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Archive for the ‘Theatre of Living Arts’ Category

Avalanches / Klangstof (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, October 10, 2022) [CANCELLED]

Posted in Avalanches, Cancelled, Klangstof, Philadelphia, PA, Theatre of Living Arts on October 10, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[CANCELLED: October 10, 2022] Avalanches / Klangstof [rescheduled from February 19, 2022]

Avalanches debut album, the sample abundant Since I Left You, a fun, left-field rocker that was full of so many samples it was impossible to keep track of them.

It took them something like 16 years to make a second album and I didn’t listen to it.  Or the one they made more recently.  That’s probably not the best attitude for going into a show.  Especially since, as with a lot of electronic based music I wasn’t sure if I necessarily wanted to see them live, but this seemed like a rare and fun opportunity to experience their sampling and beats in a big setting.

Reviews for the tour were pretty positive and then on October 1:

“Unfortunately due to serious illness, we have had to make the heartbreaking decision to cancel our remaining US and Canadian shows to return home,” their post reads. “Thank you to everyone who has made this tour so joyous, and apologies to everyone who had tickets for the remaining shows. All ticket holders will be contacted directly with refund details. Thank you.”

Originally, the Avalanches’ 2022 tour was scheduled to take place in February and March of this year before being postponed due to “due to ongoing personal health issues.”

So that was a bummer.  There were only eight dates remaining in the United States and Canada.

Klangstof is a Dutch indie rock band composed of Koen van de Wardt, Wannes Salome and Erik Buschmann.  They are surprisingly more mellow than I would have guessed.  They feel like the kind of band that sits quietly in a room and hopes you come over to listen.  And when you do you’ll be impressed.  I assume this might translate to a live setting as well.

 

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Andrew W.K./Uncle Dan (TLA, Philadelphia, PA, September 23, 2022) [CANCELLED]

Posted in Andrew WK, Cancelled, Philadelphia, PA, Postponed, Theatre of Living Arts on September 23, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[CANCELLED: September 23, 2022] Andrew W.K./Uncle Dan [moved from September 24, 2021]

Andrew W.K. had this show rescheduled pretty quickly after cancelling his 2021 tour.

But then it was also cancelled.  I don’t really keep up with his goings on, but as far as I can tell he has maintained complete media silence.  No idea what’s going on with the guy.  Hope all is well and that he and his new wife and baby are doing well.

(more…)

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Daði Freyr: The Fabulous, Wonderful & Nice Tour (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, September 17, 2022)

Posted in Ásdís, Band-Maid, Blær, Daði Freyr, Daði og Gagnamagnið, Eurovision, Iceland, Króli, Philadelphia, PA, Theatre of Living Arts on September 18, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 17, 2022] Daði Freyr

Daði Freyr has been in Eurovision twice and that’s how I know him.  He hasn’t won, but he won the hearts of many.  He was the leader of Daði & Gagnamagnið and was due to represent Iceland in Eurovision in 2020 with the song “Think About Things.”  But the event was cancelled and he was invited to represent them again in 2021 with the song “10 Years.”  They came in fourth place.

He is a goofy guy for sure–he is super tall (6 ft 9.9 in) with quite a deep voice.  In the performances his band was quite humorous dressing in identical sweaters with pixilated images of themselves.  Back then the group was his sister Sigrún Birna Pétursdóttir (backing vocalist), wife Árný Fjóla Ásmundsdóttir (dancer), and friends Hulda Kristín Kolbrúnardóttir (backing vocalist), Stefán Hannesson (dancer), and Jóhann Sigurður Jóhannsson (dancer)—known as “Gagnamagnið”. Gagnamagnið, while translated to English as “the Data”, literally means “the amount of data”, and is the Icelandic word for “data plan”.

But for this tour it was a trio–he is on synths, with percussionist Ylva Øyen and guitarist Pétur Karl rounding out the trio.

His videos are exceptional-he really has the visual side of things down perfectly.  I wasn’t sure how he would translate live, but I had to take the opportunity to see him.  He was not only a great, engaging frontman, he was very funny as well.  He told us that he has to stop moving his microphone stand so much, so if he did we should yell Hey!  But not in a mean way.

He started with “Thank You,” a classic synth pop song.  His voice is surprisingly deep and yet very warm at the same time.

He stood between two small synth rigs and sang “thank you for being fabulous, wonderful, and nice.” It was earnest and catchy.  But he immediately started joking with us since the next song was called “Shut Up” (nothing personal, he assured us).  “Shut Up” had a disco feel with the slinky guitars.  The song ended with him pointing to everyone pretty much individually and quickly singing Shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up. (more…)

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Meet the Bug (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, September 17, 2022) [DAÐI FREYR]

Posted in Band-Maid, Cavetown, Daði Freyr, Daði og Gagnamagnið, Meet the Bug, Philadelphia, PA, Theatre of Living Arts on September 17, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: September 17, 2022] Meet the Bug

When Daði Freyr announced his U.S. tour, I grabbed a ticket right away.  i wasn’t sure if there would be an opening act.  And it wasn’t until a few days before the show that it was announced that Meet the Bug would open.  Who is Meet the Bug?  We’ll let their bio explain:

Meet the Bug is the solo endeavor of Philadelphia-based bedroom pop polymath Cariahbel Azemar. Her latest EP Beet The Mug is “a vibey meditation on keys and glimmery vocals that tackles heavy childhood trauma from the perspective of an emerging artist realizing the power of her voice.” Azemar uses her songs as a sort of diary, cataloging the highs and lows of coming into adulthood as someone who is both on the spectrum and ADHD.

