For show number two of his east coast tour dates, keys wizard and showman extraordinaire Marco Benevento was back on the Ardmore Music Hall stage Thursday with his three-piece band, vibes galore, family in the crowd, and local opener Sonni Shine on hand to tee the crowd up for a solid weekend. Continue reading →
Philadelphia’s Chilly Moody and Donn T teamed up a little while back to form a hip hop collaboration duo by the name of &More. The duo just released their debut album Ethel Bobcat a few weeks ago that they are currently touring in support of, and this past weekend the tour brought them back home to Johnny Brenda’s in Fishtown where they performed to a room full of friends, family, and fans. As headliners they shared with bill with fellow local artists Dahi Divine and The Great Time for and all around high energy Philly local show. Continue reading →
Patty Griffin has been on the road with her new, self-titled record and the tour brought her to Philadelphia on Thursday night, leading her trio at an almost packed Union Transfer. Before then though, Nashville based, singer-songwriter Ruston Kelly took the stage. Kelly is also currently touring with a new album, Dying Star, released in 2018. Continue reading →
Year-End Mania is the Key’s annual survey of the things below the surface that made 2018 incredible. Today, Key photographer Ellen Miller shares her best music for car-rides in 2018.
From early morning drives to beat the sun, to spending lunchtime on the road moving from one job to the next, to the late night drives home from a shoot — this year, I found myself drawn to particular artists or songs at various times of the day. I go everywhere all the time for jobs, and in 2018 I’ve definitely spent more time driving all over greater Philadelphia than using SEPTA, compared to years past. When in the car that much, it’s nice to have variety in what you listen to. Sometimes I’d just throw the radio on and occasionally I’d prefer silence for a bit, but often times I’d make playlists to put me in the right mindset for going to a shoot or to relax myself after a shoot. Below are my most listened to songs and artists during my commutes at various times of day in 2018. Continue reading →
It was an evening with Hiss Golden Messenger on Wednesday night as Durham, NC singer-songwriter M.C. Taylor brought his four-piece band to Philadelphia to headline Union Transfer. The band’s most recent album, Hallalujah Anyhow, is just over a year old, and their set mixed up songs from it, as well as their recent Heart Like a Levee from 2016 and a mix of their back-catalog, including cuts from 2012’s Poor Moon and 2014’s Lateness of Dancers. Continue reading →
Exactly seven months after her last trip across the pond, This is the Kit was back in Fishtown for round two at Johnny Brenda’s. On Saturday night, Kate Stables played new and old songs with her full band to the nearly filled Johnny Brenda’s room fans.
With Kate Stables in the audience, Adam Schatz (of the band Landlady) kicked off the night with an intriguing solo set during he rotated between a tenor saxophone, keys, and vocals. Continue reading →
On Friday night, fans of all ages packed into Union Transfer for a night with Boston-based folk four-piece Darlingside. The band is a few weeks into touring with the new album they released in late February, Extralife. Continue reading →
Dubin balladeer Glen Hansard kicked off 2018 with his new album Between Two Shores and a tour of Europe, England, and America. That trek ended in Philadelphia Sunday night with a near three-hour set at Union Transfer and his entire band joining him for Irish folk song “The Auld Triangle.” Despite the new album he release in January, Hansard did not actually play many songs from it. The 20+ song setlist was made up of a good mix; lots of old, a few new, and some covers.
Union Transfer does not typically bring up feelings of intimacy, not compared to the smaller venues in Philly at least. Glen Hansard may have changed that (for me) on Sunday night. With small, red lamps scattered around the various instruments on stage and very minimal use of the stage lights set, the atmosphere with a feeling of closeness that could make you forget you’re not at a small club or coffeehouse. But the band played with a sound that could draw you in in any space. Continue reading →
With Courtney Barnett on guitar and Mia Dyson warming up the stage, Jen Cloher bought January to a smashing end with a sold out Johnny Brenda’s show Wednesday night. On the second to last night of this USA take over by the Australians, the venue was packed in with fans looking for a midweek pick up. Continue reading →
Year-End Mania is the Key’s annual survey of the things below the surface that made 2017 incredible. Today, photographer Ellen Miller thinks back on her best concert sustenance of the year.
As I think back to all the different concerts and live music I saw over the last 12 months (about 60+) my mind floods with memories of not only the shows themselves but also the food I ate before or after. Whether it was a quick bite between the end of work and heading to the venue or an afternoon spent in NYC before the show, I can’t go to a concert without it involving food. I’ve even made the joke that I only go to concerts in order to have an excuse to try all this fun food! While that may not actually true, coming up with a new or fun food place to try is definitely something I look forward to just as much as whichever show I’m going to. At times I may even get more excited by the food I’m planning to eat than the actual gig itself. Continue reading →
