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Archive for the ‘Ted Leo’ Category

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists (Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, October 1, 2026)

Posted in Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, Labrador, Stiff Little Fingers, Ted Leo, Ted Leo + Pharmacists, The Pogues on October 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: October 1, 2026] Ted Leo & the Pharmacists

I’ve seen Ted Leo four times before this.  Twice with Pharmacists, once solo and once with Aimee Mann for a Christmas show.

I enjoyed his solo show–which was personal and fun and also informative–but when he has the whole band with him, the show explodes.

The band set up and Ted came to the mic and said they were early (it was 9) and they were going to take a few minutes and then come back.  Why did they wait until 9:15 to start?  I have no idea.  The first thing he said was that the Phillies were losing (it was a win or they were out of the playoffs–they lost) and then he told people not to soot the messenger.

He started playing Timorous Me by himself.  And, just like on the record, about half way through the song, the rest of the band came out and the room exploded with sound when they all joined in on time.

I noticed immediately how much bigger and better Ted and the band sounded than Labrador.  And I don’t mean that as an insult to Labrador at all, because I enjoyed their set a lot.  But TL/RX just filled the room in ways that Labrador didn’t.  Is that because the headliners get more time to set up their gear and do soundchecks?  Even in a small place like this?  I have no idea.  But man, TL/RX just filled the room with music.

Ted has been in punk bands, but he has also written slower songs.  But holy cow, these songs were fast and fun and intense and loud and just screamed for everyone to dance.

We were right on the barricade (there was like no one there when we arrived, but it filled in), so we probably didn’t get the best sound–Ted’s vocals were always a little quiet which is shame because his words are so good.  But the energy was undeniable.

I love the way that Ted doesn’t skimp on the sounds of his songs, like the little guitar scratches that start out The Sons of Cain.  There’s few things as fun as the whole band screaming heeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyy (or Caaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnn or whatever they say) at the end.

We were right in front of Ralph Darden and he was so much fun to watch.  He jumped around, played solos and sang backing vocals.  Just a great performer.  Marty Key on bass mostly stood by the big bass speaker but occasionally he came out front to contribute backing vocals.  But his bass sounded amazing. (more…)

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Ted Leo and the Pharmacists / Cult Objects / DJ Major Taylor (Crossroads, Garwood, NJ, July 31, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Cult Objects, DJ Major Taylor, Ted Leo, Ted Leo + Pharmacists on July 31, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTENDED: July 31, 2026] Ted Leo and the Pharmacists / Cult Objects / DJ Major Taylor

We were going on vacation the day after this show.  But since I knew we couldn’t leave super early and since Garwood isn’t that far, I figured I’d go to this show and see Ted Leo again.  I had gotten to see him solo back in November, but I haven’t seen his full band in a long time.  About half way to Garwood I suddenly didn’t really feel like going to a show.  Not sure what happened.  I started thinking about how I like Crossroads but it can be a real pain in the ass for parking and other things.  And then when I got there, the parking was a nightmare.  I was already running late and just got fed up with the whole thing, so I never even stopped the car, just turned around and went home. The only other time I’ve done that was at a King Gizzard show in Philly at the Dell, where it was already super late and there was no parking to be had.

So I feel bad for not seeing Ted; however, he is playing in Ardmore later in October and I’m sure the set will be similar enough that I won’t feel like I missed anything major.

Although I will have missed DJ Major Taylor.  I never really know what to expect from a DJ when they are listed on the bill.   I’ve been to shows where the DJ played the music between sets-so it is curated rather than just whatever is on the venue’s playlist.  But I can’t say it’s ever that big a deal. DJ Major Taylor says of himself: 5 decades of sonic offerings from sci-fi cinema & TV (theme songs, scores & deep cuts )  Which I find interesting to be sure.  And listening to some of his Soundcloud, he does mix some fun things together, but surely he wouldn’t have his own set, right?

