The Key » The Electric Factory http://thekey.xpn.org Discover Philly's Best Local Music Sat, 18 May 2013 03:04:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Copyright WXPN, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Just Announced: City and Colour to play The Electric Factory on 9/18 http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/04/08/just-announced-city-and-colour-to-play-the-electric-factory-on-918/ http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/04/08/just-announced-city-and-colour-to-play-the-electric-factory-on-918/#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:59:55 +0000 Julie Miller http://thekey.xpn.org/?p=74948 City ColourCanadian singer-songwriter Dallas Green brings his City and Colour project to The Electric Factory on September 18th.  The former Alexisonfire guitarist / vocalist released his critically acclaimed Little Hell LP in 2011 and will follow it up this year with The Hurry and The Harm, set for a June 4th release and recorded in Nashville.  Tickets for the September show will go on sale Saturday, April 13th.  More information will be available here.  Below, listen to “Of Space and Time” from the new album and listen back to City and Colour’s World Cafe session here.

]]> http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/04/08/just-announced-city-and-colour-to-play-the-electric-factory-on-918/feed/ 0 R5 Productions announce This Is Hardcore 2013 line-up with GWAR, Kid Dynamite, Ceremony and more (happening at The Electric Factory 8/8 to 8/11) http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/04/01/r5-productions-announce-this-is-hardcore-2013-line-up-with-gwar-kid-dynamite-ceremony-and-more-happening-at-the-electric-factory-88-to-811/ http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/04/01/r5-productions-announce-this-is-hardcore-2013-line-up-with-gwar-kid-dynamite-ceremony-and-more-happening-at-the-electric-factory-88-to-811/#comments Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:45:55 +0000 Julie Miller http://thekey.xpn.org/?p=74478
Kid Dynamite at the Church in February of 2000 | Photo by Andy Somnifac

Kid Dynamite in 2001 | Photo by Andy Somnifac

It’ll be a clash of the hardcore titans past and present at the 2013 This Is Hardcore festival, as metal and punk bands join forces for the four day event at The Electric Factory from August 8th to August 11th.  View the first round of billed acts on the flyer here; highlights include including GWAR, Philadelphia’s Kid Dynamite, and Black Train Jack, more are TBA.  Tickets and information can be found here.  Below, watch a video of Kid Dynamite’s first show ever from 1998.

]]> http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/04/01/r5-productions-announce-this-is-hardcore-2013-line-up-with-gwar-kid-dynamite-ceremony-and-more-happening-at-the-electric-factory-88-to-811/feed/ 0 Tonight’s Concert Picks: XPN Welcomes Thao & The Get Down Stay Down at Underground Arts, Candice Martello at the First Unitarian Church Side Chapel, Garbage at The Electric Factory http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/03/23/tonights-concert-picks-xpn-welcomes-thao-the-get-down-stay-down-at-underground-arts-candice-martello-at-the-first-unitarian-church-side-chapel-garbage-at-the-electric-factory/ http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/03/23/tonights-concert-picks-xpn-welcomes-thao-the-get-down-stay-down-at-underground-arts-candice-martello-at-the-first-unitarian-church-side-chapel-garbage-at-the-electric-factory/#comments Sat, 23 Mar 2013 14:42:38 +0000 Julie Miller http://thekey.xpn.org/?p=73537 ThaoXPN welcomes Thao & The Get Down Stay Down to Underground Arts tonight.  Touring in support of their third full-length We the Common, the San Francisco group is a socially-aware folk band working under the guise of dance-happy indie pop concoctions.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside can be found here.  Below, watch Thao perform the title track to the new LP at a rally in support of the women inside Central California’s Women’s Facility and download the album cut.

Local singer-songwriter Candice Martello opens for Amor de Dias at the First Unitarian Church Side Chapel.  You may recognize her if you were at The Fire on March 13th, as she is one half of reunited Philly punk duo Omar (and keeps busy with Ghost Light) but tonight’s set will feature Martello in her solo capacity.  With a new record coming out sometime this year, Martello’s music stays with you long after it ends, balancing between acoustic folk and indie pop.  Tickets and information for the all-ages show can be found here.  Below, stream and download “Out On Your Own” from the upcoming full-length.

Nineties alt-rockers Garbage bring their tour to The Electric Factory tonight.  The instantly-popular band found continued success with its  sophomore record Version 2.0, which received two Grammy Award nominations in 1999.  Following a seven year hiatus, the Wisconsin-formed band of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and Americans Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig released Not Your Kind of People last May through their own label.  Tickets and information for tonight’s all-ages show can be found here.  Watch the video for “Blood for Poppies” below.

