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Archive for the ‘Venues’ Category

LaMacchia (Ortlieb’s, Philadelphia, PA, June 23 2023) [SPOTLIGHTS]

Posted in Casablanca, Heatmap, LaMacchia, Ortlieb's, Philadelphia, PA, Shipping News, Spotlights on June 23, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 24, 2023] LaMacchia

LaMacchia is John LaMacchia.  John LaMacchia is the guitarist for Candiria, a metal band I don’t know who plays a kind of mathcore/prog something or other.

LaMacchia is his first solo album, and it’s a very different feel.  He and Sabrina Ellie are the main singers and the album has a much more mellow vibe.

For this show, he had a band and I really enjoyed their set a lot.  There was no female vocalist, but there were outstanding harmonies from his bassist (who had an excellent sound and was really fluid in the basslines) and his guitarist/keyboardist who seemed to be doing all kinds of things over there.

Their drummer was a guest drummer for the night and he was really good, too.

Overall, I was really impressed with how the band could maintain an overall heavy sound but still have excellent (at times) three part harmony.  There was also some diversity in sound up on stage too, with a couple of the songs being almost atmospheric.

“Disconnect” even had a sample from Casablanca (who samples Casablanca?). (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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Idles (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, June 20, 2023)

Posted in Franklin Music Hall, Idles, Mannequin Pussy, Philadelphia, PA on June 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 20, 2023] Idles

I didn’t known that Idles was going to play near me at all this year.  Turns out that Idles will be doing lots of Festivals this summer in the States, and they decided to throw in two headline shows in the middle.  And Philly was one of them.

I’ve seen them twice before–each time the venue getting larger (good for them).

This was at Franklin Music Hall and I don’t think it sold out, but it was close.  The crowd was crazy (although, I feel not quite as crazy as at previous shows).  The band has a newish album out which I haven’t listened to as much–it changes their formula somewhat.

But they still opened with “Colossus.”  A loud, slow, rumbling repeating bass note from Adam Devonshire shook the whole place.  And then Joe Talbot came out and started singing the slow, quiet introduction.  The lights flashed from red to white as the song built and when it hit the loud part–boom!

The Re:SET concerts have seen them playing roughly an hour, so I wasn’t sure how long they would play for us.  They did a solid hour and forty-five minutes, playing songs from all of their albums, and leaving out at least one classic.  I was genuinely surprised they didn’t play “I’m Scum” since they are still selling the T-shirt

Jon Beavis is a maniac on the drums–how did these drum head survive the pummeling?  Again, I could barely see him back there, but he was easily felt.

After the first song Joe left the stage for a minute and Mark Bowen said hiya Philly.  When Joe came back out he said, “is that your crowd talking dress you’re wearing?”  He said that Bowen has never addressed an audience before.  He amended that to, “and been understood.” (more…)

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Mannequin Pussy (Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, June 20, 2023) [IDLES]

Posted in Franklin Music Hall, Idles, Mannequin Pussy, Philadelphia, PA on June 20, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 20, 2023] Idles

I was pretty excited to see Idles, but I was even more excited when it was announced that Mannequin Pussy would be opening.

I wanted to get their plenty early.  This was a weird night because I-95 had collapsed and there was a detour in place.  I didn’t know how long it would take to get there.

I’m guessing most people stayed away from 95 altogether, and it was a Tuesday night, because the ride in was so smooth.  The detour that I took was only a few blocks and I was right back on the road with hardly any other traffic,  It was great.

I arrived in plenty of time, although it was already pretty crowded.

Then, at 8PM, Mannequin Pussy came out on stage.

I’ve seen them four times, although it had been almost two years since the last time.  Three of those four times, they were opening, so it’s not like I chose to see them. But I do love seeing them live.  And this show was no exception. (more…)

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Protomartyr / Golden Apples (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, June 18, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Golden Apples, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Protomartyr on June 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 18, 2023] Protomartyr / Ian Sweet

I saw Protomartyr back in 2018.  I loved their album Under Color of Official Right but I haven’t enjoyed their other albums nearly as much.  I’m not sure what it is, but the newer records don’t do the same for me.