Cult Objects is a Philly based band (surely they should have opened for someone else I know by now).  About their new album, they wrote “Our mission for this album was to make a scrappy post punk record from 1982 that, if played next to ESG or Bush Tetras, would sound like they were recorded in the same studio weeks apart. Hope you enjoy!”  I actually don’t know Bush Tetras, although I feel like I should.  But I can hear how they are coming from that direction (listen to Too Many Creeps).   Having said that, I prefer Cult Objects’s overall sound.  I hear a bit more 4AD in the overall sound.  The band is Vocals / Guitar : Lauren Leilani Iona; Bass: Larissa Sapko; Guitar / Synth: Ande Ciampa; Drums / Percussion: Charlotte Anne Dole.

If you’re not sure about a band, but Ted Leo has them open for him, you know they’re going to be good.

When I see Ted in October, I wonder if his setlist will be like this:

  1. M¥ Vien iLin
  2. The Sons of Cain
  3. Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?
  4. The Angels’ Share
  5. Even Heroes Have to Die
  6. Can’t Go Back
  7. Too Bright Window
  8. La Costa Brava
  9. Me and Mia
  10. Heart Problems
  11. The Clearing of the Land
  12. How Can I Tell You It’s Not Fair
  13. Counting Down the Hours
  14. A Bottle of Buckie
  15. January Song
  16. Little Dawn
  17. The Gold Finch and the Red Oak Tree
  18. Walking to Do
  19. Stove by a Whale

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Ted Leo (Revilla Grooves and Gear, Milltown, NJ, November 20, 2025)

Posted in Milltown NJ, Ray Lego, Revilla Grooves and Gear, Ted Leo on November 20, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: November 20, 2025] Ted Leo

I’ve seen Ted Leo three times before this.  Twice with Pharmacists and once with Aimee Mann for a Christmas show.  When I saw that he was playing a solo gig at Revilla Grooves, since it’s only 45 minutes from me, I had to go.  I also happen to know the owner, who DJ’d at my wedding.  But this is the first I’d been to his store and it is impressive.  A fantastic collection of vinyl and CDs as well as a ton of used equipment.  If you’re into music, it’s worth the trip.  He knows his stuff too.

But back to Ted Leo.

Back in September, Revilla Grooves hosted the ‘Noise In Focus: 30 Years of Music Photography’ exhibition.  It’s 30 years of candid photos of hundreds of musicians (while I was there I saw MCR, Deftones, Phoebe Bridgers, Jarvis Cocker and so many more) by Ray Lego.  This was the final night of the exhibition which also included a video room containing “Unseen behind the scenes of making of Deftones’  “Sat Night Wrist” record.  The video was from a bunch of tapes Lego had saved from when the band was making Saturday Night Wrist.  It showed the guys playing and taking candid shots.  There was no sound, but it was cool to watch for a bit.

So on this closing night, Ray invited Ted Leo (of whom there were many photos) to play a 45 minute electric set.  I’d never been before and the setup was great.  There’s a small stage and the sound was fantastic.  So, standing about five feet away I got to see Ted Leo do his thing.  This seemed like a great opportunity for Ted to play whatever the heck he wanted.  And I was pretty delighted by the variety of songs he played–some that I knew and many that I didn’t. (more…)

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The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show (Scottish Rite Auditorium, Collingswood, NJ, December 6, 2024)

Posted in 'til Tuesday, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Aimee Mann, Christmas, Christmas Album, Collingswood NJ, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Josh Gondelman, Krampus, Paul F. Tompkins, Scottish Rite Auditorium, Slade, Ted Leo on December 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: December 6, 2024] The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show

My wife and I saw Aimee Mann 18 years ago.  When this show was announced, it sounded like a great way to see her again.  Way back then I didn’t know anything about Ted Leo.  And when the two of them got together as The Both, I was interested more for her than for him.  Now, all these years later, I’ve seen Ted Leo twice and am more interested in The Both because of him.

But I assumed that this would be a fun Christmas night out.

And it was.  But it also wasn’t what I was expecting at all.

I assumed that it would be the two of them singing Christmas songs and that their guests, the amazing Paul F. Tompkins, Nellie McKay and Josh Gondelman would add humor and song to the sets.

They had a backing band (whom they introduced but whose names I missed).  There was a bass player, a drummer and keys.  Aimee and Ted both played guitar.  The backing band started playing the haunting opening of Paul McCartney’s Wonderful Christmastime.  Then Aimee and Ted walked out (both dressed head to toe in black, which amused me) and sang.

