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Archive for the ‘Venues’ Category

Negativland and Sue-C: Live Performance of We Can Really Feel Like We’re Here / J Lesser (PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA, May 28, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in J Lesser, Negativland, Philadelphia, PA, PhilaMOCA, Sue-C on May 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 28, 2024] Negativland / J Lesser

I saw Negativland in 2000.  I was a big fan of  them in the 1980s and 90s.  So seeing them live was a real trip.  Hearing and seeing The Weatherman in person was something I never thought I’d be able to do.

I didn’t really realize they toured from time to time (they played PhilaMOCA in 2022!).  I really haven’t paid too much attention to them in the last twenty years, so when I saw this tour announcement I jumped at the chance to see them again.  It would have been cool to see them 24 years later.

I didn’t realize that it was the same night for a show that I really wanted to see, Francis of Delirium.  So I debated on which artist to check out.  A seated show at PhilaMOCA or a bouncy show at Johnny Brenda’s.  Logically, this was the show to go to, but I went with my heart and went to Francis instead.

Sue Slagle (SUE-C) is an award-winning artist, engineer and educator whose work in “real time cinema” presents a new, imaginative perspective on live performance. Her performances blend cinema and technology into an organic, improvisational and immersive act, created from live cameras, light pads and video algorithms. She has always pushed the boundaries of human-computer interaction, employing emerging technologies and inventing many of her own, both through performance and tinkering with hundreds of students in her well-established teaching practice.

I mean, it does sound like a cool show.  I’m just not in that headspace anymore. (more…)

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Julian (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, May 28, 2024) [FRANCIS OF DELIRIUM]

Posted in Francis of Delirium, Johnny Brenda's, Julian, Philadelphia, PA on May 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: May 28, 2024] Julian

I have a negative opinion of any musician who goes by one first name.  I mean, sure a few people can pull it off (Cher, Adele), but their names are (at least a little) unusual to begin with.  It’s weird enough for new artists to go by their first name (Mike, Dave).  But it’s bizarre to me that a band would go by a single first name.   Enter Julian.  I mean, there are several Julian/Julien musicians who do not go by a mononym, so how confusing is it to be this first-named band?

Well, maybe not very.  Their bio says

Despite various lineup shifts and relocating from D.C. to Philadelphia, Julian has remained tight-knit, well-worn, and snugly fit around the sharp, soft voice and inner thoughts of vocalist and guitarist Jay Leiby (they/them). Yearning Songs, the project’s fourth EP following a series of one-off singles, invites listeners to come honest and open—to leave with a warm halo of dream-pop and 2000s pop rock glowing in its wake. They are working on a new EP that will be out sometime this summer.

And yet, it’s really hard to search for them online.

Which is a real shame because they were great as openers for Francis of Delirium.

The band was a five-piece with J front and center.  They played guitar (but not lead as there weren’t really any solos) and sang.  The rest of the band was tight and fit in perfectly.  Although I will say that the second guitarist (I didn’t get anyone else’s names) was too quiet in the mix.  When he played a lead line in one of the songs it was only there when J’s guitar faded.

But the bass and keys sounded great.

Indeed, I really enjoyed the keys/bass music that the band played while J was tuning.  Instead of loops or noise, they played pretty ambient songs.

But the main focus is on J’s songs.

Julian has a few EPs out and most of the songs came from the newest one Yearning Songs.

J plays simple chords, but they use a capo a lot to change the feel of the songs.  But the most notable things about the songs is their mostly really short.  Most of the songs in the set were about 2 minutes long (no time for a solo).

I enjoyed the two new songs (according to the photo of the setlist, Everything and Picture, as they rocked a little harder and were a little longer.  There’s nothing wrong with short songs, but these songs felt more fleshed out.  I mean, Crush Song is only 1 minute and 45 seconds long!  But it’s really good, with a staccato company that is really catchy.

J’s voice is pretty soft and the melodies are all pretty quiet, but there’s a great rocking vibe underneath and most of the songs rock out for a short time.

They told us that Bike (and older song) was their favorite to play and the band really got into it

I was a little bummed that their set was so short.

 

  1. Never B ¥
  2. Everything [new song]
  3. Stuck ¥
  4. Bike £
  5. Picture [new song]
  6. Car ⇔
  7. Crush Song ¥
  8. Having You Around ¥

⇔ Real Distance EP (2018)
£ Longing EP (2021)
¥ Yearning Songs EP (2022)

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Hozier / Allison Russell (Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden, NJ, May 25, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Allison Russell, Camden, NJ, Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Hozier on May 25, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 25, 2024] Hozier / Allison Russell

When this show was announced, I immediately planned to get tickets to see Hozier again.  My son and I had seen him in a small intimate show, but I imagined that seeing him from (ideally) the pit or (otherwise) in the lower sections would be amazing.

