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Archive for the ‘Cities’ Category

Spiritbox (Cure Insurance Arena, Trenton, NJ, September 9, 2022) [GHOST]

Posted in Cure Insurance Arena, Ghost, Mastodon, Set in New Jersey!, Spiritbox, Trenton, NJ on September 9, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 9, 2019] Spiritbox

We arrived pretty early for this show.  Early enough to get merch before the first band went on.

My son and his friend had seats (straight back and a few rows up–they said the view was perfect), but I wanted standing room on the floor.  And just as I walked down the steps to the floor, the lights went dark and I walked pretty close to the stage.

Then Spiritbox came out.  I didn’t know them at all.  But their story is

Spiritbox is a Canadian heavy metal band from Victoria, British Columbia. Husband and wife duo guitarist Mike Stringer and vocalist Courtney LaPlante established Spiritbox in 2017. The band’s full lineup comprises LaPlante, Stringer and drummer Zev Rose; former As I Lay Dying bassist Josh Gilbert currently performs live with the band.

The band plays pretty loud and abrasive guitars, but there’s all kinds of electronic effects and interesting quiet/loud elements going on.  Courtney LaPlante can growl/ scream very impressively, but she also has a pretty singing voice, adding even more to the diversity.

It’s like they combined some of the best elements of various new heavy metal sounds into a composite that sounds familiar but unique at the same time. (more…)

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Earthless / Ecstatic Vision / Riff Mountain DJs (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, September 8, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Earthless, Ecstatic Vision, Philadelphia, PA, Riff Mountain DJs, Underground Arts on September 8, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 8, 2022] Earthless / Ecstatic Vision / Riff Mountain DJs

I jotted down this show as one I’d like to check out and then I forgot all about it and the bands that were playing.  So a little later I even wrote, who the hell are Earthless.

Well, this was a heavy psych/stoner rock super bill that would have been fun to see live.

Earthless has been around since 2001.  They are a mostly instrumental psychedelic rock band from San Diego, California, consisting of guitarist Isaiah Mitchell, bassist Mike Eginton and drummer Mario Rubalcaba.  I really enjoyed their overall vibe.  I also love that their second album is made of 2 20 minute songs (one with five parts).  Although they also have a song “Volt Rush” that’s under two minutes and kicks much ass.  Although I prefer the instrumentals.

Ecstatic Vision are from Philly and they continue with the fuzzy…everything.  They describe themselves as “Trance inducing raw heavy psych. Ecstatic Vision is Doug Zabolchech, Kevin Nickles, Michael Field Connor and Ricky Culp.”

The song I listened to “Astral Plane” is 13 minutes of heavy fuzziness.  Vocals come in about 5 minutes in and I didn’t really like them.  Maybe this kind of music is meant to be instrumental.

Since I’m not in the know, I can’t quite figure out what Riff Mountain DJs are.  Their Instagram profile says Philadelphia DJ Collective / All Rock / All Wax.  So I guess they spin heavy songs before and between bands?

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Richard Thompson / Jonah Tolchin (McLaughlin Norcross Memorial Dell, Haddon Heights, NJ, September 7, 2022) [POSTPONED for RAIN DELAY]

Posted in Haddon Heights, NJ, Jonah Tolchin, McLaughlin Norcross Memorial Dell, Philadelphia, PA, Richard Thompson, Summer Concert Series on September 7, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[POSTPONED: September 7, 2022] Richard Thompson / Jonah Tolchin

I have seen Richard Thompson more than almost any other musician.  This is largely because for several years in a row he played McCarter Theater in Princeton which felt like a short enough distance for us to go when the kids were littler.

Now that I have seen him so often, I’m trying to making him my most-seen performer (although he won’t ever beat Phish since Phish does many multi-date shows near me).

I was pretty excited to see him for this show, especially since it was free!  I had been to this location for Kathleen Edwards a few weeks earlier (what a great summer line up!).  But as the day moved on, the rain proved to be torrential.  Since Richard lives nearby, he was able to postpone his show for a week.  To a night that I wasn’t free.  Alas.

I had not heard of Jonah Tolchin.  He’s a New Jersey native–his bandcamp says he’s from Princeton.

I listened to a few of his songs on bandcamp, and I rather like them.  He’s got an interesting mix of folk with a kind of punky attitude.  His earlier stuff (when he wa sa long haired hippy) is more folkie, but his latest album (2022’s Lava Lamp) is a bit more stripped down and raw, giving it a rougher edge, maybe like Nathaniel Rateliff.

This would have been a fun double bill (even if Richard would probably only have played his biggest hits).

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Arlo Parks / Del Water Gap (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, September 6, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Arlo Parks, Del Water Gap, Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA on September 6, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 6, 2022] Arlo Parks / Del Water Gap

I was really bummed when I missed Arlo Parks at The Foundry (a very tiny venue).  But I was really surprised to see that her next Philly show, barely a year later, would be at Franklin Music Hall, one of the larger venues in Philly.

Arlo Parks was supposed to open for or co-headline with Clairo at the Fillmore on February 26 2022, but the show was cancelled and when Clairo came back around in July, she had a different opener (my daughter and I went to that show).

