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Archive for the ‘WXPN 88.5 FM–Philadelphia, PA’ Category

The Pineapple Thief (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, November 22, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, The Pineapple Thief, World Cafe Live on November 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: November 22, 2024] The Pineapple Thief

The Pineapple Thief is a progressive rock band which means I should instantly like them.  And yet I just can’t seem to get into them.  They fall on the more mellow side of progressive.

The main draw for me is drummer Gavin Harrison who I saw many times with King Crimson.  But, no matter how much you like a drummer, that’s a very small portion of the overall sound of a band.

Listening to their latest EP, I do rather like it, but it’s too late for me to be into them enough to see them.  Listening a little more they remind me a bit of Death Cab for Cutie, which I did not expect to say.

I do hope to see Gavin Harrison in something else soon though.

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Quasi (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, June 27, 2024) [QUASI]

Posted in Marnie Stern, Philadelphia, PA, Quasi, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA on June 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 27, 2024] Quasi

I was a middling fan of Quasi back in the 90s.  I liked some of their stuff but never really  thought al that much about them.  After Janet “left” Sleater-Kinney and got into a car accident, I was much more interested in supporting her, so I got back into Quasi and was pretty excited to see they were touring last year.

When they played Johnny Brenda’s last year it was just Sam Coomes (on keys–wow, somehow only on keys) and Janet Weiss (killing it on drums).  I really enjoyed the show a lot and was so glad to have seen them.

When they announced a new tour, of the album Featuring “Birds” (the first album I (and apparently everyone else) loved from them.  I knew I’d like to see them again.  I wasn’t keen on going to World Cafe Live because it’s kind of awkward to get to for me.  But this was my second time there in a month and the paring was awesome once again.

And, the best part is that when I got downstairs, Sam and Janet were right there selling their own merch!  I got to chat with both of them and they signed my vinyl.  It was very cool.

When they came on stage, I noticed that there were a lot of guitars up there–there were none last time.  There was also someone else walking around the stage.  This turned out to be Joanna Bolme, on bass and occasional guitar or keyboard.  Bolme played regularly with Quasi for well over a decade, and was around for Birds, as an executive producer.  She didn’t say anything (although she did help o untangle some cords for Sam).  But she really held the show together, especially when Sam switched to guitar–the low end would have been notably absent without her on those song. (more…)

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Marnie Stern (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, June 27, 2024) [QUASI]

Posted in Marnie Stern, Philadelphia, PA, Quasi, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA on June 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 27, 2024] Marnie Stern

I knew of Marnie Stern mostly from Late Night with Seth Meyers.  I had heard of her before the show as a notable guitar player (she was on Kill Rock Stars, so she was clearly iconoclastic).  So I was surprised that she was going to be on the show as, essentially a rhythm guitar player.  She was fine on the show, but she never really got to shine in any way (but I assume it was a reliable, steady gig).

When she put a new album out last year, I assumed it would be full of guitar wizardry, but I was surprised at just how weird it was.

But here’s a review of the album from treblezine which sums up her career briefly but nicely

Stern is a straight-up shredder whose playing style errs closer to the joyous fireworks of someone like Eddie Van Halen than she does any knotty, noisy experimentalists. That she happened to run in underground circles is by-the-by—there was always a great pop song buried within the chaos of her music. This is more visible than ever on The Comeback Kid. With her fifth and (you guessed it) comeback album, Stern has continued to chip away some of the raw spikiness of her early releases in service of a dozen stellar math pop tracks that might be (:whispers:) her strongest body of work yet.

I really enjoyed being right in front of Marnie, watching her tap away on her complex melodies with such ease. She also smiled and laughed through the whole set as she sang her complicated, sometimes perplexing, always exhilarating songs.

The rest of her band (whose names I didn’t catch) were also great.  Her drummer was incredible (I think it’s Jeremy Gara from Arcade Fire).  He smashed the hell out of the drums and really excelled at the crazy time signatures of the songs. (more…)

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Trans-Canada Highwaymen (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, June 18, 2024)

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, New Odds, Odds, Philadelphia, PA, Sloan, Steven Page, The New Odds, The Pursuit of Happiness, Trans-Canada Highwaymen, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA on June 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 18, 2024] Trans-Canada Highwaymen

I was pretty thrilled when the “supergroup” of Trans-Canada Highwaymen formed.  I put that word in quotes because it’s likely that some (mostly non-Canadian) people don’t know half of the band.  But I was thrilled to have a guy from four terrific bands pooling themselves together.  And the fact that they were basically covering 70s AM radio hits was just a weird bonus.

I assumed they’d never tour the States.  But when they announced a show in Philly, I grabbed a ticket immediately.  I had no idea if it would sell well (it didn’t, really), but it there was a decent crowd and the people who were there were psyched (some a little too psyched).

There was no opening act.

We had seats in the third row (there were open eats in front of us).  But the row right in front of us was filled with about eight real keen Canadians who were crazy drunk and very loud.   It’s possible only we were bothered by them but I found them more annoying than fun.

But that’s fine, because the music was fantastic.

I’ve said before that I could listen to Steven Page sing anything.  So, having him start with an old BNL song was really fun.  It started with Steven and Craig Northey (from Odds) on guitar Moe Berg (from The Pursuit of Happiness) on bass and Chris Murphy (from Sloan) on drums.

By the end of the night everyone had played drums for at least two songs. (more…)

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An evening with Lloyd Cole (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, Jun 15, 2024) [CANCELLED]

Posted in Lloyd Cole, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA on June 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[CANCELLED: June 15, 2024] Lloyd Cole

I’ve never been a huge fan of Lloyd Cole, but I like a bunch of his songs.

