You are browsing the Music category
October 29, 2007
Tuesday Pianist Gary Graffman turned a right hand injury around into a brilliant career performing repertoire written for the left hand alone. Hear him play works by Bach, Brahms, Scirabin, Corigliano, and more. Perelman Theater (Kimmel Center); 8 PM; $22.50 Thursday Crossroads Music presents Kalman Balogh, accomplished player of... [continue]
| 
Friday night marked my third time seeing The New Pornographers, and as I've come to expect, they totally rocked the house. After a fantastic set by Immaculate Machine and a really solid set by Emma Pollock (whose album, Watch the Fireworks, has been on pretty frequent rotation on my... [continue]
I was expecting to walk into the TLA on Thursday night and find myself in a sea of black: teenagers in goth-lite, preparing for the heavy sounds of She Wants Revenge. In fact, they were actually conspicuously absent. Some heavy eyeliner here, a big silver cross there, but for the... [continue]
October 26, 2007
We kind of love the Edgar Allan Poe House on 7th and Spring Garden, where the writer lived from 1838-1844. We love it because some of our favorite pieces of his work, including Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque, were published while he lived there. We love it because... [continue]
Disclaimer: This event preview has been rated "M" for "Mature." Reader discretion is advised. (In other words, if you go to this concert and are offended, don't say we didn't warn you.) Have we mentioned lately that we hate the Electric Factory? We're pretty sure we have. And yet we... [continue]
Advertisement: Phillyist Continues Below!
October 26, 2007
Our love affair with The New Pornographers began when we were still in high school and heard "My Slow Descent into Alcoholism" for the first time. We couldn't relate then (maybe we can a little now), but we knew we liked it. It was bouncy and fun and like... [continue]
October 25, 2007
Forever's a Long Time By Editor Jill We really dug She Wants Revenge (MySpace) when we first heard them a few years ago – of course, that might be because we thought we were listening to Interpol. Don't get us wrong – that's not a bad thing. In fact, it... [continue]
Rock chamber ensemble? What does that even mean? In case you were a bit fuzzy on the concept like I was, it means classically trained musicians have taken up rock instruments and play music composed by classically-trained composers. In short, high-art rock music. Not a bad idea, right? As a... [continue]
Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Thursday post only collects the latest announcements, so definitely check the Tuesday post for any you may have missed. John Mellencamp w/Los Lobos Borgata Event Center, Atlantic City Fri, 12/14/07, 8PM Pre-sale:... [continue]
October 24, 2007
Ever been in one of those moods where every song sounds like a love song? That's the mood we're in and we're lucky because tonight Stars are playing at the Troc. And with Stars, every song is a love song, or at least a contemplation of love, be it the... [continue]
We can't say we're entirely proud of ourselves for this, but we have to admit we're totally loving Black Fingernails, Red Wine, the third album and latest release from Australian trio Eskimo Joe (MySpace). Sure, it's pop. But it's also totally fun (one might even say irresistible), infectious, danceable pop... [continue]
October 23, 2007
If you were one of the dozens of people scrambling for a ticket to the extremely sold out The Hold Steady show at North Star Bar last year who got shut out, listen up: the Brooklyn-based rockers are playing the Fillmore at the TLA tonight, and tickets are available. A... [continue]
Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Tuesday post only collects the early announcements, so definitely check back on Thursday for the latest ticket news. COMEDY Michael Ian Black Fillmore at the TLA Fri, 11/30/07, 9PM $20 On sale:... [continue]
October 22, 2007
Wednesday Dame Kiri Te Kanawa stops by Philadelphia for a recital of Mozart, Strauss, Poulenc, Puccini and Copland on her Farewell Tour. This may be your last chance to hear the world-renowned New Zealand soprano. Verizon Hall (Kimmel Center); 8 PM; $34-$81 Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents the very accomplished... [continue]
It's rare that we get to talk about an indie rock show that features more than one band that we're familiar with and impressed by, but we're getting that chance today. Tonight at Johnny Brenda's both Film School (MySpace) and Eulogies will be playing, along with Cloud Minder and Minipop.... [continue]
Advertisement: Phillyist Continues Below!
