The concept of the Trader Joe’s vs. Aldi Rave started out as a cheeky April Fool’s joke. An overwhelming viral response to their social media post forced the promotional team at First Avenue to bring the idea to reality. I went to the show with an open mind, and I can honestly say that it exceeded my expectations. For one thing, I didn’t think there would be a very large crowd. Boy was I wrong! The Trader Joe’s and Aldi fans showed up in large numbers. At the shows peak, there was at least several hundred people. Many people put a lot of thought into their costumes as well. Trader Joe’s fans showed out in old uniforms, and costumes made out of various Trader Joe’s bags. Aldi’s fans also made creative use of their respective bags – some adorning them as makeshift overalls, while others wore them as hats. The decor was themed around tropical vibes. They made creative use of retro Hawaiian decorations, and even dressed the upstairs railings with old Trader Joe’s product signs. A screen above DJ Hampster Dance showed a loop of a well thought out compilation of various grocery store themed videos – from old supermarket sweepstakes videos to walk-throughs of several Trader Joe’s and Aldi’s. All in all, the vibes were immaculate. Everyone seemed to be having an amazing time. The songs that were played were a fun mix of songs that you might hear at your local Trader Joe’s or Aldi’s. Every so often the DJ would engage with the crowd to see if there were more Trader Joe’s or Aldi’s fans. Aldi’s seemed to get a more uproarious response, but it was close! My only personal critique is that the DJ seldom played even two minutes of any song. I understand that some people may like this style, but I’m a bit old school. Let the song breathe!

Show Review: Mike Lusis