Previews - Reviews - Media Galleries
Review: Alex G at Fillmore Philly 10/12/2025
by TC Stephens
Now 10 studio albums into his career, Alex G was reflective at the final show of the Headlights tour in his hometown. His first major label release, the tour’s titular 'Headlights', saw a marked change in Alex G’s discography. It broke away from the lo-fi, slacker sound that has cemented him as a pillar of DIY and indie rock — the separation used to contrast the then and the now. Though cleaner in its production, /Headlights/ grapples with fame, fatherhood, and the future, grounding its reflection in a youthful innocence. Where the album outlined his reflections, the tour was his way of actually feeling them through.
Giant stage lights flared in cadence with the revving engines of “Louisiana” that started the show. Outlines of Alex G and his bandmates blocked the light’s path, their figures the only objects visible in the radiance. When it dimmed, shadows of the stage’s scaffolding cast on a dark blue background, the overlapping silhouettes evoking car rides spent half-asleep as a kid. The entire setup made the show a very intimate experience. It felt as though the crowd were gathered on a local football field for an impromptu show. During more calm songs like “Oranges,” the headlights turned off, leaving only the faint glow of multicolor LEDs wrapped around the scaffolding. Each moment was planned perfectly, bringing the audience in to experience the songs just as Alex G does.
When he wasn’t singing, Alex G spent most of his time turned away from the audience. When he was singing, the back lighting obscured him. He came alive in his eye contact with his bandmates, and when the headlights rapidly flashed in multicolor so he could hardly be seen yelling out. He was not there for his person to be the main attraction — he wanted his songs and their sensitivities to take center stage. About halfway through the show, Alex G sat at his keyboard below the eyeline of most of the crowd and introduced the next song — “we wrote the lyrics to this next song together,” motioning to his bandmates. The song, titled “We Love Philly,” did not go much further than the title lyrically and was largely off-kilter, the type of song made when faced with artist block. In these moments, Alex G’s character shined. He doesn’t need any flashiness to put on a great show, connecting with the audience through an authenticity that can’t be represented in performance alone.
During the show, Alex G got so caught up in the music that he seemingly forgot the crowd was there. Proving himself as a true multi-instrumentalist, he cycled through guitars, keys, and even an accordion for the end of “June Guitar.” It was hard to tell if he had a command on each, or if they commanded him. Before “Is It Still You In There?,” he sat at the piano near the right of the stage, gently playing the keys for minutes as the drummer gently brushed his snare. “We have one more, and then we’ll do our encore” said Alex G before playing the titular “Headlights.” Its ending instrumental was hypnotic, cycling through the riff and highlighting a different bandmate with each turn. Alex G moved between them all, continuously nodding to indicate another repetition. It was a moment that could go forever without complaint, the crowd in awe at the entire band completely in sync with one another.
For the encore, Alex G and his band played not one, not two, not three, but eight songs. After “Far and Wide,” Alex G was bombarded with song titles from nearly everyone in the crowd. “Play Sarah!” from the left, “Snot!” from the middle, “Harvey!!!” throughout the venue. The more requests came in, the deeper into his discography he went. “We’re going to play three more… and you’re going to hate all of them” after some whispers between him and his bandmates. Whether an act of defiance or tastemaking, Alex G knows the rhythm at which his songs revolve through the cultural canon. They may be screaming for “Harvey” now, but when “Boy” blows up on TikTok two years down the line, they’ll be glad they heard it.
Giant stage lights flared in cadence with the revving engines of “Louisiana” that started the show. Outlines of Alex G and his bandmates blocked the light’s path, their figures the only objects visible in the radiance. When it dimmed, shadows of the stage’s scaffolding cast on a dark blue background, the overlapping silhouettes evoking car rides spent half-asleep as a kid. The entire setup made the show a very intimate experience. It felt as though the crowd were gathered on a local football field for an impromptu show. During more calm songs like “Oranges,” the headlights turned off, leaving only the faint glow of multicolor LEDs wrapped around the scaffolding. Each moment was planned perfectly, bringing the audience in to experience the songs just as Alex G does.
When he wasn’t singing, Alex G spent most of his time turned away from the audience. When he was singing, the back lighting obscured him. He came alive in his eye contact with his bandmates, and when the headlights rapidly flashed in multicolor so he could hardly be seen yelling out. He was not there for his person to be the main attraction — he wanted his songs and their sensitivities to take center stage. About halfway through the show, Alex G sat at his keyboard below the eyeline of most of the crowd and introduced the next song — “we wrote the lyrics to this next song together,” motioning to his bandmates. The song, titled “We Love Philly,” did not go much further than the title lyrically and was largely off-kilter, the type of song made when faced with artist block. In these moments, Alex G’s character shined. He doesn’t need any flashiness to put on a great show, connecting with the audience through an authenticity that can’t be represented in performance alone.
During the show, Alex G got so caught up in the music that he seemingly forgot the crowd was there. Proving himself as a true multi-instrumentalist, he cycled through guitars, keys, and even an accordion for the end of “June Guitar.” It was hard to tell if he had a command on each, or if they commanded him. Before “Is It Still You In There?,” he sat at the piano near the right of the stage, gently playing the keys for minutes as the drummer gently brushed his snare. “We have one more, and then we’ll do our encore” said Alex G before playing the titular “Headlights.” Its ending instrumental was hypnotic, cycling through the riff and highlighting a different bandmate with each turn. Alex G moved between them all, continuously nodding to indicate another repetition. It was a moment that could go forever without complaint, the crowd in awe at the entire band completely in sync with one another.
For the encore, Alex G and his band played not one, not two, not three, but eight songs. After “Far and Wide,” Alex G was bombarded with song titles from nearly everyone in the crowd. “Play Sarah!” from the left, “Snot!” from the middle, “Harvey!!!” throughout the venue. The more requests came in, the deeper into his discography he went. “We’re going to play three more… and you’re going to hate all of them” after some whispers between him and his bandmates. Whether an act of defiance or tastemaking, Alex G knows the rhythm at which his songs revolve through the cultural canon. They may be screaming for “Harvey” now, but when “Boy” blows up on TikTok two years down the line, they’ll be glad they heard it.
Addison Rae at Fillmore Philly 10/7/2025
by TC Stephens
Ever since “Diet Pepsi” dropped over a year ago, Addison Rae has been next in line to take the title of it girl. Cringe influencer-turned-pop-star for some, Britney Spears reincarnated for others, The Addison Tour is the final step in her beautifully crafted debut album rollout as she strives to be taken seriously as an artist bar her TikTok-tainted past. A giant gate styled closely to Addison’s cover art with a striking “A” in the center was the only sight before the show. Rebecca Black didn’t get behind the decks, there was no noise set from Arca, just Britney Spears and Madonna deep cuts that rose in volume until her dancers unlatched the gate. Though criticized for being too referential and constantly combating comparisons, Rae’s main concern is clear: All eyes on her.
Hit copy and paste on the crowd at the Sweat Tour to envision the show out for Rae. Just as eager to dance in skin-tight “I Love New York” tees and neon fishnets, it was hard to believe walking in that this crowd heard the same alt-pop, largely downtempo debut. Yet, Rae’s setlist gave them exactly what they wanted. Starting with “Fame Is A Gun” and bringing fans on stage to make the iconic “Von Dutch remix” scream the show’s climax, Rae interspersed her high energy perfectly. She’s equipped with the self-awareness to know the slower “Headphones On” is enough of a hit to be followed by blasting her newly minted “A Bucks” into the crowd during “Money Is Everything” without whiplash. Where the setlist went, the audience followed, feeling so free it was their religion.
Much like how she talks about her debut, The Addison Tour doesn’t come from a polished place. The vague feelings, colors, and words that began her creative process don’t come through in lyrics, movements, or production alone. It’s these pieces together that form her mode of expression. Is Rae the vocalist of the generation? Certainly not. What she channels with her headset mic and supported by her dancers, though, is more than enough for her vision to resonate. Throughout the show, she placed “Philly” in every sentence she could — “it’s fun to say, isn’t it?” In a way, this spontaneous repetition is her ethos embodied. If it looks good, feels good, sounds good, it works. Worry about the details later.
Rae has gone on the record to assert that taste is a luxury. If you need the feet imagery of “High Fashion” or the impromptu cardio set to a remixed outro of “Fame Is A Gun” explained to you, it’s a luxury you just don’t have. With each distinctive performance choice, she’s crafting her pop persona outside of her highly referential showing thus far. And in her choreography, she shines. Throughout the show, her arms flew in quick sharp lines, her body contrasting in the slow, fluid movements that have become distinctly hers. Her best showing was during “In The Rain,” hands ruffling her hair before circling to the ground, remaining as guides for her next move. Say what you want about her TikTok dances, but if they laid the foundation for her current choreo, every single one was worth it.
In Rae’s energy-based approach to her music, it’s no surprise that the show’s throughline, while clearly present, couldn’t be pinned down. After cycling through sparkling bras and neon fishnets throughout the show, her dancers put her in a bodysuit with a tulle skirt and train for her final song, “Diet Pepsi.” Her most liberated lyrically, she stood center stage and performed it as if it were a ballad. It was a final nod to her high artistry, her devotion to self-expression concentrated into one song. As it closed, her dancers came back on and took a bow with her, throwing roses into the crowd. The lights came on and those same roses were subsequently bartered along with cigarettes and sweaty shirts for the priceless “A Bucks.” The scramble was that you would see for a pop princess in her prime, but Rae is just getting started.
Hit copy and paste on the crowd at the Sweat Tour to envision the show out for Rae. Just as eager to dance in skin-tight “I Love New York” tees and neon fishnets, it was hard to believe walking in that this crowd heard the same alt-pop, largely downtempo debut. Yet, Rae’s setlist gave them exactly what they wanted. Starting with “Fame Is A Gun” and bringing fans on stage to make the iconic “Von Dutch remix” scream the show’s climax, Rae interspersed her high energy perfectly. She’s equipped with the self-awareness to know the slower “Headphones On” is enough of a hit to be followed by blasting her newly minted “A Bucks” into the crowd during “Money Is Everything” without whiplash. Where the setlist went, the audience followed, feeling so free it was their religion.
Much like how she talks about her debut, The Addison Tour doesn’t come from a polished place. The vague feelings, colors, and words that began her creative process don’t come through in lyrics, movements, or production alone. It’s these pieces together that form her mode of expression. Is Rae the vocalist of the generation? Certainly not. What she channels with her headset mic and supported by her dancers, though, is more than enough for her vision to resonate. Throughout the show, she placed “Philly” in every sentence she could — “it’s fun to say, isn’t it?” In a way, this spontaneous repetition is her ethos embodied. If it looks good, feels good, sounds good, it works. Worry about the details later.
Rae has gone on the record to assert that taste is a luxury. If you need the feet imagery of “High Fashion” or the impromptu cardio set to a remixed outro of “Fame Is A Gun” explained to you, it’s a luxury you just don’t have. With each distinctive performance choice, she’s crafting her pop persona outside of her highly referential showing thus far. And in her choreography, she shines. Throughout the show, her arms flew in quick sharp lines, her body contrasting in the slow, fluid movements that have become distinctly hers. Her best showing was during “In The Rain,” hands ruffling her hair before circling to the ground, remaining as guides for her next move. Say what you want about her TikTok dances, but if they laid the foundation for her current choreo, every single one was worth it.
In Rae’s energy-based approach to her music, it’s no surprise that the show’s throughline, while clearly present, couldn’t be pinned down. After cycling through sparkling bras and neon fishnets throughout the show, her dancers put her in a bodysuit with a tulle skirt and train for her final song, “Diet Pepsi.” Her most liberated lyrically, she stood center stage and performed it as if it were a ballad. It was a final nod to her high artistry, her devotion to self-expression concentrated into one song. As it closed, her dancers came back on and took a bow with her, throwing roses into the crowd. The lights came on and those same roses were subsequently bartered along with cigarettes and sweaty shirts for the priceless “A Bucks.” The scramble was that you would see for a pop princess in her prime, but Rae is just getting started.
Rico Nasty in Philly at Union Transfer 10/12/2025
photos: Izzie Chausse
Stereolab in Philadelphia at Union Transfer 9/24/2025
words/photos: Dave Avidan
Avant-garde-bubblegum-pop-indie-pop-jazz-motorik-electronic outfit Stereolab made their return to Philadelphia for the first time in three years on Wednesday night in Philly. Your favorite band’s favorite band, the legendary 1990’s quintet is celebrating the release of their incredible newest album, “Instant Holograms on Metal Film”, released back in May. After taking a hiatus from 2010 to 2019, the band made a much-lauded return in 2019 with a reunion tour and album reissue campaign - and a subsequent successful tour in 2022 celebrating the release of a pair of brand-new compilations consisting of old and rare tracks (Switched On: Volumes 4 and 5). Now in 2025, the band is back with much gusto and many new songs in tow, to the delight of audiences’ ears across the world.
The night started off with experimental duo, Memorials, bringing a haunting yet ethereal and spooky vibe to the show, with Verity Susman & Matthew Simms conjuring layered soundscapes together that really make your mind wander, almost like the soundtrack to a film that hasn’t been recorded yet. Stereolab then took the stage with much fanfare from the audience, with front woman Laetitia Sadier expressing her gratitude to be back in Philadelphia again (to which the audience shouted, “Go Birds!” - fitting, as drummer Andy Ramsay was sporting a Kelly green “Go birds!” t-shirt. The band started with the lead single of their newest album, an upbeat song called “Aerial Troubles”. The band then launched into their classic song, “Motoroller Scalatron”, from their 1996 album, “Emperor Tomato Ketchup”. “What’s society built on? It’s built on bluff- built on trust. What’s society built on? It’s built on words- it’s built on work.” Sadier laments in this bouncy groove.
After this, the band treated the audience to another new song, “Vermona F Transistor”- a relaxed, loungey song before segueing into an infectious motorik beat that draws the listener in. “I'm the creator of this reality… not the deceiver who feigns the love of me”, Sadier croons in this song, before wowing the audience and playing a trombone solo towards the end of the track. Guitarist Tim Gane, flanked left stage, sways his head side to side in rhythm to drummer Andy Ramsay’s explosive motorik beats, and keyboardist Joe Watson’s fingers dance across his Rhodes piano, keeping the audience captivated with each next chord, while Fender Bass VI extraordinaire Xavi Muñoz holds down the low end with his funky groove and delicious bass tone.