October 19, 2007
On Wednesday night, I was at The Annex in New York City. Sneak Attack Media invited me to the CMJ Showcase. Why do you care where I was on Wednesday night, let alone care about what I was doing? Allow me to enlighten your troglodytic minds. Sit down. Class... [continue]
Seriously, when William Congreve said, "Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast," he was really saying, "I've never been to a Bad Religion concert." When we saw Bad Religion over the summer, we knew there was a pit - hell, we took a picture of it. But the crowd... [continue]
Free Yr Radio, a campaign launched by Toyota and Urban Outfitters in support of independent radio, is getting a soundtrack. It's a benefit compilation CD that's coming out tomorrow (a release date chosen to coincide with non-commercial radio's biggest event, the CMJ conference in Manhattan - an event we've... [continue]
Country is usually a musical genre we studiously ignore, but Castanets do country that's something else. It's a strange, eerie, sad, atmospheric alt-country, with singer-songwriter and central member Raymond Raposa contributing intriguing, froggy vocals reminiscent of Bob Dylan's, and music that's deep and slow and thoughtful. In the Vines,... [continue]
October 18, 2007
A week ago tonight, OFFICE, quite simply, rocked my face off. It had been a long day – the fourth in a row. I left the office at 6:50, giving me just enough time to go home and change clothes before meeting my plus-one for the evening. I just... [continue]
Editor Jim's coworker Bob submitted this video to us, and we couldn't help but post it. Because, well, it's well done. And we love Queen.... [continue]
Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Thursday post only collects the latest announcements, so definitely check the Tuesday post for any you may have missed. COMEDY An Evening with Mario Cantone Music Box at The Borgata, Atlantic City... [continue]
October 17, 2007
When we sat down to write a preview for tonight's Bad Religion show at the Electric Factory, we got a serious case of writers' block. That's probably because we figure everyone reading this knows who Bad Religion is and what they sound like. So this is really to call your... [continue]
October 16, 2007
Architecture in Helsinki (AIH) are shilling for Sprint. And we're totally okay with that. Now that we are TiVo-less, we have to watch commercials like everyone else. So it may not have been news to you, but we almost spit out our Blueberi and coke last night when we... [continue]
Wednesday The Opera Company of Philadelphia finishes its run of Verdi's timeless and tragic Rigoletto. The Academy of Music (Broad & Locust Sts); 7:30 PM; $7-$205 Acclaimed concert pianist and teacher Seymour Lipkin gives a solo recital of Bach, Brahms, and Debussy presented by the Philadephia Chamber Music Society. American... [continue]
Advertisement: Phillyist Continues Below!
October 16, 2007
Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Tuesday post only collects the early announcements, so definitely check back on Thursday for the latest ticket news. COMEDY Katt Williams' Pimp Chronicles II - Exclusive DVD Preview Fillmore at the TLA... [continue]
October 12, 2007
Last night, I was at the Trocadero to see MGMT and what they’re all about. What I can tell you, amigos, is that these gangly dudes put out pure, unadulterated funk. The first song that I heard in its entirety was "Electric Feel." These are my thoughts, in retroactive real... [continue]
Maybe 2007 has been the blankest year for you. Perhaps you’re not as popular as you want to be. By some mistake, maybe you’re not the starting quarterback. Oh, fuck it, you’re gonna have a party. That’s precisely what the gang known as Nada Surf will be doing on Saturday... [continue]
We've been listening to a couple of releases by Norwegian post-rock band Syme—a relatively short album called Swing Swing, and an EP of remixes and covers called Modern Love—and we've been enjoying both of them. Their music varies from the dreamy, eerie, and contemplative to the roaring, bouncing, silly, and... [continue]
October 11, 2007
When we get press releases about bands we've never heard of, we'll occasionally contact our friends in their cities of origin to see if the bands are worth catching when they come through Philly. Chicago-based band OFFICE is one such band. We talked to a friend of ours who used... [continue]
Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Thursday post only collects the latest announcements, so definitely check the Tuesday post for any you may have missed. COMEDY Dane Cook: Rough Around the Edges Wachovia Spectrum Wed, 11/21/07, 7:30PM On... [continue]
October 10, 2007
We first heard of Architecture in Helsinki a few years ago when they were touring with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. As in, wtf is an Architecture in Helsinki. Then we got to Troc early enough that night to find out exactly what it was: a six piece collective... [continue]
The Cave Singers are a new trio out of Seattle, and their music is being described as "haunting," as "folk music approached by way of punk rock," and as "sparse, melodic, and simultaneously creepy and alluring." Those last two quotes are from Brian Barr of Seattle Weekly, and we... [continue]
The 24 hours preceding the Honorary Title concert at the Electric Factory had gone just about as well as any 24-hour period in my life, and it was gonna be pretty difficult for anything to kill my happy buzz Friday evening. Well, the Electric Factory tried its damnedest. We went... [continue]
October 9, 2007
Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Tuesday post only collects the early announcements, so definitely check back on Thursday for the latest ticket news. Sara Evans w/Josh Turner Sovereign Center, Reading Sat, 11/17/07, 8PM $37.75 Pre-sale: Thu, 10AM-10PM,... [continue]
Advertisement: Phillyist Continues Below!
October 8, 2007
Wednesday The Dolce Suono Trio devotes an entire concert to Philadelphia composers, including Ned Rorem, George Crumb, Charles Abramovic, and Curt Cacioppo. First Unitarian Church (21st and Chestnut); FREE; 7:30 PM The Opera Company of Philadelphia presents Verdi's timeless Rigoletto. You'll be humming "La Donna è mobile" all the way... [continue]
October 5, 2007
For thirty-five minutes, I sat on a loveseat in the dressing room of Ciaran McFeely, who performs under the moniker Simple Kid, and simply shot the proverbial shit. With legs crossed and hair hanging in his face, he thoroughly answered any query that I spewed his way. Follow-up questions were... [continue]
We recently described Eric Hutchinson as sounding a little like a lot of other artists while still having his own unique place in today's music. Well tonight at the Electric Factory, we'll be checking out a band that we can say the same thing about: The Honorary Title. We... [continue]
Possibly the most impressive part of this video is about a minute and a half in, when David Lee Roth mentions that Eddie Van Halen is playing like a motherfucker. We're not sure whether that's a compliment or an insult.... [continue]
We'll make this short and sweet: Voxtrot (MySpace) is a good band. Their self-titled full-length release is a super-fun disc, full of catchy pop rock. Download a great track from the album ("Kid Gloves" - wherein vocalist Ramesh Srivastava cries, "Cheer me up, cheer me up, I'm a miserable fuck")... [continue]
October 4, 2007
Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Thursday post only collects the latest announcements, so definitely check the Tuesday post for any you may have missed. Teapacks - Afro Beat Jewish Punk The Troc Sun, 10/28/07, 7PM $30-$70 On... [continue]
October 2, 2007
Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Tuesday post only collects the early announcements, so definitely check back on Thursday for the latest ticket news. Good Faeries Ball The Troc Fri, 10/12/07, 8PM $27.50 On sale: Today, 12PM, Ticketmaster... [continue]
October 1, 2007
Monday As part of Swarthmore's Midday Monday Concert Series, Dolce Suono's Metal and Wood Band will play a free concert of Handel, Dowland, Johnson, Schulhoff, Kreutzer and Piazzolla. Lang Concert Hall (Swarthmore College); 12:30pm; FREE Tuesday Hear the opera singers of tomorrow duke it out today at the Academy of... [continue]
Music composed in the past century, or even music outside the canon of established masterpieces, often deters people from attending concerts, when they should really appreciate an opportunity to hear some new and fascinating music. Despite this hurdle, Ignat Solzhenitsyn continues the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia's off-the-beaten-track season with an... [continue]