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Archive for the ‘Venues’ Category

Scene Queen / Wargasm / Bailey Spinn (Brooklyn Bowl, Philadelphia, PA, October 17, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Bailey Spinn, Brooklyn Bowl, Philadelphia, PA, Scene Queen, VOSH, Wargasm on October 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 17, 2026] Scene Queen / Wargasm / Bailey Spinn

I saw Scene Queen open for Babymetal two years ago.  I had never heard of her before the show.

Scene Queen is Hannah Rose Collins and she makes “bimbocore” music.   It’s a mix of feminist empowering music and overly sexual empowering music.  Scene Queen more or less raps (and screams) to heavy guitars.

Her sex songs are way over the top (and there were a bunch of kids at this show for the very PG Babymetal who were probably not quite ready for lyrics like

Twerkle pit: twerk in the circle pitShow your tits, Vajazzle on the clitBarbie bitch, Barbie breakin’ off a dickAll-pink drip, Queen plates on the whip
Bling-bling, you look so good underneath meFloss my teeth with your G-stringBling-bling, gettin’ fucked in every time zoneG-string, yeah, the whole pussy rhinestoned

On stage, Scene Queen was a ton of fun.  Engaging with the audience (she ran down and high fived everyone in the front) and having her band take a “15 minute intermission break” during the set with a pink teapot.  A voice announced that they were the opening act and did not get a break.  She also took the time to sign someone’s trans flag and to wish everyone a happy belated Pride Month.  I was glad the audience was so supportive. (more…)

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Midfield (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, October 16, 2026) [SWEET PILL] [Philly Music Fest] (Night 5)

Posted in Midfield, Philadelphia, PA, Philly Music Fest, Remember Sports, Sweet Pill, Underground Arts, Wax Jaw on October 16, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: October 15, 2026] Midfield

When this show was announced as part of Philly Music Week, I grabbed a ticket immediately.  Three of the four bands were bands I had either seen or wanted to see.  The only band I didn’t know was Midfield.

Turns out they are a pop punk band from Philly.  Their songs are catchy and a lot of fun.  The band was great and their singer Matt Kelly has a strong deeper voice but he occasionally adds a falsetto.

I wasn’t clear how many people knew them, although there were two guys standing next to me who knew all of their songs really well.  There was also a mosh pit but only a few solo dudes were dancing in it.

They played seven songs in 30 minutes and if the guys next to me were an indication, the last song is their biggest.  I really enjoyed them, as pop punk is my latest jam and I’d happily see them again.

  1. Southpaw ∇
  2. Battle Scars §
  3. Nothing Changes §
  4. Fishtown and Down ∇
  5. Some Way Some How §
  6. Tidal Wave ∇
  7. Out of Time ∇

§ single (2026)
∇ Midfield (2024)

 

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Pinhead Gunpowder / Night Shop / Hammered Hulls (First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA, October 16, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in First Unitarian Church, Hammered Hulls, Night Shop, Philadelphia, PA, Pinhead Gunpowder on October 16, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 16, 2026] Pinhead Gunpowder / Night Shop / Hammered Hulls

There’s not much that could get me to go back to the First Unitarian Church.  There’s nothing wrong with the venue per se, and they have AMAZING bands playing there.  But my one experience was marred by so many logistical nightmares that I don’t even consider it when bands play there (it’s a me thing).

But when this show was announced,  I did consider it, and then it sold out in a second.  Why?  Because Pinhead Gunpowder has Billie Joe Armstrong on the band.  And when would you ever be able to see Billie Joe up close like that?  I don’t even know what they sound like.

“Pinhead Gunpowder started writing songs in 1990 and made our first 7-inch the following spring. Nearly every year since, we’ve met up to play. Some years we recorded-five albums and eleven EPs-and some years we played shows. But since 2010, we’ve been playing just for ourselves, something bands forget to do. A new record and tour was only a matter of time, but between the members’ other bands projects, and families, that was hard to find. When we finally did, we were all surprised. We think it’s our best yet-our catchiest, most collaborative, and most poignant.”
– Aaron Cometbus

The rest of the band is full of members who have been in other bands as well (although I only recognized one).  They play simple, catchy poppunk songs, as you might expect.

I hadn’t heard of the other two bands

Night Shop is from Los Angeles.

Led by Justin Sullivan, Night Shop delivers captivating music that combines elements of folk and indie rock. With heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies, Night Shop creates a unique sound that resonates with listeners, drawing inspiration from various genres and artists such as Dougie Poole, Holiday Ghosts, and Bonny Doon [I haven’t hear do of any of them].

The songs I listened to were simple and catchy.

Hammered Hulls  is a kind of supergroup who have only one album out.