Reaching far back in their discography, the band next pulled out the classic track “Peng! 33” from their 1992 album, “Peng!”. “Across the river there are all kinds of magical instruments… while really we keep on living like monkeys. Incredible things are happening in the world. Magical things are happening in this world…” Sadier sings, partially quoting Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez’s 1967 novel, “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. The band went on to play more much-loved tracks from their older albums, including 1990’s indie/underground hits “Cybele’s Reverie”, “the Flower Called Nowhere” and “Miss Modular”, and even some deep cuts like “Household Names” and “The Way Will Be Opening” - the latter of which Laetitia encouraged us all before beginning the song - to cultivate peace in our lives through community and love.
The group also played many more songs from their newest release, like “Melodie is a Wound”, “If You Remember I Forgot How to Dream”, “Electrified Teenybop!”, “Esemplastic Creeping Eruption”, and ending the night with “Immortal Hands” - featuring another beautiful trombone solo from Sadier. Stereolab’s one-of-a-kind newest album is a true testament to a band resuming their story and their sound right where they left off - almost as if they never left. Their timeless sound is both one that echoes of many past decades but is also very forward-thinking and futuristic. Laetitia’s lyrics on the album are more poignant than ever in today’s day and age as well.
The album is a true treat for fans who feared we would never hear new Stereolab music again when the band went on hiatus in 2009. It has been a please to witness the band falling in love with playing music again from their 2019 tour until today, as they are incredibly highly-polished, loving what they do, and are tightly in the groove night after night. The new album was a true labor of love and will absolutely withstand the test of time to become a true classic in the years to come.
The night started off with experimental duo, Memorials, bringing a haunting yet ethereal and spooky vibe to the show, with Verity Susman & Matthew Simms conjuring layered soundscapes together that really make your mind wander, almost like the soundtrack to a film that hasn’t been recorded yet. Stereolab then took the stage with much fanfare from the audience, with front woman Laetitia Sadier expressing her gratitude to be back in Philadelphia again (to which the audience shouted, “Go Birds!” - fitting, as drummer Andy Ramsay was sporting a Kelly green “Go birds!” t-shirt. The band started with the lead single of their newest album, an upbeat song called “Aerial Troubles”. The band then launched into their classic song, “Motoroller Scalatron”, from their 1996 album, “Emperor Tomato Ketchup”. “What’s society built on? It’s built on bluff- built on trust. What’s society built on? It’s built on words- it’s built on work.” Sadier laments in this bouncy groove.
After this, the band treated the audience to another new song, “Vermona F Transistor”- a relaxed, loungey song before segueing into an infectious motorik beat that draws the listener in. “I'm the creator of this reality… not the deceiver who feigns the love of me”, Sadier croons in this song, before wowing the audience and playing a trombone solo towards the end of the track. Guitarist Tim Gane, flanked left stage, sways his head side to side in rhythm to drummer Andy Ramsay’s explosive motorik beats, and keyboardist Joe Watson’s fingers dance across his Rhodes piano, keeping the audience captivated with each next chord, while Fender Bass VI extraordinaire Xavi Muñoz holds down the low end with his funky groove and delicious bass tone.
Reaching far back in their discography, the band next pulled out the classic track “Peng! 33” from their 1992 album, “Peng!”. “Across the river there are all kinds of magical instruments… while really we keep on living like monkeys. Incredible things are happening in the world. Magical things are happening in this world…” Sadier sings, partially quoting Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez’s 1967 novel, “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. The band went on to play more much-loved tracks from their older albums, including 1990’s indie/underground hits “Cybele’s Reverie”, “the Flower Called Nowhere” and “Miss Modular”, and even some deep cuts like “Household Names” and “The Way Will Be Opening” - the latter of which Laetitia encouraged us all before beginning the song - to cultivate peace in our lives through community and love.
The group also played many more songs from their newest release, like “Melodie is a Wound”, “If You Remember I Forgot How to Dream”, “Electrified Teenybop!”, “Esemplastic Creeping Eruption”, and ending the night with “Immortal Hands” - featuring another beautiful trombone solo from Sadier. Stereolab’s one-of-a-kind newest album is a true testament to a band resuming their story and their sound right where they left off - almost as if they never left. Their timeless sound is both one that echoes of many past decades but is also very forward-thinking and futuristic. Laetitia’s lyrics on the album are more poignant than ever in today’s day and age as well.
The album is a true treat for fans who feared we would never hear new Stereolab music again when the band went on hiatus in 2009. It has been a please to witness the band falling in love with playing music again from their 2019 tour until today, as they are incredibly highly-polished, loving what they do, and are tightly in the groove night after night. The new album was a true labor of love and will absolutely withstand the test of time to become a true classic in the years to come.
Low Cut Connie Delivers Raw Rock n’ Roll at Garden State Live! Concert Series - 8/8/25
words/photos: Julia Hill
Garden State Live! a new monthly concert series, which aims to showcase the very best musical artists within the southern and central areas of Jersey, kicked off last night with a smash at Sound Waves at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, in partnership with Prudential North to Shore Festival. Opening the evening was the South Jersey-based trio Isn’t It Always, who played with a blend of pop-rock and vocals that evoked the 2000s emo craze, but with a fresh modern flair. With the music pumping and a diverse crowd ranging from elders to young kids, it was time for Low Cut Connie to do what Low Cut Connie does best…put on a show. Full stop.
Founded and fronted by Adam Weiner, Low Cut Connie transported the audience with pure rock and roll and a charismatic presence. Center stage was Nellie, Weiner’s carved-up piano that resounded and wailed like no other. The energy that Weiner brings on stage has been discussed and written about since the band's inception, and rightfully so. Weiner employs every ounce of fuel in his system, it seems, banging out songs like “Dirty Water” and “Whips and Chains” with wild abandon; I’m surprised the piano keys didn’t suddenly catch fire. While the band made a raunchy, brain-rattling spectacle, it was joyfully balanced with a sincerity and heart that is rare.
Having made recent headlines for a show in Wilkes-Barre canceled by the organizers, claiming the band was ‘too political’ (the city now inviting Adam Weiner to perform a solo concert on September 6th), Low Cut Connie unapologetically demonstrated last night that the pillar of camaraderie and unity that is fundamental to the band has remained unfazed. Weiner talked with the crowd, making his way into the audience multiple times during the show, embracing everyone he passed, holding hands, and dancing his way back to the stage. The frontman made it a point to state that the two words he will never stop voicing are “diversity” and “inclusion.” Although Weiner is the only constant member with musicians freely flowing in and out of the group, it proves that Low Cut Connie is not just one man, but an ever-evolving community, a sanctuary, where all people are welcome to celebrate their love for the music and their shared humanity. The tour continues for Low Cut Connie with dates set for the remaining summer season and into October. For more info and to check out their new single “LIVIN in the USA,” click here.
Founded and fronted by Adam Weiner, Low Cut Connie transported the audience with pure rock and roll and a charismatic presence. Center stage was Nellie, Weiner’s carved-up piano that resounded and wailed like no other. The energy that Weiner brings on stage has been discussed and written about since the band's inception, and rightfully so. Weiner employs every ounce of fuel in his system, it seems, banging out songs like “Dirty Water” and “Whips and Chains” with wild abandon; I’m surprised the piano keys didn’t suddenly catch fire. While the band made a raunchy, brain-rattling spectacle, it was joyfully balanced with a sincerity and heart that is rare.
Having made recent headlines for a show in Wilkes-Barre canceled by the organizers, claiming the band was ‘too political’ (the city now inviting Adam Weiner to perform a solo concert on September 6th), Low Cut Connie unapologetically demonstrated last night that the pillar of camaraderie and unity that is fundamental to the band has remained unfazed. Weiner talked with the crowd, making his way into the audience multiple times during the show, embracing everyone he passed, holding hands, and dancing his way back to the stage. The frontman made it a point to state that the two words he will never stop voicing are “diversity” and “inclusion.” Although Weiner is the only constant member with musicians freely flowing in and out of the group, it proves that Low Cut Connie is not just one man, but an ever-evolving community, a sanctuary, where all people are welcome to celebrate their love for the music and their shared humanity. The tour continues for Low Cut Connie with dates set for the remaining summer season and into October. For more info and to check out their new single “LIVIN in the USA,” click here.
Slightly Stoopid Steps into the Sun at the Mann Center 7/31/2025
photos: Kevin Matsanka
Slightly Stoopid brought their Step into The Sun tour to Philadelphia on Thursday night with their laid-back reggae/rock rhythms joined by Iration and Little Stranger at the Mann Center's TD Pavilion. The tour moves on to Lewistown, NY at Artpark before making an appearance on Saturday at the Everwild Music Fest
in Thornville, OH
in Thornville, OH
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia at The Mann Center 7/28/2025
photos: Dave Avidan
Night 2 of the Make the World Better Concert in Philadelphia at FDR Park with Remi Wolf, Magdalena Bay,
and Annie DiRusso 7/27/2025
Night two of the Make the World Better Concert Weekend took place Sunday night in south Philly's FDR park, with Nashville-based indie rocker Annie DiRusso, followed by Miami pop-duo Magdalena Bay. Closing the night out, we saw singer/songwriter Remi Wolf, who just recently released her sophomore album, Big Ideas. Wolf makes appearances at this year's Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 3rd and at Asbury Park's Sea.Hear.Now festival on September 13th.
Founded in 2013 by former Eagles player Connor Barwin, Make The World Better connects people and inspires stewardship through public space revitalization projects. MTWB believes that communities prosper when all people have access to high-quality public spaces that provide safe outlets for recreation, sports, and arts-based activities.
Founded in 2013 by former Eagles player Connor Barwin, Make The World Better connects people and inspires stewardship through public space revitalization projects. MTWB believes that communities prosper when all people have access to high-quality public spaces that provide safe outlets for recreation, sports, and arts-based activities.
Night 2 in Philadelphia with the Pixies at Fillmore Philly 7/23/2025
words/photos: Julia Hill
After a sold-out night in Philly on Tuesday, Pixies played to another packed house on Wednesday. Warming up the crowd was Kurt Vile and the Violators, you may recognize from the Philly native band The War on Drugs, who delivered a fantastic set of songs that blended the genres of indie rock, folk, and a touch of psychedelic-country.
Pixies took the stage promptly at 9:20 and kicked off the night with their haunting rendition of “In Heaven (The Lady in the Radiator Song)” sung by the newest member of the band, bassist Emma Richardson. A classic Pixies night it was indeed, with songs like “Vamos,” “No. 13 Baby,” and “Where Is My Mind.” Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering, with Richardson, played with a practiced ease expected from music veterans. There was no setlist taped to the stage floor to aid the members; there was no need. They transitioned from each song effortlessly. Moody, hard-hitting, and classic, the dedicated crowd cheered on the group with a vibrant energy that was well deserved.
The tour moves on to Washington, DC, at the Anthem, and then they will continue through cities like Detroit, St. Paul, San Diego, and many more the next two months before bringing their show to Australia and New Zealand.
Pixies took the stage promptly at 9:20 and kicked off the night with their haunting rendition of “In Heaven (The Lady in the Radiator Song)” sung by the newest member of the band, bassist Emma Richardson. A classic Pixies night it was indeed, with songs like “Vamos,” “No. 13 Baby,” and “Where Is My Mind.” Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering, with Richardson, played with a practiced ease expected from music veterans. There was no setlist taped to the stage floor to aid the members; there was no need. They transitioned from each song effortlessly. Moody, hard-hitting, and classic, the dedicated crowd cheered on the group with a vibrant energy that was well deserved.
The tour moves on to Washington, DC, at the Anthem, and then they will continue through cities like Detroit, St. Paul, San Diego, and many more the next two months before bringing their show to Australia and New Zealand.
From Trompe Le Monde to Today: Pixies Still Thrill 7/22/2025
words/photos: Izzie Chausse
At the first of their two-night run at the Fillmore in Philadelphia, Pixies delivered a powerful performance of their classic albums Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde to a sold-out crowd. The mix of nostalgic hits, the Fillmore's pre-show hang, and an energized crowd of die-hard fans set the stage for an unforgettable night of alt-rock. Reflecting the intensity and range of the Pixies' sound, the audience was a diverse mix spanning generations and styles, creating a space where everyone could experience the show on their own terms.
GHOST: Skeletour World Tour at Wells Fargo Center 7/19/25
words/photos: Julia Hill
Last night, Philadelphia’s own Wells Fargo Center hosted the Swedish band GHOST, arguably the biggest rock band touring today. Formed in 2006 by Tobias Forge, whose identity was revealed in 2017, having performed under his onstage persona of various masked characters wearing dark, religious, and pope-like ensembles. Papa V Perpetua is the new frontman that Forge is embodying in 2025 alongside the rest of GHOST, known as “Nameless Ghouls.”
Six albums and two live albums, their latest album, Skeletá, became the band’s first No.1 album on the US Billboard 200 and the first hard rock album to top the charts in four years. It was the greatest week in hard rock vinyl sales since 1991, with over 44,000 hard copies sold on vinyl.
The arena was packed, with nearly every seat filled with fans dressed to the nines with face paint, capes, mitres, and more. As a phone-free experience where devices are placed in Yondr pouches, it was a refreshing change. Not a screen was in sight before or during the concert, and attendees interacted with each other and the band like I’ve never seen. Plus, as a photographer, it was nice not having to battle a sea of phone screens disrupting every shot.
Opening with songs like “Peacefield” and “Lachryma,” GHOST performed their theatrical heavy metal rock with a blend of 80s pop that somehow worked without coming across as contrived; the ABBA influence flowed seamlessly with the gothic imagery and weighty riffs. GHOST and Tobias Forge seem to be unstoppable, with their next show dates coming up soon at the TD Garden in Boston and New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Six albums and two live albums, their latest album, Skeletá, became the band’s first No.1 album on the US Billboard 200 and the first hard rock album to top the charts in four years. It was the greatest week in hard rock vinyl sales since 1991, with over 44,000 hard copies sold on vinyl.
