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Archive for the ‘Venues’ Category

I’m With Her (McCarter Theatre, Princeton, NJ, February 16, 2019)

Posted in Aoife O'Donovan, Billy Strings, Dolly Parton, I'm With Her, Johnny Cash, McCarter Theatre, Princeton, NJ, Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz on February 16, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 16, 2019] I’m With Her

I’m with Her is something of a folk and bluegrass supergroup made up of Aoife O’Donovan, Sarah Jarosz and Sara Watkins.  I knew each of them from previous Tiny Desk Concerts and knew I’m With Her from a Tiny Desk Concert as well.

I was pretty excited to see them as both Sara and Sarah were on my list of artists that I wanted to see live (I was otherwise unfamiliar with Aoife).  One thing that always come up is their name–did they name themselves after the Hillary Clinton campaign?  In fact, no, the three got together and named themselves before Clinton used the slogan for her campaign.  Technically the band came first, but the Clinton campaign didn’t take it from them either, evidently–coincidental naming.  The band says that the exposure certainly didn’t hurt–but if it had been the other side’s campaign, they definitely would have fought it.

But on to the music.  The women sing in absolutely gorgeous harmony.  Individually, their voices are wonderful, but as they add one and then a second harmony…swoon.  They also switch instruments constantly–fiddle, mandolin, ukulele, guitar, banjo.  Everything sounds a little different. (more…)

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Billy Strings (McCarter Theatre, Princeton, NJ, February 16, 2019) [I’M WITH HER]

Posted in Billy Strings, Bluegrass, I'm With Her, Kristin Hersh, McCarter Theatre, Phish, Princeton, NJ on February 16, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 16, 2019] Billy Strings

I had never heard of Billy Strings before this show.  But when he was announced, the crowd was really effusive about him, which led me to think that he was well-known.  And I gather he is.  He has some 40,000 fans on his Facebook page, which is no small thing.   (Interestingly, headliners I’m with Her have only 22,000).

So Billy Strings came out and I swear I thought he was 18 (he’s 26).  He said a friendly “Hi, folks” and proceeded to absolutely blown me away with his guitar playing.  He opened with Brown’s Ferry Blues a folk song from around 1930 and proceeded to play the heck out of his guitar.  He also sang the rather amusing lyrics in a good ‘ol drawl (he is from Michigan).

Then he surpirsed me even further by playing a Jethro Tull song (which made S. and I quite happy).   It was a rather fast-tempoed version of “Thick As a Brick” and it was wonderful.  The song segued into a guitar workout called Fishin’ Creek Blues.

He then played “Tom Dooley,” a song I never expected to hear, well, ever.  (more…)

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Cirque Mechanics: 42Ft-A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels (RVCC Arts, Branchburg NJ, February 15, 2019)

Posted in Branchburg, NJ, Cirque Mechanics, RVCC Arts on February 15, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 15, 2019] 42Ft-A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels

It has been a while since we’ve been to see a cirque.  For a time it seemed like we were seeing some kind of theatrical spectacle every six months or so.  S. decided to take her Scout troop to see this show and I was super excited to tag along.  Because RVCC has some amazing shows and the price is always right.

Cirque Mechanics are based in San Francisco and they have several shows that they put on.  But at heart

The shows, rooted in realism, display a raw quality, rarely found in modern circus, that makes their message timeless and relevant.  The stories are wrapped in circus acrobatics, mechanical wonders and a bit of clowning around.

That was absolutely true tonight.  This show specialized in strength, balance, physics (and the defiance of physics) and lots of humor. (more…)

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Gabriel Kahane–[Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, February 14, 2019]

Posted in Gabriel Kahane, Princeton, NJ, Punch Brothers, Richardson Auditorium on February 14, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 14, 2019] Gabriel Kahane

I saw Gabriel Kahane open for Punch Brothers about four years ago.   I was really impressed by his piano playing and songwriting.  So when he announced a new album I was on board to see him right away.  I got a ticket for him at a small bar call Bourbon and Branch in Philly.  But I wound up with other plans so I couldn’t go.  Then I saw that he was playing a show at Princeton!

The show was titled 8980: Book of Travelers and was supposed to come with a video of some sort documenting his Book of Travelers album.  I was really curious about this (and pretty excited too, as there were only two locations on the tour where he was going to include the video).  There was no video at our show.  On a message board I was able to find out why not:

There is a version with video and we had originally planned to present it last night. Ultimately, the more personal, direct, Gabriel at the piano seemed like a better fit for our space so we made a change.

(more…)

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Sharon Van Etten (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, February 7, 2019)

Posted in Philadelphia, PA, Sharon Van Etten, Sinéad O'Connor, Union Transfer on February 7, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 7, 2019] Sharon Van Etten

I really loved Sharon’s Epic and Tramp albums.  After her 2014 release she kind of disappeared from the music scene, focusing on some TV work and on her family.

Then last year she came back with the single “Comeback Kid” and the album Remind me Tomorrow, which sounded very different from her guitar-based earlier work.

I had been told that she puts on a great show, so I grabbed tickets the day they were announced, assuming she’d sell out.  She did but only on t he night of the show.

I’d only listened to Remind Me Tomorrow once through before seeing this show.  In fact, I have more or less stopped listening to artists before I got to see them so that I’m not disappointed if they don’t play a song I really want to hear.  This served me very well tonight as she played the entire new album and just a few other songs.

Before she started, a guy next to me was talking to his lady friend.  In addition to spouting off about how he was the only one not looking at his phone and how he was kind of over his phone, he also said that she would never open with “Comeback Kid” because everyone would leave right after the song.

