October 1, 2023 by Paul Debraski
[ATTENDED: October 1, 2023] Meet Me @the Altar
I had tickets to see Meet me @ the Altar a while back and decided against going. I felt a little bad about it, but assumed the show/crowd might skew too young for me.
But when I saw that they were playing this Festival, I knew this was my chance to see what I missed.
I told my daughter that after this show, the day was hers and we’d do what we wanted.
She went off to the side a bit to sit in the shade and I stayed in my shady standing spot and moments later a young woman with green hair came up on stage.
I actually thought that Meet Me @ the Altar were really really young, but Edith Victoria announced that it was her birthday (what a fun way to spend your birthday) and that she was now 23.
Meet Me @ the Altar are a trio with Téa Campbell on guitar and Ada Juarez on drums.
They play an amazing version of feminist pop punk. I loved everything about this band. I loved the sound of the guitars, I loved Edith’s voice and I loved their attitude.
They have a new album out and they played a bunch of songs from it. Most of them are about 3 minutes long.
Then they acknowledged how much they loved women rockers from the early 2000s. They played three covers (mostly the first verse and the chorus). I only knew Complicated, and their version was fantastic.
The crowd was totally into it and since most of the rest of the day was full of quieter bands, I feel like this was a good opportunity to get some dancing out.
They have since announced a headlining tour and they’re coming to Philly next year. I’m definitely going.
MEET ME @ THE ALTAR
- Same Language ⇔
- T.M.I ⇔
- Try ⇔
- Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson) (Shortened)
- Complicated (Avril Lavigne) (Shortened)
- Take Me Away (Christina Vidal) (Shortened)
- Hit Like A Girl §
- Say It (To My Face) ⇔
- Garden Ø
- Kool ⇔
⇔ Past//Present//Future (2023)
§ single 2021
Ø single 2020
Posted in Alex G, All Things Go, Alvvays, Arlo Parks, Boygenius, Carly Rae Jepsen, Columbia, MD, Dayglow, Ella Jane, Ethel Cain, Flecther, Free Range, Hemlocke Springs, Jensen McRae, Juliana Madrid, Lana Del Ray, Last Dinosaurs, Leith Ross, Lizzie McAlpine, Maggie Rogers, Meet Me @ The Altar, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Mt. Joy, Muna, No Vacation, Peach Pit, Raye, Samia, Sudan Archives, Suki Waterhouse, Tegan and Sara, Tommy Lefroy, Vacations, Vundabar | Leave a Comment »
October 1, 2023 by Paul Debraski
[ATTENDED: October 1, 2023] Tommy Lefroy
I had not heard of Tommy Lefroy before this Festival and I assumed that he was a singer songwriter.
And I was very wrong.
Tommy Lefroy in in fact, Thomas Langlois Lefroy (8 January 1776 – 4 May 1869), an Irish politician who is thought to be an inspiration for the character of Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice.
And the band is based in London although the members are Canadian singer Tessa Mouzourakis and American singer Wynter Bethel.
The duo first met in Nashville, Tennessee in 2017, where both were trying to establish themselves as professional songwriters. They began to work together as a duo in 2018 after Bethel was exposed to Mouzourakis’s online cover of boygenius’s “Ketchum, ID.”
They were played on the screens at the Chrysalis Stage since they had earned the Main Stage.
They sounded great–their two voices melding together very nicely. I believe we caught most of their set (as I feel like we heard them singing about a Trashfire).
It’s hard to get into a band when they are on screen, but when you’re standing amid the crowd and the sound is really clear (and sometimes you have to watch the band on the screen anyhow), it was easy to get into this fun band.
I’d like to learn more about them and maybe see them open for someone on tour next year.