The arena was packed, with nearly every seat filled with fans dressed to the nines with face paint, capes, mitres, and more. As a phone-free experience where devices are placed in Yondr pouches, it was a refreshing change. Not a screen was in sight before or during the concert, and attendees interacted with each other and the band like I’ve never seen. Plus, as a photographer, it was nice not having to battle a sea of phone screens disrupting every shot.
Opening with songs like “Peacefield” and “Lachryma,” GHOST performed their theatrical heavy metal rock with a blend of 80s pop that somehow worked without coming across as contrived; the ABBA influence flowed seamlessly with the gothic imagery and weighty riffs. GHOST and Tobias Forge seem to be unstoppable, with their next show dates coming up soon at the TD Garden in Boston and New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Night 2 with Phish in Philly at The Mann Center 7/16/2025
photos: Alex Buschiazzo
Spafford with Jimkata at Concerts Under the Stars in King of Prussia 6/20/2025
photos: Dave Avidan
Friday night with jam titans Spafford and Jimkata kicking off the King of Prussia Concerts Under the Stars at the Upper Merion Township Building Park
Queens Of The Stone Age at Hard Rock Live Etess Arena in Atlantic City 6/13/2025
photos: Julia Hill
Solar Circuit Presents Strange Soiree IV at Morgan Creek Farms September 26-27
Strange Soiree, the highly anticipated immersive music and arts festival, returns for its fourth year to Morgan Creek Farms nestled in Quakertown, PA on September 26–27, 2025. Curated by jamtronic electropop quartet Solar Circuit and their production partners Hog Wild Productions, this two-day event blends genre-bending live music, vibrant visual art, and interactive experiences together, creating a passionate and diverse community of music lovers. This year’s lineup includes The Disco Biscuits’ Marc Brownstein and Jon Gutwillig, as they bring their dynamic side projects DJ Brownie and Baba G with Ben Atkind, as well as three sets from hosts Solar Circuit. Additional performances from a variety of jam, rock, and world influences grace the stage by Hayley Jane Band, Muscle Tough, Solar Circuit psytrance side projects Maantrala and Necika, The Keith Allen Circus (of The Mantras), Qway, and more. Tickets: Purchase tickets for Strange Soiree IV HERE
- VIP Friday Night: Two additional exclusive Solar Circuit sets, silent discos, VIP amenities
- Saturday Festival: Performance from all acts on the lineup
- Multiple stages with no overlapping sets
- Quality audio and visual production
- Local artisan vendor village
- Interactive and live art
- Car camping
- swimming
- Weekend and Day passes available
Pierce the Veil Plays Sold Out Skyline Stage at The Mann 5/19/2025
words/photos: Julia Hill
On the outskirts of Philly, the night was alight from the outdoor Skyline Stage at The Mann as though it was the weekend and not a Monday. Pierce the Veil, one of the biggest post-hardcore bands that defined an era in the mid to late-2000s, performed to a sold-out crowd after being joined by Sleeping With Sirens and Daisy Grenade. On their I Can’t Hear You World Tour, playing the biggest shows of their career, Pierce the Veil hit Philadelphia like a freight train.
The band’s epic introduction theme, Vicente Fernandez’s “El Rey,” rallied the onlookers with anticipation and suspense, teasing them until they took the stage, and the entire place erupted. The dedication and love that the audience had for Pierce the Veil were in full force. Smiles and tears were drawn across nearly every face as the band played legendary songs like “Death of an Executioner” and “Bulls in the Bronx.” Heavy guitar, potent vocals, and rumbling bass dominated the air, and there was so much headbanging that a few brains were probably knocked loose. One could say it’s a taste of what is yet to come as Pierce the Veil moves on to their next shows at a sold-out Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, two nights that no one will want to miss.
The band’s epic introduction theme, Vicente Fernandez’s “El Rey,” rallied the onlookers with anticipation and suspense, teasing them until they took the stage, and the entire place erupted. The dedication and love that the audience had for Pierce the Veil were in full force. Smiles and tears were drawn across nearly every face as the band played legendary songs like “Death of an Executioner” and “Bulls in the Bronx.” Heavy guitar, potent vocals, and rumbling bass dominated the air, and there was so much headbanging that a few brains were probably knocked loose. One could say it’s a taste of what is yet to come as Pierce the Veil moves on to their next shows at a sold-out Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, two nights that no one will want to miss.
Larkin Poe at Union Transfer 5/8/2025
photos: Izzie Chausse
Fresh in from a stint of west coast shows on their current US tour, Larkin Poe returned to Philadelphia joined by Amythyst Kiah at Union Transfer to celebrate the January release of the grammy-winning sister-duo's seventh album, Bloom.
Anna Shoemaker at The Foundry at Fillmore 5/7/2025
Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter Anna Shoemaker returned home for a well-received performance at The Foundry at Fillmore, joining Brisbane songstress Mallrat, also known as Grace Shaw. Shoemaker is currently on tour celebrating the recent release of her 12-track sophomore album, Someone Should Stop Her—an honest, reflective, and unfiltered post-breakup record that draws inspiration from the growing pains of love and life on the road—released this February.
The Melvins at Union Transfer 5/5/2025
photos: Paul Havelin
Photos: Arcade Fire at The Met Philly 5/5/2025
photos: Julia Hill
Bullet For My Valentine at Fillmore Philly 4/30/25
photos: Izzie Chausse
Bullet For My Valentine have been out on their North American tour for the past month celebrating the release of their 20th anniversary album for ‘The Poison' and returned to Philadelphia last night joined by Orlando’s heavy rockers, Trivium, Lancaster's August Burns Red, and Glasgow's Bleed From Within at Fillmore Philly.
Franz Ferdinand at Fillmore Philly 4/8/2025
photos: Julia Hill
Anna Shoemaker Coming to The Foundry at Fillmore Philly 5/7/2025
This Spring, Anna Shoemaker will be joining Mallrat on her headline tour, performing here in her hometown at The Foundry at the Fillmore Philly on Wednesday on May 7.
Anna just released her sophomore album Someone Should Stop Her on February 21, a deeply personal album as it finds Anna on the road - moving from NYC to LA, after a heartbreak and leaving a long-time relationship which she knew wasn’t right. The album displays Shoemaker shedding all her NYC angst for LA sunshine and wistful future — thus the record is more “songwriter” than her June 2023 EP, Hey, Anna, mostly recorded in Nashville.
Featured on People’s Emerging Artists list and Alt Press' Rising Artists list, she’s the perfect mix of Phoebe Bridgers’ spiraling charm, Holly Humberstone’s sweet lilt, and the raw, unfiltered energy of ’90s legends like Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow. NYLON even crowned her “Brooklyn’s own Olivia Rodrigo”.
Grab tickets for the May 7th show joining Mallrat at The Foundry HERE.
Anna just released her sophomore album Someone Should Stop Her on February 21, a deeply personal album as it finds Anna on the road - moving from NYC to LA, after a heartbreak and leaving a long-time relationship which she knew wasn’t right. The album displays Shoemaker shedding all her NYC angst for LA sunshine and wistful future — thus the record is more “songwriter” than her June 2023 EP, Hey, Anna, mostly recorded in Nashville.
Featured on People’s Emerging Artists list and Alt Press' Rising Artists list, she’s the perfect mix of Phoebe Bridgers’ spiraling charm, Holly Humberstone’s sweet lilt, and the raw, unfiltered energy of ’90s legends like Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow. NYLON even crowned her “Brooklyn’s own Olivia Rodrigo”.
Grab tickets for the May 7th show joining Mallrat at The Foundry HERE.
Saturday Night with Rebecca Black at TLA Philly 3/29/2025
photos: Izzie Chausse
Father John Misty at Fillmore Philly 2/28/2025
photos: Izzie Chausse
Greensky Bluegrass at The Fillmore Philly 2/6/2025
photos: Dave Avidan
Greensky Bluegrass returned to Philly on Thursday night with Nashville's Moon taxi for a jam-packed night at The Fillmore Philadelphia. For over two decades now, the beloved bluegrass band has become known for their dynamic live performances and extensive touring schedule, which always seems to bring them back to us on a cold winter night, just the warmth we needed at the Fillmore. The band kicked off the show with Old Barns and traversing through their catalog with songs like Train Junkie, Burn Them, Past My Prime, Down The Road, and Murder of Crows off the band's 2019 release, All For Money. The night saw fans giving a healthy dose of 'GO BIRDS' chants through the night ahead of Sunday's game. The band obliged and also received a visit from their good friend in Philly, Tom Hamilton to perform Lose My Way from the bands 2011 album, Handguns, followed by The Miracles classic, I Second That Emotion. Check out the full schedule of Greensky's Winter dates here.
Photos: Haley Reinhart at City Winery Philadelphia 12/10/2024
photos: Izzie Chausse
Interview & Photos: Dexter and The Moonrocks at Brooklyn Bowl Philly 11/14/2024
words & photos: Izzie Chausse
Dexter and The Moonrocks, the self-described “Western Space Grunge” band, took the stage at Philadelphia’s Brooklyn Bowl to deliver their special mix of y’allternative grunge-rock. The Abilene, Texas natives that make up the group started their careers far from the bright lights of your favorite local venue. As a former fry cook, oil field operator, concrete surface decorator and kids baseball coach, the band’s members bring a level of earnestness and grit that can be heard throughout their entire discography.
We sat down in the bowling alley lanes with vocalist James Tuffs, drummer Ryan “Fox” Fox, guitarist Ryan Anderson, and bassist Ty Anderson, to hear a bit more about their background, tour life, and what they’d like to explore here in Philly.
Are there any aspects of your previous jobs that serve as assets in your experience as touring musicians?
Tuffs: “I think partly, yes. Just having a type of job where it doesn't allow too much focus, so you can kind of think of, you know, a song that you're just working on in your head, and that's sometimes where it starts.”
Fox: “Yeah, true. Also motivation to just be able to do what you love for a living that comes along too. That's very nice.”
Do you think you'll be forever tied to the Western Space Grunge sound and aesthetic, or are you open to exploring something different, either visually or musically, in the future?
Tuffs: “We never want to put ourselves in a box, but definitely right now, it's something we agree with. We're never going to say ‘we'll never go this direction or that direction,’ because we don't know how we will want to evolve as musicians in a couple years.”
Is there a common thread amongst your fans? Any trait they all have in common from your POV?
Tuffs: “They come in all sorts. That is the coolest thing about it, is just how many different kinds of people you'll see coming to support us. It's pretty nuts.”
Fox: “I love this saying that we have: ‘We have people who think a pair of boots could mean cowboy or combat.’ So you've got people in worn-out cowboy boots, and people in Doc Martens - Very country, very grunge, still blended together. It's very interesting to see super Western versus, like, split-dyed hair, versus that kind of vibe.
What have you enjoyed most about touring so far? What is the least glamorous aspect, and what has been surprising?
Tuffs: “I had barely left Texas, ever, before we started touring a couple years ago. So, I mean, my favorite part is the food. I'm not gonna lie. I'm a foodie.”
Fox: “We're getting to the point where we're getting big enough that other people who are also big in their field are fans. So then, they're like, ‘Hey, we’re fans of y'all. Come tour this baseball field. Come out and watch batting practice,’ and that's cool to me, because we get to do fun things whenever we're in different cities. We went to the Basketball Hall of Fame yesterday, so like, just cool stuff.
Is there anything you want to have or do while in Philly?
Tuffs: “I want to go get a Philly cheesesteak. I heard about Angelo's Pizzeria. They say you have to wait in line forever.”
Fox: “I want to go to a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park, really, really bad.”
Tuffs: “I’m just trying to not get beat up because I like the Cowboys.”
Any movie soundtrack you wish you could have one of your songs featured in?
Tuffs: “If you could throw us anywhere in ‘Shrek 2,’ one of the greatest soundtracks of any movie. I think we belong.”
Fox: “I think my three top movies that I’d love for our songs to be on the soundtrack of would be ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ ‘Ray,’ the movie about Ray Charles, and ‘Walk the Line’ about Johnny Cash. I think every new biopic music movie [...] should just be our music. I'd also say ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower,’ or a good coming of age movie, like ‘Sixteen Candles’ or some shit like that.
Song, album or artist you’ve had on repeat as of late?
Tuffs: “I have gotten back into Remo Drive. Their greatest hits album is incredible. And Mom Jeans. I'll never stop listening to them. And I'm always listening to Death Cab for Cutie and stuff like that.”
Fox: “Chappell Roan is one for me. And then I forget how good Alice in Chains is. I think, ‘Oh, I've listened to all of their good songs,’ and then I find one that I've never heard before. I'm like, wow, they're an amazing band.”
R. Anderson: “I love Slow Pulp - They are an indie band from Chicago.”
Tuffs: “There is a song I listen to by them called, ‘High.’ It’s a great song.”
Fox: “Also, King Lazy Eye, a very small dude from Nashville who is very much in the weird, western-grunge space that we're in. He's phenomenal.”
Tuffs: “And then Ty exclusively listens to Limp Bizkit.”
Fox: “He likes the Icelandic Symphonic Orchestra, so he listens to a lot of that and a lot of Mongolian throat Metal. He’s into a band called ‘Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs.’”
Any pre-show superstitions?
Tuffs: “We take a moment and just be together and be thankful for where we're at before every show.”
R. Anderson: “This is not a joke. I have to wash my hands. I don’t know why but I’m not a germaphobe.”
Fox: “I have to pee because I have a really bad bladder. I remember very early on, when we weren’t selling tickets, we were playing a car show outside, and I looked at James, and I was like, ‘Dude, I need you to play two acoustic songs.’ The bathroom was all the way in the back and [...] I was like, ’Just make something up. I'll be back.’ I ran to go to the bathroom, and he stopped the show and went, ‘Everyone, that's our drummer. He had to go piss.’ Everyone laughed. So now I go pee before every show.”
This interview has been minimally edited for clarity and length.
Their latest releases include Western Space Grunge, an EP that was released in July, along with their single “Messed Up Kid (Live),” released on November 13. Check out photos from the Brooklyn Bowl show with Red Leather below.
We sat down in the bowling alley lanes with vocalist James Tuffs, drummer Ryan “Fox” Fox, guitarist Ryan Anderson, and bassist Ty Anderson, to hear a bit more about their background, tour life, and what they’d like to explore here in Philly.
Are there any aspects of your previous jobs that serve as assets in your experience as touring musicians?
