09/14/2025
The Cove’s 20th Anniversary
For two decades,The Cove of Twin Falls has been more than a restaurant,it’s been a cornerstone of the Magic Valley live music scene. Owned and operated by a husband and wife duo who are talented musicians themselves, The Cove has nurtured countless artists through open mics, live performances, and unwavering support for local music.
Saturday afternoon and well into the night, the community came together to celebrate The Cove’s 20th anniversary and the owner’s 50th birthday. With seven powerhouse bands, exceptional food and drinks, and an unforgettable crowd, it was an evening that perfectly captured the spirit of what The Cove has built over the years.
Kicking off the night was Towards Bliss - Band, setting the tone with a dynamic mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s covers.
Lineup: Jake McGee (vocals, guitar), Nate Sloan (vocals, guitar), Johnny Price (bass), and Billy Kern (drums).
Both vocalists are solid tenors, with Jake delivering shades of Billy Corgan and Nate leaning into a Kurt Cobain aesthetic.
Their set featured crowd favorites like “About a Girl,” “Losing My Religion,” and “Johnny B. Goode.”Decades of combined experience shone through their performance, The band plans to hit the studio soon.
Then the vibe shifted, and Coel Harris & The Valkories delivered a powerful, gritty performance.
Lineup: Coel Harris (lead vocals, guitar), Christian Clark (guitar), David Lazenby (bass), Elisa Clark (drums, vocals).
With a blend of rock, roots country, blues, and jazz, their sound was deeply textured and unmistakably 70s influenced.
Coel’s commanding presence and gravelly vocals anchored originals like “Wrong Horse,” “Tragic Valley,” and “Checkin’ In.”Elisa impressed from behind the kit while singing “Bad Guy” and “Hotel California,” her voice carrying a Postmodern Jukebox style vibe.
Their music is streaming now, with even more on the way.
Youthful energy then took the stage with Sweet Nadine, a rock/grunge cover band that had the crowd moving.
Lineup: AJ (lead vocals), Mikelle Ferguson (guitar), Mike Bryan (bass, vocals), Landon Dey (drums).
Three members are the sons of Dirty Johnny band members, carrying on the family’s musical legacy.
Their setlist included “Learn to Fly,” “Shinedown,” and “Burnin’ Love.”
With plans to record in the coming year, Sweet Nadine showcased not only raw talent but also a promising future.
As the sun set members of Dirty Johnny and The kung Fu Chimps joined forces for an electric collaboration.
The Kungfu Chimps,Known for their dark, grungy rock sound, cranked up the energy with covers like “Sex on Fire” and “Just Got Paid.”
On bass with powerful vocals,Kevin Sanborn along with Andy Lindquist’s thunderous drumming,had the crowd on the floor.
Shawn Bryan delivered guitar work that was nothing short of masterful.
Dirty Johnny,Shifting gears to rock/country with Doug Gonzales on lead vocals, closed out their segment with dance inducing covers like “Picking Wildflowers,” “Beer Money,” and “My Kinda Party.”
The combination of these seasoned pros created one of the most high energy moments of the evening.
When the music moved indoors,
A breath of fun and danceable nostalgia filled the room when The Moon Pies began their set.
Lineup: Debbie Urrutia (drums, vocals), Johnny Urrutia (bass, vocals), Andy McDewitt (guitar,vocals).
Debbie’s bright, versatile vocals shone on classic covers like “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” and “Its my Party”.
Johnny’s steady bass lines and supporting harmonies, combined with Andy’s skillful guitar work, rounded out a set full of variety.
A ripping guitar solo during “Fall Back Down” and slightly upbeat rendition of “Walkin’ After Midnight” highlighted their range and decades of experience.
Closing the night was Cliftonite Acoustics/Cliftonite and His Married Men, delivering a memorable and crowd pleasing performance.
Lineup: Clifton Hunt (vocals, guitar), Christian Clark (drums), Coel Harris (bass,vocals,guitar).
Clifton’s powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence captivated the crowd, especially on reimagined covers like “Billie Jean” and Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up.”
A mix of originals and bold cover choices kept the audience engaged and entertained.
Yesterday wasn’t just about music ,it was about connection.
Aspen Sounds deserves a huge shoutout for providing professional quality sound, supporting the scene across Idaho for over 20 years.
The Cove’s incredible staff delivered top notch service, keeping the energy high and the drinks flowing.
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway was the camaraderie among musicians. Even artists who weren’t scheduled to play came out to support, and those who performed stuck around to cheer on their peers.
The result was a true testament to the thriving talent and unity of the Magic Valley music community.
The Cove’s 20th anniversary celebration was a living, breathing example of what happens when music, community, and passion come together. With seven outstanding bands, a great crowd, and unforgettable moments,it truly showcased the heart and soul of the Magic Valley’s Live Music scene.
Here’s to many more years of music, memories, and milestones at The Cove.
This is one annual event you won’t want to miss!
