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Archive for July, 2026

Japanese Breakfast (The Mann Center, Philadelphia, PA, July 17, 2026) [DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE]

Posted in Death Cab For Cutie, Japanese Breakfast, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA on July 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: July 17, 2026] Japanese Breakfast

The world was burning down.  Well, not exactly, but Ottawa wildfires were sending particulates throughout the country and on this night, they were particularly bad.  Well, they weren’t too bad at our house, but by the time we got into Philly–jeez!  The skyline was barely visible.  I wished I had brought masks and was a little surprised (but happy) that the show wasn’t cancelled.

For some reason, this show was supposed to start at 7:30.  On a Friday night.  So we should have left a little earlier, but the last few times I went into Philly on a Friday night there was no traffic.  Well, tonight it was crazy backed up. I accepted that we would not be seeing Japanese Breakfast at all, and was settling in to being happy if we didn’t miss the opening of Death Cab for Cutie.

We had seen Japanese Breakfast last year, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world to miss them.

The Mann Center had switched to paid parking, but the parking attendants were no better than they were when it was free.  So we got an okay spot and as we got out of the car we could hear Japanese Breakfast playing Road Head (a favorite song).  By the time we got into the venue, we needed the bathroom.  I am usually annoyingly needed about getting in to see the band. but I assumed that the set was almost over (it was easily 8 by now) so I casually filled up our water bottle and assumed they’d be finishing up the final song.

But as we walked across to our seat they were playing Mega Circuit. (more…)

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Kathleen Edwards (Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem, PA, July 16, 2026) [PATTY GRIFFIN]

Posted in Bethlehem, PA, Kathleen Edwards, Musikfest Cafe, Patty Griffin, Steelstacks on July 16, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: July 16, 2026] Kathleen Edwards

When I saw Kathleen Edwards in 2021, I traveled to NYC to see her because I thought that this was a one and done kind of thing.  That she had basically retired from music but was going to do this show and I’d finally get to see her.

Who would have guessed that five years later I would have seen her seven times.

I didn’t necessarily need to go to this show, but I knew that a Kathleen Edwards set would be enjoyable and Musikfest Cafe is a delightful place to see a show.   I was also vaguely curious about Patty Griffin.  I have two of her albums from the 1990s but otherwise know little else about her.

We arrived way too early because the last time, parking was a struggle.  There was something going on downstairs–I wonder if it was supposed to be outside.  Because of the fires in Ottawa the air quality was terrible today.

When I bought tickets I had purposefully bought ones where no one was around us and it paid off, we had a nice buffer around us.  So we relaxed and waited for Kathleen,

I had no idea how this show would work.  It seemed like a double headline bill.  But, in fact, Kathleen was the opener.  For this set it was only her and Matt Sucich.  I think I’ve seen this combo before, but I always marvel at how every one of her shows has been different in some way.  Kathleen played acoustic guitar and Matt played various guitars adding solos and riffs and of course backing vocals.

I had asked on two social media channels if she would play “I Make the Dough You Get the Glory,” my favorite song by her, which I have never seen her play.  But she obviously didn’t get the memo.  But this turned out to be a kind of greatest hits set and it was fantastic.  Interestingly, my wife also had a “wanna see” song (Hard to Everyone) and she didn’t play that either.

With it just being the two of them, Kathleen was looser and the songs sounded different (not better or worse, just different). (more…)

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“Weird Al” Yankovic / Puddles Pity Party (PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ, July 12, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in "Weird Al" Yankovic, Holmdel, NJ, PNC Bank Center, Puddles Pity Party on July 12, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 12, 2026] “Weird Al” Yankovic / Puddles Pity Party

Last year, almost to the day, my wife and I saw this “Weird Al”/Puddles show.  My whole family was supposed to go but my daughter wound up working and my son wound up going to a concert in Wisconsin!   So, when this show was announced at the very handy PNC Bank Arts Center, I grabbed four tickets for us to try again.

Well, once again, my daughter was working and this time, my son went to the shore with his friends.  Since we had seen the show last year and I’m sure it didn’t change from last year, we sold the tickets and got on with our day.

I would have liked to see Al for the 11th time and to have my kids enjoy him once more (I somehow doubt he’s going to tour again), but ten times is pretty good.