Tuffs: “I think partly, yes. Just having a type of job where it doesn't allow too much focus, so you can kind of think of, you know, a song that you're just working on in your head, and that's sometimes where it starts.”
Fox: “Yeah, true. Also motivation to just be able to do what you love for a living that comes along too. That's very nice.”
Do you think you'll be forever tied to the Western Space Grunge sound and aesthetic, or are you open to exploring something different, either visually or musically, in the future?
Tuffs: “We never want to put ourselves in a box, but definitely right now, it's something we agree with. We're never going to say ‘we'll never go this direction or that direction,’ because we don't know how we will want to evolve as musicians in a couple years.”
Is there a common thread amongst your fans? Any trait they all have in common from your POV?
Tuffs: “They come in all sorts. That is the coolest thing about it, is just how many different kinds of people you'll see coming to support us. It's pretty nuts.”
Fox: “I love this saying that we have: ‘We have people who think a pair of boots could mean cowboy or combat.’ So you've got people in worn-out cowboy boots, and people in Doc Martens - Very country, very grunge, still blended together. It's very interesting to see super Western versus, like, split-dyed hair, versus that kind of vibe.
What have you enjoyed most about touring so far? What is the least glamorous aspect, and what has been surprising?
Tuffs: “I had barely left Texas, ever, before we started touring a couple years ago. So, I mean, my favorite part is the food. I'm not gonna lie. I'm a foodie.”
Fox: “We're getting to the point where we're getting big enough that other people who are also big in their field are fans. So then, they're like, ‘Hey, we’re fans of y'all. Come tour this baseball field. Come out and watch batting practice,’ and that's cool to me, because we get to do fun things whenever we're in different cities. We went to the Basketball Hall of Fame yesterday, so like, just cool stuff.
Is there anything you want to have or do while in Philly?
Tuffs: “I want to go get a Philly cheesesteak. I heard about Angelo's Pizzeria. They say you have to wait in line forever.”
Fox: “I want to go to a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park, really, really bad.”
Tuffs: “I’m just trying to not get beat up because I like the Cowboys.”
Any movie soundtrack you wish you could have one of your songs featured in?
Tuffs: “If you could throw us anywhere in ‘Shrek 2,’ one of the greatest soundtracks of any movie. I think we belong.”
Fox: “I think my three top movies that I’d love for our songs to be on the soundtrack of would be ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ ‘Ray,’ the movie about Ray Charles, and ‘Walk the Line’ about Johnny Cash. I think every new biopic music movie [...] should just be our music. I'd also say ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower,’ or a good coming of age movie, like ‘Sixteen Candles’ or some shit like that.
Song, album or artist you’ve had on repeat as of late?
Tuffs: “I have gotten back into Remo Drive. Their greatest hits album is incredible. And Mom Jeans. I'll never stop listening to them. And I'm always listening to Death Cab for Cutie and stuff like that.”
Fox: “Chappell Roan is one for me. And then I forget how good Alice in Chains is. I think, ‘Oh, I've listened to all of their good songs,’ and then I find one that I've never heard before. I'm like, wow, they're an amazing band.”
R. Anderson: “I love Slow Pulp - They are an indie band from Chicago.”
Tuffs: “There is a song I listen to by them called, ‘High.’ It’s a great song.”
Fox: “Also, King Lazy Eye, a very small dude from Nashville who is very much in the weird, western-grunge space that we're in. He's phenomenal.”
Tuffs: “And then Ty exclusively listens to Limp Bizkit.”
Fox: “He likes the Icelandic Symphonic Orchestra, so he listens to a lot of that and a lot of Mongolian throat Metal. He’s into a band called ‘Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs.’”
Any pre-show superstitions?
Tuffs: “We take a moment and just be together and be thankful for where we're at before every show.”
R. Anderson: “This is not a joke. I have to wash my hands. I don’t know why but I’m not a germaphobe.”
Fox: “I have to pee because I have a really bad bladder. I remember very early on, when we weren’t selling tickets, we were playing a car show outside, and I looked at James, and I was like, ‘Dude, I need you to play two acoustic songs.’ The bathroom was all the way in the back and [...] I was like, ’Just make something up. I'll be back.’ I ran to go to the bathroom, and he stopped the show and went, ‘Everyone, that's our drummer. He had to go piss.’ Everyone laughed. So now I go pee before every show.”
This interview has been minimally edited for clarity and length.
Their latest releases include Western Space Grunge, an EP that was released in July, along with their single “Messed Up Kid (Live),” released on November 13. Check out photos from the Brooklyn Bowl show with Red Leather below.
Dexter and The Moonrocks at Brooklyn Bowl Philly 11/14/2024
Photos from Jam on the Grass 9/14/2024
Miss Cantaloupe at Ardmore Music Hall 9/11/2024
Miss Cantaloupe at Ardmore Music Hall 9/11/2024
Saturday Night in Philadelphia with Pearl Jam at Wells Fargo Center 9/7/2024
Photos: Alex Buschiazzo
With a fabulous a pre-show rainbow to guide us right, Saturday night saw rock titans, Pearl Jam, out celebrating the April release of their latest album, Dark Matter, at Wells Fargo Center, the first of two nights at the Philly venue. A sprinkle of new and old songs, some rarely played tunes, and even a Tom Petty song, watch that below. The band indeed seemed 'tuned' as well, with Philadelphia fans completely in synch with many of the famed sing-along tunes performed, like 'Even flow', 'Black', 'Breath', and 'Daughter', spanning their discography, which is customary for most of their shows. The band returns to the stage Monday night at 8:45pm for a second performance at WFC and then continues on to Baltimore at CFG Arena, followed by two shows at Fenway Park in Boston, before performing two days at the upcoming Ohana Festival at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, CA
Photos: The 4th Annual Ardmore Rock n' Ride Bike Race & Music Festival 8/11/2024
Sunday in Ardmore at Schauffele Plaza & Suburban Square for the 4th Annual Ardmore Rock n' Ride benefitting the Narberth Ambulance service with Rebirth Brass Band, Yellowman, Remember Jones, Octave Cat, Stella Ruze, Marielle Kraft, Johhny Shortcake, Omar's Hat. Produced by Rising Sun Productions & Ardmore Music Hall, presented by Mainline Health, Independence Blue Cross & Shield, and sponsored by WXPN.
New Year's Eve with Phish at Madison Square Garden 12/31/23
Phish closed out 2023 with their yearly New Year's run at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, culminating with a very highly anticipated theatrical performance of Trey Anastasio's short story, 'The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday', commonly known as Gamehendge to fans. During the second and third sets, the band was joined on stage by a cast of characters, beasts, and dancers from the fairytale, bringing to life Anastasio's concept album from 1987, greatly surpassing expectations of Phish fans. As the band celebrates their 40th year together, they know their fans well and know just what and how to deliver the magic to them. Phish returns to Riviera Maya Mexico February 21-24 before making their debut performance with a 4-day run at the Las Vegas Sphere, April 18-21. The quartet has also announced their upcoming 4-day festival to be hosted near the Dover Raceway at The Woodlands in Dover, DE August 15-18 with details to follow soon.
Photos: The Krasno/Moore Project at Ardmore Music Hall 12/13/23
photos: Michael Naber
Photos: Spafford at Ardmore Music Hall 12/9
photos: Michael Naber
Tool in Philly at Wells Fargo Center 11/16/2023
photos: Paul Havelin
Photos: The Ardmore Rock n' Ride at Schauffele Plaza & Suburban Square 8/19/2023
Saturday afternoon at the Ardmore Rock n Ride with Rubblebucket, Ocean Avenue Stompers, Rayland Baxter, Yam Yam, York Street Hustle, Pressing Strings & William Tyler & The Impossible Truth at Shauffele Plaza & Suburban Square benefitting the Narberth Ambulance Service.
Sunday night with Fishbone at Ardmore Music Hall 8/13/23
words & photos: Paul Havelin
Fishbone still wear the crown as one of the best live acts ever. They proved this on Sunday night as they blew the roof off of Ardmore Music Hall with their eclectic mix of ska, punk, funk and metal that they've perfected over their 40 year career. The Los Angeles sextet packed onto the stage and set the tone for the night, opening with a fiery rendition of "Sunless Saturday" from 1991's 'The Reality of My Surroundings' and didn't take their foot off the gas for the next 90 minutes. The rest of the set was a non-stop dance and sing-a-long party for the capacity crowd, which included a handful of new songs from their most recent self-titled EP released earlier this year on Fat Wreck Chords. The band is currently on tour supporting Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, with a number of separate headlining dates scheduled throughout. More at fishbone.net.
Photos & Vids: The 9th Annual Fourth on the Farm at Morgan Creek Farms 7/8/2023
Saturday at the 9th Annual Fourth on the Farm camping & music festival at Morgan Creek Farms in Quakertown, PA with the Brendan Brisk Band, Trouble City Allstars, Paper Aliens, Deep Seize, Solar Circuit, and Humandala with a silent disco from Discowolfe to close the night out. Presented by Hog Wild Productions.
Friday night in Philly with Worldtown Soundsystem, Nik Greeley & The Operators and Hennessey Bonfire
4/21/2023
photos: Alex Buschiazzo
Friday night at World Cafe Live with three of Philly's local powerhouse bands on the main stage, featuring Worldtown Soundsystem, Nik Greeley & The Operators and Hennessey Bonfire . Worldtown celebrates the release of their latest EP, The House of Love, and kicked off their Spring tour right here in Philly at World Cafe Live. The House of Love showcases the band's signature sound, incorporating soulful house and globally-inspired electronic dance music. The EP features five electrifying tracks that embody the band's energy, transcending borders and elevating their sound to new heights. Notable collaborations on the EP include five-time Grammy Award winner Pablo Batista on percussion and co-production, vocals from rising stars Zeek Burse and Fawziyya Heart, international high fashion supermodel Anna Cleveland, and Miyeko and Leonzo of the Philly music collective Global Village. Listen to The House of Love here on Spotify.
The celebration continues next Friday 4/28 at Funk n' Waffles in Syracuse, then Fete Music Hall in Providence, RI on the 4th of May, Brooklyn's The Sultan Room on 5/5, and finally Baltimore's The 8x10 on 5/20. Check out photos below from the evening at World Cafe Live.
The celebration continues next Friday 4/28 at Funk n' Waffles in Syracuse, then Fete Music Hall in Providence, RI on the 4th of May, Brooklyn's The Sultan Room on 5/5, and finally Baltimore's The 8x10 on 5/20. Check out photos below from the evening at World Cafe Live.
Star Kitchen featuring Jennifer Hartswick, Aron Magner, with Hiruy Tirfe & special guests at
Ardmore Music Hall 4/20/23
photos: Michael Naber
Bikini Kill at Franklin Music Hall 4/7/23
words & photos: Paul Havelin
As much as things have changed in the 30 years since Bikini Kill released their seminal full length "Pussy Whipped" (Kill Rock Stars), the more they've stayed the same. Their music is as relevant as ever, addressing issues of feminism, sexism & inclusivity, and giving a voice to and empowering those who feel marginalized or undermined. After two years of postponements, the punk legends finally played Philadelphia (for the first time since 1994) to a capacity crowd at Franklin Music Hall. Fronted by Kathleen Hannah, along with founding members Tobi Vail (drums & vocals) and Kathi Wilcox (bass, guitar, drums) plus guitarist Erica Dawn Lyle, the quartet blazed through a 25-song set that pulled from all of their releases and had the overly enthusiastic (and multi-generationally mixed crowd) dancing and screaming along to Riot Grrrl anthems. The tour continues through the end of April with no other dates announced at this time, so catch this while you can.
New Single from The Funky T, Performing at City Winery 5/7/23
Released today, Philly funk squad, The Funky T, have released their latest single titled Just What I Want, a groovy upbeat tune with bright, soulful vocals and sound. Just What I Want marries vintage boy band vibes with classic pop instrumental prowess to create a modern and funky sound that will get you grooving. Velvet-smooth multilayered vocals deliver an indelible hook straight to your brain, while a tapestry of acoustic & electric guitar lends gorgeous atmosphere and provides small breaks for the inevitable singalong. An ethereal breakdown leads to a dramatic key change through to a triumphant guitar solo, punctuated by effervescent drums and driving bass, then only another taste of the hook before it's all over. Each moment an earworm, never outstaying its welcome, never too much or too little...just what you want.
The Funky T is comprised of Ethan Cain(Guitar/Vocals), Eric Cooper(Bass), Mykk Hoffman(Lead Guitar), and Josh Steingard(drums), and the four also serve as the backing band for local Philly singer-songwriter Emily Drinker. The band looks to release more singles this year and aim to release a full-length album in 2024. The quartet will perform next month at Philly's City Winery in The Loft joining Nick Lombardo and the Decent OK on May 7th. Check out the newly released single below and grab tickets for the show here: https://bit.ly/TheFunkyTNLDOK
The Funky T is comprised of Ethan Cain(Guitar/Vocals), Eric Cooper(Bass), Mykk Hoffman(Lead Guitar), and Josh Steingard(drums), and the four also serve as the backing band for local Philly singer-songwriter Emily Drinker. The band looks to release more singles this year and aim to release a full-length album in 2024. The quartet will perform next month at Philly's City Winery in The Loft joining Nick Lombardo and the Decent OK on May 7th. Check out the newly released single below and grab tickets for the show here: https://bit.ly/TheFunkyTNLDOK
Philly's Pickle Rehearsal & Recording Space Re-opens
Re-emerging from the barrel of uncertainty and world-wide chaos, the Pickle Rehearsal Space in west Philly has re-opened for business. Under the design and management of Philly local, Soren Wagner, countless hours of work have been put in to re-open the location for a once-again thriving music community in the area. The Pickle aims to service Philly's local musicians with music production, rehearsal, and a livestream location with very reasonable prices for band bookings for rehearsal or recording with a hands-off approach, allowing bands to take control and make key choices during the process.
The facility at Pickle Rehearsal is well equipped for musicians and bands who want to turn the knobs and try different sounds, with an equipment closet packed with accessory guitar/bass/piano pedals and other devices for use at very reasonable hourly rates. The space also provides a comfy living room area where artists can rev up for or decompress from their session. The 300sq/ft room can hold a full backline, with different style amplifiers for the shredder-type, rhythm guitarist, or bass player on the team, with a full PA system and subwoofers, offering in-ear headsets for each member by rental....there is even a standup piano in the room to rent. Artists and groups have the liberty to schedule sessions and times using the Pickle Rehearsal's easy-access online booking portal right on the website with the ability to add extras and add-ons so the room can be ready for when they arrive to jump into rehearsal or music production.