So I was looking forward to seeing Arlo (enough that I did not get Neko Case tickets, because I already had them for Arlo).  But as the show approached, I was feeling less excited about the prospect.  I listened to her album and liked it, but didn’t know if I wanted to go all the way there for it.  The Foundry show would have been fun and intimate, but I couldn’t quite picture her in the much bigger FMH.  So I decided to stay home.

Del Water Gap is a great pseudonym.  Samuel Holden Jaffe is Del Water Gap and has been making music for over ten years.  I can’t believe I haven’t heard of him sooner (with a name like that).

His music has a catchy and poppy indie sound.  His voice reminds me a bit of Andy Shauf.  The music is pleasant enough that I could see him being used in an indie film.

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Built to Spill (Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem, PA, September 4, 2022)

Posted in Bethlehem, PA, Blood Lemon, Built to Spill, Cate Le Bon, Daniel Johnston, Musikfest, Prism Bitch, Union Transfer on September 6, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 4, 2022] Built to Spill

I know that a Built to Spill show is going to be great.  But sometimes the crowd makes it hard to enjoy.  I was fairly sure this show would be poorly attended, and yet there were a lot of (drunk) people who knew Built to Spill very well.  Are they more popular than I realize?

I had seen them just four months earlier, but the opportunity to see them again at the reasonably close SteelStacks in Bethlehem meant that I was going to see them again.  I enjoyed his new lineup.  This is the third, possibly fourth lineup I’ve seen play with Doug.  Melanie Radford is now on bass (she also plays in Blood Lemon) and Teresa Esguerra on drums.

I love that Esguerra was on the side of the stage facing the other two (that’s how his band was set up with the previous trio as well).  This allowed for Esguerra  and Radford to communicate with each other while Doug was jamming.  And they had outstanding chemistry.

I hadn’t really gotten to see Radford much during Blood Lemon, but she totally let loose with Built to Spill.  Her bass playing was great and her sound was outstanding.  She also seemed to create some of the second-guitar melodies (instead of the bass lines) to make the songs sound even fuller. And then she would jump back with her hair flying a smile on her face.

I had seen Esguerra with Prism Bitch, but she was even more impressive tackling songs that I knew.  She was fast and powerful and seemed to be the engine pushing the songs forward not just keeping pace with them. (more…)

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Neko Case / Sean Rowe (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, September 6, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Neko Case, Philadelphia, PA, The New Pornographers, Union Transfer on September 6, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 6, 2022] Neko Case / Sean Rowe

I had wanted to see Neko Case for a while.  But then a few years ago I got to see her with The New Pornographers, which was like double the fun.

When she announced this new solo tour, I thought it would be cool to see her again (even though she posted a kind of nasty message about people taking pictures at her shows).  However, this show wound up being the same night as the Arlo Parks show.  I had wanted to see Arlo Parks at the Foundry, but I thought the show was sold out (I understand tickets were available at the door).  So I opted to go to Arlo instead.

Sean Rowe is an alternative folk singer-songwriter and musician.  An avid naturalist, Rowe often speaks of his fascination with the woods and his connection to the land.

I hadn’t heard of him but he sound like a good fit with Neko.  However, when I listened to his song online, I hated his deep, slow vocal style.

 

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Wetface (Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem, PA, September 4, 2022) [BUILT TO SPILL]

Posted in Bethlehem, PA, Blood Lemon, Built to Spill, Musikfest Cafe, Wetface on September 5, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 4, 2022] Wetface

When I realized that I was going to be late for this show, I hoped beyond reason that Wetface would go on first and I would miss his set instead of Blood Lemon.  I realize that Blood Lemon bassist Melanie Radford plays bass in this incarnation of Built to Spill and probably needs some downtime between sets, but I really did not want to sit through Wetface again.

I considered leaving the room and looking at merch or just going for a walk but I didn’t really want to lose my place.  Although, realistically, my place kinda sucked because the people around me were awful.  I should have stuck with my guts.

The drunken Bethlehem crowd absolutely loved Wetface.  And I’m going to say that I found him more entertaining at this venue than the first time.  Perhaps because my expectations were so low.

He had a lot of technical difficulties which he played up and which he had fun with.  I also got a kick out of him throwing his last three T-shirts (that’s all that left of my merch) into the crowd.  “But, hey, they are all smalls, so if you’re a big person and you just grabbed that shirt, I am happy for you that you got something free at a concert, but kindly give it to someone who will fit it).

He played a song and when it was done, someone requested that he play it again.  So he did.

I am quite aware that I need to lighten up at shows, but yes, I would have been very happy to have missed this set.

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Blood Lemon (Musikfest Cafe, Bethlehem, PA, September 4, 2022) [BUILT TO SPILL]

Posted in Bethlehem, PA, Blood Lemon, Musikfest Cafe, Wetface on September 4, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 4, 2022] Blood Lemon

I had seen this very lineup just a few months ago.  I assumed that seeing the show in May and then in September would be a different experience.   I was especially excited to see Blood Lemon again because I missed most of their set last time.

