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Archive for the ‘Venues’ Category

Oklahoma (Montgomery High School, February 23, 2018)

Posted in Montgomery High School Theatre, Montgomery, NJ, Oklahoma!, Set at School, Set in New Jersey! on February 23, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 23, 2018] Oklahoma

We had seen a few musicals at Montgomery High School and they were quite good.  Their theater work is serious business.  So when I saw that they were doing “Oklahoma” by Rodgers & Hammerstein, I thought it would be really fun to check out.

Sarah has known the music from this musical most of her life and I think most people know at least a song or two.  But I don’t know how many people actually know the story.  The story is pretty out there and is a little inappropriate for a high school production (and for my kids).  Not all of it, obviously, but the way the story resolves it pretty crazy (spoiler in the next paragraph).

Three weeks later, the marriage of Curly and Laurey takes place. Jud, drunk, breaks into the festivities and threatens Curly with a knife. In the ensuing brawl Jud falls on the blade and dies. A makeshift trial is hurriedly improvised by Judge Carnes so as not to delay the young couple. Curly is acquitted of murder, and is free to go off with his bride on their honeymoon

So yea, a high school musical with a murder and frontier justice.  And lots and lot of singing! (more…)

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First Aid Kit (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, February 10, 2018)

Posted in Conor Oberst, First Aid Kit, Heart, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer, Van William on February 10, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 10, 2018] First Aid Kit

I first heard First Aid Kit from a Tiny Desk Concert back in 2012. I was immediately transported by their harmonies. And by the fact that the office looks dark and like they are the only ones in it (Bob, if you read this, if anyone deserves a second Tiny Desk it’s these two–maybe one with lights on!)

I also knew that Sarah would love them, which she did when I put “Emmylou” and “The Lion’s Roar” on a disc for her.  Then we bought the album and she’s become a bigger fan than me.

They played XPN Fest in 2015, but our first year at the Fest was 2016, so we didn’t have an opportunity to see them live until now.  Understandably, this show sold out pretty quickly, but I was quick on the draw and got my tickets right away.

When we got to Union Transfer there was a long line to get in (that ever happens!) And then there was a long (very orderly) line to get merch.  We knew we had to get one of the gorgeous posters which were of somewhat limited supply–although I saw at the end of the show that  they still had some, so I guess poor Sarah didn’t have to carry it all night long.

We were still pretty early and got a good location. The first wonderful thing about the crowd was that they were all short–except for one guy who was literally a foot taller than everyone else (he was very nice and a future librarian and was not in our way).  And unlike some of the more intense shows I’ve been to, nobody pushed his way up front at the last minute.  The crowd was courteous and polite (and even though it was sold out it didn’t feel cramped (maybe half the people had the flu)). (more…)

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Van William (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, February 10, 2018) [FIRST AID KIT]

Posted in First Aid Kit, Philadelphia, PA, Port O'Brien, Union Transfer, Van William, Waters on February 10, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 10, 2018] Van William

One of the more enjoyable experiences at a concert is watching an opening act win over an audience.

I don’t know how many people knew Van William before the show.  I didn’t, although I looked him up and really enjoyed the song “Revolution.”  A person behind me said, wait Van William is his name?  So I’m guessing he wasn’t that well known.

Turns out that he goes by Van Pierszalowski (Van William is much easier, even if that singular tense is maddening) and is in the band Waters [who I have sience listened to and really really like] and was the frontman of the band Port O’Brien [who I also rally enjoyed–such songwriting chops on this guy].

He started the show on acoustic guitar, playing a very catchy song called “The Country.”  I loved that the song started slow and then kicked in for the second verse.  And when he gets to that chorus which is basically a big “whooooooa” its hard to resist.  I enjoyed his delivery and the whole song of his folk rock.  It was warmly received.

He told us that he was happy to be here with his best friends First Aid Kit.  (more…)

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Palehound (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, February 8, 2018)

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Nirvana, Palehound, Philadelphia, PA, Tall Friend, Weaves on February 8, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 8, 2018] Palehound

I also first heard Palehound on Tiny Desk.  I was really impressed with the range of songs that Ellen Kempner played as well as her dynamic guitar work–from pretty melodies to seriously scorching solos.  But it was her other show (from (Le) Poisson Rouge in the fall of 2015) that NPR broadcast that really made me want to see her live.

So getting Palehound and Waeves in one show was pretty awesome.

I was pretty delighted that she said she was inspired by Weaves to make their setlist fast in the beginning–she was ready to rock out.  And so she started with some of her best full-on songs.

Kempner is fun to watch (she was wearing that cool dress and some big work boots) as she switched effortlessly from wailing guitar to singing and sometimes both. (more…)

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Weaves (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, February 8, 2018) [PALEHOUND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Palehound, Philadelphia, PA, Tall Friend, Tanya Tagaq, Weaves on February 8, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 8, 2018] Weaves

I saw Weaves on a Tiny Desk concert and knew I had to see them live.  Their songs are poppy and definitely a little weird.

I was particularly excited that their show was a double bill with Palehound–two bands who I like a bunch on the same bill.  Normally I know that a double headline show like that means that both bands play fewer songs, but since both bands only have two albums each it’s not like they were each going to play for two hours anyhow.

Vocalist Jasmyn Burke sings in a fun and peculiar style–hitting interesting falsetto notes and growling and screaming.  On their first album, the guitars (with a fast vibrato effect) often followed her vocal line in a kind of manic way.

Their second album has less of that but the songs are no less energetic and are still rather manic.