With some time off due to the pandemic, a little bit of painting, and lots of elbow grease, the Pickle Rehearsal Space is back in action and ready to serve the Philly music community for rehearsal, recording and live stream performance needs. Located at 5213 Grays Ave in west Philadelphia, the Pickle Rehearsal Space is open every day from noon to midnight by appointment using the online scheduling tool at picklerehearsal.com
The facility at Pickle Rehearsal is well equipped for musicians and bands who want to turn the knobs and try different sounds, with an equipment closet packed with accessory guitar/bass/piano pedals and other devices for use at very reasonable hourly rates. The space also provides a comfy living room area where artists can rev up for or decompress from their session. The 300sq/ft room can hold a full backline, with different style amplifiers for the shredder-type, rhythm guitarist, or bass player on the team, with a full PA system and subwoofers, offering in-ear headsets for each member by rental....there is even a standup piano in the room to rent. Artists and groups have the liberty to schedule sessions and times using the Pickle Rehearsal's easy-access online booking portal right on the website with the ability to add extras and add-ons so the room can be ready for when they arrive to jump into rehearsal or music production.
With some time off due to the pandemic, a little bit of painting, and lots of elbow grease, the Pickle Rehearsal Space is back in action and ready to serve the Philly music community for rehearsal, recording and live stream performance needs. Located at 5213 Grays Ave in west Philadelphia, the Pickle Rehearsal Space is open every day from noon to midnight by appointment using the online scheduling tool at picklerehearsal.com
Lazyacres rehearsing at The Pickle
A variety of lights, LEDs, wash lights, and lasers
Comic book-inspired hard rock band The Stereotytans Announce “Here We Are” in New Song and Video
Philly-based comic book-inspired hard rock band The Stereotytans just released their latest single, “Here We Are,” an inspirational, high-energy blend of anthemic rock and hip-hop. While in the vein of Rage Against the Machine, Prophets of Rage and Living Colour, “Here We Are” is unmistakably The Stereotytans’ unique DNA.
“We needed a song that showed the unification of the DemyGods. Not everyone reaches that status, which makes that transformation so special. Now together they join the Stereotytans and the growing DemyGod Army to destroy the Imprisoner and Captor Zeus!” explains lead singer Damon, aka St. Prometheus. “We always have to make sure we're telling the story that's related to our comic books and keep the listeners enthralled with the ‘What's Next’ adventure.”
While Damon sings lead on the song, all of the band members contributed their voice, from the bellows of Kronos all the way to the fun energetic screams of Athena. The song was recorded at Studio 4 Recording in Conshohocken, home of the former legendary studio Ruffhouse Records, and produced by Billboard-charting producer and engineer Ron DiSilvestro, who is also the founder of RDS Music and Media.
“We needed a song that showed the unification of the DemyGods. Not everyone reaches that status, which makes that transformation so special. Now together they join the Stereotytans and the growing DemyGod Army to destroy the Imprisoner and Captor Zeus!” explains lead singer Damon, aka St. Prometheus. “We always have to make sure we're telling the story that's related to our comic books and keep the listeners enthralled with the ‘What's Next’ adventure.”
While Damon sings lead on the song, all of the band members contributed their voice, from the bellows of Kronos all the way to the fun energetic screams of Athena. The song was recorded at Studio 4 Recording in Conshohocken, home of the former legendary studio Ruffhouse Records, and produced by Billboard-charting producer and engineer Ron DiSilvestro, who is also the founder of RDS Music and Media.
“Surprisingly, this song was written right before the 2020 shutdown and numerous protests that we all witnessed during the pandemic,” says Damon. “It was really interesting and serendipitous how the energy of the world pushed the recording process even though the song itself was already written many months before.” The band was even able to sample the late, great Civil Rights activist and Congressman John Lewis into the track.
“Here We Are” is high-energy and bound to get the listener filled with adrenaline, but this song, like previous Stereotytan singles, features multiple levels. It speaks to the comic book storyline and to those that feel lost and need to hear that voice rallying them to take action. Most importantly, they need that voice to lead them to their group that they probably did not know they had. The Stereotytans want their beloved Nerd and Blerd communities to know that there is a safe place with a supportive village waiting for you, as you are in return “anxiously, patiently waiting for it.”
On Saturday, May 13th, The Stereotytans will be performing at PuchiCon at Bally’s Resort in Atlantic City.
Tickets and more info available here.
Krasno/Moore Project at Ardmore Music Hall 3/10/2023
photos: Michael Naber
Friday night at Ardmore Music Hall with the Krasno/Moore Project duo featuring Galactic's Stanton Moore and Eric Krasno of Lettuce/Soul Live kicking off their early Spring national tour celebrating the upcoming debut recording, 'Book of Queens', with more dates planned for MD, MA, NY, CT, NH, MN, IL, and several west coast dates. With Eric Finland on keys and vocals, the duo was also joined by Danny Mayer on guitar during the second set for several tunes.
The duo is slated to release 'Book of Queens' on March 17th. Recorded at the fabled Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY, and timed well for National Women's Month, is a tribute to women in music, showcasing nine soulful covers written by Nina Simone, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Brittany Howard, Billie Eilish and more. The album also features guest appearances from Branford Marsalis, Cory Henry, and Robert Randolph. Check out photos and audio from the show below.
The duo is slated to release 'Book of Queens' on March 17th. Recorded at the fabled Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY, and timed well for National Women's Month, is a tribute to women in music, showcasing nine soulful covers written by Nina Simone, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Brittany Howard, Billie Eilish and more. The album also features guest appearances from Branford Marsalis, Cory Henry, and Robert Randolph. Check out photos and audio from the show below.
MORE with Muskrat Flats at Ardmore Music Hall 2/24/2023
Friday night at Ardmore Music Hall for a double-header of Philly-based jammers with More joined by Muskrat Flats.
Muskrat Flats
You Do You Releases "The Oil" and performs at Ortlieb's in Philly 12/2
Philly's female-fronted funk-rock troupe You Do You has released their latest single, "The Oil", a heavier than usual composition from the band, highlighting some of their progressive rock influence. "The Oil" is the final single from upcoming album Funky Dinos, which the band will be releasing on January 22, was recorded at Philly's Retro City Sound Studios. The 10-track full-length concept album is the long-awaited follow up to their 2017 Political Party EP and marks a new era sonically for the 7-piece band, which formed in 2012.
You Do You's next performance goes down at Ortlieb's in Northern Liberties joined by special guest, Philly songstress Maggie Mae, marking their first live show since October 2019. Tickets are $10 adv and also $10 at the door. Give a listen to the new single below and Grab tickets for the upcoming show here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/you-do-you-with-special-guests-maggie-mae-tickets-204069255637
You Do You's next performance goes down at Ortlieb's in Northern Liberties joined by special guest, Philly songstress Maggie Mae, marking their first live show since October 2019. Tickets are $10 adv and also $10 at the door. Give a listen to the new single below and Grab tickets for the upcoming show here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/you-do-you-with-special-guests-maggie-mae-tickets-204069255637
GWAR at Franklin Music Hall 10/30/21
If you want blood... you've got it. Antarctic overlords GWAR descended upon Franklin Music Hall Saturday night to lay waste to every Bohab in the tri-state area while celebrating the belated 30th anniversary of their 1990 release "Scumdogs of the Universe". Led by Blothar The Berserker, the quintet flanked by longtime henchman, The Sexecutioner, blazed through almost every track from "Scumdogs" while debasing and eviscerating an unfortunate cast of characters along the way. The show culminated in a knockdown, drag out, blood-soaked death match between Gwar and their and long time cybernetic arch-nemeses Techno Destructo & Sawborg Destructo. Gwar reigned victorious and ended the night with a rousing rendition of "Fuck This Place" from their 2017 release "The Blood of Gods". Gwar's 'Scumdogs of the Universe 30th Anniversary Tour' will continue to level towns across the U.S. through mid-December with support from British grind pioneers Napalm Death and New Orleans sludge kings EYEHATEGOD.
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL MUSIC RADIO PROGRAM WORLD CAFE WILL BE CELEBRATED WITH
“30 YEARS OVER 30 WEEKS”
As “ground zero” for contemporary music discovery, the nationally-syndicated daily music program World Cafe has been giving public radio audiences an up-close view of the artistic process since October 14, 1991 - 30 years ago today. To commemorate the milestone, this week World Cafe launched its “30 Over 30” (30 years over 30 weeks) series of special programming features that highlight its rich history as a trusted music guide. The highly regarded World Cafe is a dynamic, carefully crafted platform for musical discovery without genre boundaries.
“For 30 years, listeners have relied on World Cafe’s deeply human curation to explore content that continually broadens and heightens their music knowledge and enjoyment,” said Bruce Warren, Executive Producer. “Over the next 30 weeks, we’ll present ‘deep cuts’ from World Cafe archives - some of the best moments from the last 30 years - along with what we think is happening now, and next.”
Warren has been with World Cafe since its inception, when public radio station WXPN/Philadelphia leveraged its programming expertise and a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to design a national program that would attract younger listeners to public radio. Initially distributed by PRI (Public Radio International) to five affiliates, it was carried by approximately 50 radio stations by the end of 1992. NPR began distributing it in 2005, and today World Cafe is carried by 267 radio stations across the US. Combining terrestrial reach with online streaming, podcasts, on-demand archives, and video content, more than a million music fans engage with World Cafe content each month.
“As a crucial part of NPR Music’s programming, World Cafe has introduced its loyal audiences in an integrated manner to talented new and legendary musicians, with exclusive interviews, brilliant performances, powerful conversations and special features," says Director of NPR Music Keith Jenkins. "World Cafe celebrates its 30th anniversary by offering to remember its great past as it looks forward to the next 30 years with its listeners."
“For 30 years, listeners have relied on World Cafe’s deeply human curation to explore content that continually broadens and heightens their music knowledge and enjoyment,” said Bruce Warren, Executive Producer. “Over the next 30 weeks, we’ll present ‘deep cuts’ from World Cafe archives - some of the best moments from the last 30 years - along with what we think is happening now, and next.”
Warren has been with World Cafe since its inception, when public radio station WXPN/Philadelphia leveraged its programming expertise and a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to design a national program that would attract younger listeners to public radio. Initially distributed by PRI (Public Radio International) to five affiliates, it was carried by approximately 50 radio stations by the end of 1992. NPR began distributing it in 2005, and today World Cafe is carried by 267 radio stations across the US. Combining terrestrial reach with online streaming, podcasts, on-demand archives, and video content, more than a million music fans engage with World Cafe content each month.
“As a crucial part of NPR Music’s programming, World Cafe has introduced its loyal audiences in an integrated manner to talented new and legendary musicians, with exclusive interviews, brilliant performances, powerful conversations and special features," says Director of NPR Music Keith Jenkins. "World Cafe celebrates its 30th anniversary by offering to remember its great past as it looks forward to the next 30 years with its listeners."
Hosted by Raina Douris, the daily, two-hour radio show and online content connects today's essential and emerging artists with listeners through its hallmark in-depth artist interviews and in-studio performances. Longtime features such as Latin Roots and Sense of Place help introduce under-the-radar artists to a national audience and take listeners to great music cities around the globe. Douris and Contributing Host Stephen Kallao also co-host the weekly World Cafe Words and Music Podcast from WXPN.
Artists have seen their profiles and careers elevated due to being featured on World Cafe, and many credit the show with supporting them over the years, as well as breaking numerous songs. World Cafe maintains music bureaus in Philadelphia, Nashville and New Orleans, and has issued more than 40 Live at World Cafe CDs and two World Cafe books. The show’s attraction is also reflected in the popular Philadelphia concert venue World Cafe Live, which shares a building with WXPN and licenses the name.
Listeners can enjoy World Cafe and its “30 Over 30” special programming on public radio stations nationwide, and online at https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe
Artists have seen their profiles and careers elevated due to being featured on World Cafe, and many credit the show with supporting them over the years, as well as breaking numerous songs. World Cafe maintains music bureaus in Philadelphia, Nashville and New Orleans, and has issued more than 40 Live at World Cafe CDs and two World Cafe books. The show’s attraction is also reflected in the popular Philadelphia concert venue World Cafe Live, which shares a building with WXPN and licenses the name.
Listeners can enjoy World Cafe and its “30 Over 30” special programming on public radio stations nationwide, and online at https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe
Karina Rykman at Tailgate Under The Tent at 118 North 5/14/21
The 2019 Peach Music Festival July 25-28 at Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA
The Peach Music Festival returns this year for the fourth weekend in July, again in 2019 at Montage Mountain in Scranton, with an impressive musical lineup of acts from the Jam, Funk, Groove, Bluegrass, and Folk genres. This year's headliners include the Trey Anastasio Band(2 sets), The String Cheese Incident(3 sets), Joe Russo's Almost Dead and Phil Lesh & Friends, featuring Warren Haynes, John Scofield and John Molo(2 sets).
Joining the headliners are veteran acts at Peach Festival like Moe., Greensky Bluegrass, Lettuce, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Marcus King Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Allman Betts Band, Jaimoe's Jasssz Band, Bill Strings, Aqueous, Ghost Light, Hayley Jane & The Primates, and more. New appearances at The Peach include Lotus, Stephen Marley, Blue Traveler, Goose, Andy Frasco & The UN, Upstate and Cycles. Montage mountain resort and Livenation provide a great atmosphere and facilities for the festival, with a multitude of food & beverage choices, craft vendors, activities, and of course the wave pool and water park.
Peach Music Fest is one of the biggest festivals in the tri-state area showcasing local, regional, and national talent on three stages, bringing fans from all over the country for the yearly fest. Festival passes, camping passes, and parking passes are now on sale.