I don’t even think I paid attention to the fact that the show was at the hated Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.

Then I logged in on the day of and the tickets were OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive.  I mean lawn seats weren’t too bad, but I don’t intend to ever go t a show and sit in lawn seats again, so the heck with that.

I just checked a couple of days ago, and t here were literally only two seats available for sale in the whole place (resale, I don’t know if they were marked up or not).  In other words, parking is going to be a nightmare!

I’m sure Hozier will kick ass, though.

Allison Russell is a Canadian singer who is placed in the Americana genre, which is kind of funny.  WXPN plays some of her songs, and “Stay Right Here” is super duper catchy and will sound AMAZING in the Pavilion with its big chorus, disco beats and r7B/choir components (I wonder if she’ll have a band live).  Her song “Nightflyer” is more mellow but quite lovely.

I think I might actually be quite the fan of her without realizing it was her.

The whole night will be great.  I’m bummed it was priced out of our range.

 

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Mannequin Pussy (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, May 23, 2024)

Posted in Mannequin Pussy, Philadelphia, PA, Soul Glo, Union Transfer on May 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: May 23, 2024] Mannequin Pussy

I wasn’t sure if I needed to see Mannequin Pussy again–but when they announced a tour of their new (excellent) album and that they were ending it in Philly and that Soul Glo was opening, I knew I had to go.

This was the fifth time I’ve seen Mannequin Pussy, which is a little crazy since it’s more than band that I have liked for a lot longer.

But they put on a great show (and they play Philly a lot).

I enjoy them as a headliner because Marisa Dabice can really stretch out and encourage the audience t o let themselves go.  She also told us that this tour was all about playing the new album.  Which they did.  All but the last song.  And this album kicks ass so it was great to hear all of these new songs.

The show started quietly with their surprisingly mellow first single, “I Don’t Know You,” and it built with the second single “Sometimes.”  If anyone came just for the new singles, that was the end right there. (more…)

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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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Khruangbin / John Carroll Kirby (The Met Philadelphia, PA, May 21, 22 & 23, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in John Carroll Kirby, Khruangbin, Philadelphia, PA, The Met Philadelphia on May 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 21, 22 & 23, 2024] Khruangbin / John Carroll Kirby

Back in 2022, Khruangbin  played the Met Philly and I wrote:

I’m intrigued by Khruangbin.  I wanted them to sound a little different than they originally did.  And then they made some EPs with Leon Bridges and they did sound different–more trippy, but more catchy as well.

I thought they’d be fun to see live.  My wife likes the EPs even more than I did, but she didn’t really want to see them.  So I refrained from buying tickets.

Now, two years later and I think we both like them more and I was all set to buy tickets but they were SO EXPENSIVE!  In fairness now I realize that they were expensive because the Ticketmaster pricing now shows the price with al the fees built in and I thought the high price didn’t include fees yet.  But I was still quite sure the price was way too high for a band that I thought was kind of under the radar.

Then they announced TWO MORE NIGHTS!  I think technically none is sold out, but they’re all pretty close.

Very impressive.

John Carroll Kirby is a pianist and composer who apparently resides more in the jazz/new age ether moreso than the rock realm.

His music seems pleasant enough.

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Soul Glo (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, May 23, 2024) [MANNEQUIN PUSSY]

Posted in Mannequin Pussy, Philadelphia, PA, Soul Glo, Union Transfer on May 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: May 23, 2024] Soul Glo

I wasn’t sure if I needed to see Mannequin Pussy again–but when they announced a tour of their new (excellent) album and that they were ending it in Philly and that Soul Glo was opening, I knew I had to go.

I had heard lots of buzz about Soul Glo and all of the videos I’d seen had shown a frenzied band and a frenzied audience.  I was intrigued but decided that ultimately the show would be too intense for me.

But having them as an opening act made it a little safer–especially since I got to stand on the side of the pit and just watch it.  But a home town crowd knew how to get into their scorching punk.

Soul Glo came out to much applause.  Allen Nunez on bass was closest to me.  Singer Pierce Jordan was playing with some electronic sounds while the rest of band got set up.  TJ Stevenson was on the drum kit and GG Guerra strapped on his guitar and started making noises on his own electronic equipment.