]]> http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/03/23/tonights-concert-picks-xpn-welcomes-thao-the-get-down-stay-down-at-underground-arts-candice-martello-at-the-first-unitarian-church-side-chapel-garbage-at-the-electric-factory/feed/ 0 Tonight’s Concert Picks: Man Man at Union Transfer, Beach Fossils with Heavy Medical at Johnny Brenda’s, Penrose at Underground Arts, Erykah Badu at The Electric Factory http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/03/02/tonights-concert-picks-man-man-at-union-transfer-beach-fossils-with-heavy-medical-at-johnny-brendas-penrose-at-underground-arts-erykah-badu-at-the-electric-factory/ http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/03/02/tonights-concert-picks-man-man-at-union-transfer-beach-fossils-with-heavy-medical-at-johnny-brendas-penrose-at-underground-arts-erykah-badu-at-the-electric-factory/#comments Sat, 02 Mar 2013 14:59:53 +0000 Julie Miller http://thekey.xpn.org/?p=71183 389640_10150850829721277_1335692574_nLocal wild men Man Man close out a month long national tour at Union Transfer tonight.  About to release their fifth studio album this summer, the eclectic rock outfit talked to The Key’s Kate Bracaglia recently about pre-show tea drinking rituals, Instagram posts and the “natural progression” of the new album from 2011′s standout Life Fantastic.  Tickets and information for tonight’s all-ages show with Murder By Death and Northern Arms can be found here.  Stream and download “Mayan Nights” from Man Man below. UPDATE: tonight’s Man Man show is sold out.

Indie shoegaze / pop outfit Beach Fossils headline Johnny Brenda’s tonight.  According to an interview with Village Voice, frontman Dustin Payseur wrote 75 songs for the band’s just-released LP Clash the Truth before paring that number down to the fourteen found on the tracklist.  The final version of the album floats from basement-y shoegazing punk to gauzy pop, all within the sublime confines of a beachy vibe.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with local bass / drum duo Heavy Medical can be found here.  Stream the title track from Clash the Truth below.

This week’s Unlocked feature with Penrose culminates tonight with a show at Underground Arts. The local blues / rock trio is celebrating the release of Circe, an album steeped in Greek mythology and blues traditions dealing with existential and philosophical themes.  Recorded with Bill Moriarty, Circe is the band’s second full-length, following up 2010′s Devil’s Grip.  Learn more about what went into making the record in our interview with the brothers here, then read the review here.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Levee Drivers, The Lawsuits and St. James & The Apostles can be found here.  Stream and download “Life of Mud” from the new LP below.

Erykah Badu will perform her debut album Baduizm at The Electric Factory tonight.  The soul / jazz singer-songwriter and activist was a prominent member of the Soulquarians in New York alongside Questlove, Robert Glasper and Bilal and she is credited with sparking the neo-soul genre with her first record, for which she won two Grammy Awards in 1998.  Badu’s most recent release was 2010′s New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh).  Tickets and information for tonight’s all-ages show can be found here.  Watch the video for “On & On” from Baduizm below.

]]> http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/03/02/tonights-concert-picks-man-man-at-union-transfer-beach-fossils-with-heavy-medical-at-johnny-brendas-penrose-at-underground-arts-erykah-badu-at-the-electric-factory/feed/ 0 Just Announced: Tame Impala playing The Electric Factory on 6/19; tickets onsale Saturday http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/02/05/just-announced-tame-impala-playing-the-electric-factory-on-619-tickets-onsale-saturday/ http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/02/05/just-announced-tame-impala-playing-the-electric-factory-on-619-tickets-onsale-saturday/#comments Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:53:41 +0000 John Vettese http://thekey.xpn.org/?p=68001

Photo by Eric Ashleigh | showtographe.com

Australian psych rockers Tame Impala are swinging around for a second run of U.S. dates this spring, and we just got word that this includes an appearance at Philly’s Electric Factory – a healthy step up for them – on Wednesday, June 19. Tickets for the all-ages show go on sale this Saturday, February 8, at noon. The band just released a half-animated (but nonetheless NSFW) video for “Mind Mischief,” a track from their 2012 album Lonerism. In it, a student goes on a wild fantasy ride with his teacher – complete with illustrations out of Pink Floyd’s The Wall. Check it out below.