I would have genuinely liked to see the entire Puddles Pity Party set.  We walked in during his set last time, and I was looking forward to seeing the whole thing.  But oh well, you can’t have everything.

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American Football / Ian Sweet (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, July 10, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in American Football, Franklin Music Hall, Ian Sweet, Philadelphia, PA on July 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 10, 2026] American Football / Ian Sweet

There’s so much about American Football that I should like (except their name, which instantly made me not like them).  But the description of their music and even their posters–I love the way they mess with their name on the posters) should really make me a fan.

Back in 2019, American Football did a Tiny Desk Concert for their then new album LP3.  They have just released LP4 and all signs suggest that this is a band I would like.  I mean, I see that “their self-titled debut album became one of the most acclaimed emo and math rock records of its era.”  Emo and math rock, yes please.

Back in 2019, I had written,

I really enjoy the music of the songs…. but I find the song a little dull.  Maybe I’d just prefer this song as an instrumental.

And that’s how I felt about this new album too.  I find it a little dull and I don’t like the singer’s voice.  So I didn’t get a ticket (Plus I wouldn’t want to see them at FMH anyhow).

I hadn’t heard of Ian Sweet, and I see that Ian Sweet is the stage name of Jilian Medford a musician from Los Angeles.  I am mistaken, back in 2023, Ian Sweet opened for Protomartyr, at a show I didn’t go to.  I wrote then that Ian Sweet’s music is predominantly synth and dancey–bright and shiny, something never attributed to Protomartyr.

Their latest release is still upbeat and poppy–perky even.  But it rocks a bit more and, to my mind, is even more fun.

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POPPY (The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, July 9, 2026)

Posted in LANDMVRKS, Philadelphia, PA, Poppy, The Fillmore Philadelphia, Thousand Below on July 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: July 9, 2026] Poppy

When Poppy announced this show, I managed to get a ticket for $20 off, which was great.  I hadn’t realized that this would be my third time seeing her in less than a year and a half.

But each show has been different in one way or another.  Tonight’s show featured the giant cubes that were in use for Landmvrks.  But these were special for Poppy.  Each cube had a platform on top of it, so when the show started, Poppy was on top of one  and the drums were setup on top of the other–easily fifteen feet high.  And on the stage were three masked musicians.

A recording of Constantly Nowhere played and then Poppy appeared on top of the cubes and sang have you had enough (which I see she has opened the show with all three times that I’ve seen her).

I’m so intrugued by Poppy because she started as a seriously Pop pop singer and just a few years later, she is beloved by the metal community.  And why not?  Her songs are heavy as anything and she screams with serious intensity.

She mixed up the rest of the set.  Climbing down to the stage, she sang The Cost of Giving Up.  This song has serious pop chops and is really catchy, although the middle section has some of her most intense screaming.

As I mentioned for Landmvrks, the place was packed.  And, I hate to say it, I’m not sure how I feel about Poppy fans.  A trio in front of me was pogoing and bouncing into everyone even though there were several circle pits in the area.  And that’s not cool to crash into others but to be afraid of the circle pit.

I was really surprised she played Concrete third.  I love this song, it is so bizarre, with that weird guitar lick and then the insane J-pop section that shifts into a rocking section and then shifts again into a more or less sixties pop song.  All within 90 seconds.  And then what a riff!  It’s an insane and great song–straight out of the Babymetal playbook.  Any question about her metal bonafides are put to rest with the new song Bruised Sky–heavy and noisy with great screams.

Her band was a little different this time around.  Actually the lead guitarist might be the same, but for this show one of the masked guitarists was a woman.  This worked really well, when the guitarist sang backing vocals or even an occasional lead part.  The masks were really different this time too–scary Japanese theater type masks. (more…)

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Ratboys / Golden Apples (White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ, July 10, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Golden Apples, Jersey City, NJ, Ratboys, White Eagle Hall on July 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 10, 2026] Ratboys / Golden Apples

I’ve seen Ratboys three times and have really enjoyed all of their live shows.  I didn’t love this new album as much–it goes too deep into the country angle.  And yet, I know that their live show is great.  But I couldn’t make this show as I had a show the night before and I’ve been down on White Eagle Hall lately. The venue is great but the parking is just insurmountable.  I’d have to really like someone to head back there again.