In particular, the music has gotten softer and smoother, whereas on Right it was more abrasive.  Singer/talker Joe Casey doesn’t seem as strangely out of place on these latter songs–a deep-voiced, spoken word seems quite apt for these jazzy melodies.

So I really had no interest in seeing this show.  Although I am curious if they have the same fan base as they did in 2018 when the mosh pit was ceaseless and I had to move away from the front to stop getting elbowed.  Songs like “Make Way” just don’t lend themselves to slam dancing.

The first night sold out crazily fast and they added a second night with Philly band Golden Apples opening.

Golden Apples are another gentle pop band with feelings of jangle pop, grunge, and dream pop.  I listened to one of their songs “Under the Sun” and it sounded instantly familiar, but I had never heard them before.

Maybe these mellow opening acts signal their intention to move away from their more slam-dancing sound.

The song “High School” is a bit dirtier sounding and comes from the first album when Golden Apples are a full band.  I enjoyed it just as much if not more.

I’m immediately hooked and will definitely be listening to them more.

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Strand of Oaks / Friendship (Upper Merion Township Building Park, King of Prussia, PA, June 17, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Friendship, King of Prussia PA, Strand of Oaks, Upper Merion Township Building Park on June 17, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 17, 2023] Strand of Oaks / Friendship

I really like Strand of Oaks, both musically and because I have a real soft spot for Tim Showalter who is such a nice guy.

I have seen them five times, primarily because he started doing an annual Christmas show at Boot & Saddle, which I really liked going to.  He did one this past year at Johnny Brenda’s and it sold out before I had even heard about it.

This would have been a fun opportunity to see him at the 37th annual Concert Under the Stars in King of Prussia, PA.  I do love an outdoor show, after all.

However, the show was a little further than I wanted to go and we had just celebrated my son’s graduation.  So it seemed like a good nice to stay in.  I’m sure Tim and his band will be back again, and maybe this time I’ll even get to the Christmas show.

Although a DJ on WXPN said that this Strand of Oaks show was the best show he’d seen all year.  So maybe I should have dragged ass down there.  Although I aslso see they only played ten songs, so maybe not….

Friendship is from Philly.  They were suppose to open for Indigo de Souza for all of her cancelled shows and theyn they were replaced by someone else when the show finally went on.

According to their bandcamp page

Onstage, bassist Jon Samuels is the only Friendship member who stands up. He is usually swaying back and forth as the songs bear down, pulling together and apart. Friendship’s new record, Dreamin’ is an exorable wave of motion, endlessly rocking between intimacy and loneliness.

I listened to two of their songs and absolutely hated each of the vocalists (I think they were different, if not then I hated both styles of singing that the one vocalist had).

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Protomartyr / Ian Sweet (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, June 17, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Ian Sweet, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Protomartyr on June 17, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 17, 2023] Protomartyr / Ian Sweet

I saw Protomartyr back in 2018.  I loved their album Under Color of Official Right but I haven’t enjoyed their other albums nearly as much.  I’m not sure what it is, but the newer records don’t do the same for me.

In particular, the music has gotten softer and smoother, whereas on Right it was more abrasive.  Singer/talker Joe Casey doesn’t seem as strangely out of place on these latter songs–a deep-voiced, spoken word seems quite apt for these jazzy melodies.

So I really had no interest in seeing this show.  Although I am curious if they have the same fan base as they did in 2018 when the mosh pit was ceaseless and I had to move away from the front to stop getting elbowed.  Songs like “Make Way” just don’t lend themselves to slam dancing.

But whoever their fanbase is, they are legion because this show sold out immediately and they had to add another show the next night.

Ian Sweet is the band/stage name of Jilian Medford from Los Angeles.

I can’t quite imagine a band that is further away from Protomartyr’s sound than Ian Sweet.  The music is predominantly synth and dancey–bright and shiny (words that have never been used to describe Protomartyr).  Some of the songs do get loud, but in a very synth way.