Unfortunately, the traffic into Bethlehem was terrible (there was a torrential downpour as well).  And between that and the loud, drunken crowd all pressing to get in, I missed half of Blood Lemon again.  The lighting was much better for this set, so it was nice actually seeing consisting of singer/guitarist Lisa Simpson, singer/bassist Melanie Radford and percussionist Lindsey Lloyd.

The sound seemed to be a little off.  Or, maybe it was just that there were some remarkably loud talkers at this show.  The last time we went to shows here, the crowds were good.  I’m guessing this was a college night/end of school year/loud rocking band kinda show.  Because this crowd was really shitty to be around.

They didn’t even seem to show much respect when Blood Lemon called Doug Martsch out on stage to jam with them on their last song.

The band was great again, and the few songs I heard made me really want to see them again–an actual full set even!

This show wasn’t even listed on setlist, so I’m just guessing their set was something like this.

  1. Master Manipulator ß
  2. High Tide
  3. Perfect Too
  4. The Stone Castle ß
  5. One More Time ß
  6. Her Shadow
  7. Burned ß
  8. Whistleblower ß

ß Blood Lemon (2021)

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Kurtis Conner (The Met Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, September 1, 2022)

Posted in Danny Gonzalez, Dean Hebscher, Drew Gooden, Jacob Sharpe, Kiss, Kurtis Conner, Neil Diamond, Philadelphia, PA, The Met Philadelphia, The Rolling Stones on September 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 1, 2022] Kurtis Conner

My daughter (and apparently my son, too) loves Kurtis Conner.  They kept saying his name as if I had heard of him.  I had no idea who he was at all.  Turns out he is a YouTuber with a billion fans.

My daughter tells me that they Holy Trinity is Kurtis Conner, Danny Gonzalez and Drew Gooden (whom he has toured with in the past).  But without doubt, Conner (whose name is so simple and yet sound confoundedly hard to spell correctly with that K and the e) sits on top.

So what could Conner possibly do if he has made his career based on commenting on YouTube videos (or something).  And, I wondered aloud to both of my kids if I would enjoy this gig or not know what he was talking about.  I decided not to watch anything before hand so that I would have no expectations whatsoever.

So I glad I didn’t read this review beforehand

A big aspect of Conner’s set was integrating some of his classic jokes from his videos into his in-person stand-up punchlines. Of course he did it flawlessly, and I — along with everyone in the theater — loved it. Because prior knowledge of his jokes is needed, though, many of his references wouldn’t be understood by someone who didn’t watch Conner’s YouTube.

I have to say, aside from a few times when he said a line or catchphrase that people applauded (and I had no idea why), there was nothing about his show that I didn’t get.  And, best of all, I thought he was really funny. (more…)

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Dean Hebscher (The Met Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, September 1, 2022) [KURTIS CONNER]

Posted in Comedians, Danny Gonzalez, Dean Hebscher, Drew Gooden, Jacob Sharpe, Kurtis Conner, Philadelphia, PA, The Met Philadelphia on September 2, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 1, 2022] Dean Hebscher

My daughter (and apparently my son, too) loves Kurtis Conner.  They kept saying his name as if I had heard of him.  I had no idea who he was at all.  Turns out he is a YouTuber with a billion fans.

When he announced a tour, my daughter begged to go.  But most of the venues were far away.  Then he announced Philly and how could I say no?

We had seats in the high balcony–it didn’t seem like the kind of show you’d need to be super close for.  A short time before the show, my daughter’s friend was able to get a seat in the same row.  So I drove them both and then they sat together and I sat next to a group of twenty-something girls–not awkward at all.

After the Jacob Sharpe set, we didn’t have to wait long for Dean Hebscher to come out.  That’s one thing that comedians have over bands–no need for set up time.

So it turns out that my daughter tells me that Jacob Sharpe is cool but Dean Hebscher is not.  She wished we had missed Hebscher’s set.  (According to Conner, Sharpe and Hebscher are his best friends).

Hebscher’s set was a little different.  He talked about growing up in rural Canada.  He talked about how his school had a “kick the ginger day” (there was one red-haired kid in school).  He pointed out that it wasn’t school sanctioned (that’s pretty funny) but everyone knew about it through facebook.  I did rather enjoy when the poor ginger kid got his revenge (also through facebook).

I think I enjoyed the set up of his jokes more than the actual jokes themselves.  I enjoyed when he talked about being a camp councellor when he was like 16–barely a few years older than the kids he was supposed to watch.  But he got bogged down with when the kids found the jets in the pool stimulating.  In act I felt lik e alot of his jokes got bogged down in a kind of sexual trajectory that he mined for too long.

I did rather enjoy an absurd story about when he was young and waiting to get into a club.  He was on a long line and farted essentially on the girl behind him.  The line was really close and she was knocked back by the horrible smell.  She spent the whole time that they were waiting to get into the club announcing that this guy in front of her had farted on her.  There was a nice payoff later too.

These jokes were clearly polished but they felt very anecdotal, like he was thinking of details as he went along.  For better or worse.

I liked his set but not nearly as much as the other two.

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