show in MPR's Forum Thursday August 22nd. Keep listening for your chance to win or sign up.

There were more votes than average this week, meaning that you guys were excited about winning Music On-A-Stick tickets! Lord Huron got a nice boost as the highest new entry at eight. The schedule at The Fair will be different this year, I'm only there on Friday August 24th at the booth (Corner of Judson and Nelson) from 4-8pm with Har Mar Superstar and Friday 31st for MPR Day at Dan Patch Park (formerly Carousel Park) with Chastity Brown at 3pm.

Back on the chart at #9 with his summer jam, Childish Gambino still holds the record for most weeks at Number One this year and a tribute to that song "This Is America" has been banned in Nigeria.

In Nashville they call the Ryman Auditorium 'The Mother Church'. Amanda Shires has been on the former Grand Ole Opry stage several times as a band member but never headlining one of her own shows. That changed over the weekend and she made the most of the occasion, bringing out her husband Jason Isbell to cover The Beatles!

Gorillaz are inducted to our Chart Hall of Fame for the first time, after staying on for 10 weeks. In a glowing review of their festival performance at the weekend, well respected British newspaper The Daily Telegraph suggests that Damon Albarn has now pulled off ..."the greatest second act on British pop history".

Punch Brothers are also new this week at 14 after stopping by The Palace last week and our studios to chat with Bill Deville, talking tiki drinks, going electric and the rigors for Chris Thile, of doing the band and hosting 'Live From Here'.

And I'm very proud to say that a week after Sir Paul joined the chart denizens, the Macca of the New Wave Elvis Costello is also back in the basement at #20. After a recent cancer scare he's promised to be back at Riot Fest in Chicago Sept 14-16th. The line up is well stacked this year; Beck, Blink 182, Atmosphere and Dillinger Four!

Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to The Current's Neko Case giveaway at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, MN on September 6, 2018!