Born in Port au Prince, Haiti and raised in the Georgia suburbs, Azemar began taking classical piano lessons at the age of four. … While at a performance by one of her primary inspirations, Cavetown, Azemar noticed someone she knew in the opening band – meaning, to her, that maybe she could do this, and so she shall. Thus Meet The Bug was born. Coinciding with the start of the pandemic, Meet The Bug’s early focus was her YouTube channel, where she mostly posts covers and originals. Now an active member of the Philly DIY community, Azemar can be found performing in house venues, bars, and cafe’s about town. Most recently, she played support for Daði Freyr at the Theatre of the Living Arts in Philadelphia.

Clearly this went up after I saw her.

Her set was delightful.  Lyrically the songs might have been a little dark, but they were more angsty and hopeful.  But she sang with a gentle voice and, best of all, nearly all of her songs were played on a ukulele–a fairly large ukulele (maybe a small guitar? but i think it had four strings).  This gave her songs a kind of sunny vibe. (more…)

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Destroy Boys / Jigsaw Youth / Pinkshift / Softcult (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, September 10, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Courage My Love, Destroy Boys, Jigsaw Youth, Philadelphia, PA, Pinkshift, Softcult, Theatre of Living Arts on September 10, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: September 10, 2022] Destroy Boys / Jigsaw Youth / Pinkshift / Softcult

This was an amazing bill for great punk.  I only found out about it after I had tickets for Neko Case that evening.  It turns out we wound up going to Lunar Faire this night anyhow.  But I would see any of these bands when they come back.

Destroy Boys play fast. lo-fi punk, but with really clear (and excellent lyrics).  I also enjoy the titles which have very little to do with the lyrics like:

“I Threw Glass at My Friend’s Eyes and Now I’m on Probation” with lyrics like

You’re ruining my life day by dayThe butterflies you give me are literally making me nauseousThis is disgusting, like seriously dudeWhat do you think you’re doing?You’re like way older than meAnd you’re gross and I don’t wanna do that

  • Alexia Roditis – lead vocals (2015–present), guitar (2018–present)
  • Violet Mayugba – guitar, backing vocals (2015–present)
  • Narsai Malik – drums (2018–present)

Jigsaw Youth is a punk band from Staten Island with a seriously heavy low end.  I listened to a few songs and liked some.  I preferred their newer stuff to their older songs.  I’m sure they would have kicked ass.

  • Maria Alvarez – bass, vocals
  • Nastacha Beck – guitar, backing vocals
  • Alex Dmytrow  – drums

I have seen Pinkshift twice and they are dynamite, both on record and especially live.  I would see them any chance I get.  And their new music is even better.

They are down to a trio now, but they always have a bass player on stage with them.

  • Ashrita Kumar – vocals
  • Paul Vallejo – guitars
  • Myron Houngbedji – drums

Softcult is the one sonic exception to the punk evening.  Softcult is a duo from Canda.  Their number one song on Spotify, “Love Song” is a soft woozy shoegaze song–it’s wonderful.  Their other songs play more with a hard/soft dynamic and grungy attitude.  The band comprises twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn who are also in the band Courage My Love (who are a bit more punk).  The three or four Softcult songs I heard were great.

  • Mercedes Arn-Horn – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, cello
  • Phoenix Arn-Horn – drums, vocals keyboards

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Little Simz (Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA, May 21, 2022) [CANCELLED]

Posted in Cancelled, Little Simz, Philadelphia, PA, The Foundry, Theatre of Living Arts on May 21, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[CANCELLED: May 15, 2022] Little Simz

I’ve never been to a rap show, but this week I had an opportunity to go to three that I wanted to go to: DAVE (British), SHAD (Canadian) and Little Simz (British).

I really like Little Simz’ delivery and attitude and I thought she’d be a lit of fun to see live.  Apparently a lot of other people did too, because this show was originally scheduled for The Foundry but it got moved to TLA.

However, on April 20, Little Simz cancelled her American tour.

Little Simz has cancelled her upcoming US tour, citing the financial unviability of the undertaking as an independent artist.

“I take my live shows seriously and would only want to give you guys nothing but the best of me,” the 28-year-old rapper and actor, born Simbiatu Ajikawo, tweeted.

“Being an independent artist, I pay for everything encompassing my live performances out of my own pocket and touring the US for a month would leave me in a huge deficit. As much as this pains me to not see you at this time, I’m just not able to put myself through that mental stress.”