Joining the headliners are veteran acts at Peach Festival like Moe., Greensky Bluegrass, Lettuce, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Marcus King Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Allman Betts Band, Jaimoe's Jasssz Band, Bill Strings, Aqueous, Ghost Light, Hayley Jane & The Primates, and more. New appearances at The Peach include Lotus, Stephen Marley, Blue Traveler, Goose, Andy Frasco & The UN, Upstate and Cycles. Montage mountain resort and Livenation provide a great atmosphere and facilities for the festival, with a multitude of food & beverage choices, craft vendors, activities, and of course the wave pool and water park.
Peach Music Fest is one of the biggest festivals in the tri-state area showcasing local, regional, and national talent on three stages, bringing fans from all over the country for the yearly fest. Festival passes, camping passes, and parking passes are now on sale.
Muscle Tough Releases 'Modern Romance': A Bizarrely Funky Tribute to The Trials of Modern Dating
Muscle Tough announces the release of 'Modern Romance', their 4th release, a set of adventurous “future-funk-fusion” compositions which lean heavily on dance grooves and bizarre sounds, all with tongue-in-cheek titles that serve as a playful take on the world of modern dating in 2019. You can stream the album now at the bottom of this page.
Muscle Tough is an instrumental trio featuring Joe Baldacci on drums, Jonathan Colman on bass and Ross Bellenoit on guitar; all of whom are heavily active members of the Philadelphia music community. Baldaccispent a number of years as a member of bands like Nik Greeley and the Operators, DRGN KING and Elevator Fight, has produced/mixed/mastered for Hop Along, Out of the Beardspace, and Swift Technique, and has played drums on the opening track of Kendrick Lamar’s Untitled Unmastered record. Colman is a regular bassist for Ben Arnold and Trap Rabbit, and has also performed/collaborated with Kate Faust and Flyermile. Bellenoit has spent his years producing records for various local acts (The Sweetback Sisters, Sonja Sofya, Ginger Coyle), is a long-time collaborator of Philly songwriters such as Birdie Busch and Chris Kasper, all while continuing to pursue his solo career (now 7 records deep since 2010) as a singer/songwriter.
Muscle Tough is an instrumental trio featuring Joe Baldacci on drums, Jonathan Colman on bass and Ross Bellenoit on guitar; all of whom are heavily active members of the Philadelphia music community. Baldaccispent a number of years as a member of bands like Nik Greeley and the Operators, DRGN KING and Elevator Fight, has produced/mixed/mastered for Hop Along, Out of the Beardspace, and Swift Technique, and has played drums on the opening track of Kendrick Lamar’s Untitled Unmastered record. Colman is a regular bassist for Ben Arnold and Trap Rabbit, and has also performed/collaborated with Kate Faust and Flyermile. Bellenoit has spent his years producing records for various local acts (The Sweetback Sisters, Sonja Sofya, Ginger Coyle), is a long-time collaborator of Philly songwriters such as Birdie Busch and Chris Kasper, all while continuing to pursue his solo career (now 7 records deep since 2010) as a singer/songwriter.
Listen to Modern Romance Apple Music and on Spotify
After steadily gigging at local jazz hotspot TIME since they 1st formed in 2014, the band released their first EP, Greasin’ Up The Mediocrity Wheel in the spring of 2016. A number of jam luminaries such as Jon Fishman (Phish), John Medeski (Medeski, Martin & Wood), Eli Winderman (Dopapod) and the horn section of Snarky Puppy have joined them on various stages throughout the last three years. Their first full-length record Magical Achievements was released at the end of 2017, which earned them opening slots for Lotus(at the Capitol Theater) and Matador Soul Sounds (throughout the Northeast), a set for WXPN’s “Free-at-Noon” radio broadcast in August 2018, and a feature article in JUMP Philly, where they were lovingly described as “highly skilled and hilarious”.
Modern Romance kicks off with a 90-second snippet of an apparently 20-minute-long jam that arose spontaneously while tracking at Turtle Studios in Philadelphia. Several snippets from this jam appear under the moniker “Tiers of Voyeurism” and are crackling with reckless energy and heavy grooves. The first two proper compositions, “Say Yes To The Mess” and “Down 2 Clown” invite the listener into up-tempo, Devo-meets-The Police dance grooves with increasingly disturbing psychedelic guitar textures spun out by Bellenoit. The Colman-penned “Waiting 4 Bae” offers a well-earned slow down in tempo and allows the composer to showcase what the band has dubbed “The Switch” (where the two pitch their respective instruments to opposing octaves to sound like each other, so that Colman can unleash some serious improvising, foregoing the much-maligned genre of “bass solos”). Also featured on this track are trumpeter Koofreh Ibi Umoren, trombonist Hailey Brinnel, and flautist David Fishkin, adding color and shade to the song. The final two major compositions, Baldacci’s “We Met On Chat Roulette” and Bellenoit’s “Marry Me Marsha” offer the band to a chance to really dig in and let Bellenoit showcase some virtuosic guitar playing.
Photos: TAUK with Philly Supergroup Maximus Animae Musicae featuring members of Lotus, Gnarbot, Muscle Tough & Cocktail Party Phenomenon at Ardmore Music Hall 2/2/2019
Saturday night at Ardmore Music Hall for the return of TAUK joined by local supergroup, Maximus Animae Musicae, comprised Mike Greenfield of Lotus, Zach LoPresti of Gnarbot, Jonathan Colman of Muscle Tough, Thomas McKee of Let's Danza and Steve Catania & Max Young of Cocktail Party Phenomenon.
TAUK
Cape Cod's Psychedelic Jam Rockers, The New Motif, set to release debut
studio LP 'The Reciprocal Boogie' 1/26
Funky Psychedelic jam rockers The New Motif are excited to announce the release of their first full length album titled "The Reciprocal Boogie", recorded and produced by Alan Evans at Iron Wax Studios this past fall. The album release party will be held in Somerville, MA at Thunder Road Music Club & Rock n Roll Bistro on January 26, 2019. This will kick off 'The Reciprocal Boogie' Winter Tour where the band will circle New England, New York, and will include local performances on 3/7 at The Music Ward in Philadelphia and on 3/8 at Sprout Music in West Chester PA. The tour will conclude on March 29 at The Spire Center for Performing Arts in Plymouth, MA. Ahead of its release and upcoming tour, we had the chance to preview the band's new album, The Reciprocal Boogie.
The Reciprocal Boogie opens with Manifest, a tune comprised of pronounced synth/keyboard sections from Cory Schechtman, and coupled by strong vocals from guitarist Dennis Christiano & bassist Dan Kelly, with a nice jam-out to close it. Followed by City Situation, we find Schechtman switching over to the saxophone, joining Christiano and Kelly in a funky jam in unison with some delightful guitar licks that bring it to a close. The third track, CroOoOoshTOWN, is a fun and funky instrumental piece that really displays the prowess of The New Motif, a sure vehicle for some live improvisational fun. Track 4, Swerve, opens with a keyboard/guitar duo that gives way to a full band swing and vocals from Christiano & Kelly, tied up in a nice bow by Schechtman on keys to finish off.
Enter Schechtman again on Saxophone in track 5, Reciprocal Boogie, a gentle groove to start, with Kelly on bass giving way to shreddy licks from Christiano on guitar. Track 6, Whatevers Clever, comes in as a chill, funky walk with Terence Kelleher on drums sticking the beats joined by Schechtman again with a keyboard intro, leading to Christiano & Kelly taking the vocals again. Track 7, YASSS!!, is a bouncy and fun instrumental track where the band takes us on a ride with a funky, upbeat tempo. Flown, track 8 on The Reciprocal Boogie, is another bouncy tune that lands in a reggae-esque territory with more vocal work from Christiano and Kelly, and more skilled shredding on guitar. Late Cretaceous, the closing track on The Reciprocal Boogie, has a joyful instrumental opener with all members in unison once again, a technique that really bolds the sound of TNM. Light piano and guitar work dance within each other with increasing intensity from the rest of the band, with a synth-driven sound, bringing this fun and well-produced album to a close. The Reciprocal Boogie is due for release on January 26th, igniting the band's winter tour the same night at Thunder Road in Somerville, MA.
We had the chance to catch The New Motif this past Summer at the 1st annual Knuckleball Festival in northern New York and were blown away by their energy and skilled delivery. This hard hitting funky quartet that can surely boogie down in any room and are coming to a city near you. Give a listen on Spotify and grab a copy of their debut LP album, The Reciprocal Boogie, which can be purchased on 1/26 here: http://bit.ly/TheNewMotif_Shop
Grab tickets to the March 7th show at The Music Ward in West Philadelphia at 5101 Grays Ave: http://bit.ly/TheNewMotif1
Enter Schechtman again on Saxophone in track 5, Reciprocal Boogie, a gentle groove to start, with Kelly on bass giving way to shreddy licks from Christiano on guitar. Track 6, Whatevers Clever, comes in as a chill, funky walk with Terence Kelleher on drums sticking the beats joined by Schechtman again with a keyboard intro, leading to Christiano & Kelly taking the vocals again. Track 7, YASSS!!, is a bouncy and fun instrumental track where the band takes us on a ride with a funky, upbeat tempo. Flown, track 8 on The Reciprocal Boogie, is another bouncy tune that lands in a reggae-esque territory with more vocal work from Christiano and Kelly, and more skilled shredding on guitar. Late Cretaceous, the closing track on The Reciprocal Boogie, has a joyful instrumental opener with all members in unison once again, a technique that really bolds the sound of TNM. Light piano and guitar work dance within each other with increasing intensity from the rest of the band, with a synth-driven sound, bringing this fun and well-produced album to a close. The Reciprocal Boogie is due for release on January 26th, igniting the band's winter tour the same night at Thunder Road in Somerville, MA.
We had the chance to catch The New Motif this past Summer at the 1st annual Knuckleball Festival in northern New York and were blown away by their energy and skilled delivery. This hard hitting funky quartet that can surely boogie down in any room and are coming to a city near you. Give a listen on Spotify and grab a copy of their debut LP album, The Reciprocal Boogie, which can be purchased on 1/26 here: http://bit.ly/TheNewMotif_Shop
Grab tickets to the March 7th show at The Music Ward in West Philadelphia at 5101 Grays Ave: http://bit.ly/TheNewMotif1
The 215music 2018 Photo Rewind
Orchard lounge returns to Philly with Let'z Danza! & Double D at Ardmore Music Hall 12/22
Let’s Danza! is rooted in Philly, so they’re no stranger to dazzling fans from the stage at Ardmore Music Hall. The project features founding Brothers Past members Thomas McKee (keys) and Clay Parnell (bass - also of Particle/Biodiesel/CIA) alongside second keyboardist Ian McGuire (CIA/McZwang). In addition to a hallmark two key-player setup, the project has another distinctive X-factor: a rotating drummer selected from among some of rock and livetronica’s best touring acts nationwide.
While their music centers around McKee and Clay Parnell’s tunes from their Brothers Past days, they’ve been releasing new music like their single “Money Hook” and plans to release an original album aren’t far off on the horizon. Previous performances have included drummers such as Mike Greenfield (Lotus), Kito Bovenschulte (Particle), Scotty Zwang (Ghost Light, RAQ) and Allen Aucoin (Disco Biscuits). Let’s Danza!’s special guest drummer for Dec. 22 at Ardmore Music Hall is still TBA.
More info and tickets available here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1768578
Orchard Lounge is returning to Philadelphia for the first time since 2013 to perform at Ardmore Music Hall on Sat. Dec 22, and they’re being joined by Philly’s own Let’s Danza!, known to fans as the current incarnation of notable Philly livetronica powerhouse Brothers Past. Double D will kick off the musical programming for the night with doors opening at 8 P.M. and showtime at 8:30 P.M.
“We’ve been in town to play separately a few times over the last few years, but this is the first time in half-a-decade we’ll all be throwing down together as a trio,” said Orchard Lounge’s Ben Silver. “We couldn’t be looking forward to it more, and we’re happy to have our buddies in Let’s Danza! joining the night.”
Formed in Chicago over eighteen years ago, the DJ collective known as Orchard Lounge is made up of Ben Silver, Spencer Lokken and Bethany Lokken. Looking back over an almost two-decade career, Philadelphia has popped up on the OL-performance radar at least a couple dozen times. They’ve played venues all over the city, from The Mann Center and the Electric Factory to regular plays at The Blockley during its heyday.
Photos: Marco Benevento & Muscle Tough at Ardmore Music Hall 9/22/2018
Muscle Tough
Formula 5 get their own shake at local Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops, host Rock the Dock Music Festival on July 13 in Lake George
The Formula 5 Flavor Shake, combining Cherry Garcia, Totally Baked, Phish Food ice creams, plus milk & mini M&Ms, is available this summer at the Ben and Jerry’s on Madison Avenue in Albany, as well as the Saratoga Springs and Lake George Scoop Shops. Albany co-owner Mike Sperduto said of the shake “Bringing Ben & Jerry’s and Formula 5 together to mix up a shake just made sense. From The Grateful Dead and Phish to Willie Nelson, we keep our eyes on the smile, music and ice cream, so taking this to a local level made sense, and especially with the commitment of a band who embraces our values really solidified it for us.”
Giving back to the local community, 15% of sales of the shake at the Albany store will benefit The FUND for Lake George and Friends of Five Rivers.
Watch Formula 5’s commercial announcing their shake
Giving back to the local community, 15% of sales of the shake at the Albany store will benefit The FUND for Lake George and Friends of Five Rivers.
Watch Formula 5’s commercial announcing their shake
Albany jam band Formula 5 will lend their name this summer to a refreshing Ben & Jerry’s shake and a Lake George music festival, a bold step forward for the quartet who have toured extensively in the Northeast, with recent tours of Colorado, the Midwest and Southeast pointing to rapid growth on the horizon.
Formula 5’s ‘Rock the Dock’ Music Festival will be held on July 13, 2018 in Lake George, NY on the dock of the Lake George Steamboat Company. The lineup features Formula 5, Soule Monde (Featuring Ray Paczkowski & Russ Lawton of Trey Anastasio Band), Strange Machines and Let’s Be Leonard, all of which can be enjoyed from any of the 3 historic Lake George steamboats that dock around the stage.
Luke Dow, event manager for Rock the Dock, shared background on bringing the event to the docks on Lake George. “Rock the Dock was started as a way to celebrate the Lake George Steamboat Company's 200th anniversary by doing something that the company has never done in its history, hold a concert on the pier. The free concert was a way of giving back to all the loyal patrons as well as showcase the talents of local artists and food trucks. This year's festival will also be focused on giving back, with 25% of all ticket proceeds benefiting the FUND for Lake George, to help with their efforts to keep the lake clean and pristine for years to come.” Craft and food vendors will also be on hand for Rock the Dock, tickets are on sale now at rockthedocklakegeorge.com.
