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Nilüfer Yanya / Tasha / Ada Lea (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, May 4, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

May 4, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: May 4, 2022] Nilüfer Yanya / Tasha / Ada Lea

I saw Nilüfer Yanya back in 2019.  She opened for Sharon Van Etten.  For some reason I keep thinking that she was the headliner for that show.  Which I guess is why I thought it was strange that she was downsizing to Underground Arts.  But she’s now headlining with this tour.

This had been a very busy concert time for me, so I didn’t buy a ticket for this show right away.

Then my Spoon show which had been postponed in April was rescheduled for this same date.  So I was glad I hadn’t bought the ticket yet.

I have rather enjoyed her new album though and would like to see her again.  I’m sure she’s become even more dynamic of a performer.

Tasha (I have to say that there are far too many one-named people with just a first name.  Why do you think that’s okay?  How are people supposed to find you?) is a singer from Chicago.  She has a lovely voice and sings a blend of folk and torch song.  She’d be a great addition to Yanya’s show

Ada Lea (not a one-name singer, as her name is Alexandra Levy) is a Canadian singer who plays slightly up-tempo folk.  She sings a bit like Andy Shauf–what’s up with this style being so prominent?

I’m rather taken with her bio’s blurb about her record:

classic, soft-rock beauty to intimate finger-picked folk passages and night-drive art-pop. And the textures are frequently surprising due to the collage of lo-fi and hi-fi sounds that tastefully decorate the album without ever clouding the heart-center of the song.

I’ve really enjoyed what I heard from her so far–it’s quiet moody and interesting.  I bet she’s great live.

For ease of searching I include: Nilufer Yanya

Posted in Ada Lea, Nilüfer Yanya, Philadelphia, PA, Tasha, Underground Arts | Leave a Comment »

Margaret Glaspy (The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, May 4, 2022) [SPOON]

May 4, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: May 4, 2022] Margaret Glaspy [rescheduled from April 15, 2022]

This was possibly the shortest time between a postponed show and a rescheduled show.  Nineteen days!  It’s pretty remarkable that the venues were able to accommodate Spoon with such short notice.  It also worked out really well for me because that week in April was really chaotic.

But here we were in May.  

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.  (Well, actually, she played Philly when opening for Ruston Kelly, but there was no freaking way I was going  to see that country music hack).  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 six years for me to see her.

I really enjoyed her album Emotions and Math.  I loved the guitar and kind of weirdly lurching and aggressive sound and vocal style (Margaret clearly was taking no shit).  Her newer album departed from that style a bit–there’s a bit more synth, but it’s still solid.  Continue Reading »

Posted in Margaret Glaspy, Philadelphia, PA, Spoon, The Fillmore Philadelphia | Leave a Comment »

Behemoth (The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2022)

May 2, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: April 29, 2022] Behemoth

Behemoth is a Polish extreme metal band.  I’ve never been to an extreme metal show before and figure it would be fun (I guess) to see one.

Behemoth have been around for over twenty years and have stirred up their share of controversy.  As NME wrote: Singer Nergal was prosecuted for blasphemy a decade ago for ripping up a bible on stage, but he argued his right to free speech and won the case, having to neither draw pentagrams in salt nor shed the blood of any lambs in the process.

NME also notes: When he is not onstage, he hosted the Polish version of Pop Idol, he runs a chain of barbershops and is a qualified museum curator.

I had heard that Behemoth live shows were legendary.  So I waited to see what would come next.

There were three sculpted microphone stands on the stage and a giant drum set in the back.  There was a sculpture behind the drum riser and lots of pyro.

Then the band came out in corpse paint looking ominous and intense.

The music started.  It was relentless and powerful and the crowd went berserk.  There were clearly long-time fans who knew the words to all the songs.  There was a massive pit in the center of the room.  But mostly there was the band.

Lead singer and guitarist Nergal was in the middle, conducting the whole thing.  Behind him was long time drummer Inferno.

We were in front of bassist Orion and on the other side was a behemoth of a guitarist Seth.

At some point Nergal changed outfits and was wearing a Pope hat.  Orion spit blood in the air and at the audience.  Seth stomped all around the stage and Inferno blasted the hell out of his drums.

It was intense and exhausting (especially after three other bands).  I was pretty wiped out by the end of the show and decided that I probably didn’t need to see any more extreme metal bands.

Behemoth had destroyed them all.