I loved when guitarist Morgan Waters came out to warm up.  He played some great, unusual sounds (I guess his rig was plugged into a laptop?).  I was really psyched for the rest of the show imagined what was in store. (more…)

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Tall Friend (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, February 8, 2018) [PALEHOUND]

Posted in Johnny Brenda's, Palehound, Philadelphia, PA, Tall Friend, Weaves on February 8, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 8, 2018] Tall Friend

Tall Friend is a Philadelphia band which seems to be the creation of Charlie Pfaff, who writes the songs, sings and plays guitar.  She has a quiet, almost deadpan delivery and her guitar playing is nicely spare.  The band is rounded out by Cale Cuellar on bass and Jesse Paller on drums.  For this show they had just added a fourth member, whose name I forget.  All I remember is that he was barefoot (!) and his guitar wasn’t loud enough!!.

They were supposed to go on at 9.  But they didn’t go until like 9:25.  Of course, they played nine songs in 20 minutes, so it’s not like they were running late.  Turns out they have an album out but it, too, is only about 18 minutes (and an EP that’s about 11 minutes).

I was right up against the stage, but I gather the guitar was not in the main speakers, because it was much louder than the vocals.  I moved back a bit and that helped, but I probably should have moved to a different spot to fully appreciate the band (more…)

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Steven Page with the Art of Time Ensemble (The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, Toms River, NJ, February 2, 2018)

Posted in Andy Maize, Art of Time Ensemble, Barenaked Ladies, Craig Northey, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Gord Downie, Jane Siberry, John Darnielle, John K. Samson, Leonard Cohen, Martin Tielli, Radiohead, Rheostatics, Skydiggers, The Beatles, The Divine Comedy, The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, The Mountain Goats, The Tragically Hip, The Weakerthans, Toms River, NJ on February 2, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 2, 2018] Steven Page

I was thrilled to see Steven Page play with Art of Time Ensemble back in 2015.  When I saw that he was playing (somewhat) locally again, I was really excited to get tickets.  It wasn’t until much later that I realized that he was doing a Songbook tour with the Art of Time Ensemble and not playing songs from his (excellent) solo albums.

That was fine, because I loved his Songbook release with AoT, but as always, I’d much rather see someone sing his or her own songs than covers. But Page had picked great songs for his album with AoT and he picked an even better selection for this show.

The ensemble came out on stage followed shortly after by Page.  Steven explained that the purpose of the evening was that these songs were designed to have their vocal melodies remain largely unchanged but for the arrangers to push the boundaries of what  these songs could sound like.  To go as far as possible without going too far.  He thought many people wouldn’t a lot of the songs but that this might inspire them to check out the originals. (more…)

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Jen Cloher (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, January 31, 2018)

Posted in Chrissie Hynde, Courtney Barnett, Jen Cloher, Johnny Brenda's, Laura Marling, Mia Dyson, Philadelphia, PA, Roland S. Howard, Union Transfer on January 31, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: January 31, 2018] Jen Cloher

Sarah and I saw Jen Cloher open for Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile.  But because of traffic and parking, we saw barely two songs by her.  Her set (like Barnett & Vile’s) was acoustic.  She announced that she would be playing at Johnny Brenda’s in January and that her set would be much more rocking.  She also teased out that Courtney would be playing lead guitar for her.  Those two details made me want to see the show.  And I’m really glad I went.

I hadn’t been to Johnny Brenda’s before.  I heard it was small and sight lines could be tough if you got there late.  This show was sold out but I must have gotten there early because I was almost right in front of the stage (I was behind a woman who basically took up three spots with how often she moved around).

After being pretty far from Courtney at the previous set I made sure to set up on her side of the stage.  And it was pretty electric when she came out to tune up he guitar.  I saw that Kurt Vile was hanging around off to the side of the stage too, although he didn’t come out or anything. (more…)

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Mia Dyson (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, January 31, 2018) [JEN CLOHER]

Posted in Courtney Barnett, Jen Cloher, Johnny Brenda's, Mia Dyson, Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer on January 31, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: January 31, 2018] Mia Dyson

I had never heard of Mia Dyson before this show.  She is a fellow Australian and old friend of Jen Cloher’s.  I arrived just after her set was underway (amazingly, this was my first time at Johnny Brenda’s, I haven’t quite sussed out parking there, yet).

Mia’s set was really enjoyable.  She has a kind of Bonnie Raitt/rootsy vibe.  As she was singing her songs and I was impressed with her vocal power, her guitar playing and the cool bass and drums parts these songs had.

I don’t really love roots music typically, but her set worked great live.  And the audience responded appropriately.  She even said that she had played Philly and never had a good show here, until this one. (more…)

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Typhoon (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, January 26, 2018)

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Typhoon, Union Transfer on January 26, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: January 26, 2018] Typhoon

I first heard Typhoon on a Tiny Desk Concert.  There were 11 members in the band, they played gorgeous chamber pop and lead singer Kyle Morton had a really interesting vocal delivery.

I didn’t know that they had quite the following (I watched that concert four years ago).  In fact, they sold out Brooklyn the night before my show.  While I was waiting for the show to start I saw the nicest, most gracious act I think I’ve ever seen at a concert.  In front of me were a mom, dad and their daughter.  They were pretty short (about four inches shorter than me).  They were there for longer than I was and as Typhoon was about to go on a taller woman pushed her way in front of them.  A few minutes later the guy(s) she was with came up to stand next to her.  The one guy was about 6′ 5″ and quite broad.  He stood in front of the girl who was dwarfed by him.  Then he turned around and saw the girl and he immediately moved behind her (right in front of me, but I was able to move aside).  His lady friend kept waving him up but he refused.  It was a very sweet act  And by the middle of the show, she went back with him letting the young daughter stand right at the stage’s edge. (more…)

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