And then they turned to us and were off. (more…)

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Gustaf / Jim E. Brown / Rentboy (Ukie Club, Philadelphia, PA, May 22, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Gustaf, Jim E. Brown, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Rentboy on May 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 22, 2024] Gustaf / Jim E. Brown / Rentboy

Two years ago I wrote this:

I saw Gustaf open for Idles and they were weird and wonderful and someone I definitely wanted to see live again–preferably headlining.  They have a very late 1980’s punk aesthetic with spoken words and random sounds.  Plus a lot of humor.  I was really excited for this show.  But by the time it came around, having missed a whole bunch of shows that I was really looking forward to, I wound up blowing off this one as well.

Shame, really.

And I can’t believe the same thing happened this time too.  I had shows lined up from Saturday through Thursday.  I didn’t think I’d make them all, but here’s the fourth night in a row that I couldn’t go to a show.

Tonight’s was because my daughter’s school had an awards night scheduled for tonight.  So obviously I’m going to that instead.  But the timing, ugh.

The two openers are bands/performers I have missed in the past.

Jim E. Brown opened for Wax Jaw.

Poet and Artist/Activist Jim E. Brown was born in Manchester on September 10, 2001, just one day before the 911. He is an alcoholic and has several degenerative conditions.

His YouTube videos say

19 year old British pop sensation Jim E. Brown returns with his latest album, Torture

His music is weird and comically dark.  It makes weird sense that he’d be paired with Gustaf.

Over simple melodies, Brown speak/screams lyrics to songs like “I texted you a photo of the sunset and you never responded” and “I know I’m going to die of a stroke.”  Sounds interminable and wonderful.

Rentboy has been an opener for two different bands that I didn’t see.  They are a Philadelphia based disco collective whose new blurb says

Rentboy is the musical project of Bobby Brown. After three releases of increasingly lush, Americana-influenced dance pop, Rentboy’s next EP, “Get Worse” is a hard left turn. Mashing together the minimalist aggression of 2000s garage rock and the mangled production of hyper pop, the lead single “Aperol Spritz” sounds like a late night walk home from a particularly decadent party you can’t remember but wouldn’t want to forget.

I didn’t think I’d like  them all that much but the one song I listened to is weird and fun.

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Mannequin Pussy / Soul Glo (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, May 22, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Baroness, Coronavirus, Philadelphia, PA, Sheer Mag, Uniform, Union Transfer, Zorn on May 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 22, 2024] Mannequin Pussy / Soul Glo

I’ve seen Mannequin Pussy three times.  The first time they were opening for Japandroids and Boot & Saddle.  And now they have three sold out shows at Union Transfer!

I immediately grabbed tickets for the first night–a hometown show would be amazing.

When I saw that Gustaf was playing on Wednesday and they had added a Thursday show, I sold the Wednesday show and grabbed a Thursday one.  I assume they will be in full force on Thursday.

And I was especially excited that Soul Glo was opening for them. (more…)

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Skating Polly / Lord Friday the 13th / Froggy (PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA, May 21, 2024) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Froggy, Lord Friday the 13th, Philadelphia, PA, PhilaMOCA, Skating Polly on May 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 21, 2024] Skating Polly / Lord Friday the 13th / Froggy

I was pretty excited when this show was announced.  I thought my daughter would really enjoy this.  She loves PhilaMOCA as a venue and I thought she’d really enjoy this young(ish) punk band.

I saw Skating Polly seven years ago when they opened for X.  Unfortunately, I arrived really late and caught only a couple songs from them.  I’d been intrigued by them for a while–two sisters, both teenagers (technically Kelli was NINE when they formed), started a band as a duo and played some kick ass punk.  Seven years ago primary singer Kelli was only 19, older sister Peyton was 24 and their brother Kurtis (no age given) was playing drums with them.

They have been touring forever and put on a super fun show.  I knew it would be a good time.

Then things got in the way.  She had stuff to do after school and couldn’t go.  I thought about going myself but then had to do some driving duty.  And considering their set is fairly short and would be the same songs as last year, I decided to just chill at home instead.

Lord Friday the 13th is a dollar store trash-glam punk band based in Austin, TX. Fronted by siblings Felix (vocals) and Sloane (guitar) Lenz, their sound has been described as the Velvet Underground meets the New York Dolls, with hints of early Iggy and the Stooges. While honoring the origins of punk and the energy it birthed with it, Lord Friday continues the legacy of change and pushing boundaries on societal norms that true punk is known for. Challenging gender roles and conformity, Lord Friday is here to empower and inspire a new kind of punk for a new world. (more…)

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