So this was my second time NOT seeing Ratboys within a few months.

Back in 2023, I first heard of Golden Apples.  I noted that they are a gentle pop band with feelings of jangle pop, grunge, and dream pop.  I listened to one of their songs “Under the Sun” and it sounded instantly familiar, but I had never heard them before.  The song “High School” is a bit dirtier sounding and comes from the first album when Golden Apples are a full band.  I enjoyed it just as much if not more.  I’m immediately hooked and will definitely be listening to them more.

I didn’t listen to more of them because when I finally saw them live last month, I didn’t realize I had checked them out before, because I wrote

I enjoyed the simple but catchy guitar riff of followed by the totally rocking High School. During this song, Russell stepped off the stage (it’s about 6 inches high) and played his solo among the crowd (which was empty up front).  The set was about 30 minutes and I really enjoyed it  The songs were catchy with some slightly off kilter vibes.

This would have definitely been a good show if WEH was easier to get to.

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Hurry / Sad13 / Dina Hashem (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, July 10, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Dina Hashem, Hurry, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Sad13, Speedy Ortiz on July 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 10, 2026] Hurry / Sad13 / Dina Hashem

About three years ago I saw Hurry open for Speedy Ortiz.  And now, three years later Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz was opening for them.  True it was her solo project Sad13 (great name) but, still, I love the continuity.

I didn’t know Hurry back then, but I loved their set and bought their album.  They have that perfect Nada Surf/Teenage Fanclub pop songcraft that I like so much.  I hadn’t listened to this new one yet, but I’m sure it’s good, too.  I had gone to a show the night before and we were supposed to go see Weird Al on Sunday, so it just felt like too much.  Which is kind of a shame.

Sad13 is Sadie’s experimental side.  Her songs aren’t mellow folkie songs (as the band name kind of suggests) but rather they are weird experimental songs with sound effects and fascinating noises.  On her new album, the longest song is 1:48.  I’m not dying to see this incarnation, but I do hope she is opening for someone one of these days.

Dina Hashem is a comedian.  And I have to say that I am digging the idea of a comedian before a band.  She is pretty deadpan, which I appreciate, although the few clips I listened to were okay.

 

 

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Greg Mendez / American Football [FREE AT NOON] (World Stage, Philadelphia PA, July 10, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in American Football, Greg Mendez, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live on July 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 10, 2026] Greg Mendez / American Football [FREE AT NOON]

I had a ticket to this Free at Noon but decided that I didn’t want to go.  Free at Noon is wonderful but it is a huge pain in the butt for me.  And while this was two bands (and presumably an hour of music), I had listened to American Football’s new album and decided I didn’t like it enough for the effort.

I also just realized this would be my first time at the newly named World Stage.

I also had to laugh because Greg Mendez is constantly being thrown at me as someone I should see.  I have nothing against the guy, in fact, I’m not even sure if I know his music.  But, as I wrote in 2024

At the end of last year, I had not heard of Greg Mendez until he was the opening act for two different bands a few weeks apart.  I didn’t go to either of those shows, so I still haven’t seen him.

Now, in fairness, I haven’t heard anything about him since then, but here he is opening for a show that almost never has two artists playing.  I gather he did an acoustic set and them American Football came out.  He is described as:

one of the Philly DIY scene’s best-kept-secrets, the soft-spoken songwriter with a preternatural ability to craft brief yet powerful songs is enjoying a raised profile with the release of his self-titled full-length. On the strength of a few early singles, the initial run of vinyl sold out within a month of the album’s announcement, but with releases and demos dating back to 2006, Mendez is hardly an overnight success.

Back in 2019, American Football did a Tiny Desk Concert for their then new album LP3.  They have just released LP4 and all signs suggest that this is a band I would like.  I mean, I see that “their self-titled debut album became one of the most acclaimed emo and math rock records of its era.”  Emo and math rock, yes please.  They announced a show at Franklin Music Hall, which I wouldn’t have wanted to go to because of the venue.  But when they surprise announced this Free at Noon, I grabbed a ticket and then listened to LP4.

Back in 2019, I had written,

I really enjoy the music of the songs…. but I find the song a little dull.  Maybe I’d just prefer this song as an instrumental.