And that’s basically what I expected.  Up next was a Christmas song that I barely knew but which I loved immediately–Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade.  It became a favorite Christmas song for me. (more…)

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Ted Leo and the Pharmacists / Oceanator (White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ, November 13, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Aimee Mann, Jersey City, NJ, Oceanator, Ted Leo, Ted Leo + Pharmacists, White Eagle Hall on November 13, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTENDED: November 13, 2024] Ted Leo and the Pharmacists / Oceanator

I saw Ted Leo back in June.  But I missed about half of the set because I was at another show that night.  When he announced that the tour was continuing and he was going to play White Eagle Hall (where I had first seen him five years ago), it seemed like a nice moment of serendipity.  But the show was the same night as Ratboys and Palehound and I knew I was going to go to that show.

So I’m going to have to wait until he comes back around (and for December 6 when I see him play with Aimee Mann).

Oceanator opened for AJJ back in 2023 and I didn’t go to that show either.  But here’s what I said about them then

Oceanator is Elise Okusami a Brooklyn-based guitarist.  I hadn’t heard of her and when I listened to some songs, I loved them. The songs are catchy and fun and sound great.  This would have been a really fun show.

I even hear a little bit of Aimee Mann in her voice.

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Ted Leo + Pharmacists (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, June 21, 2024)

Posted in Dead Best, Ekko Astral, Philadelphia, PA, Ted Leo, Ted Leo + Pharmacists, Union Transfer on June 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 21, 2024] Ted Leo + Pharmacists / Ekko Astral

I saw Ted Leo + Pharmacists back in 2019 and really enjoyed the show.  At the time IW rote

Even though I like Ted Leo I really don’t know a lot of his songs–I’ve been more of a casual fan.  So I was delighted by the variety of sounds and styles he played from throughout his career.

Over the last five years I’ve wanted to see him again but for one reason or another I didn’t.  So when he announced a show at Union Transfer I grabbed a ticket.  I didn’t really give much thought to the fact that he was playing Shake the Sheets because I don’t really know any of his albums per se.  So I didn’t really care about that (It turns out when I saw him last time he played a bunch of songs from that album).

When the Isiliel show was announced for the same night I was quite torn.  I thought that the Ted Leo show would be more fun, but I didn’t know if Isiliel would ever come back, so I opted for that one. It ended at 10:30 and I had seen that most of the Ted Leo shows were ending around 11:30.  Since Union Transfer is about four block from PhilMOCA I decided to pop in and catch the end of Ted Leo and I’m really glad that I did.

So I missed the entire set from openers Ekko Astral (whom Ted praised very very highly and made me wish I had seen them–if I could have seen them in stead of Isenmor, that would have been amazing).  I’s like to make sure I see them again someday.

Luckily for me (but I would have hated this is I was there), Ted and the band didn’t go on until 9:40.  I just found out though that there were actually TWO opening bands, which explains the delay for Ted.

The middle opening act was (more…)

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Ted Leo / The Afterglows (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, April 3, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Ted Leo, The Afterglows, World Cafe Live on April 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 3, 2022] Ted Leo / The Afterglows

I saw Ted Leo with his band back in 2019.  Here he was again as a solo performer.  I was interested in going but I had a show the previous two nights and didn’t feel like going out again.

I would happily see him again [UPDATE: and I will, a few times].

I am curious what this show would have been like upstairs in the lounge–pretty chill, I guess.

The Afterglows area  Philly band comprised of Radiator Hospital’s Sam Cook-Parrott and The Goodbye Party’s Michael Cantor.  NPR Music says Their music conveys a long sigh — that self-aware moment just after the daydream’s ended and reality sets back in. As a vocal duo, they are The Afterglows.  They play soft sweet music with a snarky side.  Cook-Parrott, in his charmingly nasal croon, sings of romantic desire with vivid, yet familiar imagery. But in a sly twist that often accompanies their songwriting, Cantor joins the chorus in an Everly Brothers-style harmony to declare, “I’m burnin’ for your love / You’re drownin’ in my sea of hate.” You can almost hear their grin as the sea swells with Rhodes piano, hand claps and a reverb-heavy guitar solo, undercutting that misty-eyed sweetness with a slight sneer.