]]> http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/02/05/just-announced-tame-impala-playing-the-electric-factory-on-619-tickets-onsale-saturday/feed/ 0 Tonight’s Concert Picks: XPN Welcomes Freelance Whales to The Abbey Bar, Dave Hause opening for Flogging Molly at The Electric Factory, XPN Welcomes The Stray Birds to World Cafe Live, Sour Mash at City Tap House http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/31/tonights-concert-picks-xpn-welcomes-freelance-whales-to-the-abbey-bar-dave-hause-opening-for-flogging-molly-at-the-electric-factory-xpn-welcomes-the-stray-birds-to-world-cafe-live-sour-mash-at-c/ http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/31/tonights-concert-picks-xpn-welcomes-freelance-whales-to-the-abbey-bar-dave-hause-opening-for-flogging-molly-at-the-electric-factory-xpn-welcomes-the-stray-birds-to-world-cafe-live-sour-mash-at-c/#comments Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:33:45 +0000 Julie Miller http://thekey.xpn.org/?p=67332 Brooklyn indie kids Freelance Whales head out to Harrisburg for a show at The Abbey Bar tonight.  The quintet followed up their 2009 debut with Diluvia last year.  The sophomore effort sees Freelance Whales expanding their sound and their narrative with more intricate arrangements and a complex sci-fi concept running through the tracks.  What hasn’t changed with the new release is the band’s accessible and appealing indie pop sound that got the buzz started in 2009.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Hundred Waters can be found here.  Below, watch the video for “Spitting Image.”

Philadelphia’s Dave Hause will open for Flogging Molly tonight at The Electric Factory.  The former roadie started local punk outfit The Loved Ones in 2004 with Mike Sneeringer (also of Purling Hiss) and Michael Cotterman (formerly of Kid Dynamite) while working on what would become his solo debut Resolutions in 2009.  In 2012 Hause released a series of five EPs, each featuring two new versions of Resolutions tracks alongside covers of labelmates’ songs.  Tickets and information for tonight’s all-ages show can be found here.  Watch the video for “C’mon Kid” below and download an acoustic version from The Key archives here.

XPN welcomes The Stray Birds to World Cafe Live upstairs tonight.  The Lancaster trio craft honest, traditionally-based folk music with tight harmonies, wandering fiddle solos and a knack for writing both emotionally charged and fun, lighthearted lyrics.  For this week’s Key Studio Session, The Stray Birds shared four songs from 2012′s self-titled LP and one from 2010′s Borderline EP; stream and download the session here.  Tickets and information for tonight’s show with Beaucoup Blue can be found here.  Below, watch The Stray Birds perform “Dream in Blue” for Folk Alley.

Sour Mash are one of those rambling, hardworking bands that are difficult to pin down because they never stop moving.  But that’s a good thing for us because it means they’re always playing their fast-paced, smile crackin’ bluegrass somewhere.  Tonight, it’s at City Tap House for a show presented by T.J. Kong.  For more information, visit the Facebook event page here.  Below, watch the local band perform “How Mountain Girls Can Love” and stream the newly posted Sour Mash EP on their Bandcamp here.

]]> http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/31/tonights-concert-picks-xpn-welcomes-freelance-whales-to-the-abbey-bar-dave-hause-opening-for-flogging-molly-at-the-electric-factory-xpn-welcomes-the-stray-birds-to-world-cafe-live-sour-mash-at-c/feed/ 0 Tonight’s Concert Picks: Cat Power at The Electric Factory, Musiq Soulchild at The Blockley, Tiger Waves at Kung Fu Necktie http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/30/tonights-concert-picks-cat-power-at-the-electric-factory-musiq-soulchild-at-the-blockley-tiger-waves-at-kung-fu-necktie/ http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/30/tonights-concert-picks-cat-power-at-the-electric-factory-musiq-soulchild-at-the-blockley-tiger-waves-at-kung-fu-necktie/#comments Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:33:49 +0000 Julie Miller http://thekey.xpn.org/?p=67133

Photo by Austin Conroy

Indie pop favorite Cat Power headlines The Electric Factory tonight.  Singer, songwriter and Georgia native Chan Marshall released her first album of original material since 2006 last year with Sun, following up 2008′s covers record Jukebox and 2006′s The Greatest.  Unlike many new releases, Marshall announced the title of Sun back in 2006 when work initially started.  Departing from her previously introverted, quiet and often sad sound, Marshall incorporated bright electronic layers and a tougher vocal style on Sun to trumpet her return.  Tickets and information for tonight’s all-ages show can be found here.  Below, watch the video for “Cherokee.”