And that’s how I felt about this new album too.  I find it a little dull and I don’t like the singer’s voice.  So I didn’t go.

I meant to listen to it at work, but I forgot.  I’ll try to check it out when it’s online to see if I made the wrong choice.

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LANDMVRKS (The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, July 9, 2026) [POPPY]

Posted in LANDMVRKS, Philadelphia, PA, Poppy, The Fillmore Philadelphia, Thousand Below on July 9, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: July 9, 2026] LANDMVRKS

When Poppy announced this show, I managed to get a ticket for $20 off, which was great.  I hadn’t realized that this would be my third time seeing her in less than a year and a half.

I didn’t care about the opening act, Thousand Below, a post-hardcore band from San Diego.  I mean, I’m kind of done with post-hardcore at this point.  They do have interesting vocals, but I didn’t really care if I saw them.

After a stressful day, in which my wife bore the brunt of the tasks, I wasn’t sure if I should go out, but she was going to chill, so I went, but left a little later than usual.  And, as happens when I’m not in a hurry, I made it to the Fillmore in plenty of time.

There was no line, so I assumed I’d saunter up near the front and listen to the two openers before enjoying Poppy.

Well, I walked in and it was PACKED.  I couldn’t believe so many people wanted to see Thousand Below.  I found an okay spot and then lights dimmed and a guy ran on stage and as they started, it was clearly LANDMVRKS.  Evidently Thousand Below went on at 7.  Oops.

The stage had two large cubes with video screens on them.  The image for LANDMVRKS was their name and a collection of statues.  Music sounded from backstage and then Florent Salfati ran out on stage wearing an Eminem shirt and rapping in French!  His flow was fast (although I think French might lend itself to fast rapping).  And then the rest of the band came out and they played a blast of a chord and they were off.

LANDMVRKS are from Marseille and have been around since 2014 (first album 2016).  Their later albums are heavier and have some rap elements and serious growling.

The three guys on stage were so mobile, they were almost exhausting.  I’m not sure which guitarist was which, but whether it was Nicolas Exposito (a founding member) or Paul Cordebard (joined in 2017) he kicked really high, ran in place and was always in motion.  He also had a great low growl and surprisingly good harmony vocals when needed.  Bassist Rudy Purkart was similarly active, going back and forth around the stage and singing too.  And Kévin D’Agostino on drums was a beast, but he was tucked in between the boxes and was kind of hard to see, but his drumming was fast and intense.

They had a really heavy sound, but they also had some very pretty moments as well.   I was really impressed with Salfati’s voice which was at times really lovely and delicate and could also descend into a crazy guttural growl.   I couldn’t detect an accent in his voice at all.  Even when he spoke to us (saying how excited they were to be in the U.S.), his accent was barely noticeable.

There was a guy in front of me who was clearly a huge fan.  He knew the beats and filmed the whole thing. (more…)

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Sarah McLachlan: Better Broken Tour / Allison Russell (TD Pavilion at The Mann Center, Philadelphia, PA, July 7, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Allison Russell, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA, Sarah McLachlan on July 7, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 7, 2026] Sarah McLachlan / Allison Russell

Back in 2024, Sarah McLachlan did a tour for the anniversary of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy.  Back in the 90s I loved Sarah so much.  I loved her music.  I oved Lilith Fair, I though she was the bomb.

I feel like she got crazy overplayed (especially the sad dog commercial) and she became something of a punchline, which is a shame.   A friend saw her last time and said the show was amazing.  I thought about gong to this one, but the timing and the venue did not inspire me, so I didn’t bother getting a ticket.

It turns out this tour was for a new album, which I didn’t know anything about.  Although she did play a lot of great older songs too, the previous tour would have been the better choice.

I think I would like to see her again–her voice is supposed to be strong and wonderful still.  Maybe if she played the Met, instead of the Mann.

Allison Russell opened for Hozier in 2024 on the tour I could not get tickets to.  She is a Canadian singer who is placed in the Americana genre, which is kind of funny.  WXPN plays some of her songs, and “Stay Right Here” is super duper catchy and will sound AMAZING in the Pavilion with its big chorus, disco beats and R&B/choir components (I wonder if she’ll have a band live).  Her song “Nightflyer” is more mellow but quite lovely.

I think I might actually be quite the fan of her without realizing it was her.

 

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