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Archive for the ‘Illinois’ Category

Mondo Cozmo (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 24, 2023)

Posted in Illinois, Mondo Cozmo, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts on June 27, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 24, 2023] Mondo Cozmo

We had enjoyed Illinois, but as my wife said, when Mondo Cozmo started playing it was like, “ah yes, this is a professional band.”  And I know what she meant, somehow Mondo Cozmo stepped up the quality of the performance.  Everything felt a little bigger, a little more polished.

So we had known some Mondo Cozmo songs from hearing them on WXPN.  As of a few days ago I could say I didn’t really remember the songs I knew, although when I played the albums on Spotify they came flooding back.   Suffice it to say we didn’t know most of the songs.

But as soon as Joshua Keith Ostrander started playing (acoustic guitar for the first song) and singing “Meant for Livin'” it was clear why they were the headliners (even if Illinois helped him out when he was first starting).  And by the chorus, we knew that we had picked a perfect show to see.

The band sounded great, Josh’s voice was fantastic and the songs were all catchy as hell.  Even if you didn’t feel comfortable singing along yet, you could easily clap along.

“Meant for Livin'” has a kind of Dylanesque feel of folk rap and and a big ripping chorus.  And I could see from the way that she was smiling  that my wife was happy she came along.

“Black Cadillac” was even bigger, with a fun bass line and another sing along chorus and  fun ending “Give me some sugar.” (more…)

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Illinois (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, June 24, 2023) [MONDO COZMO]

Posted in Illinois, Mondo Cozmo, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts on June 26, 2023| 1 Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 24, 2023] Illinois

I was looking forward to seeing this show, but I felt bad that I was going out two nights in a row so I asked my wife if she wanted to come along.  I never ask her along to show I know she’ll hate, and I know sometimes she’s iffy about going out at all, but she said yes, and that made it all the more fun.

The opening band was Illinois who I had never heard of, but whom the crowd absolutely had. The crowd sang along to almost every song and I’m guessing that if I knew the music a little better I would have had as much fun as everyone else.

As it was, it felt like a fantastic cover band playing covers that I’d never heard before.

Turns out Illinois is from Bucks County, PA, so they’re locals.  And the locals were really into seeing them.

The songs had a stomping kinda country feel and I was never exactly sure what vibe the band was going for. (more…)

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Mondo Cozmo / The Cobbs (Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, June 23, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, Illinois, Mondo Cozmo, The Cobbs on June 23, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 23, 2023] Mondo Cozmo / The Cobbs

WXPN has played a number of Mondo Cozmo songs over the year that I’ve really liked.  They’re kind of a psychedelic folk rock band.  I felt bad that I was going to be going to shows in a row and asked my wife wanted to come along.  When she said yes, I toyed with us going to see this show in Ardmore rather than in Underground Arts.  That would have meant blowing off Spotlights, who I really wanted to see (and I’m so glad I did).

So instead, I got her a ticket for the Saturday night show.  And I’m so glad I did.  For two main reasons.

  1. Mondo Cozmo played a song called “Your Motherfucker” which was hilarious and outstanding.  He didn’t play it in Ardmore because his mother was there.  So I’m glad we go to hear it.
  2. He told us that after about four songs in Ardmore, the fire alarm went off and everyone had to leave.  They didn’t go home, but I’m sure some people did.  Then the resumed, but that would have been really annoying.

I don’t know what else he played in Ardmore, but whatever it was, he played exactly what I wanted to hear in Underground Arts, so I ‘ll just be happy with the great show we had.

The Cobbs are another Philly band that I hadn’t heard of.  They have a more mellow folk road sound–lovely vocals, acoustic guitars and keys.

Part of deciding which night to go was deciding which opening band I liked more.  I came down on the side of Illinois (which is lucky since that’s the show I was going to).  But i can see The Cobbs having an even bigger fan base.

It also turns out that Archie from Illinois played drums for The Cobbs on this night for whatever reason.  Crazy.

 

 

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Mondo Cozmo / Illinois (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, October 14, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Cancelled, Illinois, Mondo Cozmo, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts on October 14, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[CANCELLED: October 14, 2022] Mondo Cozmo / Illinois

Mondo Cozmo is one of those bands that gets played on WXPN that I hear a bunch and quite like, but never really commit to.  So I decided to finally commit to seeing them.

I didn’t know that head Cozmo, Joshua Keith Ostrander was a Philly guy, which probably explains the radio play.  It’s actually been a few years since I heard anything from him, so I’m not sure how much I would have known what he was playing, but I hoped he’d play some songs I knew.

Then on August 5, the band announced

Hey everyone. We are incredibly sorry to announce that due to unforeseen circumstances we will not be able to do the upcoming October tour. This includes both the headlining shows and the additional Airborne Toxic Event shows. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. X Mc

Illinois is (confusingly) from Philadelphia.  Their bio says they make music that is

part indie-folk rock with some pop-rock and when it all comes together they label it as “suburban soul music”.

I listened to a few songs and really dig it.  It’s light and poppy but with a dark current.  And I really like the singer’s voice.

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