[DID NOT ATTEND: July 24 & 25, 2026] Kurt Vile and the Violators / Twisted Teens / They are Gutting a Body of Water // Pavement / Ratboys
When this show was announced, I really wanted to go. I mean, Ratboys, Kurt Vile and Pavement! Holy cow. But I have really bad memories of Dell Music Center (parking is a nightmare) and I just felt like I didn’t really want to BE there. I thought my wife might like to go because she loves Kurt. But we had seen him a few months ago at the Stone Pony. And I have seen Ratboys a few times (and blew them off a few times already in recent weeks. So, although I would have liked to see Pavement….well. Alas, it’s not going to happen.
How did Pavement get mixed in with this normally Philly heavy lineup? See below. Also, I’ve enjoyed some Pavement over the years, but I find the aggressive love that people have for them a alittle offputtingm so it is comforting to read (from an article quoted below) “I would like to note that they lack the pretentious, cynical, self-seriousness of some of those who followed them in the ensuing decade-plus.”
I have been interested in They are Gutting a Body of Water for a while. Their name sounds like they should be harsher than they are. But I haven’t ever really gotten a real sense of thei live show, so I wasn’t willing to start at the Dell Center
Of the five bands, Twisted Teens was the only one I’d never heard of. They’ve from New Orleans and recently signed to SUB POP and here’s a few words of description: “Fans of Raw Power-era Stooges, Eastern mysticism, or the punk-to-country pipeline should tuck in” (Atwood Magazine). “Here to put some steel wool type hair on your chest. Gritty, toothy lofi punk with some stoink on it” (Sims Harden). I’m gathering it’s a country-punk vibe. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 