GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 22: (L-R) Tomas Holmstrom #96, Niklas Kronwall #55, Henrik Zetterberg #40, Chris Osgood #30, Nicklas Lidstrom #5 and Pavel Datsyuk #13 of the Detroit Red Wings stand attended for the National Anthem during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on October 22, 2009 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Red Wings 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Minnesota Wild bring Rochester rockers Amateur to play at Xcel
The Wild finish their “Rink Rock” series with Rochester rock band Amateur April
ST. PAUL — A Rochester band is playing one of Minnesota’s coolest venues Saturday, April 6, 2024.
When the Minnesota Wild period breaks during their home game against the Winnipeg Jets, Chris Tauzell and three other members of his band Amateur will entertain fans.
during each intermission with the first intermission performance in the arena bowl from the platform at Section 123 and a second intermission performance from the Michelob Golden Light Taphouse near Gate 4.
The performance will wrap up the Wild’s “Rink Rock” for the 2023-24 season. The Wild invited Minnesota bands to perform at select Saturday games at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Rochester band Amateur is the 10th and final band of the series this season.
Tauzel, Brody Heinzel, Jake Steele and Amanda Jay Fuller will take the stage there — but not the ice which is a letdown for Tauzell.
“I’m a little disappointed I can’t make a fool of myself falling down on the ice,” he said.
The short set gives him a chance to play his best, catchiest songs, Tauzell said.
When the Wild put out statewide a call for bands, Tauzell said he was forwarded the opportunity by friends on social media. He said he applied thinking it was a longshot and was surprised to be selected.
“There are so many great local bands,” he said. “I feel shocked we got picked.”
The slimmed-down show will be minus the group’s drummer, which means they’ll balance going acoustic while trying to keep the energy high for the hockey fans.
Heinzel said he’s not concerned.
“I’m actually feeling pretty confident about an acoustic set because that’s how Chris and I started out playing — acoustically at Cafe Steam,” he said.
However, Heinzel added he’s disappointed his hair hasn’t yet rebounded into hockey mullet form after an autumn haircut.