The 11-date tour was due to commence in May. It would have been the first time that Simz had showcased her widely acclaimed 2021 album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, in the US. A representative for the musician could not confirm whether the cancellation would also affect her planned dates in Canada and South America.

Simz advised artists to “know your worth and stick to your guns”.

Good for her for knowing her worth.  And obviously the stress would be too much, but I still think she might have made some money on this tour.

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DAVE / DJ opener (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, May 15, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in DAVE, Philadelphia, PA, Theatre of Living Arts on May 15, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 15, 2022] DAVE / DJ opener

I know of DAVE from a Tiny Desk Concert.

I have complained before about one-named singers.  But usually, they have somewhat unique names to trade on.  But Dave?  Really?  Especially since the Dave Matthews people call him just Dave most of the time.  How does a British rapper succeed when he is called DAVE?

Pretty well, apparently since he did three nights in New York (the poster is before new dates were added).

He also played TLA.  I have never been to an exclusively rap concert.  But I thought that I’d like to see DAVE, because I really like his tone (and his accent is neat).

I think the show sold out, but it turned out that I had tickets to see Crash Test Dummies that night, so DAVE was never really on the table.

I don’t know what the opening set was like.  According to the Brooklyn Vegan review of one of the New York shows,

The crowd was already hyped up thanks to Hot 97’s DJ Kast One warming things up with a hits-filled DJ set, but when Dave walked out on that stage, the already-packed crowd packed in even tighter, with people storming towards the stage, a sea of phones in the air, and almost the entire crowd rapping along to every word to show-opener “Verdansk” right off the bat. (At one point, Dave stopped the show to ask everyone to move back and check on people in the front row.)  For a good chunk of the show, there was nothing on stage except Dave and a hazy light show, and that’s all he needed to keep the energy level at a 10/10 song after song. He’s not only a great storyteller but a great performer, and he won over the entire room off the strengths of his raps alone.

Maybe when he comes back I’ll be able to check him out.

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Lucius / Celisse (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, May 7, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Celisse, Lucius, Philadelphia, PA, Theatre of Living Arts on May 7, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 7, 2022] Lucius / Celisse

I didn’t see this show the night before in Jersey (even though I was offered free tickets) because I had a (better) show with my son to go to.

So they were playing the following night in Philly (originally Rina Sawayama was supposed to play the TLA, but she got bumped to the Fillmore–good for her).

But honestly, sometimes I can go to two shows in a row, but the Pup show was pretty exhausting, so it seemed smart to just hunker down at home.

I’m not even 100% sure I want to see them live–I really like some of their songs a lot, but a lot are just kind of okay for me.  Although their harmonies are absolutely dynamite.

Celisse Henderson is a wild rocking woman who plays a killer guitar–I think she’s more of a blues player than anything else, but with a modern, female spin on the blues..  I don’t think I knew who she was at the time, but I have since learned that she is a killer and I would have loved to see her.

 

 

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half•alive / Tessa Violet (Theatre of Living Arts [TLA], Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in half•alive, Meekakitty, Philadelphia, PA, Tessa Violet, Theatre of Living Arts on April 29, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 29, 2023] half•alive / Tessa Violet

I first heard of half•alive on a Tiny Desk Concert.

I’ve been interested in seeing the band because their stage show is legendary–they have two guys who basically dance–they choreograph dances for the songs.

My friend Lindsy is a huge fan and was very excited to go to the show.  I grabbed a ticket pretty quickly and then realized that it was the same night as Placebo.  I assumed Placebo would cancel, but when they didn’t I was able to sell my ticket.

Lindsy and her family got there pretty early and actually met some of the band.  She also handed out pieces of paper for the fans to light up color blocks during one of the songs.  And it looked pretty great.

I know they had a great time.  I’m still not entirely sure if I know (or would even like) their music, but I loved her dedication.

Turns out half alive is pretty dancey in an alt kind of way and I’m sure I’d like them. Especially live.

Tessa Violet Williams, previously known as Meekakitty, is a singer-songwriter, video blogger, actress, music video director, and former model.  She writes simple bedroom pop songs that are catchy and sound quite sweet.  Her narrators are awkward and on the verge of love.

For ease of searching I include half alive.

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Animals as Leaders / Intervals (Brooklyn Bowl, Philadelphia, PA, April 11, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Animals as Leaders, Brooklyn Bowl, Intervals, Philadelphia, PA, Theatre of Living Arts on April 11, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 11, 2022] Animals as Leaders / Intervals

Animals as Leaders is a trio that plays loud, complex progressive metal.

I saw them a few years ago and was blown away.  Although I didn’t like the crowd very much, and wanted to see them again at some point.

Of course, this show conflicted with two other shows the same night and then we went on vacation, so there was not a chance here.

Intervals is a Canadian progressive instrumental metal band. I’m sure I would have liked them as well.

Maybe some other time.

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