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Archive for the ‘Philadelphia, PA’ Category

Sydney Sprague (The Ukie Club, Philadelphia, PA, July 28, 2023) [POOL KIDS]

Posted in Chase Petra, Philadelphia, PA, Pool Kids, Sweet Pill, Sydney Sprague, The Ukie Club, Ukrainian American Citizens' Association on July 29, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: July 28, 2023] Sydney Sprague

I had seen Syndey Sprague open for The Front Bottoms a couple years ago.  She was the first band of  the night and I wound up walking in after the first two songs.

I liked her vibes and overall sound.  But I was surprised/disappointed by her record which was a lot more poppy than her live show (which was kind of grungy and rocking).

For this show, she came out in an oversized shirt(she must have been very hot).

The other two bands were fairly heavy and rocking, and Sydney was almost in that style, but was a little softer, a little quieter.  Just a little.  The biggest difference was in her singing style which was a lot more monotone than t he other two singers.  Not monotone exactly, but nowhere near as expressive as the other singers.

Having said that, her set was a lot of fun and was full of songs from her new (as yet unreleased) album.   The first two (new) songs were catchy and a rocking.  The third, “Steve” slowed things down a bit but retained that catchiness with a big chorus.

“Object Permanence” is a poppy song–super catchy.  (more…)

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Altin Gün / Rogê (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, July 29, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Altin Gün, Philadelphia, PA, Rogê, Union Transfer on July 29, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 29, 2023] Altin Gün / Rogê

Altin Gün is a Turkish psychedelic band from The Netherlands.  (Their name means Golden Day).

Their live shows are supposed to be wonderful as well:

Altin Gün’s relentless grooves are truly immersive, anti-elitist, inclusive. It’s truly music for the dancefloor – all dancefloors. Altin Gün are the perfect 21st Century psych band, hinting at a deep record collection while still belonging to a living tradition and having a unique and distinctive voice
[from Forestpunk].

They played Underground Arts last year but I couldn’t go.  I’m impressed that they moved up to Union Transfer this year–good for them.

I bought a ticket this year because I’d been listening to and enjoying their new album.  But it seemed like this show was destined for me not to go. (more…)

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Chase Petra (The Ukie Club, Philadelphia, PA, July 28, 2023) [POOL KIDS]

Posted in Chase Petra, Philadelphia, PA, Pool Kids, Sweet Pill, Sydney Sprague, The Ukie Club, Ukrainian American Citizens' Association on July 28, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: July 28, 2023] Chase Petra

I wasn’t sure if I was going to make the show this evening.  Things were confusing at my house, but got straightened out enough that I wound up leaving almost an hour after I would normally have.

I assumed I’d missed Chase Petra.  It was stupidly hot in The Ukie Club and the band on stage was setting up at roughly 8:40.  I guessed it was Sydney Sprague, but when someone on stage shouted for help with Syndey’s amp, I realized that this was Chase Petra.

And I thought, jeez, I’m glad I didn’t arrive on time if they’re just going on now.

But it turned out there was a secret guest who started the show.  New Jersey’s Sweet Pill, who I could have seen at a Front Bottoms festival, but have now missed twice (and whose album is very good).

A few minutes later, amid loud (and accurate) grumbling about how hot it was, Chase Petra took the stage. (more…)

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Phish: Summer Tour 2023 (The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA, July 26, 2023) [night 2 of 2] [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA, Phish on July 26, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 26, 2023] Phish

Ever since seeing two Phish shows in a row at the same venue, it’s hard to not do both show every time.

Last night’s show was great and the new song(s) were fantastic.

But after last night’s lengthy time getting in and lengthy time getting home, even with a friend offering me a Lyft so I didn’t have to fight for parking, I just didn’t have the energy to do another show tonight.