My memory is really shaky on how I found out about him. I was certain that a friend of mine got me into him, but years later when I mentioned Lloyd Cole to her, she had no idea who he was.  Someone clearly introduced me to him, and I feel like I can picture the room that we listened to him in, but obviously I was wrong.

I haven’t really given Lloyd much thought over the last few years.  I wasn’t planning on going to this show (I mean, it was the same night as Man Man), but I was intrigued that he had cancelled the tour (as did Man Man–which made me briefly nervous that they knew something bad was happening).

But Lloyd’s reason were personal:

April 26, 2024

I’m taking some time away from music.I was sick on tour in Australia, I was sick on tour in Scandinavia, I’m sick again in Portugal. I have some kind of virus. This time my mental health has been impacted.I’m fine, for now, I’m on antibiotics. I have people to talk to. The plan is to get the seven Portuguese shows done. Then I’ll fly home early May.I need to address the root of the issue. I’d rather not go into details here. Honestly I don’t know exactly what’s going on but I’m pretty sure some major changes are needed in my lifestyle and work schedule. I’ll be consulting my MD and we’ll figure a plan. Most likely I’ll be in some kind of treatment facility for while, hopefully like The Magic Mountain.I’ve cancelled the US East Coast shows that were scheduled for June. I’m keeping May, June and July free to heal/recover. I look forward to some golf in Ireland in late August and then September solo shows in the Ireland and the UK. We’ll reschedule the cancelled US dates as quickly as we can.I’ll see you all in the Autumn.Sincerely,LC.

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Frank Turner: Free at Noon (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, May 24, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Frank Turner, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Free at Noon, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA on May 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 24, 2024] Frank Turner

I have seen Frank Turner once and the show was stellar and super fun.  He tours all the time, but I have yet to see him again.  Mostly I want to see him with his full band.

This Free at Noon was announced as a solo show, so I decided not to go.

But I was really happy to listen on the radio.  Turner was great and the audience was really into it.

I don’t regret not going to the show because I had the day off and enjoyed staying home.  But it sounded like a great time and I’m looking forward even more to seeing him in late June

Here’s a review from The Key

  1. Do One
  2. Girl From the Record Shop
  3. I Still Believe ∉
  4. Letters
  5. Show People
  6. International Hide and Seek Champions
  7. Undefeated
  8. Recovery ‰
∉ England Keep My Bones (2011)

 

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Guster: Free at Noon (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, May 17, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Free at Noon, Guster, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA on May 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 17, 2024] Guster

My wife told me that she heard Guster was doing Free at Noon and we frantically tried to figure out if she could get the day off so  we could go.

As soon as I logged into the page, I saw that it was sold out!  I was so bummed.

I can’t believe that the last time I saw Guster: Free at Noon was five years ago!  I would have guessed it was two years at most.

The setlist was mostly new songs (the new album was released today).

There’s a video of the set online and, as usual, the show looks great.

  • Keep Going
  • Stay With Me Jesus
  • Witness Tree
  • Hang On
  • Keep It Together
  • Black Balloon
  • Satellite
  • This Could All Be Yours

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Mary Timony: Free at Noon (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, March 15, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Free at Noon, Mary Timony, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA on March 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: March 15, 2024] Mary Timony 

Mary Timony is one of indie rock’s great guitar players.  I really enjoyed her band Helium, although I haven’t really listened to them in quite some time.

I didn’t go to her show last week, so i thought I had a nice gift of a Free at Noon today.  I grabbed a ticket even though I knew I had a doctor’s appointment earlier that morning.  I assumed t he appointment would be quick and I could get to World Cafe just in time.

Well, it turned out the appointment went really long and I was still in the office as of 11:30.  So, there was no way I could ever get to the venue on time.

So, I had to miss Mary once more. (more…)

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This is the Kit / Sam Amidon (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, February 23, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Sam Amidon, This is the Kit, World Cafe Live on February 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: February 23, 2024] This is the Kit / Sam Amidon

This is the Kit played Johnny Brenda’s back in October.  They are a band I know from NPR Music and I haven’t thought of them in a while.  I recall liking their music but that there was something unusual about it.

I enjoyed this blurb about them from bandcamp:

This Is The Kit is the musical project of Kate Stables and whoever joins her. You thought you didn’t like the banjo but you were wrong pal. Listen as Kate rips forward with her hypnotic twang pattern and a voice of rare, unaffected beauty.

Kate has a very British delivery.  Reading my review of their Tiny Desk Concert, I really liked them more than I remembered.

I’m happy for them that they have moved from Johnny Brenda’s to World Cafe Live and maybe this will get them some airplay on WXPN. (more…)

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Mannequin Pussy: Free at Noon (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, February 9, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Free at Noon, Mannequin Pussy, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live on February 9, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: February 9, 2024] Mannequin Pussy

I have a ticket to see Mannequin Pussy in May and was in no way expecting then to do a Free at Noon in February.  But I was pretty excited to see them in such a small intimate setting.

Then life got in the way.  We were up late the night before seeing Band of Horses and then I had a very late morning getting to work, which made leaving work for a few hours to see a concert harder than it might actually seem.

I did get to listen live on the radio and the band sounded amazing.  I’m really looking forward to seeing them in May.  And I’m looking forward to when they release the live stream of the show.

There’s a great write-up about the set here.

SETLIST

  • I Don’t Know You
  • Nothing Like
  • Sometimes
  • Loud Bark
  • I Got Heaven
  • Romantic
  • Of Her
  • Aching

 

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