R&B artist Musiq Soulchild will be at The Blockley tonight.  The local soul singer-songwriter, born Taalib Johnson, has released six studio albums and is currently touring behind 2011′s MusiqInTheMagiq.  Getting his start in jazz clubs, at open mic nights and busking in the streets of Philadelphia, the Grammy nominated artist became known as Musiq by the people who saw him regularly.  He added Soulchild later, as an homage to his soul influences including James Brown and Stevie Wonder.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 18+ show with Selina Carrera and Suzann Christine can be found here.  Watch the video for “Anything” from MusiqInTheMagiq below.

Austin daze-pop outfit Tiger Waves play Kung Fu Necktie tonight.  The young band blends classic structures with country harmonies and lush arrangements for a sound reminiscent of 60s psychedelia.  With a handful of singles, two EPs and a full-length released within the span of a year and half, Tiger Waves are a hardworking, fast moving band with a dedicated following (their current tour is being funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign).  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Goodnight Lights and You You Dark Forest can be found here.  Tiger Waves just released “Fields” b/w “A Smile & A Smirk” a few weeks ago – listen to the tracks below.

]]> http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/30/tonights-concert-picks-cat-power-at-the-electric-factory-musiq-soulchild-at-the-blockley-tiger-waves-at-kung-fu-necktie/feed/ 0 Photo Recap: The xx and Austra at The Electric Factory http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/28/photo-recap-the-xx-and-austra-at-the-electric-factory/ http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/28/photo-recap-the-xx-and-austra-at-the-electric-factory/#comments Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:00:30 +0000 John Vettese http://thekey.xpn.org/?p=66999 The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich The xx | Photo by Chris Sikich Austra | Photo by Chris Sikich Austra | Photo by Chris Sikich Austra | Photo by Chris Sikich UK downbeat electronic group The xx played for a sold-out crowd at The Electric Factory last night, making up for a rescheduled date from back in October. The band played songs from its 2012 album coexist, as well as its 2009 self-titled debut, and was preceded by an opening set from Toronto synth pop artist Austra. Check out a recap of the evening in the photo gallery above.

]]> http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/28/photo-recap-the-xx-and-austra-at-the-electric-factory/feed/ 0 Tonight’s Concert Picks: Ellie Goulding at The Electric Factory, Auctioneer with Ross Bellenoit at Puck, Leather at Kung Fu Necktie, Dope Body at The Depot, Riley Road at World Cafe Live at The Queen, XPN Welcomes Tommy Conwell to The Blockley http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/25/tonights-concert-picks-ellie-goulding-at-the-electric-factory-auctioneer-with-ross-bellenoit-at-puck-leather-at-kung-fu-necktie-dope-body-at-the-depot-riley-road-at-world-cafe-live-at-the-queen/ http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/25/tonights-concert-picks-ellie-goulding-at-the-electric-factory-auctioneer-with-ross-bellenoit-at-puck-leather-at-kung-fu-necktie-dope-body-at-the-depot-riley-road-at-world-cafe-live-at-the-queen/#comments Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:59:53 +0000 Julie Miller http://thekey.xpn.org/?p=66565 Following up her Free at Noon performance today, Ellie Goulding headlines the Electric Factory tonight.  The British electronic / pop musician released her LP Halcyon late last year after topping both BBC’s The Sound Of 2010 poll and the Critic’s Choice Award at The Brit Awards that same year. Blending infectious synth hooks and soulful singer-songwriter lyrics, Goulding has placed herself in the center of a resurging musical venn diagram that includes Lykke Li, Jesse Ware and Emeli Sande.  Tickets and information for tonight’s all-ages show can be found here.  Below, watch the video for Halcyon single “Anything Could Happen.”

Ross Bellenoit heads out to Puck Live with Auctioneer tonight.  Bellenoit is a local musician with a long list of collaborative partners, including Birdie Busch, Ben Arnold and Sun Airway.  His most recent solo record was 2012′s Home Songs, Volume 3, the third part of an EP trilogy released over the course of last year.  The multi-instrumentalist will be joined by Philly’s Auctioneer, the experiemental pop project of Craig Hendrix that began in 2011. Auctioneer participated in Weathervane Music’s Shaking Through series last year, recording the sonic mosaic “Our Future Faces.”  Check out the full episode here, and watch Ross Bellenoit’s video for “Besides” below.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show in Doylestown can be found here.

