BEMIDJI — "It’s kind of like a first date almost.”
That is Kiss the Tiger frontwoman Meghan Kreidler talking about playing for a new audience. She joined Centerstage Minnesota on Friday, May 19, to talk about her band’s show at the Historic Chief Theater, which will be the first time they’ve played in Bemidji.
“It makes us kind of step up in a different way,” Kreidler said. “And not sit back on our laurels.”
Sitting back on their laurels is not how most people would describe the Minneapolis-based band after seeing their live show. Kreidler and company are known for their high-energy performances, where it is not uncommon to see the lead singer high kicking around the stage.
According to Kreidler, that was not always the case.
“It took a lot of time in the band for me to develop my on-stage persona and for us to kind of develop our full energy and synthesis as a group,” she said.
"Everybody is better when everybody gets to be invited to the space and I like performing for young people."Meghan Kreidler
The music they play also has a role: a high-octane brand of rock ‘n’ roll. Kreidler is backed on stage by her longtime partner Michael Anderson on rhythm guitar, plus lead guitarist Bridger Fruth, bassist Paul DeLong and drummer Jay DeHut.
Another aspect of the Bemidji show that has Kreidler excited is the lack of age restrictions.
“I am a big fan of all-ages shows,” she said. “Everybody is better when everybody gets to be invited to the space and I like performing for young people.”
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Zoe Prinds-Flash Photography/ContributedThe Minnesota rock band Bad Bad Hats released their self-titled fourth album on April 12, 2024. -
Kari Hedlund/KAXEThe in-studio performance included two unreleased songs, "Jericho" and "Rhododendron". -
Contributed/BandcampSkinner has a new album "Surrender," her first since moving to Minnesota in 2021. -
Dan Gannon/KAXE“Old Style” is the fifth album from Indigenous hip-hop artist Thomas X. -
Maria Hileman/KAXEThe Duluth musician stopped by to share songs from his upcoming album Little Sun, inspired by Minnesota blues legend Tony "Little Sun" Glover. -
Maria Hileman/KAXEDave Simonett talks new Trampled by Turtles music and touring with country superstar Zach Bryan.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Friday and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Chief Theater in Bemidji.
To hear more about the Kiss the Tiger and the free show in Bemidji, listen to the full conversation above.
Centerstage Minnesota is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota, through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
