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Archive for the ‘Union Transfer’ Category

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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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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Bad Bad Hats (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, January 26, 2018) [TYPHOON]

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

[ATTENDED: January 26, 2018] Bad Bad Hats

I hadn’t heard of Bad Bad Hats before this show, but I quickly became a fan of their music and especially singer/guitarist Kerry Alexander.  In addition to writing catchy alt-rock songs, she had the most enjoyable between-song banter I’ve heard in ages.

Her delivery was really dry–whether as an act or her natural way of speaking, I’m not sure.  But she told hilarious anecdotes to go with these songs, often deadpan and unexpectedly funny.

And the songs were really fun too.  I talked to her briefly after the show and she was super nice, as you might expect someone from Minnesota to be.  Her band even sold pennants which I found adorable. (more…)

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Sunbathe (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, January 26, 2018) [TYPHOON]

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

[ATTENDED: January 26, 2018] Sunbathe

Most shows at Union Transfer start at 8:30, so I didn’t even check the ticket for this show.  I arrived at like 8:20 and heard a band already on stage.  I assumed it was Bad Bad Hats, the opening act.  But as they finished up the song they were playing, they said thanks and left.  There was no way an opening band would play only 20 minutes.

Well, it turns out that Sunbathe was added to the bill at some point and they went on first.  I enjoyed what I heard when I walked in, and I really enjoyed the  that I heard.  I was absolutely ready for more.

I spoke to guitarist / vocalist Maggie May Morris and she was super friendly.   (more…)

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Tennis (Union Transfer, Philadelphia PA, January 25, 2018)

Posted in Abba, Feminism, Madonna, Marriage (Happy), Overcoats, Philadelphia, PA, Sexism, Tennis, Union Transfer on January 25, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: January 25, 2018] Tennis

I had only ever heard of Tennis once or twice in passing on NPR.  I noted them as a poppy, synthy band whose songs were catchy.

I wasn’t sure how much I would like their main set, and I was prepared to head home early if I didn’t enjoy it. But Tennis proved to be delightfully sweet and a perfect match for Overcoats (they clearly mutually respect each other).

Tennis are the creation of Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley.  They play sweet synthy pop songs. Because of the way they were dressed I think I heard a lot more disco overtone than was actually there.  There’s an 80s synth pop sound throughout their songs, but I think the heavy basslines brought a real disco swagger.  And the guitar was always interesting.

And their drumset lit up as well! (Check out how they put their logo on the drum head).  I really liked their merch, I thought it was very simple but very cool. (more…)

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Overcoats (Union Transfer, Philadelphia PA, January 25, 2018) [TENNIS]

Posted in Feminism, Overcoats, Philadelphia, PA, Tennis, Union Transfer on January 25, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: January 25, 2018] Overcoats

This was my first concert of 2018 (March and April are pretty solidly booked).  I really enjoyed Overcoats’ Tiny Desk Concert and I thought it would be a real treat to see them live.  Their music is dancey, but it’s all about their voices.  It was their harmonies and their attitude of friendship and warmth that really sold me.

They were the opening act for the band Tennis, whom I’d only heard of in passing.  It was certainly odd to go to a show for the opener and not really know the headliner.  The show had just sold out in Brooklyn, but there was a lot of free space in Union Transfer (and yet people still insisted on pushing and shoving–yup I’m old).

Overcoats have one album out–Young.  All of their songs were from that album except for one new one called “I Don’t Believe in Us.”

Their drummer Joao Gonzalez came out first (“ladies, he’s available and he likes the Eagles,” was one of several Philly references).  Then Hana came out and checked her guitar as JJ came out and checked her synth box thingy.  They gave each other a very long deep hug and then Joao begin playing some synth sounds on the sampler.  I was glad to see that they still had the same drummer as on their Tiny Desk Concert. (more…)

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Fascinator / Pond (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, January 12, 2018) [POSTPONED]

Posted in Fascinator, Philadelphia, PA, Pond, Postponed, Union Transfer on January 12, 2018| Leave a Comment »

[NOT ATTENDED: January 12, 2018] Fascinator/Pond [rescheduled to May 19]


I bought a ticket for this show yesterday.  Although I knew that the tour was postponed because of this message sent out on January 9:

Dear folks of the USA, we have bad news. Unfortunately the winter tour due to start this week is gonna be postponed due to visa issues. It’s nothing too serious, but the long processing time means we’ll have to wait… but we’ll DEFINITELY be seeing you soon! Believe me, we were all so stoked to come play for y’all – and lap up the good stuff in yr beautiful country that’s inspired us with so much art and music and literature and nature and food and good times – but alas… This hurts us, and we promise to come back, when we’re allowed, and spread the good stuff and share in yours and make up for lost time. We miss you. Until later in 2018, Good luck and good love, Pond.

It was actually the hubbub of the postponement that inspired me to get tickets.
(more…)

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