Event Link: www.facebook.com/events/1367251946736551/
Formula 5 recently covered Rush’s “La Villa Strangiato” at The Hollow in Albany on April 28. The Rush original appears on ‘Hemispheres’ and marks the first time Formula 5 has covered the prog-rock pioneers. Watch here: https://youtu.be/S1eLA9ns
Photos: Dr. Dog album release party at World Cafe Live 4/28
Photos: Alex Buschiazzo
A packed house last night in Philly for a midnight set with Dr. Dog for their free performance in support of 'Critical Equation', their latest release. Performing songs from the new album and treating fans to some old favorites, this quintet remains a staple Philly home-town band. With an extensive Spring/Summer tour celebrating the album, Dr. Dog appears at Festival Pier in Philadelphia on July 23rd on the waterfront. Tickets: https://bit.ly/2r64326
God Street Wine 30th Anniversary Tour: Summer Swing
coming to the Ardmore Music Hall 8/2
A jam-rock staple, one some of us may remember from college, God Street Wine has never really left us. Any time I come across one of their albums I end up listening to the whole thing. Simple tunes of complex situations of women and wine coupled with some truly fun jams. After some juggling of personnel at the turn of the millennium, GSW have since put the original crew back together and have played a handful of sold-out shows at Gramercy Theatre in New York. In 2013, God Street Wine released their 25th anniversary 7-disc box set which included special documentary footage and unheard cuts from the classic albums Who's Driving, $1.99 Romances, and Bag, recorded at TRL studios in 2012.
2018 marks the 30th year the band circles the sun and they have put together a mini-tour, titled 'Summer Swing', starting at the end of July, stopping in Chicago, Washington DC, here in the Philly area at Ardmore Music Hall, then Boston and finishes up at home in NYC at City Winery.
Tickets for the Ardmore Music Hall show August 2nd on-sale Thursday 4/26 at 3pm.
Click HERE for Tickets
God Street Wine is:
Lo Faber (lead vocals, guitar),
Aaron Maxwell (lead vocals, guitar)
Tom Osander (drums and percussion)
Dan Pifer (bass)
Jon Bevo (keyboards)
http://www.godstreetwine.com
Night 1 in Philly with The Disco Biscuits at Fillmore Philadelphia 4/19
photos: Alex Buschiazzo
Hometown favorites, The Disco Biscuits, make a habit of taking over the Fillmore Philadelphia at least once a year. This time around, the third week in April is a bit later than the usual February run. Nevertheless, the band is always comfortable in their hometown and it shows. Old favorites and a fun cover filled the air, but most notable in the 1st set was the giant Caterpillar sandwich, as I called it. Second set gave us another 'sandwich' with Little Shimmy in a Congo Line, which contained the rager, Rock Candy, and Pimp Blue Rikki within, followed by Spy. Closing it all out, thefamiliar presence of Home Again was expected to either open or close the show, and close the show it did.
With so many acts out there melding genres of music and styles it's tough to nail down a label for some....the term 'jamband' is just about as watered-down as it can get these days. The Disco Biscuits are the equivalent of Disco to the jam scene - many crossings in taste but just labeling them a jamband would be an insufficient assessment, one thing I know is true: some bands just want you to dance! I vote we put this 'jamband' label to rest ::wink::
The quartet returns to the stage tonight at 9:30pm joined by The Magic Beans from Colorado to start it off at 8pm here in Philly back at the Fillmore. Tickets are available at the door. See you at the Fillmore.
Setlist:
I: Caterpillar-> Aquatic Ape (inverted)-> Safety Dance-> Caterpillar, Once the Fiddler Paid
II: Little Shimmy in a Conga Line-> Rock Candy-> Pimp Blue Rikki-> Little Shimmy in a Conga Line, Spy
E: Home Again
With so many acts out there melding genres of music and styles it's tough to nail down a label for some....the term 'jamband' is just about as watered-down as it can get these days. The Disco Biscuits are the equivalent of Disco to the jam scene - many crossings in taste but just labeling them a jamband would be an insufficient assessment, one thing I know is true: some bands just want you to dance! I vote we put this 'jamband' label to rest ::wink::
The quartet returns to the stage tonight at 9:30pm joined by The Magic Beans from Colorado to start it off at 8pm here in Philly back at the Fillmore. Tickets are available at the door. See you at the Fillmore.
Setlist:
I: Caterpillar-> Aquatic Ape (inverted)-> Safety Dance-> Caterpillar, Once the Fiddler Paid
II: Little Shimmy in a Conga Line-> Rock Candy-> Pimp Blue Rikki-> Little Shimmy in a Conga Line, Spy
E: Home Again
Let's Danza! Announce Release of their first single 'Moneyhook'
The catchy synth-driven single was written and produced by Tom McKee and Clay Parnell, both of whom cut their teeth as members of Philadelphia-based indie-electronic pioneers Brothers Past starting back in 2000.
“The song is meant be sort of a commentary on the inevitable arc of fame,” McKee said. Let’s Danza! has a few upcoming tour dates on the calendar, including a show this Thurs. April 19th at the Fillmore in Philadelphia supporting The Disco Biscuits. The band will also be performing at Camp Bisco, which takes place in Scranton, PA July 12th through 14th.
“Most of this year we’ve been focusing on the studio rather than the stage,” McKee said. “We’ve been putting together a bunch of new songs that we’re going to release over the next few months, one at a time. ‘Moneyhook’ is the first one - I like to think of it as the side A of our digital 45. Side B is called Every Colour of the World, and the two pair really nicely together. That will be the next song to drop.”
“Moneyhook” was written, recorded, produced and mixed entirely by McKee and Parnell, a first for the two longtime bandmates. Additional synths are provided by Let’s Danza! synthesist Ian McGuire.
“We were figuring out new material, new work spaces, and new gear,” Parnell said. “While Tom and I have been working together for a long time, we took a fresh approach to these sessions and laid a foundation for the future releases that we have planned.”
Drums were provided by Chuck Treece, a Philadelphia-based musician and skateboarder who has toured with McRad, Bad Brains and Urge Overkill. Treece has recorded with Billy Joel and regularly works with producers like Joe Nicolo and Scott Storch. “We were lucky to get a seasoned studio pro in on the drums,” Parnell said. “Chuck not only brought amazing drumming to the sessions but also his knowledge and experience as a force in the studio and as a producer.”
Let’s Danza! plays live electronic music that employs a unique two-keyboard setup and rotating drummer concept. McKee is flanked by Philly-based synthesist Ian McGuire, whose other projects include CIA and McZwang. Parnell, well known for his work with Brothers Past, BioDiesel and most recently Particle, provides the low end. The band rotates drummers to keep things fresh. Past special guests have included Mike Greenfield (Lotus), Allen Aucoin (The Disco Biscuits), Kito Bovenschulte (Particle) and Scotty Zwang (Ghost Light, Dopapod, RAQ).
Released April 17th, 2018 - Moneyhook
“The song is meant be sort of a commentary on the inevitable arc of fame,” McKee said. Let’s Danza! has a few upcoming tour dates on the calendar, including a show this Thurs. April 19th at the Fillmore in Philadelphia supporting The Disco Biscuits. The band will also be performing at Camp Bisco, which takes place in Scranton, PA July 12th through 14th.
“Most of this year we’ve been focusing on the studio rather than the stage,” McKee said. “We’ve been putting together a bunch of new songs that we’re going to release over the next few months, one at a time. ‘Moneyhook’ is the first one - I like to think of it as the side A of our digital 45. Side B is called Every Colour of the World, and the two pair really nicely together. That will be the next song to drop.”
“Moneyhook” was written, recorded, produced and mixed entirely by McKee and Parnell, a first for the two longtime bandmates. Additional synths are provided by Let’s Danza! synthesist Ian McGuire.
“We were figuring out new material, new work spaces, and new gear,” Parnell said. “While Tom and I have been working together for a long time, we took a fresh approach to these sessions and laid a foundation for the future releases that we have planned.”
Drums were provided by Chuck Treece, a Philadelphia-based musician and skateboarder who has toured with McRad, Bad Brains and Urge Overkill. Treece has recorded with Billy Joel and regularly works with producers like Joe Nicolo and Scott Storch. “We were lucky to get a seasoned studio pro in on the drums,” Parnell said. “Chuck not only brought amazing drumming to the sessions but also his knowledge and experience as a force in the studio and as a producer.”
Let’s Danza! plays live electronic music that employs a unique two-keyboard setup and rotating drummer concept. McKee is flanked by Philly-based synthesist Ian McGuire, whose other projects include CIA and McZwang. Parnell, well known for his work with Brothers Past, BioDiesel and most recently Particle, provides the low end. The band rotates drummers to keep things fresh. Past special guests have included Mike Greenfield (Lotus), Allen Aucoin (The Disco Biscuits), Kito Bovenschulte (Particle) and Scotty Zwang (Ghost Light, Dopapod, RAQ).
Released April 17th, 2018 - Moneyhook
April's Featured Artist:
Calla Bere & The Attitude
Hailing from New Hope, Calla Bere & The Attitude Formed in January of 2017 and is led by the powerful vocals and classic songwriting of Calla Bere (Ka-luh Behr), driven by Mastermind's Rich Berends on drums and the eclectic improv-heavy style of Kevin Rovner on guitar. After releasing their debut album, Good Day, in the summer of 2017, the band has been performing all over the Tri-State Area, playing numerous local venues and festivals, harnessing their craft, and working on their next record, set for release later in 2018. Quickly growing a dedicated grassroots fan base, Calla Bere & The Attitude has shared the stage with artists like New Hope's resident shredder, Dean Ween, Michael "Kidd Funkadelic" Hampton, Doug Wimbish, Jimmy Sturr, Chris Caffery, Dave Dreiwitz, Glenn McClelland, Michael Allman, The Freeway Revival, Keith Kenny and many other great local and regional artists.Have performed in notable venues such as the Trocadero Theatre , John and Peter's of New Hope, Cedar Gardens in Hamilton, NJ, ISIS Music Hall in Asheville, Dockside at Dave and Buster's Philly, Strange Brew Tavern in Allentown, the 2300 Arena in Philly, Harper's Pub in Clementon, PUCK Live in Doylestown, among many others.
A fresh young take on Blues-Rock with influences like Tedeschi Trucks Band, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Lake Street Dive and Janice Joplin with a clean and passionate delivery. Calla Bere leads the troupe on vocals and guitar, but you're bound to hear some stellar guitar licks from Kevin Rovner by her side. You'll get a good taste of Rich Berends in the video below which features a great drum solo. With the growing number of jam and funk bands in Philly, one may find it refreshing that Rock/Blues is still alive and well on the Philadelphia music scene. On April 14th, Calla Bere & The Attitude are set to play the Women That Rock festival with Afrobear, Christine Irizarry and The Foolhardy, Renaissance Blvd, and Pieces of Arbor at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia just south of Snyder Ave.
More CBA dates:
April 7 - with Corey James & Pour Soul - Harper's Pub in Clemnton, NJ
April 21 - BestFest Craft Beer and Music Festival - Harpers Pub in Clementon, NJ
June 29 - Triumph Brewing in Princeton, NJ
July 6 - Puck in Doylestown, PA
A fresh young take on Blues-Rock with influences like Tedeschi Trucks Band, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Lake Street Dive and Janice Joplin with a clean and passionate delivery. Calla Bere leads the troupe on vocals and guitar, but you're bound to hear some stellar guitar licks from Kevin Rovner by her side. You'll get a good taste of Rich Berends in the video below which features a great drum solo. With the growing number of jam and funk bands in Philly, one may find it refreshing that Rock/Blues is still alive and well on the Philadelphia music scene. On April 14th, Calla Bere & The Attitude are set to play the Women That Rock festival with Afrobear, Christine Irizarry and The Foolhardy, Renaissance Blvd, and Pieces of Arbor at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia just south of Snyder Ave.
More CBA dates:
April 7 - with Corey James & Pour Soul - Harper's Pub in Clemnton, NJ
April 21 - BestFest Craft Beer and Music Festival - Harpers Pub in Clementon, NJ
June 29 - Triumph Brewing in Princeton, NJ
July 6 - Puck in Doylestown, PA
Dangermuffin hits the road and returns to Philly area 4/5
Charleston, SC’s Dangermuffin is an eclectic quartet that weaves lyrical themes of sea, sun, and spiritual connection with Americana, Island influenced, Folk and Jam grooves. The band's live show swims between tasty acoustic, and rockin’ electric sounds. On the band’s 6th and latest release, ‘Heritage,’ which still remains in the top 25 of Jamband Radio charts, Dangermuffin reaches into their creative arsenal to craft an album showcasing the band’s signature coastal-influenced grooves mixed with Americana sensibilities and Appalachian fingerpicking. The album’s lyrics contemplate the universal human connection to our ancestors, ancient traditions and symbols while yearning for humanity to get back to its roots. It is an audible showcase weaving introspective lyrics with catchy, nimble guitar riffs. Fittingly, the album’s soaring vocals were recorded in Charleston’s historic Unitarian Church, a National Historic Landmark built in 1772.