  1. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer §
  2. Wolves ov Siberia ♥
  3. Ov Fire and the Void €
  4. Evoe Δ
  5. Christians to the Lions ¢
  6. Bartzabel ♥
  7. Conquer All δ
  8. Ov My Herculean Exile Ø
  9. Decade of Therion ¥
  10. Slaves Shall Serve δ
  11. Chant for Eschaton 2000 ¥
  12. O Father O Satan O Sun! §

Ø Opvs Contra Natvram (2022)
Δ A Forest EP (2020)
♥ I Loved You at Your Darkest (2018)
§ The Satanist (2014)
€ Evangelion (2009)
δ Demigod (2004)
¢ Thelema.6 (2000)
¥ Satanica (1999)

Posted in Arch Enemy, Behemoth, Napalm Death, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts, Unto Others | Leave a Comment »

Ho99o9 / N8NOFACE / GHÖSH (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, May 2, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

May 2, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: March 18, 2023] Ho99o9 / N8NOFACE / GHÖSH

I was not really familiar with Ho99o9 when this show was announced.  I looked them up and decided that although their sets are probably pretty awesome, that this show might be a little too much for me.

As one review says

The destruction really started a few songs in during ‘Street Power’ and new song ‘Forest Fires’ off their latest EP Cyber Cop, the distorted drums and deafening bass shook the room as the duo bounced around the stage like human bouncy balls, just before Eaddy took a first class flight off the stage; jumping on top of the awaiting audience, before climbing back on to the stage to finish up.

….

Tonight’s show was the definition of insanity, bodies flying all around the room, mosh pits opening up anywhere there was available space; Ho99o9 have been able to secure some of the most dedicated and passionate fans in the scene, no matter where they play no doubt there will be fans there to listen!

In a small place like Underground Arts, it might have been overwhelming. Continue Reading »

Posted in GHÖSH, Ho99o9, N8NOFACE, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts | Leave a Comment »

Indigo De Souza / Horse Jumper Of Love / Friendship (Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, May 2, 2022) [rescheduled again]

May 2, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[POSTPONED: May 2, 2022] Indigo De Souza / Horse Jumper Of Love / Friendship [rescheduled from January 30, moved to October 10, 2022]

indexIndigo De Souza had to postpone her previous show here because of general COVID anxiety.  Now, just a few days before this show was supposed to happen, she had to postponed because of an actual COVID outbreak:

Thank you for purchasing tickets to see Indigo De Souza at Union Transfer on May 2. Unfortunately, due to a postive Covid test in the touring party, this show has been postponed to a date to be determined in the future.

From the band: “Unfortunately, our bass player and Horse Jumper of Love’s drummer have tested positive for covid so we have decided to postpone Monday’s show in Philadelphia ,PA :/ Please hold on to your tickets as we will be announcing new dates asap. We are sad to miss this show. It’s a sensitive time to be playing music. Thank you for bearing with us as we learn how to navigate it all. Sending love in all directions.“