The band sees Alec McKaye (younger brother of Ian) playing with experimental/jazz guitarist Mark Cisneros and Mary Timony, yes that Mary Timony, on bass.  The album also features Chris Wilson, who I just saw with Ted Leo, on drums.  I’m not sure if he’ll eb with them as I think he’s touring with Ted.  But maybe that tour is over.  There’s a kind of Fugazi vibe to the album.  Kind of 80s punk but with some experimental things going on too.  They might be the most interesting band on the bill, actually.

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Remember Sports [FREE AT NOON] (World Stage, Philadelphia PA, October 16, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Free at Noon, Philadelphia, PA, Remember Sports, World Cafe Live on October 16, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 16, 2026] Remember Sports

I enjoy a Free at Noon show, but it is just such a hassle.  I have to really want to see a band to head all the way there midday.  I really enjoyed seeing Remember Sports a few months ago and would have really enjoyed seeing them again.  But, and this seemed like the best reason to not go to this Free at Noon–I was going to see them that night at Philly Music Fest!

Although they did what a few other bands have done recently, and that is playing a song or two during the Noon show that they don’t play that night.

This set was all songs from the new album (The Refrigerator), so the night’s show was more varied, But they did play Selfish this afternoon.  And they played Out Loud, a great show ender.  It makes sense that they didn’t play it at PMF because it’s like 7 minutes long and they didn’t have enough time to jam during the Music Fest set.

You can listen to the Free at Noon set here.

 

That Night at Phill Music Fest Free at Noon
Ghost ® Across the Line
Across The Line ® Yowie
Yowie ® Selfish  [not play at PMF]
Bug ® Ghost
Thumb ® Cut Fruit 
Leap Day £ Bug
Tiny Planets Π Thumb
Pinky Ring ♣ Leap Day
Nevermind ® Out Loud  [not play at PMF]
Reality TV ⊗
The Washing Machine ⊗
Cut Fruit ®

 

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Lauren Ash (Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA, October 15, 2026)

Posted in Blink 182, Eraser, Green Day, Kung Fu Necktie, Lit, Philadelphia, PA, Remember Sports, Super Fun Night, The Afterglows, Weezer on October 16, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: October 15, 2026] Lauren Ash

I have enjoyed Lauren Ash as an actress for a pretty long time–since I first saw her on Super Fun Night, and then of course on Superstore.  I had no idea she had put music out.  Indeed, I found out that Lauren Ash put out a record when I saw this show listed at Kung Fu Necktie.  So I had to look her up.  And she has an album out.  And I really liked it–90’s era pop punk, funny lyrics and catchy as anything.

I thought it would be interesting to see her, but I had a ticket to see The Dillinger Escape Plan that evening–quite a different sound.

The more I looked into the DEP show, the less I was interested in seeing the first two bands (no offense to them, I just didn’t think I could handle a full on heavy night), so I decided to do something wacky.  The Lauren Ash show started at 7.  What if I went to the Lauren Ash show at Kung Fu Necktie, and when she was done, I could drive to Underground Arts and see just DEP.  I had tried a similar plan a few times before with varying results.  But I assumed that Lauren’s show would be fairly short and that all would work out.

Here’s some deets on Lauren’s music career

She exploded onto the music scene in 2023 with her pop punk single “Now I Know” (which debuted at #1 on the Canadian iTunes rock chart and #5 on Billboard’s Alternative Download Chart). Her debut album “Call Me When You Get This” released in September 2025 featuring her single “Whiplash” which was nominated for a “Hollywood Independent Music Award” for best rock/pop song. She performed her single “Sad This Christmas” on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and spoke about her music on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”.

I read some reviews of her UK shows and they were all positive, so I was in.

After The Droogettes set, her stage was set up wit a TV and a telephone.  When 9PM came around, the phone rang.  After several rings, Lauren’s voice said, can someone answer that please?  A woman answered it and Lauren thanked her and then asked if that person would start the TV.  Which she did.  And what played was a series of well wishes and teases from just about everyone from The Superstore cast as well as other folks (Cobie Smulders).  It was really funny and set a great tone for how the show might go.

Lauren’s band (a guitarist and drummer) came out on stage and then Lauren ran out to the stage.  She was psyched to be there and psyched to be playing music.  She brought an incredible energy.

The biggest surprise for me both on record and live is how high her voice is.  She has a pretty deep authoritative voice on her shows, but she was up an octave for these songs.  Of course I had to wonder if her higher voice had anything to do with her weight loss–I wouldn’t think so, but what do I know.

She started with Dumpster Fire and was clearly having a blast–jumping around stage and emoting the lyrics.  I enjoyed it a lot that she was snarky in her delivery when necessary–it added a lot to the presentation.  I know the album pretty well, so I was surprised when she played some songs I didn’t know.  Like The One Who Got Away (a 2024 single) and Now I Know (a 2023 single).