Philadelphia’s Leather play Kung Fu Necktie tonight.  The hardcore quartet have been slowly spilling details for their upcoming album, hinting at twenty minutes of music and artwork by a local photographer.  What we also know is that the record is going to be a heavy-hitting punch of rock, based on the tracks uploaded to the band’s YouTube account.  Stream “Zek” from 2011 below.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Antwon and Heathen Reign can be found here.

Noise rockers Dope Body have a free show at The Depot in York, PA tonight.  The Baltimore outfit are touring behind 2012′s Natural History LP, an effort that showed growth from the Drag City signees and somehow managed to walk a line between headbanging thrash rock and colorful bursts of angular (and at times dance-able) math rock.  Tonight they share the stage with Roomrunner and Peals at the 21+ up show – more information can be found here.  Below, stream “Twice the Life” from Natural History.

Phoenixville indie blues rock band Riley Road return to World Cafe Live at The Queen tonight.  After taking first place at the Beta Hi Fi Emerging Music Festival in Philadelphia this past summer, the local trio has continued to work on their already-impressive, classic rock-influenced foundation that was started when the band members met at Phoenixville’s Rock and Roll After School program.  Tonight Riley Road will be joined by Wilmington Beta Hi Fi winners and local favorites The Districts.  Tickets and information can be found here.  Stream Riley Road’s new single “Better Man” below.

XPN welcomes Tommy Conwell to The Blockley tonight.  Conwell was a focal point of the 80s rock scene in Philadelphia when he fronted The Young Rumblers.  The leather-clad heartthrobs reunited this past holiday season for their third annual post-Thanksgiving concert, but not before Conwell stopped in for a Key Studio Session where he recorded an acoustic set including Young Rumblers’ hit “I’m Not Your Man.”  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Jeffrey Gaines can be found here.  Below, watch the original video for “I’m Not Your Man” and stream / download the acoustic Key Studio Session version (along with three other tracks) here.

]]> http://thekey.xpn.org/2013/01/25/tonights-concert-picks-ellie-goulding-at-the-electric-factory-auctioneer-with-ross-bellenoit-at-puck-leather-at-kung-fu-necktie-dope-body-at-the-depot-riley-road-at-world-cafe-live-at-the-queen/feed/ 0 Tonight’s Concert Picks: Band of Horses at Electric Factory, Former Belle at Milkboy Philly, Polyphonic Spree Holiday Show at The Troc, Rob, Lately at The Fire http://thekey.xpn.org/2012/12/14/tonights-concert-picks-band-of-horses-at-electric-factory-former-belle-at-milkboy-philly-polyphonic-spree-holiday-show-at-the-troc-rob-lately-at-the-fire/ http://thekey.xpn.org/2012/12/14/tonights-concert-picks-band-of-horses-at-electric-factory-former-belle-at-milkboy-philly-polyphonic-spree-holiday-show-at-the-troc-rob-lately-at-the-fire/#comments Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:21:40 +0000 Skye Leppo http://thekey.xpn.org/?p=61210 XPN Welcomes Seattle Americana rockers Band of Horses to the Electric Factory tonight. The band’s fourth studio album, Mirage Rock, was released in September, this time with a fresh approach to meticulously recording everything live to tape. The band has undergone several member swaps since the release of 2004′s Everything All The Time, but currently tours as a five-piece fronted by Ben Bridwell. Tickets to tonight’s all-ages show can be found on our concert calendar here; the performance starts at 8:30. Watch the video for “Knock, Knock” from Mirage Rock below.

Following the release of two EPs in 2011, Sounds From The Ground and Ancient Drum, Telford indie folk outfit Former Belle prepares for the release of their first full-length, Cathedral. You can catch Joseph Bruno and his buddies kicking around tonight at Milkboy Philly. The 21+ show starts at 9 PM; go here for tickets and information. Stream From The Ground Up here, and below you can listen to Former Belle perform “Shouldn’t Love.”

The Polyphonic Spree‘s Holiday showcase at The Trocadero is finally here! Come out and spread  holiday cheer as the pop / rock choral ensemble performs their collection of seasonal tidings tonight. The all-ages show starts at 7 PM; go here for tickets and information. Below, check out their newly released cover of John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”

Local five-piece powerpop act Rob, Lately is playing at The Fire tonight. The band, started by brothers Rob and Ryan Malloy, began playing together 2008 and released their finished full-length album Haunts this past July. You can check out Haunts here and find tickets to the show tonight at our concert calendar here. Below, watch Rob, Lately’s webcam performance of their new song, “Powdered Wig,”

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