Text by Gabi Chepurny. Images by Jesse Marass.
On Saturday, the Electric Factory opened up its back parking lot for the punk extravaganza that was the Summer Nationals Tour.
Commonwealth Choir, Caitlin Rose, Strand of Oaks and More @ The XPoNential Fest (Day 2).
Text and images by Jason Melcher.
The crowd in Wiggin’s Park was treated to another full day of exceptional talent as the XPoNential Music Festival continued on day two last week. Artists included Our Griffins, Commonwealth Choir, Caitlin Rose, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Marah, Strand of Oaks (above), Jeremy Messersmith, Ingrid Michaelson, Dave Hause and C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band. Read more…
The Hold Steady, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Marian Hill and More @ The XPoNential Fest (Day 1).
Text and images by Jason Melcher.
The annual XPoNential Music Festival kicked off last Friday afternoon with an eclectic mix of national and local artists. Hosted by WXPN, the University of Pennsylvania’s radio station, the three day event brought thousands of fans to Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront. Friday’s lineup included incredible performances by Viv and the Revival, Marian Hill, Lucius, Houndmouth, The Hold Steady, James Cotton and Rodrigo y Gabriela. Read more…
Roberta Flack, Peabo Bryson and More @ The Dell.
Text and images by Darragh Dandurand.
It was hot and sticky last week when people waited on their Ridge Avenue stoops to try to here Roberta Flack’s voice pouring out of the Dell Music Center. Scalpers stood near the road, working to convince anyone who walked by that their less-than-cheap tickets were a good bargain.
Inside the Dell, the arena-like venue slopes down next to Laurel Hill Cemertery but is shaded by large oaks and poplar trees. Huge stage lights rigged high above bounced off of the stadium seats and the shiny equipment was still being set up as the crowd charged in from the gate. Middle-aged women fanned themselves and their middle aged husbands sweated profusely next to them. The sickly sweet smell of carnival snacks, like toxic-colored water ice, mixed in the air with perspiration, anticipation and the humidity that no one could hide from.
More than 2,000 people showed up at Spruce Street Harbor Park last night to hear Purling Hiss (above) and Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band. It was a beautiful night of mind-bending guitar riffs, surrounded by the colorful lights and vibrant boardwalk at one of Philly’s new (though temporary) outdoor playgrounds.
The next show at the space will be in late August, with details yet to be announced.
Season of Mist: Loud and Misty, Here in Philly.
Text by Chad Sims. Image by Christopher Fascenelli.
Though few Philadelphians know it, their city is home to a branch of international metal label Season of Mist. The label’s roster includes some of the biggest metal bands around.
Season of Mist was founded in 1996 in Marseille, France by Michael Berberian. Initially, the label specialized in black metal and other closely related genres but over time, they expanded to cover the scope of heavy music. Now the label is home to hard rock, death metal, grindcore, punk, hardcore, doom, post rock and more.
Sore Saints: Making Music Ain’t Easy …
Text by Brian Wilensky. Image by Jessica Flynn.
It’s a bright Sunday evening and Scott Signorino, bassist of bruising post-punk four-piece Sore Saints, is smoking a cigarette outside of Prohibition Taproom when a horse-drawn carriage rolls up and stops directly in front of him.
“Hey, is that a Danzig T-shirt?” the coachman asks from his seat while waiting to pull his carriage inside the building across the street.
“No this is a Doomriders T-shirt,” Signorino replies with a short laugh.
They proceed to agree on how the skull on the shirt can be mistaken to be a Danzig logo before Signorino heads into the bar when Sore Saints drummer Jon Murphy arrives. Singer Nick Guidotti finds his bandmates and they all begin telling the story of the rocky road they were forced to take in order to release their Generous Lover 10-inch on Dullest Records in March.
Text and images by Jason Melcher.
Philadelphia-based four-piece band Magnificent Birds of Prey (above) teamed up with South Jersey’s The Defused to play a show together at Hard Rock Cafe last Thursday. The two bands are now touring together after recently releasing their joint project, Split-EP.
Text and images by Mina Lee.
Cheers Elephant, the former Philly pop-rock act that recently moved to California, played a homecoming show at Union Transfer last Friday.
The packed floor of diverse fans welcomed the band back to their hometown. Limbs swung along comically, yet proudly off beat. Lead vocalist Derek Krzywicki belted out hit songs like “Leaves” and at one point during the set ditched his microphone for a battered megaphone. Read more…
JUMP: The Philly Music Project 