So it amused me that after the intense opening song “Jupiter 4,” (which opens with washes of synth that Sharon walked out to) she played “Comeback Kid” and the lady friend asked if they should leave now.  No one left. (more…)

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Nilüfer Yanya (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, February 7, 2019) [SHARON VAN ETTEN]

Posted in Nilüfer Yanya, Philadelphia, PA, Sharon Van Etten, Union Transfer on February 7, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 7, 2019] Nilüfer Yanya

I had heard a little buzz about Nilüfer Yanya (and NPR had featured her at a SXSW show).  I found her music peculiar.   Nearly everything she does has a staccato feel–guitar lines, melodies and especially her vocal delivery.  I find that her vocal style is either love or hate–sometimes even within a song itself.

Her music is sort of jazzy, but with definite rock angles.  Her guitar playing style was pretty delicate with some really excellent-looking chords (all over the neck of her guitar). She played delicately most of the time, with the loud angles handled by drums and bass.  She also had a saxophonist/keyboardist who handled a lot of the accents and sound effects.

But most of the focus has to be on her voice. (more…)

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SOAK. (Boot and Saddle, Philadelphia, PA, February 1, 2019)

Posted in Boot & Saddle, Philadelphia, PA, Soak on February 1, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 1, 2019] SOAK.

I first heard about SOAK. from NPR a few years ago  I really enjoyed their songs and Bridie’s delivery was endearing and peculiar.  The songs were quiet and thoughtful and had catchy choruses.

When I saw that SOAK. was playing Boot and Saddle I looked up and found out that SOAK.’s debut came out four years ago!  And that they hadn’t been to the States on a tour for three years.  Then when I saw that this tour was only a handful of dates, I decided I had to see them.

I actually assumed that it would be Bridie solo.  So I was quite surprised to see a full band set up on stage.  I don’t know what’s happened since the last album, or if the lives shows were always like this, but this show absolutely rocked.

It opened with a pre-recorded intro (Bridie later explained that the album is kind of a concept album and this opening is on the record as well–I think it’s Bridie’s grandfather reciting it).  Then they launched into the first song on the album and it was great. (more…)

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claud (Boot and Saddle, Philadelphia, PA, February 1, 2019) [SOAK]

Posted in Boot & Saddle, claud, Philadelphia, PA, Soak, Toast on February 1, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: February 1, 2019] claud

claud is a singer-songwriter who was part of the duo named Toast.  Now claud is a solo artist, although for this set they were joined by Ondine, who played synth and clapped (and sang some backing vocals).

There had been some minimal snow that day, but it seemed to really mess up the Philly streets.  So even though I left early, I couldn’t find a parking spot for about fifteen minutes.  I wound up missing two or three songs from claud’s set.

But when I arrived it wasn’t very crowded, so I was able to get close enough to see them both clearly.

I really liked claud’s voice.  It was clear and quiet but not whispered.  I also really enjoyed the delicate guitar sounds that claud got–even when a song had a loud thumping bass, like “Giving In.” (more…)

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Guster (The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA, January 17, 2019) [POSTPONED]

Posted in Darlingside, Guster, Henry Jamison, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Philadelphia, PA, Postponed, Seth Meyers, The Fillmore Philadelphia on January 17, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[NOT ATTENDED: January 17, 2019] Henry Jamison/Guster [moved to March 23]

S. and I love Guster and will see them as often as we can.  They are a fantastic live band.  So when they announced a show on a very special day for us, we were especially excited–and even imagined requesting a shout out.

Then five days before the show on Jan 12 we received this disappointing email.

Your event is still on, but it’s been rescheduled.

Guster Fillmore Philadelphia Thursday, January 17th
NEW DATE: Saturday, March 23rd with the doors opening at 7PM

Please Note: On Thursday January 17th Guster will be appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC.

Although obviously it was pretty exciting that they were going to be on late night TV!

Then January 14, Guster sent out this email

(more…)

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Guster: Free at Noon (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, January 11, 2019)

Posted in Free at Noon, Guster, Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA on January 11, 2019| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: January 11, 2019] Guster

Guster has a new album coming out this month.  And as part of their tour, they are coming to the Philly Fillmore on S. and my wedding anniversary!  Obviously, we got tickets and plan to have a bizarre Anniversary celebration–no fancy meal, just music–and we hope we are acknowledged from the stage!

[UPDATE: This date, our anniversary show, has been postponed!  Why?  Because the band is going to be on Late Night with Seth Meyers instead.  We love Seth, so if anyone is going to ruin our anniversary plans we’re glad it’s him.  It turns out that the rescheduled date is going to be a 20th anniversary show of Lost and Gone Forever, which means two full sets of Guster.  I think we made out ahead.  Thanks Seth].

I have never been to a Free at Noon show before.  They seem so awesome–a free concert from some amazing bands?  Sign me up!  The problem is that the venue, World Cafe Live, is 75 minutes from my work.  So, an hour show, two and a half hour driving…  that’s about a four-hour lunch.  Well, I had some personal time, so I used it and got myself and S. tickets for Free at Noon.  I didn’t think she’d be able to go and she didn’t think she could either, so I went by myself.

Parking was a lot harder to find during the day and it was very cold.  I never thought if I got there at 11:45 I’d have to wait online, but they were having some kind of technical difficulties and they kept everyone outside.  I specifically took off my sweater in the car figuring the venue wold be roasting, so I was pretty chilly waiting out there.  By five to 12, someone came around and told us that we wouldn’t miss anything.  And indeed, the free at noon started at 12:15 instead of noon. (more…)

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