November 24, 2012 | 4:01 PM | By

Delta Spirit and family make the TLA feel like home (photos, recap)

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Photos + Videos, Concert Reviews, Events, Delta Spirit, FIDLAR, JEFF the Brotherhood, The TLA

It wouldn’t be far-fetched to compare the three touring bands on Friday night’s TLA bill to members of a family. The quasi-dysfunctional, generally loving kind one might have seen eating Thanksgiving dinner the day before.

Los Angeles-based garage punk opener FIDLAR ripped through its set like an angsty, intoxicated teenager. Two-piece hazy rock outfit JEFF The Brotherhood, like a token stoner 20-something, took the stage to a cloud of smoke and played multiple tracks from their summer release, “Hypnotic Nights.”

Then, to a mass of colorful lights and a wall of reverb, headliners Delta Spirit invited the audience on to what felt like a rock-and-roll UFO. In the family mix, the band would be that weird uncle, heartbroken and laden with the scars of life, who always put on the best records and had the best stories to tell.

Forming in 2005 but gaining recognition most recently with the March release of their self-titled third album, Delta Spirit exuded the perfect blend of energy and experience. Frontman Matthew Vasquez rarely seemed in control of his extremities as his feet stomped and arms flailed throughout the set, but he had no problem thrusting the mic stand above the crowd for a rowdy sing-along during “Tear It Up.”

Still capitalizing on their alt-country and other eclectic attributes, Delta Spirit also delved deep into their discography. Highlights included multi-instrumentalist Kelly Winrich bringing that shiny tin lid front-and-center for “Trashcan” and the crowd response for old favorites like “People C’mon.”

Doing everything from head banging to swing dancing, the large TLA crowd was no indication that rival touring act Sufjan Stevens was playing a sold-out Union Transfer the same night. Just as the acts before them, Delta Spirit thanked Philadelphia for their attention and support before finishing up with popular arena-ready single “California.”

It was a fine night to feel like one, big, happy family.