SETLIST
- Trashfire ⇑
- The Cause ⇑
- Slick ⊗
- Vampires ⇑
- Jericho Beach ⊗
- Flight Risk ⇑
- Worst Case Kid ⊗
- Dog Eat Dog ⊗
⊗ Rivals EP (2023)
⇑ Flight Risk EP (2021)
Posted in Alex G, All Things Go, Alvvays, Arlo Parks, Boygenius, Carly Rae Jepsen, Columbia, MD, Dayglow, Ella Jane, Ethel Cain, Flecther, Free Range, Hemlocke Springs, Jensen McRae, Juliana Madrid, Lana Del Ray, Last Dinosaurs, Leith Ross, Lizzie McAlpine, Maggie Rogers, Meet Me @ The Altar, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Mt. Joy, Muna, No Vacation, Peach Pit, Raye, Samia, Sudan Archives, Suki Waterhouse, Tegan and Sara, Tommy Lefroy, Vacations, Vundabar | Leave a Comment »
October 1, 2023 by Paul Debraski
[ATTENDED: October 1, 2023] Vundabar
My daughter had “Alien Blues” on a playlist and I immediately loved it.
I have had many opportunities to see Vundabar play (this Festival was actually the 8th time they were on my radar). We caught one song of theirs when they opened for Mother Mother (why were we so late?)
So I was pretty psyched that they were playing this Festival. Especially since they were playing in Philly (opening for The Front Bottoms–two other times I could have seen them) on both Saturday night and Sunday night. So they drove down from Philly, played their set and then drove back for Sunday night.
I enjoyed their set from the get go.
They are fun and goofy. Their songs are a little weird, with slides and unexpected stops and starts.
I was also intrigued that Brandon Hagen had a big bandage on his strumming finger (he apparently cut himself).
While most bands put their name on the marquee above them, Vundabar just had a big smiley face. They were also one of the few (perhaps only) bands that was all guys. Zack Abramo (bass) and Drew McDonald (drums).
I think “Alien Blues’ is a big enough hit to get them side stage at a Festival. “Alien Blues” was great and got the crowd moving (on a rather hot day in the sun).
I really liked the bouncy Ash in the Sun. And, indeed, all of the set. I think my daughter didn’t enjoy them as much as she thought she might.
I do hope to see them again in a club, rather than in a field. They were a ton of fun and a headlining spot I’m sure would be wonderful.
SETLIST
- Chop Ö
- Acetone ≈
- Tonight I’m Wearing Silk ≈
- Nosferatu Δ
- Ash in the Sun Ö
- Darla Ö
- Alien Blues Ö
- Oulala Ö
Ö Gawk (2015)
≈ Smell Smoke (2018)
Δ Devil for the Fire (2022)
Posted in Alex G, All Things Go, Alvvays, Arlo Parks, Boygenius, Carly Rae Jepsen, Columbia, MD, Dayglow, Ella Jane, Ethel Cain, Flecther, Free Range, Hemlocke Springs, Jensen McRae, Juliana Madrid, Lana Del Ray, Last Dinosaurs, Leith Ross, Lizzie McAlpine, Maggie Rogers, Meet Me @ The Altar, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Mt. Joy, Muna, No Vacation, Peach Pit, Raye, Samia, Sudan Archives, Suki Waterhouse, Tegan and Sara, Tommy Lefroy, Vacations, Vundabar | Leave a Comment »
October 1, 2023 by Paul Debraski
[ATTENDED: October 1, 2023] Juliana Madrid
Our plan for day 2 was to arrive in time to see Vundabar. I think that Juliana Madrid was running late, because we arrived close to the end of her set but we got to hear three songs.
She stood center stage in a bright green dress with her guitar.
The rest of the music was all on backing tracks, but it sounded good–big and full–and filled up the grassy area nicely.
I was really impressed with her set.
I have since listened to her records and found them more on the poppy side than the sound she was making on stage. But that doesn’t really negate how fun her three songs were.
SETLIST
- Afterlife Æ
- Savior ℜ
- Madonna ℜ
- Dreams (Fleetwood Mac cover)
- Satisfied Æ
- big plans Æ
- Trackstar Æ
- Pretend ℜ
Æ Afterlife EP (2023)
ℜ Juliana Madrid (2022)
Posted in Alex G, All Things Go, Alvvays, Arlo Parks, Boygenius, Carly Rae Jepsen, Columbia, MD, Dayglow, Ella Jane, Ethel Cain, Flecther, Free Range, Hemlocke Springs, Jensen McRae, Juliana Madrid, Lana Del Ray, Last Dinosaurs, Leith Ross, Lizzie McAlpine, Maggie Rogers, Meet Me @ The Altar, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Mt. Joy, Muna, No Vacation, Peach Pit, Raye, Samia, Sudan Archives, Suki Waterhouse, Tegan and Sara, Tommy Lefroy, Vacations, Vundabar | Leave a Comment »
October 1, 2023 by Paul Debraski
[ATTENDED: October 1, 2023] Free Range
It’s not really fair to include Free Range in the list of bands we saw during the Festival because we didn’t actually see them.
