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The Wayne Music Festival brings a whole lot of local acts and more to the burbs

Ben Arnold | Photo by: Ellen Miller | ellencm.com
Ben Arnold | Photo by: Ellen Miller | ellencm.com

After having a couple years off from hosting its annual jazz festival, the town of Wayne brought it back as the Wayne Music Festival,  incorporating more rock and acoustic artists with the jazz music. Now in its third year, the Wayne Music Festival got yet another big upgrade with a third stage and even more (local) musicians to entertain the suburbs. It may not qualify as a jazz festival anymore, but this year’s Wayne Music Festival managed to bring out more than enough music fans to pack the center of Wayne by the time Rusted Root started their headlining set on Saturday night. Continue reading →

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No Good Sister celebrate the release of You Can Love Me with friends and fam

No Good Sister | Photo by: Ellen Miller | ellencm.com
No Good Sister | Photo by: Ellen Miller | ellencm.com

They joined together in 2012. Now, five years later, local country/rock/folk group No Good Sister has released their debut album, You Can Love Me. Maren Sharrow, Jess McDowell, and Meaghan Kyle are the voices behind the incredible harmonies of No Good Sister, and they celebrated the new record Saturday night at Boot And Saddle.

This was a special night, since the band had the album for sale as well as parents, husbands, and lots of friends to hear it performed live. All of their shows include a certain amount of energy and their record release party on Broad Street was no exception. The group had support from local songwriter, Andrea Nardello, who kicked off the night with energetic songs featuring electric cello and guitar solos which set a good tone for the night. Continue reading →

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A Sunday night Hang with Foxygen at Union Transfer

 

Foxygen | Photo by: Ellen Miller | ellencm.com
Foxygen | Photo by Ellen Miller for WXPN | ellencm.com

California duo Foxygen was back in town Sunday night to get their fans’ week started off right, and to promote their new album Hang. Fans filled up Union Transfer quickly as the night began with Australian-songwriter Gabriella Cohen setting the mood. Cohen came on stage with band mate Kate Dillion to ease everyone in to her opening set with a quiet number. As the first song was wrapping up the rest of her band came out to keep the serenading vibe going while taking it up a notch at times. The whole set was filled with songs which flowed together brilliantly to grab the full attention of the audience.

The stage was then set with lights strung over the pianos, center stage was clear for maximum dancing room, and the crowd anxiously awaited the headliners to take the stage. When Foxygen’s set began, they got the audience intrigued by kicking off with a few old favorites, including “We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic” and “San Francisco.” Continue reading →

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Family and friends gather at Rittenhouse Square for The Silver Ages’ annual performance

Silver Ages | Photo by: Ellen Miller | ellencm.com
Silver Ages | Photo by: Ellen Miller | ellencm.com

Each year The Silver Ages find a date everyone is available to sing beautiful songs A Capella to a small audience at the Ethical Society of Philadelphia. Many of the musicians making up this unique Philly choral group are in other more rock-oriented bands or have their own solo projects they do the rest of the year; band leader Charlie Hall plays drums in The War on Drugs, along with two other members of the Silver Ages. This year’s show, which took place Saturday night, also featured their good friend Anthony LaMarca sing a few songs halfway through the night.  Continue reading →

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Last Days at The Tin Angel: Old City listening room closes its doors after 24 years

Tin Angel | Photo by: Ellen Miller | ellencm.com
Tin Angel | Photo by: Ellen Miller | ellencm.com

The Tin Angel, which has been a staple of the Philadelphia music scene since 1992, held its last show on February 4th. This unique second floor listening room has seen numerous legendary artists take the stage to entertain music fans over the past 24 years. Its final week included a string of sold out shows with locals Eric Bazilian playing with Wesley Stace on the first of February and Ben Vaughn closing the venue with a double-header three days later.

These last couple of shows were not just your typical concerts; they were two nights of great music mixed with smiling fans and lots of conversation reminiscing about the past 24 years of music. Continue reading →

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Ben Vaughn Quintet threw a pre-holiday record release party at Boot and Saddle

Ben Vaughn Quintet | Photo by Ellen Miller | http://ellencm.com/
Ben Vaughn Quintet | Photo by Ellen Miller | ellencm.com

December 23rd is typically a day that is filled with shopping and cooking to prepare for holiday parties. However, there also tends to be many holiday concerts happening on the 23rd. This year, the Ben Vaughn Quintet took people’s minds off of the stress of the season Friday night with an outstanding record release show.

You may know Ben Vaughn from his WXPN show “The Many Moods of Ben Vaughn.” While on that show he plays less of his own music, more by an encyclopedic range of other artists, “Many Moods” tends to fit his own music as well. Continue reading →

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Slow Burner: Creepoid entrances Kung Fu Necktie in celebration of its new EP

Creepoid Record Release Show | Photography by: Ellen Miller | www.ellencm.com
Creepoid Record Release Show | Photography by: Ellen Miller | www.ellencm.com

Last Friday night, psychedelic Philly punk band Creepoid had Kung Fu Necktie packed with friends and fans who were awaiting the release of their new EP Burner. On the bill for the night, in addition to Creepoid, included with three local openers: Birthworms, Body Spray, and Dark Web. Continue reading →