Lauren played guitar for a couple of songs and talked about how excited she was to be in a band. (more…)

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RJD2 / Solar Circuit / Angelo Outlaw Trio (Milkboy, Philadelphia, PA, October 15, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND] [Philly Music Fest] (Night 4)

Posted in Angelo Outlaw Trio, Milkboy, Philadelphia, PA, RJD2, Solar Circuit on October 15, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 15, 2026] RJD2 / Solar Circuit / Angelo Outlaw Trio

RJD2is a music creator from Ohio.  I love his first album so much that I really had a hard time deciding whether or not to go to this show or Dillinger Escape Plan (so very different).  I lost track of RJD2 over the years and had no idea he was even still making music (he’s making a LOT).  He plays a lot with sounds and vibes from the 70s (especially TV theme songs).  I like most of the songle songs tha I hear from him, but i did wonder if he’d play anything off of Deadringer.  If I hadn’t had other things to see that night (and if I’d ever heard of the openers) I would have tried harder to go.  Especially after reading this review of an RJD2 show in July

RJD2- came out.  Right off the bat, I knew something was different just by the gear set up he was using.  I’m not going to pretend to know what all he was using up there, but it was definitely not your standard two turntables and a microphone setup.  He had two sampler pads in addition to the turntable setup and who knows what else, and he played all those things with all the passion and precision of a master musician.  It was extraordinary.  Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it.  I really don’t even know what else to say.  I don’t know enough about the genre to make comparisons.  I don’t know the HOW of it all, what sort of musical sorcery he conjured to make it happen.  All I know, is I really, REALLY enjoyed it.  And I’m open minded enough to admit, I’ve been wrong to cast such a wide net of derision over an entire genre.

Solar Circuit is a Jamtronic Trance Fusion band, with improvisational roots to take the crowd down a unique and experimental path with each live set. “Even with influences like The Disco Biscuits, STS9, Lotus, and Phish, Solar Circuit maintains a unique style and sound in their live performances and in their recent studio work while mixing in the dance/trance element…”  They definitely have an electronic vibe to their sound that sets them apart.  I dig it, although I’d prefer if the songs were all instrumental.

Angelo Outlaw is a mallet percussionist, recording artist, composer, and instructor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His elegantly funky sound weds contemporary groove jazz and progressive R&B to glitch-hop beats and downtempo atmospherics.and I’m quite certain the opening notes to Free My Mind are used on WXPN for one of their promos.  His music is retro and super cool, I really like it a lot.  Had I known this was what would be playing tonight I would have seriously considered going.

This sounds like a really grooving night–very very different than the night I chose to have.

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The Droogettes (Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA, October 15, 2026) [LAUREN ASH]

Posted in Kung Fu Necktie, Lauren Ash, Philadelphia, PA, Superstore, The Droogettes on October 15, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: October 15, 2026] The Droogettes

I found out that Lauren Ash put out a record when I saw this show listed at Kung Fu Necktie.  I had no idea she put out any music.  So I had to look her up.  And she has an album out.  And I really liked it–90’s era pop punk, funny lyrics and catchy as anything.

I had not heard of the opening band, The Droogettes who have clearly named themselves after A Clockwork Orange (their logo confirms).  Imagine my surprise to read that

Philadelphia’s The Droogettes have been making noise since 2013. Equal parts street punk grit and pop hook glory, their “Sugar Oi!” sound sits somewhere between Cock Sparrer’s working-class anthems and Blondie’s downtown cool – melodic, hook-driven, and built for singing along. After a six-year hiatus, the all-female five-piece is back, louder and sharper than ever.

The band came out on stage and clearly had a large fan base in the audience.  They are a five piece and while I didn’t really love their recorded sound, live, they were fantastic.  They played short punk songs–three chords, lots of backing vocal chanting and very little nonsense.  As Creepoid Records says: they inject the Punk and Oi! movement with an all-female alternative to a scene that is mostly male dominated.

They were great!  (New) lead singer Ami Friend (who is the singer for Lips of Kohl) has taken over vocals and she is great–intense, funny and full of energy.  I actually prefer her vocals to the original (sorry).

They played fun, fast punky songs.  Some had solos, but most didn’t and most had fun chanted choruses or just Hey Hey/ Oh Oh parts that were a lot of fun to sing along. (more…)

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The Dillinger Escape Plan (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, October 15, 2026) [Philly Music Fest] (Night 4)

Posted in Aphex Twin, Caged, Ministry, Philadelphia, PA, Philly Music Fest, Pyrrhon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Underground Arts on October 15, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: October 15, 2026] The Dillinger Escape Plan

When this show was announced as part of Philly Music Week, I grabbed a ticket immediately.  I had seen The Dillinger Escape Plan ten years ago when the opened for Mastodon and it was one of the most memorable shows I’ve seen–even if I was very far away and it was so loud I had to leave my spot to buy earplugs.

