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The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s 15th anniversary Christmas Rocks! tour did just that

The Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas show | photo by Andrzej Liguz | courtesy of the artist

Though regarded far-and-wide as the well-coiffed guitarist who ushered in the 1950s-stylized rockabilly revival (with Stray Cats), the big band swing thing (with his self-named Orchestra) and all of its sartorial and tonsorial splendor, Brian Setzer will always be adored by Philly’s old-head punks for his time in Bloodless Pharaohs. At the tail end of the 70s, a pre-Cats Setzer (with his brother Gary) held sway over the Pharaohs, a Talking Heads-y house band, at 21st & South’s Hot Club before turning to rockabilly, heading to the UK (with a crew of locals including then-tour manager-turned-DJ legend, Bobby Startup), and finding fortune and fame.

Knowing that, it was no surprise to see that Setzer’s 15th Anniversary Christmas showcase with a rich 19-piece ensemble at the grand Academy of Music found its crowd with as many families looking for a good, clean night out, as it did many a spikey, grey haired sort. And the fact is, those crowds — and anyone in-between — got a damned good, entertaining time. Continue reading →

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Tonight’s Concert Picks: Warpaint at Union Transfer, Jazz Cartier at TLA and Joan Baez at the Academy of Music

Warpaint | courtesy of the artist
Warpaint | courtesy of the artist

The Cali-based indie four-piece of Warpaint will be playing tonight at Union Transfer. Known for their ethereal psych-rock songs, the band is sure to put on a dreamy show that is not to be missed. The women of Warpaint just released their new album Heads Up in late September. Playing with them will be the fellow Los Angeles natives of the band Facial. For tickets and more information on this all ages event, click here.  Continue reading →

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“My F’in Night at the Opera”: Iggy Pop channels the spirit of ’77 at the Academy of Music

Iggy Pop | photo by Wendy McCardle for WXPN | wendymccardle.com
Iggy Pop | photo by Wendy McCardle for WXPN | wendymccardle.com

This story begins on March 19, 1977. It’s the day after the release of Iggy Pop‘s solo debut, The Idiot, and he’s performing at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia with his collaborator and producer, David Bowie. Also in attendance is my concert connoisseur / photographer mother, Nancy. She has brought her camera, hoping to catch photos of Bowie but unwittingly bearing witness to a musical partnership that would connect Iggy Pop to another musical brethren decades later.

Fast forward forty years – I’m standing in front of the Academy of Music, waiting for my turn to photograph Iggy Pop. Continue reading →

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Tonight’s Concert Picks: Songhoy Blues at Arden Guild Hall, Iggy Pop at Academy of Music, La Santa Cecilia at World Cafe Live at The Queen, and more…

Songhoy Blues
Songhoy Blues | photo courtesy of the artist

Songhoy Blues, a desert blues quartet from Timbuktu in Mali, released their debut album Music In Exile in March of 2015, and they will be performing tonight at the Arden Guild Hall. Opening the show will be Philly locals Ill Fated Natives. For tickets and more information, check out the XPN Concert Calendar. Continue reading →

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Listen to Iggy Pop’s Post Pop Depression via NPR Music

Iggy Pop | photo by Andreas Neumann | via NPR

Rock and roll wild man Iggy Pop may be winding down his career in music, according to news reports, but he’s leaving fans with a final outing: Post Pop Depression, recorded with Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and members of The Arctic Monkeys. The record is out on March 18th and streaming this week in its entirety via NPR Music’s First Listen series.

Writing for NPR, Jason Heller called the record introspective, vulnerable and nostalgic, hearkening back to Pop’s collaborations with David Bowie on The Idiot and Lust for Life. Continue reading →

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Just Announced: Iggy Pop and Josh Homme will bring Post Pop Depression to the Academy of Music

Iggy Pop and Josh Homme | image courtesy of the artist
Iggy Pop and Josh Homme | image courtesy of the artist

After surprising the music world with their secret Post Pop Depression collaboration, the pairing of punk icon Iggy Pop and modern rock fave Josh Homme (of Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal) announced a limited run of shows in support of the album – including one at the Academy of Music on Friday, April 15th. Continue reading →

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Morrissey is coming to the Academy of Music

Morrissey. Photo via facebook.com/morrissey
Morrissey. Photo via facebook.com/morrissey

To follow up his performance at Firefly in Dover, Morrissey will bring his signature melancholy melodies to the Academy of Music.

The former Smiths frontman will perform on June 20. Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 22 (which, coincidentally, is Morrissey’s birthday). Continue reading →

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Illumination: Sufjan Stevens at Academy of Music

Sufjan Stevens | Photo by Jeremy Zimmerman | http://jeremy-zim.com/
Sufjan Stevens | Photo by Jeremy Zimmerman | http://jeremy-zim.com/

Have you ever seen truth so real that it physically hurts? A burning brand, slowly pressing into your chest, purifying the cavern of your existence? I have—and truth came Thursday night, not with angel wings or capes or neon halos, but in denim jacket and trucker cap, meekly strumming an acoustic guitar. The first time I saw Sufjan Stevens—years ago—it broke something within me. Something I don’t want fixed. And I think that brokenness allows truth in, even though it’s bitterly painful. Thursday night at the Academy of Music, I embraced the truth and pain and beauty of Sufjan Steven’s life and career. Continue reading →

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The Decemberists bring pageantry and passion to the Academy of Music

The Decemberists | Photo by Chris Sikich | countfeed.tumblr.com
The Decemberists | Photo by Chris Sikich | countfeed.tumblr.com

A gust of drums and a deluge of syllables packaged in an ever-expanding novella of a song. These were my feelings when I first heard The Decemberists’ “The Infanta” back in 2005. The opening track to Picaresque, the song, the album and the band all resurrected my love for music. And to hear this song performed by the 2015 incarnation of the Portland, Oregon-based indie eccentrics this past Tuesday at the Academy of Music was as exhilarating as it was the first time on CD. Before a sell-out crowd the Colin Meloy-led quintet were as captivating as ever. Continue reading →