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Gorillaz, more than ever, are an entity. At Wells Fargo Center, the collaborative and elusive nature of the virtual band became more apparent than I had realized, especially as a recent convert to the Church of 2D, Russell, Noodle, and Ace (formerly Murdoc). Damon Albarn, for all intents and purposes the core of the band, … Continue reading “Gorillaz at Wells Fargo Center”
If I were a member of a certain secret organization infiltrating the worlds’ government, I would consider hiring illuminati hotties as a house band. First, they came dressed for the job: bandleader Sarah Tudzin sported a white jumpsuit straight out of an OK GO music video, the back displaying the red pyramid also featured on … Continue reading “illuminati hotties at PhilaMOCA”
Opening the night for the Growlers’ stop in Union Transfer this September was Surfbort, a punk foursome led by female screamer Dani Miller. Immediately amping up the crowd’s energy, their short set sent fans into a sweaty moshpit. Overflowing with anti-establishment attitudes and a shredding guitar power, Surfbort primed the stage with an aggressive excitement … Continue reading “The Growlers at Union Transfer”
Last Thursday, Blood Orange, the stage name of Dev Hynes, entranced the audience at The Fillmore. Playing a mix of songs from his new release, Negro Swan, and hits from his older albums, Blood Orange created an aura of otherworldliness. Despite the variety in his music, the show felt cohesive: the atmosphere was simultaneously ethereal and … Continue reading “Blood Orange at the Fillmore”
In 1964, you might have been surprised to hear that the teenage folk duo Tom and Jerry were still making music together, under the new name of Simon and Garfunkel. In all likelihood, however, you wouldn’t have heard of them for another two years, when their first big hit under their new name reached the … Continue reading “The Reworking of “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.”: A Forgotten Mistake”
I floated into the venue to find a roomful of glitter-faced people, shimmering in the soft glow of the wooden chandeliers. Feeling friendlier than usual, I engaged in stream-of-consciousness conversations that added to the buzz of random thoughts that fill the space between sets, while a projection of a purple globe spun on the backdrop … Continue reading “Superorganism Brings their Psychedelic Pop to Union Transfer”
The Philadelphia Music & Arts Festival will take place next weekend (September 27-30), at Johnny Brenda’s, World Café Live, and Milkboy. The annual four-day festival offers the best of local music today, from acts of all different genres and levels of fame. This year offers everything from hard punk to smooth jazz, with the headliners … Continue reading “A Preview of This Weekend’s Philly Music Fest”
The Los Angeles band The Growlers will be at Union Transfer this Thursday, September 20. This genre-blending group is part surf rock, garage rock, folk, country, and experimental psychedelia. But the meanderings of their sound are always anchored by lead singer Brooks Nielsen’s distinctively nasal vocals. This summer, they released their seventh album, Casual Acquaintances, … Continue reading “The Growlers Beach Goth Tour is Coming to Philadelphia this Week”
Hozier – Nina Cried Power EP This four-song EP marks the return of Hozier to our earbuds after four years of silence from the “Take Me to Church” singer-songwriter. The wait was not for nothing, as the album is short but packed with instant hits, little having changed since his self-titled debut. With just as … Continue reading “Last Week’s Best New Releases”
This is part two of my coverage of Made in America. This article discusses Sunday, Day 2. JPEGMAFIA I started the day by heading back to the Skate Stage to catch JPEGMAFIA’s set. I knew some of his music, so I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. I was very, very wrong. He … Continue reading “Made in America: Day 2”