They have only played Philly twice since that show.  Once a couple months later at Union Transfer and once two years ago at FMH again.  shouted out Philly venues they played when they were first starting out, especially Stalag 13 (which I’ve never heard of but was a legendary DIY punk location 1996-1999 apparently).

Speaking of Philly Music Fest, a festival that is nominally about Philly music, The Dillinger Escape Plan are (proudly one might say) from New Jersey.  But that’s okay and lead singer Dimitri Minakakis shouted all of the people in Philly who have seen them at so many clubs along the way (he listed a whole bunch).

They opened with the noisy sounds of *#.. and then splashed right into the incoherent screams of Destro’s Secret.  And the place exploded.  I didn’t realize (and coudln’t really tell since I don’t know the album very well) but they played three songs in a row from Calculating Infinity (just not from the start of the album).  For all of the speed and chaos, DEP is tight as anything.  They way they shifted from chaos to quiet in The Running Board was really impressive.

I didn’t realize that this show was going to be basically a Calculating Infinity tour.  They played the entire album as well as the EP they released before the album, Under the Running Board.

The midsection with wild drumming and wild guitar of The Mullet Burden was incredible to hear live.  And then it was back to the album sequence with Clip the Apex, including the static and samples, and Calculating Infinity, a song that slowed things down for a couple of minutes and gave S a rest.  But wow, so much noise and chaos in about 15 minutes.

Minakakis took a break from time to time to address the crowd, thanking everyone for coming and for being with them all this time.

And it certainly didn’t stop there.  They jumped to the opening of the album, Sugar Coated Sour, and then back to Under the Running Board for Sandbox Magician. (more…)

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Show Me the Body / Lip Critic / Combust (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, October 14, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Combust, Lip Critic, Philadelphia, PA, Show Me the Body, Union Transfer on October 14, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 12, 2026] Show Me the Body / Lip Critic / Combust

Despite my enjoyment of noisy. abrasive bands, I am turned off by certain band names. Show Me the Body is one I don’t care for–I just assume with a band name like that your songs are all about murder.  But I don’t know anything about their music.

Turns out they are a post hardcore band whose music includes a banjo.  They play a kind of murky, punk-industrial vibe, mixes brimming with thorny and clangorous textures.  And the banjo is often distorted and wild.  And with lyrics like “Radical love compels me to fight” they clearly aren’t singing about committing murder anyhow.  It’s kind of interesting although I didn’t love it.

I was mostly interested in this show for Lip Critic. I saw Lip Critic last year and the blew me away.  I’d never want to listen to their records, but live, they were incredible.  Noisy and chaotic with two drummers and a guy who plays keys/samples/something.  And a singer who commands the room.  I definitely want to see them again, but not as the middle band between two others I didn’t know.

Combust is a pretty much straight up old school hardcore band (nice not to see the “post” before hardcore).  I’m glad to know there are still new hardcore bands coming up.

 

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Balthvs / Free Whenever (Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, October 14, 2026) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, Balthvs, Free Whenever on October 14, 2026| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 2, 2026] Balthvs / Free Whenever

This We saw Balthvs open for My Morning Jacket two nights in a row and they were dynamite both nights.  I was super excited when they announced this show only to find out that I had tickets to two other shows on the same night.  I might have even chosen this one over one of the others but Ardmore is a hassle to get to and I really wanted to go to the third show anyhow.

Treblezine says of them, that they are a

surf-rock fusion trio from Bogotá, Colombia, which blends dub with Middle Eastern melodies layered over cumbia. Balthvs, which consists of Balthazar Aguirre on guitar, Johanna Mercuriana on bass, and Santiago Lizcano on drums, has an inviting musical presence and a deftly blurring range of influences that makes them shine a bit differently than another, more prominent power trio blazing up genre amalgams for what used to be just the blazed, but have now taken on multiple identities of chill.

They were really great live.

I hadn’t heard of Free Whenever who are a Brooklyn-based psychedelic groove band (bassist Trevor LaVecchia, guitarist Neil Gulieria and drummer Brendan Steuart).  I’ve listened to a few songs and they really hit a sweet spot for me.  Their bio says

Free Whenever’s unique blend of vintage psychedlia, dub reggae, eastern modality, and African rhythmic tradition leaveslisteners fully immersed in a synesthetic sound experience.  Their self-proclaimed “psychedelic groove music” identity is built on intertwining, conversational bass and guitar melodies over a backbone of Afro-Latin percussion and punchy, hip hop-inspired drums.  Live, Free Whenever runs rawer and more psychedelic than the records: the songs are launch points, and the improvisation builds rather than repeats. 

This sounds like a really great show and I am bummed to have missed it, for sure.  But they’re both young bands and will, I assume, be back again.

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