On their current tour which began at home, Sunday in Charleston, SC, Dangermuffin continues on to Wise Man Brewing in Winston-Salem, NC before making their appearance at The Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, PA just outside of Philly. Tickets are available and can be purchased here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1640053
On their current tour which began at home, Sunday in Charleston, SC, Dangermuffin continues on to Wise Man Brewing in Winston-Salem, NC before making their appearance at The Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, PA just outside of Philly. Tickets are available and can be purchased here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1640053
More dates:
April 4 - Wise Man Brewing in Winston-Salem, NC
April 5 - The Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, PA
April 6 - FTC StageOne in Fairfield, CT
April 8 - The Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, PA
April 10 - Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY
April 12 - 5 Points Music Sanctuary in Roanoke, VA
April 13 - The Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV
April 14 - Rockin' on The River in Charleston, WV
Golden City: The latest from Nakama
Nakama, formerly known as The Space Cats, are the recently re-named progressive instrumental/improv quartet in Philadelphia have recently released their latest work, Golden City, mixed and produced by Ben McGuinn. Name change or not, these four cats have been in the lab at work, and you can tell. Title and leading track, Golden City, opens to an improvisational soundscape with Ian Mayer skillfully traversing the frets with arpeggios and riffs into a strong, triumphant close. Mayer brings the shred factor to Nakama, this is clear. Dancing notes from keyboardist Adam Nash open track 2, Bastet, joined in by drummer Sal Galati and David Rosen on bass guitar in unison...and then Ian Mayer steps up again, hurling metal flying at you like he came out of the smoke with a chainsaw in his hand. On keys, Nash masterfully fills in space and time with wailing synth notes which finally come to a simmer to help guide the track to silence. Waves of Bliss, a more delicate piece by David Rosen on the low end, has a certain bouncy wave-like step to it, as he and Nash weave in and out with Galati holding the center line beats. Tom Says Tom, a personal favorite from their catalog, is the fourth track on Golden City which showcases Nash on the keys taking us through a video game-like synth-scape, as he picks up speed and force with Rosen thumping sturdy bass lines at us. Swooping in for the last piece of the melody, Mayer volleys with some more explosive guitar licks. Closing out Golden City, with a name reminiscent of the furry creatures that once roamed these lands, Furra is the 5th and final track on Nakama's latest work. At first dark and stormy, the composition reveals itself to be laced with syncopated rhythms and hand-work from Nash and Mayer equally. Furra must be cat-speak for 'fireworks', for when combined with the thickly fluid bass line from Rosen and strong hands on the skins from Galati...It packs the punch, as they say. Our adventure ultimately and skillfully brings us back to a quiet chamber within the Golden City among the warm and furra.
Nakama is slated to play The Red Stallion Bar & Grill in Warminster, PA on 3/31 with special guests and then Manayunk's The Grape Room on 4/14. More dates to be announced.
Nakama is slated to play The Red Stallion Bar & Grill in Warminster, PA on 3/31 with special guests and then Manayunk's The Grape Room on 4/14. More dates to be announced.
Photos: Mike Gordon at Union Transfer Philly 3/9
DJ Logic and Friends at Ardmore Music Hall 2/24
DJ Logic & Friends threw down at The Ardmore Music Hall for a night full of improv jams with Borahm Lee of Break Science, Marc Brownstein of The Disco Biscuits, Michael Travis of The String Cheese Incident & Rob Compa of Dopapod. This was the first configuration of Logic's crew, and it didn't take much time for these cool cats to jump into a good groove. DJ Logic & Friends is set to also play in Stephentown, NY June 7-10 with a slightly different mix of members, yet still featuring personnel from The Disco Biscuits, Dopapod and members of Turkuaz reported to be joining in. Keep an eye out for more info on that. Check out photos, video and full set audio from Saturday night's show below.
Full Set Audio
Trey Anastasio at Mayo Performing Arts Center 2/8/18
Trey Anastasio began his solo acoustic tour last night in Morristown, NJ at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, treating the crowd mostly to acoustic Phish songs sprinkled with humorous stories and tales from Phish tour while taking some sentimental moments to pay tribute to his sister and also honoring his late friend, Chris Cottrell, who spent much time growing up with Trey and on tour with Phish, times and tales which later became fuel to Trey's songwriting. Anastasio debuted a handful of songs never played acoustically before from the Phish catalog, singing songs he usually doesn't sing, with only one song from the Trey Anastasio Band formation, Push On Til The Day, a usual show-closer for his side-project band. Trey's solo tour continues on for 8 more dates including tonight in Ithaca, NY, then on to Cambrige, Pittsburgh, Wilmington, Washington DC, Durham, Charlotte, and finishes up the solo tour in Athens, GA at The Classic Center. More at http://Trey.com/tour
Toubab Krewe at Ardmore Music Hall on March 9th - New Album out March 2nd
The dynamic instrumental quintet Toubab Krewe are excited to announce the upcoming release of their third studio album, Stylo, and coinciding tour. To celebrate the release of their new album, Toubab Krewe are offering an exclusive PledgeMusic campaign that allows fans to pre-order Stylo before it’s released to the public on March 2nd, 2018. The PledgeMusic campaign, which launches today at pledgemusic.com/toubabkrewe, offers exclusive merchandise with a portion of proceeds benefiting non-profit Seed Programs International. In February, Toubab Krewe will hit the road after a two year hiatus and return to clubs and stages across North America for a 2018 album release tour.
Stylo (pronounced Stee-lo) will be released in follow up to Toubab Krewe’s critically acclaimed sophomore album TK2 (released in 2010). Over the last seven years, the band has developed and evolved their authentic blend of Appalachian and West African music traditions. The result is a jubilant collection of eight-songs steeped in the group’s experimental and genre-bending sounds that have propelled them for more than a decade. The album’s lead single, “That Damn Squash”, draws from influences as diverse as Pakastani film scores, New Orleans funk, and Wassoulou grooves. The track’s dynamic melody ricochets across the strings of electric and acoustic guitars, Casio and Realistic keyboards, while djembe and bass guitar drive the beat. “That Damn Squash”, now available on all major streaming services, is a just taste of what Stylo has to offer.
Toubab Krewe’s PledgeMusic Campaign features a variety of options for various budgets and interests. Pledge packages range from customly designed clothing to an exclusive Toubab Krewe seed garden with collectors box, as well as opportunities to interact with band members via private instrument lessons on Skype, and private concerts. A portion of all proceeds will support Seed Programs International (SPI), a non-profit organization based in the band’s hometown of Asheville, NC. Seed Programs International provides quality seeds and critically-needed expertise to impoverished communities in developing countries. With every pledge Toubab Krewe receives for physical merchandise, the band will send out a limited edition “That Damn Squash” seed package to the fan, allowing them to grow their own Toubab Krewe squash plants. SPI will then ship out a vegetable packet to a family or humanitarian organization in need.
The Stylo 2018 album release tour will make stops in Colorado, the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. 2018 promises to be a big year for the group with music festival lineup inclusions on Electric Forest and Fractal Beach, with more to be announced soon. On Friday, March 9th the band will be in town for a performance with Melvin Seals & JGB at the The Ardmore Music Hall, click HERE for tickets. This will be the band's first tour in seven years and we look forward to the performance. A full listing of confirmed tour dates is below, with additional tour date announcements coming soon.
For more information, and to pre-order Stylo, visit: https://www.pledgemusic.com/toubabkrewe
Stylo (pronounced Stee-lo) will be released in follow up to Toubab Krewe’s critically acclaimed sophomore album TK2 (released in 2010). Over the last seven years, the band has developed and evolved their authentic blend of Appalachian and West African music traditions. The result is a jubilant collection of eight-songs steeped in the group’s experimental and genre-bending sounds that have propelled them for more than a decade. The album’s lead single, “That Damn Squash”, draws from influences as diverse as Pakastani film scores, New Orleans funk, and Wassoulou grooves. The track’s dynamic melody ricochets across the strings of electric and acoustic guitars, Casio and Realistic keyboards, while djembe and bass guitar drive the beat. “That Damn Squash”, now available on all major streaming services, is a just taste of what Stylo has to offer.
Toubab Krewe’s PledgeMusic Campaign features a variety of options for various budgets and interests. Pledge packages range from customly designed clothing to an exclusive Toubab Krewe seed garden with collectors box, as well as opportunities to interact with band members via private instrument lessons on Skype, and private concerts. A portion of all proceeds will support Seed Programs International (SPI), a non-profit organization based in the band’s hometown of Asheville, NC. Seed Programs International provides quality seeds and critically-needed expertise to impoverished communities in developing countries. With every pledge Toubab Krewe receives for physical merchandise, the band will send out a limited edition “That Damn Squash” seed package to the fan, allowing them to grow their own Toubab Krewe squash plants. SPI will then ship out a vegetable packet to a family or humanitarian organization in need.
The Stylo 2018 album release tour will make stops in Colorado, the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. 2018 promises to be a big year for the group with music festival lineup inclusions on Electric Forest and Fractal Beach, with more to be announced soon. On Friday, March 9th the band will be in town for a performance with Melvin Seals & JGB at the The Ardmore Music Hall, click HERE for tickets. This will be the band's first tour in seven years and we look forward to the performance. A full listing of confirmed tour dates is below, with additional tour date announcements coming soon.
For more information, and to pre-order Stylo, visit: https://www.pledgemusic.com/toubabkrewe
Rock and Roll Playhouse Presents: Music of the Grateful Dead for Kids
hosted by Ardmore Music Hall with Tom Hamilton & Friends January 28th, 2018
The Rock and Roll Playhouse has joined up with Ardmore Music Hall to bring a series of special family music concerts to the area, paralleling some of the great acts in the area that come through AMH to join in the fun. This past weekend RRPH held a sold-out event featuring Tom Hamilton joined by Raina Mullen on acoustic guitar, Mike Greenfield on drums and Tom's brother Jim Hamilton on bass, who previously played in Tom's band, American Babies. The event theme this time around was music of the Grateful Dead, a catalog of music which Hamilton and his brother are no stranger to so we know this would be a treat. Fans enjoyed classic tunes from the quartet, playful enough for both the kids and the seasoned Dead fans in the room. Ardmore Music Hall is somewhat of a Grateful Dead headquarters here in the metro area, as locals and familiar faces poured in to the night spot they often frequented to see live music. During the performance, the tiny deadheads were treated to gifts like glow-stick bracelets and necklaces, streamers, and the kids got to participate in group parachute fun with everyone as Hamilton and friends played a fun version of the hit, Eyes of The World.
Rock and Roll Playhouse returns to AMH on February 25th for a sold-out show featuring Phish for Kids with Phish tribute act Uncle Ebanezer, then again on March 18th for a special Sunday morning for the Music of David Bowie, tickets to this show available here: https://www.ardmoremusic.com/event/1634610
http://therockandrollplayhouse.com
Rock and Roll Playhouse returns to AMH on February 25th for a sold-out show featuring Phish for Kids with Phish tribute act Uncle Ebanezer, then again on March 18th for a special Sunday morning for the Music of David Bowie, tickets to this show available here: https://www.ardmoremusic.com/event/1634610
http://therockandrollplayhouse.com
Photos: Kung Fu at The Foundry at Fillmore Philly 1/20/18
Review and Photos: Stick Figure at The Fillmore Philly 1/17
Hailing from California and bringing all the sunshine with them, Stick Figure popped into town Wednesday night for the first performance of an extensive US tour at The Fillmore Philly. The developed brain-child of Scott Woodruff is orchestrated mainly on familiar island reggae vibes with influences like Steel Pulse, Sublime, Bob Marley, Midnite, Slightly Stoopid, and Barrington Levy. Stick Figure unfolds melodic roots-reggae harmonies with an electronic construction and unique improvisational approach, leading some of the compositions open to 'jam'. Although an accomplished and self-taught musician & producer, Woodruff takes the party on the road across the country this winter joined by his Cali brothers.
A surprise guest hit the stage last night a bit before her scheduled debut...the entire floor at the Fillmore had the pleasure of meeting Cocoa the dog during Twiddle's set, as she randomly wandered and meandered on stage, peering out into the crowd. Woodruff's pooch has been on tour with the band since their 2013 tour while supporting Tribal Seeds, and she even has an adventure blog that chronicles her travels and experiences, that's one cool dog! As Stick Figure took the stage I scanned the room and could tell lots of fans on the floor were ready to jam, pressed against the front guard-rail or joined in with friends to get close to the action. Woodruff and his crew came out saluting the audience with smiles, jumping right into tunes like Shadow, White Fire, Coming Home, Thick n thin, Winds from the West, Livin' It and the Bob Marley hit, Mellow Mood with an extended jam outro and finally a splash of The Beatles with a short segment of Hey Jude. And sprinkled on top somewhere in the later part of the 2nd set I swore I heard a Norwegian Wood tease! Stick Figure kept the party going with a 3-song encore, including the track from their newly released video, 'Above The Storm' (video below).
The Fillmore crowd ate up every song performed and sang along to high-energy anthem-style reggae vibes and grooves interlaced with improvisational jams that added flavor with an utmost uplifting feel. Scott and his crew execute these tunes like they have known them forever, touching on the different styles of Reggae and Dub with syncopated tempos and largely pronounced bass lines. Having very little knowledge of the band, I went in with a clean slate and only knew the genre and the name of the troupe's leader, Woodruff. It didn't take long before I realized that the venue was filled with fans who knew this music well and celebrated with Stick Figure accordingly. Unlike most reggae acts, Stick Figure possesses a special spark that connects them well with their following.
A surprise guest hit the stage last night a bit before her scheduled debut...the entire floor at the Fillmore had the pleasure of meeting Cocoa the dog during Twiddle's set, as she randomly wandered and meandered on stage, peering out into the crowd. Woodruff's pooch has been on tour with the band since their 2013 tour while supporting Tribal Seeds, and she even has an adventure blog that chronicles her travels and experiences, that's one cool dog! As Stick Figure took the stage I scanned the room and could tell lots of fans on the floor were ready to jam, pressed against the front guard-rail or joined in with friends to get close to the action. Woodruff and his crew came out saluting the audience with smiles, jumping right into tunes like Shadow, White Fire, Coming Home, Thick n thin, Winds from the West, Livin' It and the Bob Marley hit, Mellow Mood with an extended jam outro and finally a splash of The Beatles with a short segment of Hey Jude. And sprinkled on top somewhere in the later part of the 2nd set I swore I heard a Norwegian Wood tease! Stick Figure kept the party going with a 3-song encore, including the track from their newly released video, 'Above The Storm' (video below).
The Fillmore crowd ate up every song performed and sang along to high-energy anthem-style reggae vibes and grooves interlaced with improvisational jams that added flavor with an utmost uplifting feel. Scott and his crew execute these tunes like they have known them forever, touching on the different styles of Reggae and Dub with syncopated tempos and largely pronounced bass lines. Having very little knowledge of the band, I went in with a clean slate and only knew the genre and the name of the troupe's leader, Woodruff. It didn't take long before I realized that the venue was filled with fans who knew this music well and celebrated with Stick Figure accordingly. Unlike most reggae acts, Stick Figure possesses a special spark that connects them well with their following.