But as we arrived on Sunday, Free Range was playing on the main stage and their music was broadcast around the grounds. They sounded great and I immediately recognized them (I had forgotten that they were playing).
So I really enjoyed hearing their songs again–they sounded bigger and, well, just bigger. I think it would have been fun to check them out, but there was no time.
There’s also no setlist online for them (one of the few bands to not have one).
Posted in Alex G, All Things Go, Alvvays, Arlo Parks, Boygenius, Carly Rae Jepsen, Columbia, MD, Dayglow, Ella Jane, Ethel Cain, Flecther, Free Range, Hemlocke Springs, Jensen McRae, Juliana Madrid, Lana Del Ray, Last Dinosaurs, Leith Ross, Lizzie McAlpine, Maggie Rogers, Meet Me @ The Altar, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Mt. Joy, Muna, No Vacation, Peach Pit, Raye, Samia, Sudan Archives, Suki Waterhouse, Tegan and Sara, Tommy Lefroy, Vacations, Vundabar | Leave a Comment »
October 1, 2023 by Paul Debraski
[ATTENDED: October 1, 2023] All Things Go [Day 2]
Sometime in April, my daughter asked if we could go to the All Things Go Festival. I had never heard of this Festival and assumed the answer was no. But then I saw that it was at the Merriweather Post Pavilion which is exactly three hours away from us. So when tickets went on sale, I managed to get two pre-sale tickets for Sunday. And then when they went on proper sale, I managed to score two more for Saturday.
Sunday was the far more important day for music. I mean, the whoel reason she wanted to go was to see boygenius (and Lana Del Rey). But this was a great day of music to be sure.
Like yesterday, there were two early bands I wanted to see and then the day was hers.
I wanted to see Vundabar and Meet Me @ the Altar. We arrived with what I thought was plenty of time, but we rain into a parking snarl (and a jackass cop) that slowed things down. But, with our fast pass entry, we made it in plenty of time for Vundabar.
In fact we made it in plenty of time for Juliana Madrid who I gather went on a little late. I only knew Vundabar because of her, so she watched them with me (we got a spot in the shade but could still see the stage). I had tickets a while back for Meet Me @ the Altar, but I blew off the show feeling that made the music skewed too young for me. But they played a great set and I hope to see them again.
In between they played Tommy Lefroy on the screen and I really enjoyed their set as well. We maybe saw 20 minutes.
Then we went for food–yesterday the Veggie lo mein had sold out, so we wanted to get there early. It was in high demand again–I’m surprised there wasn’t more vegetarian options, to be honest. We missed Ella Jane.
Our plan was to arrive at the main stage early (around 3:30, get a seat in the middle, and park there all day for boygenius (since yesterday there were plenty of seats open for most of the day) [We had gotten GA+PAvillion which allowed us access to any seats (except VIP) and was vastly suprior to the lawn seats that were the cheapest level]. But when we walked by the Main stage, the seats were almost all full! Continue Reading »
Posted in Alex G, All Things Go, Alvvays, Arlo Parks, Boygenius, Carly Rae Jepsen, Columbia, MD, Dayglow, Ella Jane, Ethel Cain, Flecther, Free Range, Hemlocke Springs, Jensen McRae, Juliana Madrid, Lana Del Ray, Last Dinosaurs, Leith Ross, Lizzie McAlpine, Maggie Rogers, Meet Me @ The Altar, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Mt. Joy, Muna, No Vacation, Peach Pit, Raye, Samia, Sudan Archives, Suki Waterhouse, Tegan and Sara, Tommy Lefroy, Vacations, Vundabar | Leave a Comment »
September 30, 2023 by Paul Debraski
[ATTENDED: September 29, 2023] Tasha
I had been wanting to see Margaret Glaspy for a pretty long time. She last played Philadelphia in 2016, about two months before I heard her album. She was supposed to headline a tour back in 2020, but that show was postponed, so it’s not all her fault that it took me so long to see her.