Given that when I saw Protomartyr, the fans couldn’t wait for a mosh pit to break out, this seems like an odd choice of opening band.  And yet, I think it makes a really nice counterpoint.

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Wednesday / All Dogs / Tenci (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, June 17, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer, Wednesday on June 17, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 17, 2023] Wednesday / All Dogs / Tenci

Wednesday were supposed to open for Beach Bunny at The Fillmore last year.  They bailed on the show and I was a little bummed because I had heard good things about them.  When they announced this headlining tour (at Union Transfer?  They’re big enough for there already?) I was intrigued.  I’d heard a song or two that I liked, but there was something that held me back.

I really like the fuzzy guitars and largely grunge sound, but there’s a kind of alt-country vibe that underpins their sound that I just can’t get past.  They have a lap steel guitar (which I either love or hate depending on how it’s used) and are often described as merging shoegaze and country.  So I didn’t feel compelled to go to this show after all.  And it was nice to have a Saturday night at home.

All Dogs is kind of a mini supergroup with Maryn Jones, from Saintseneca, drummer Jesse Wither, from the punk band Delay,bassist Amanda Bartley  from Swearin’, and guitarist Nick Harris, from Slaughter Beach, Dog.  That may explain why their first EP had som many reviews.  With details like

“pierced with a strong sense of yearning” [Pitchfork] “containing more perfect anxiousness and earnestness than some bands can get out in a whole album” [Stereogum] and it’s “awfully charming for something that’s eating itself alive from the inside.”[Consequence of Sound].

I listened to a couple of songs and rather liked them.  They had a good indie rock sound with fuzzy guitars and a pop bedrock.  Although they haven’t released any new music since 2015.

Tenci features Jess Shoman on vocals and guitar and are a indie folk band.  They have a bedroom quality and I don’t quite like their sound. They are a little too slow and yodelly for me.

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Pierce the Veil / The Used / Don Broco / Girlfriends (Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem, PA, June 15, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Don Broco, Girlfriends, New York City, Pierce the Veil, The Rooftop at PIer 17, The Used on June 15, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: June 15, 2023] Pierce the Veil / The Used / Don Broco / Death By Romy

My son has been into Pierce the Veil for a while.  When they announced a show last year we were going to go, but they weren’t the headliners, and it seemed like a lot for just 45 minutes of music.

So here they were, possibly headlining (certainly co-headlining) this Creative Control tour with The Used.

There were literally FIVE shows that we could have gotten to for this tour.

This was the fifth and final show in this local run.  I actually thought we might like to go to this show most of all because it was kind of close.  But it was his graduation night!

The first and fourth shows were at the Rooftop at Pier 17, a venue I love but hate to get to.

The second one was at the Skyline Stage at the Mann Center.  Not a great venue to drag to on a Friday night (we would’ve certainly missed at least one band).  But I already had tickets to see Pixies.  I would have given those up for this show, but was happy I didn’t have to.

The third show was at the Stone Pony and that’s what we got tickets for. (more…)

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The Used (The Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park, NJ, June 12, 2023)

Posted in Asbury Park, NJ, Don Broco, Girlfriends, Pierce the Veil, The Stone Pony, The Stone Pony Summer Stage, The Used on June 15, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 12, 2023] The Used

I didn’t know The Used at all.  Which is crazy since they’ve been around for 20+ years.

My son told me that he was excited to see them as well–there were a few of their songs that he really liked (and he bought a shirt).

Pierce the Veil went off the stage around 7:45 and The Used came on around 8:15.  It seemed like a lot of the (younger, female) crowd left after PTV, but the crowd for The Used was loud and intense as well.

Their stage setup was adorned with flowers–including “picture frames” of flowers that surrounded their amps and drum set.

They came out on stage and lead guitarist Joey Bradford (who joined in 2018) was wearing a butcher’s apron.  Bassist Jeph Howard (who has been with the band since the beginning) seemed to be wearing a pith helmet (or a bucket hat).  I enjoyed his look which to me was quite nerdy and then he would scream some really growly vocals.   Drummer Dan Whitesides (been with the band since 2006) played loud and furious.  (more…)

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