Perhaps third time’s the charm

~~~~~~~

Indigo De Souza is a new (to me) musician who I heard about on NPR music.  Her song “Kill Me” is outstanding.  A great dynamic of sounds, very funny lyrics and memorable hooks.  I loved it immediately.  She announced a tour soon after I’d heard it and I grabbed a ticket to see her headline tour (!).

She’s ben making music since she was like 9 with a few EPs and a previous album.  I imagine she’ll be a fun and wild performer.

On January 13, Union Transfer announced:

Indigo has decided it’s best for all involved to move their tour to a few weeks later in the year. The Philly show will now take place at Union Transfer on May 2nd

That’s not too far off.

I hadn’t heard of either of the opening acts (such is the case when the headliner is fairy new herself).  Continue Reading »

Posted in Friendship, Horse Jumper of Love, Indigo De Souza, Lucy Dacus, Philadelphia, PA, Postponed, Union Transfer | Leave a Comment »

Arch Enemy (The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2022) [BEHEMOTH]

May 1, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: April 29, 2022] Arch Enemy

I wasn’t really familiar with Arch Enemy.  I knew of them, but I wasn’t aware that they have had two female singers who can growl with the best of them.

The band is based in Sweden, but Angela Gossow–a legend among fans–was a German screamer who sang with the band for 14 years.  When she retired, Gossow recommended Alissa White-Gluz from Canadian metal band The Agonist as her replacement, and remained business manager for the band.

So I got to see White-Gluz in all fo her blue-haired glory.

She held the entire audience rapt.  Between her soaring voice and her guttural growls, it was hard to take your eyes off of her.  Which I suppose the band is used to, but it is their band too, you know?

The music was heavy.  Solid, old school metal with some modern flourishes.

Alissa was lead singer on two albums, but they played music from throughout their catalog.

The most notable thing for me, though, was that a Dad had brought his little girl (I think she was six), and she got up to the front (with big noise cancelling headphones on) and Alissa saw her and waved and later on gave her a setlist.  Sweet.

It’s possible that Arch Enemy is the more popular of the two band (I believe they alternated headline acts), but it would be hard to follow Behemoth’s stage show, even with a highly polished and rocking show like Arch Enemy’s.

  1. Set Flame to the Night [taped entrance]
  2. Deceiver, Deceiver ⊗
  3. The World Is Yours
  4. Ravenous §
  5. War Eternal ψ
  6. My Apocalypse ™
  7. House of Mirrors ⊗
  8. The Eagle Flies Alone
  9. Under Black Flags We March £
  10. Dead Bury Their Dead §
  11. Nemesis ™
  12. Fields of Desolation €
  13. Enter the Machine [taped exit] ™

⊗ Deceivers (2022)
¶ Will to Power (2017)
ψ War Eternal (2014)
£ Khaos Legions (2011)
™ Doomsday Machine (2005)
§ Wages of Sin (2001)
€ Black Earth (1996)

Posted in Arch Enemy, Behemoth, Napalm Death, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts, Unto Others | Leave a Comment »

Born Ruffians / Sham Family (Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA, April 30. 3022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

April 30, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 30, 2022] Born Ruffians / Sham Family

I blew off seeing Typhoon so I could see Born Ruffians, a Canadian band that is hard to pin down exactly, except that they make hyperactive poppy punk that is catchy but not super catchy.  They’re probably not even going to sell a million records, but they should have a pretty devoted fan base.

The band is a trio–singer/guitarist Luke Lalonde, bassist Mitch DeRosier, and drummer Steve Hamelin.  They put out a trio of albums in 2020/2021 all thematically similar. Juice was my favorite.  They have a great set available from The Live at Massey Hall series (see video below).

However, my wife and daughter were out that night and I was home with my son.  We started watching Attack on Titan and I decided that I would much rather spend the night with my son than these bands, so I blew off the show and we enjoyed some bonkers anime. Continue Reading »

Posted in Attack on Titan, Born Ruffians, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA, Sham Family | Leave a Comment »

Napalm Death (The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2022) [BEHEMOTH]

April 30, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: April 29, 2022] Napalm Death

Napalm Death are legends.  They have been around since 1981 although formed a solid lineup in 1987.  Although their Wikipedia page lists 18 former members, the lineup I saw was almost has been with the band since at least 1991.

Current members Shane Embury – bass, backing vocals (1987–present) Mitch Harris – guitars, backing vocals (1990–present) Danny Herrera – drums (1991–present) Mark “Barney” Greenway – lead vocals (1989–1996, 1997–present).

That’s pretty impressive for a grindcore band whose first album contained songs that were almost all under two minutes long. Continue Reading »

Posted in Arch Enemy, Behemoth, Napalm Death, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts, Unto Others | Leave a Comment »

Typhoon / Carm / The Ophelias (Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA, April 30, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

April 30, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 30, 2022] Typhoon / Carm / The Ophelias

I saw Typhoon back in 2018 and  the show was amazing.  They were so good live, that I knew I’d want to see them again.  Although actually, playing Underground Arts seemed like too small of a stage for their show (I saw them at Union Transfer last time).

Their brand of orchestral rock is really powerful and moving.  It’s interesting how much singer Kyle Morton sounds like Andy Shauf–that same kind of almost marble mouthed delivery that IU don’t quite understand but kind of makes you lean in to hear.

I was pretty excited to see them again, but then I found out that Born Ruffians, a Canadian band that I really like was playing Johnny Brenda’s the same night.  So I opted to see the band that I’d never seen rather than the one I’d seen before.

I hadn’t heard of Carm.  Continue Reading »

Posted in CARM, Philadelphia, PA, The Ophelias, Typhoon, Underground Arts | Leave a Comment »

Unto Others (The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 2022) [BEHEMOTH]

April 29, 2022 by Paul Debraski

[ATTENDED: April 29, 2022] Unto Others

Despite having tickets to see Girl Talk, I decided I’d go see this North American Siege of 2022.  I’ve been intrigued by Behemoth for quite a while.  The are an extreme metal band from Poland who sing of the occult and thelemic ideas.  But they are known mainly for their intense live show.

I haven’t really ever been to a show like this and it seemed worth a visit.

I arrived absurdly early.  I think doors opened at 6 and I arrived at 6:15 or something.  And there was hardly anyone there.  The guy at the bar said it sold poorly. Continue Reading »

Posted in Arch Enemy, Behemoth, Napalm Death, Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts, Unto Others | Leave a Comment »

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