Along with performing at halftime Sunday, Timberlake hosted a party for AmEx card holders on ThursdayGETTY IMAGES
Parties around Super Bowl LII in the Twin Cities metro area on Thursday night "cranked up," with STING performing for NFL owners in St. Paul and JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE hosting a "listening party for American Express cardholders" in Chanhassen. The CHAINSMOKERS played in Prior Lake and hip-hop artists CARDI B and GUCCI MANE "took over clubs" in Minneapolis’ Warehouse District. IMAGINE DRAGONS at the Armory in downtown Minneapolis "headlined a red-carpeted shindig" hosted by EA Sports. A small line of media figures "took part in the glitzy photo op in the Armory’s new entryway," where the celebrities included UFC fighter DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON, Steelers RB LE'VEON BELL and the concert’s opening act, MACHINE GUN KELLY (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/2). Nomadic Entertainment, which runs operations of the Armory, has plans to host more events at the venue "over the next year and a half when the ESPN X Games and NCAA men’s basketball Final Four return to Minneapolis." Nomadic "invested in the Armory the way it would one of its pop-up venues -- but in this case the company helped fund permanent features" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/1).
NOT A GOOD LOOK: In St. Paul, Ross Raihala writes Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake "dealt itself a terrible hand." The Prior Lake venue on Thursday "tried to make the best of a bad situation" with the Chainsmokers concert, but the show "did not sell out." Mystic Lake in November "raised eyebrows with the announcement of Club Nomadic, a temporary 9,500-capacity venue built in its parking lot to house," but the "logistics of heating the massive 65,000-square-foot structure seemed daunting." Mystic Lake three weeks ago announced it was "tearing down the near-complete building and moving the shows inside into rooms with a fraction of the capacity" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 2/2).
STARTING IT OFF: "Rolling Stone Live: Minneapolis," the magazine’s seventh annual Super Bowl party, is Friday night at Int'l Market Square. The event, produced in association with Talent Resources Sports, features performances by MIGOS, 21 SAVAGE, T-PAIN and DJ CASSIDY. Presenting sponsor Mercedes-Benz will showcase its '19 G 550 SUV, AMG GT R and the AMG GT C Roadster. Media partner TIDAL is live-streaming the performances. Crown Royal is the official spirits sponsor of the evening. Meanwhile, the second annual Thuzio-Rosenhaus Party, hosted by former NFLer TIKI BARBER and agent DREW ROSENHAUS, is Friday night downtown at The Exchange & Alibi Lounge. Steelers WR ANTONIO BROWN, Panthers TE GREG OLSEN, Falcons LB DEION JONES, Broncos LB BRANDON MARSHALL and members of the GRONKOWSKI family that are not playing in the game are expected to be present (David Broughton, Research Director).
WILD WEEKEND AHEAD: FLO RIDA on Friday night will "play the venerable Leather & Laces party" hosted by JENNY MCCARTHY and DONNIE WAHLBERG. JAMIE FOXX will "appear at a Foxx & Friends dinner" with SHAQUILLE O'NEAL as "part of the h.wood Group’s Big Game Experience." The two will "team up again later in the night at TAO Group and Barstool Sports’ VIP bash." On Saturday, Cardi B will "play Maxim’s annual celebration" with POST MALONE and DJ MARSHMELLO, while SNOOP DOGG will headline Playboy’s annual Super Bowl party. The Chainsmokers will "play one of the most exclusive parties of the weekend" -- MICHAEL RUBIN’s Fanatics event. Expected guests include Giants WR ODELL BECKHAM JR., Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT, ALEX RODRIGUEZ, JENNIFER LOPEZ, Yankees P CC SABATHIA and Rams RB TODD GURLEY. Lopez will then "headline DirecTV Now’s Super Saturday Night concert" (PAGESIX.com, 2/1).
GAME DAY: Sting will perform at Sunday’s official NFL Tailgate Party "inside the Minneapolis Convention Center" along with SHAGGY and DARIUS RUCKER (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/1). The Players Ball on Sunday after the Super Bowl will feature acts including Cardi B, DIDDY, DJ KHALED, FRENCH MONTANA and BUSTA RHYMES (PAGESIX.com, 2/1). Also playing concerts throughout the area over the weekend will be PINK, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE, O.A.R., TRAVIS SCOTT, Migos, G-EAZY, RICK ROSS, GWEN STEFANI and KELLY CLARKSON (THE DAILY).