Not quite my thing, I guess.

UPDATE: Interestingly I would see them in 2026 when they opened for Remember Sports.  And I rather liked them: Their songs were simple but their harmonies were really great.  They had a kind of slow, dreamy quality–retro in a pleasant way.

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Control Top / Pinkwash / Drill (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, March 28, 2020) [POSTPONED]

Posted in Control Top, Drill, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Pinkwash, Postponed, Quarantine, Ted Leo on March 28, 2020| Leave a Comment »

[POSTPONED: March 28, 2020] Control Top/Pinkwash/Drill

indexI saw Control Top open for Ted Leo back in August.

They were incredible, especially considering they are a noise punk band and were opening for a much more sedate headliner.

I have never been so happy to have been there in time for an opener that I’d never heard of before.

I was so excited to see them headlining a show in their hometown.

I had not heard of Pinkwash, but when I looked them up I was immediately intrigued.  Pinkwashing is the LGBT variation of whitewashing stories.  They are a duo based in Philly and they play loud fast punk with powerful lyrics.  I hope I get to see them someday.

Drill is another band from Philly.  They have an EP out called This is Not a Drill. It has six songs in about ten minutes.  Although they are not hardcore speed punk, they are noisy.  I’ll bet they are really fun live.

control

 

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Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ, August 24, 2019)

Posted in Boot & Saddle, Control Top, Jersey City, NJ, Ted Leo, Ted Leo + Pharmacists, White Eagle Hall on August 24, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: August 24, 2019] Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

I recall being puzzled by the name of this band back ages ago when they were sometimes known as Ted Leo + Pharmacists.  It seemed like a cataloging nightmare.  But I can get over that and simply enjoy that Ted has fun with his band name (sometimes written as (TL/Rx)).  But this night they were billed as Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.  The Pharmacists have, as of late been a six piece:  Chris Wilson on drums, James Canty on guitar and keyboards, Marty Key on bass, Ralph Darden on guitar, and Adrienne Berry on saxophone and vocals and percussion.

After the bristling punk of Control Top, I wasn’t sure what Ted Leo would bring.  I know he has roots in punk, but surely not that much punk.  And, thankfully, he didn’t try to match Control Top, because that’s not his thing.  It is awesome that he brought them along, though.

Ted’s older songs were punky in the way that Billy Bragg’s early songs were punky–literate, angry and thoughtful–all to a catchy melody.  His newer songs are a bit more reflective (doom folk he called it).

He and the band came out and set things up and when he picked up his guitar people clapped and shouted.  He put a finger up–patience–and then they all left again for a couple of minutes. My only gripe about the show was that they made Control Top cut their set one song short because of time, and then Ted and Co. waited about ten minutes after their gear was set up to come out on stage–they could have played that one last song.  But that’s okay, Ted made up for it.   (more…)

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Control Top (White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ, August 24, 2019) [TED LEO]

Posted in Control Top, Jersey City, NJ, Set in New Jersey!, Tact, Ted Leo, Ted Leo + Pharmacists, White Eagle Hall on August 24, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: August 24, 2019] Control Top

I have wanted to see Ted Leo for a while.  In fact I almost saw him July 1 at Boot & Saddle, but that was a hectic week for me.  The opening band for that show was Tact, a Philadelphia band.  I was sure that after missing that show I’d have to wait a while for him to come around again.

But then he announced a brief tour that stopped in his once home state of New Jersey.  And I got to go to White Eagle Hall.  I love the venue.  It has great sound and it’s pretty close.  But man the lighting is terrible for taking pictures.

The opening band for this little tour was Control Top, another Philadelphia band.  Philly has been producing some great bands of late and Control Top is definitely one of them.

I was surprised by this billing because they couldn’t be any different.  It’s true that Leo has roots in the punk scene but Control Top is pure screaming punk through and through. like on “Black Hole”

I listened to their album before the show and was pleased by their roaring sound and the intense vocals of Ali Carter.

But I was totally unprepared for the guitar theatrics of Al Creedon.  He didn’t do anything fancy but the noises that he wrung from that guitar were just unbelievable.  Even moreso was that he could come out of squalling noises like in “Type A” and jump right into a pretty or unexpectedly light riff.  (more…)

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