And now, I’ve seen her three times in a year and a half.
Tonight I had tickets to see Explosions in the Sky, a band I loved seeing live and who I’ve wanted to see again (and again). But when Margaret Glaspy announced her show for tonight, after careful consideration, I decided to see Margaret. The first time I had seen her was as an opener. The second time was for a short free at noon. So I had never seen her as a headliner, and that won out.
She was terrific. Continue Reading »
Posted in Margaret Glaspy, Philadelphia, PA, Tasha, Underground Arts | Leave a Comment »
September 30, 2023 by Paul Debraski
[DID NOT ATTEND: September 29, 2023] boygenius / Samia
Boy I tried so hard to get tickets for this show.
My daughter has become a huge boygenius fan in the last few months and when this show was announced I was sure I’d be able to get us tickets.
But indeed, they sold out instantly.
Since then, I have entered many contests, and have done everything short of actually shelling out $400 a ticket to go to this show.
The only saving grace of the whole debacle is that boygenius is playing the All Things Go festival Sunday night, so we will at least see them–even if it may be from a mile away.
And just to rub this in, I also couldn’t get tickets to the Hozier show yesterday, and here’s a picture of the four of them hanging out in Boston. Since he’s playing in Philly Friday, I wouldn’t be surprised if they showed up to his show too.
Oh and Samia is also playing at All Things Go. She plays poppie indie rock.
I keep thinking that she is Sammus the rapper, who I am quite interested in seeing.
Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo, better known as Sammus, is a nerdcore music artist who raps primarily about video game topics.
Samia is not her
Posted in Boygenius, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA, Samia, Sammus | Leave a Comment »
September 30, 2023 by Paul Debraski
[DID NOT ATTEND: September 30 & October 1, 2023] The Front Bottoms / Vundabar
I saw The Front Bottoms in 2021.
Since then we have tried and failed to see them several more times. Most of the reasons were our own fault–my son being too tired or us just being very busy. But so many missed opportunities that I pretty much gave up on the thought of seeing them again.
Then they decided to play two nights at Franklin Music Hall with an opening band that I want to see.
I might actually try to…
Ah, both nights are the same nights that my daughter and I are going to the All Things Go Festival.
Oh well.
Interestingly, Vundabar is also playing the All Things Go Festival.
Furthermore, they are playing Saturday night in Philly, then driving the two hours to Maryland to play at 12:30 in the afternoon at All Things Go and then driving the two hours back to play in Philly again Sunday night.
Impressive. Hope they still have energy in the middle of the afternoon!
Posted in Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA, The Front Bottoms, Vundabar | Leave a Comment »
September 30, 2023 by Paul Debraski
[DID NOT ATTEND: September 30, 2023] Royal Blood / Bad Nerves
I have been interested in Royal Blood for a few years. I don’t really remember when they first hit my radar, but I think it was their debut album.
I had heard that their live show (for just two guys) was really impressive.
Apparently everyone else thinks so too as they have played a few different Philly festivals over the last few years. I wasn’t interested in seeing them at an all day festival, and this was their first time playing a club in Philly since 2017.
At the time I was really intrigued by them being a duo and rocking out. But since then, there have been so many duos who absolutely kick ass, that the novelty isn’t that great anymore. I never really listened to much of their music anyway, so it’s no big deal that I’m not going because this show is the same weekend that my daughter and I are going to the All Things Go.
Bad Nerves is new to me, but they seem like a fun pop punk band from England. They have one album of frenetic punk that reminds me of The Dickies. Sounds fun.
Posted in Bad Nerves, Philadelphia, PA, Royal Blood, The Fillmore Philadelphia | Leave a Comment »
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I had tickets to see Meet me @ the Altar a while back and decided against going. I felt a little bad about it, but assumed the show/crowd might skew too young for me.
I Just Read About That... 