So I sold my ticket on CashorTrade and will head home for an early night, hoping they don’t play any of my “gotta see songs.”

~~~~ (more…)

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Phish: Summer Tour 2023 (The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA, July 25, 2023) [night 1 of 2]

Posted in Jimi Hendrix, Kasvot Växt, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA, Phish, Talking Heads on July 25, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: July 25, 2023] Phish

This was my sixteenth Phish show.  I assumed I’d be seeing 17 tomorrow, but I decided to blow it off instead.

Primarily, because this trip from Prince to Philly sucked so bad,  I left work at 4:30 and parked at 7.  Yes, there was a donut run in the middle, but still.  My parking space was way back in the woods (which was actually kind of easy to get out, thankfully).  And I felt like I was surrounded by insanity.

This was my first Mann Center show where I had an assigned seat.  I thought it was balcony, but it was actually outside in that weird uncovered area.  The seat was pretty good.  Me neighbors were weird though.  Not very friendly–no one passed me anything.

I felt like the show had to be spectacular if I was going to even consider going tomorrow night.

And while the show checked off NO songs on my gotta see list and bumped FIVE songs into “now I’ve seen it four times” territory and one song into “now I’ve seen it 5 times” the show was still fun.

Really, seeing a band sixteen times and seeing a few songs only six times is stull a lot of originality, although I fell like they’ve been playing the same basic grouping of songs for the last few tours.  Or maybe playing the same venue makes them think of playing the same songs a lot.  (more…)

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Remember Sports / 2nd Grade (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, July 25, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in 2nd Grade, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Remember Sports on July 25, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 25, 2023] Remember Sports / 2nd Grade

Remember Sports is a Philly band who I instinctively didn;t like because of their name.  Then I heard them and fell in love with them.  Their off-kilter indie rock and wild vocals are just so much fun.

I really wanted to see them live.

And then Phish announced that their summer shows would be that night and the following night.  When I actually wound up with a seat for the first Phish night (instead of lawn) which was the 25th, well, it was hard to pass that up.

I hope they do another tour before too long.

I saw 2nd Grade open for Charly Bliss back in April and really enjoyed their set a lot.

They are a gentle boppy indie pop band.  Super catchy and poppy with delightful harmonies and a childlike quality (as befits their name).  Most of the songs are around two minutes.

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The Struts / Mac Saturn (The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA, July 22, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Mac Saturn, Philadelphia, PA, Steely Dan, The Fillmore Philadelphia, The Struts on July 22, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 22, 2023] The Struts / Mac Saturn

The Struts opened for Foo Fighters when my wife and I saw them.  Sadly, we missed their entire set.

They have a retro look and feel and I like the way Louder Than War describes their:

knack for writing and performing unapologetically direct, catchy, feel-good original songs that somehow sound like long-lost rock classics. It also shows the singer’s ability to connect with crowds.

Moving with all the grace and poise of someone who, as a child, imitated Michael Jackson in front of a mirror, he fully commits to one tried-and-tested rockstar move after another. It works. His repertoire — above-the-head clapping, raised jazz hands, reaching out with microphone in palm, cupping hand to ear, come hither gestures, running hands over torso, and stationary hands-on-hips poses — forms a direct, almost primal, connection with the audience. With just the flick of a wrist he can get 2,000 people to sing louder, cheer harder, clap faster, or jump higher than they already are.

Luke Skinner sang a song with Foo Fighters and I can attest to his charisma.

This would probably have been a fun show, honestly, but I wasn’t all that inspired. Plus, I had a show the night before, so it seemed like too much.

According to Michigan Daily,

Detroit’s Mac Saturn is best known for its explosive rock ‘n’ roll shows, filled with ’70s rock mystique and flair. The six-piece is made up of frontman Carson Macc, drummer Angelo Coppola, guitarists Mike Moody and Nick Barone, bassist Jive Moses and pianist Evan Mercer on the keys. Mac Saturn became a staple of the Michigan music scene in 2020 and has since released 2022 single “Diamonds,” funk rock EP Until the Money Runs Out and “Plain Clothes Gentleman (Live)” — an electrifying start to a promising career.

I’m getting a funky Steely Dan vibe from them.   In fact, now that I’ve listened to a few of their songs, if you told me the songs were lost Steely San songs I’d believe you.

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Blondshell / Hello Mary (PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA, July 21, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Blondshell, Hello Mary, Philadelphia, PA, PhilaMOCA on July 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 21, 2023] Blondshell / Hello Mary

Blondshell is a new buzz band.  The creation of Sabrina Teitelbaum, who had been making pop music as BAUM, she debuted Blondshell right around the pandemic.

I’ve liked what I heard from her so far and I was looking forward to seeing her at PhilaMOCA before she really took off in the next year or so.  She’s got that retro 90s female singer thing that I likes so much down perfectly.

I’m a little bummed that the non-musical event that I really want to go to is the same night.  As I’ll never see her again at such a small intimate show.

I’m actually more bummed that I’m missing opener Hello Mary who I like even more.

The New York trio’s self-titled full-length debut, out March 3, is a blast of distorted chords, sunny harmonies, and all-consuming angst that will renew your faith in the hopelessly dated and/or timelessly classic sounds of alternative rock. Hello Mary is an instant contender for 2023’s most bracing entrance to the stage, sharp and self-assured. Oh yeah, and the band’s two founders — singer-guitarist Helena Straight and bass player Mikaela Oppenheimer, both 18 — just graduated from high school this summer.

I have since listened to the album and I love it.  I sure hope they tour soon, maybe as a headliner.

 

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Nanna / Indigo Sparke (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, July 21, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Indigo Sparke, Nanna, Of Monsters and Men, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer on July 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 21, 2023] Nanna / Indigo Sparke

Nanna is the main singer (and creative force) behind Of Monsters and Men.
I was intrigued by the announcement of her solo tour, but i wasn’t sure if I wanted to see her.

Then Blondshell announced her show the same night as this one and I decided I’d rather see her than Nanna.

Turns out we have another obligation that night anyhow, so the decision was moot.

I know of Indigo Sparke from her Tiny Desk Concert a few years ago.  She is an Australian singer songwriter and I wrote

Sparke sings a little too slowly for my liking–the kind of stretched out vocals that make it hard for me to follow the thread of the song (or maybe that you need a few listens to fully appreciate).

At the tome of that Concert, she was in a relationship with Adrienne Lenker from Big Thief.  Not sure if she still is.

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Blondshell: Free at Noon (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, July 21, 2023)

Posted in Blondshell, Free at Noon, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live on July 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: July 21, 2023] Blondshell

Blondshell is a new band created by Sabrina Teitelbaum.  She has recorded music under BAUM, but wanted to go in a different direction and so created Blondshell (great name).

I’d heard a couple of songs by her and she was generating a lot of buzz.  I bought a ticket to see her (and Hello, Mary, another young band I like a lot) at PhilaMOCA.  The show sold out soon after.

And then I got invited to a party for my friend’s son. I gladly blew of the show to go to the party.  But when it was announced that Blondshell would do the Free at Noon this week, I immediately grabbed a ticket.

The band played eight songs.  I really enjoyed their guitarist playing some really noisy guitar solos especially at the end of “Veronica Mars.”

The song I know and really like is “Joiner” which sounded great.

And I was impressed that Sabrina sings mostly in a kind of low dirgey style but  that she can really belt out when it’s time for it.  She has some really strong pipes. (more…)

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