Scottish indie pop band Belle and Sebastian just announced an upcoming stop at the Tower Theater. Coming June 9, this concert will mark almost two years since the group’s magical performance at the Mann Center.
Tickets will go on sale Friday, Jan. 16 at noon, just a few days before the release of their ninth studio album, Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance, via Matador Records. Continue reading →
The last time I saw Cruisr (then known as Cruiser) they were the first opener for a show at the North Star Bar with Shorty Boy Boy headlining. There were about 15 people watching their set. Here at The Key we have loved Cruisr from the start, but it is safe to say they are catching on in a big way. Continue reading →
“Summer’s gone, now winter’s on it’s way,” cooed Josiah Johnson, lead singer of The Head and the Heart. “I will miss those days we had.” Friday night was rainy and cold, far removed from the days of summertime. Making the chilly trip out to Upper Darby to see Johnson’s Americana-storytelling folksters at the Tower was a great reminder that winter is indeed right around the corner, just like the lyrics of “Winter Song” mournfully recall. Continue reading →
Philly indie-pop foursome Cruisr just released their music video for their upbeat anthem “All Over” via BuzzFeed today. The track’s cheerful demeanor is mirrored in the video’s bright-colored aesthetics and seamless transitions. Utilizing snippets from iconic movies, some of which include Pulp Fiction and The Shining, the video animates the scenes with glowing pastels fitting the indie pop music to a T. Continue reading →
When Ryan Adams took the stage last night at the Tower Theater, many fans in the area around me stood up ready for some rock n roll and dancing. The crowd immediately behind them began shouting “Sit down! Sit down!” For once in my life, I think the those sitting down may have had a point: this was not going to be a raucous night, but something a little more mellow.
Many songs of the set were from Adams’ latest, eponymous album: a work that not only demonstrates his assuredness as a musician and songwriter but also indicted to me that he’s been listening to a lot of Tom Petty lately. Tom Petty’s got some barn burners, for sure, but it’s not what I put on when I want to rock the hell out.
That is not to say the show was not impressive: Adams’ opening song “Give Me Something Good,” gave me goosebumps and his voice sounded incredible. He and his band then tore into some tunes from his days with the Cardinals, among them “Let it Ride,” a Dead-esque “Magnolia Mountain, ” and “A Kiss Before I Go.” Continue reading →
“Ladies and gentleman, I regret to inform you that you’re already dead.”
These were the opening words of Steven Ellison—aka Flying Lotus—to the crowd at Upper Darby’s Tower Theater, as he stood shrouded behind a prism-like projector screen that could almost pass for a bullhorn. He followed that statement with a swift salvo of beats that sounded anything but dead, certainly never dull. Continue reading →
Italy’s JoyCut are bringing a world tour to Johnny Brenda’s tonight in support of its latest LP PiecesOfUsWereLeftOnTheGround. The Bologna-based electronic trio was introduced to wider audiences through tours with Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse, winning over crowds with their optimistically upbeat dark-wave compositions. Pieces was released on Italian label IRMA Records in 2013. Watch JoyCut perform “Wireless” and “Domino” live below. Tickets and information for the 21+ show with Bells and The Silence Kit can be found here. Continue reading →
To describe Steven Ellison, better known as the Los Angeles-bred Flying Lotus, with traditional signifiers is a pretty difficult endeavor. He’s not quite a jazz artist, although his pieces smack of the heavy-concept, free-form complexity that defines that genre in the 21st century. He’s not quite a hip-hop producer, although his rhythms derive from the canon of that world’s sonic tapestry and ground performances from superstar luminaries like Kendrick Lamar. And he’s not even an electronic artist, despite his heavy use of blippy synths and membership on the genre-defining (and -redefining) Warp Records label. Continue reading →
It’s going to be a party at 69th Street tonight when EDM poster boy Porter Robinson will be at the Tower Theater performing his debut album Worlds, which was met with mostly positive reviews from critics. As Rolling Stone states, “Although it doesn’t sound quite like EDM, Worlds manages to retain the thrilling rush of emotions that the best raves inspire.” Robinson’s music may not sound like typical electronic dance music, but there’s something about it that gives you a jolt of positive energy. With songs like “Sad Machine,” which you can check out below, Robinson manages to leave everyone feeling rejuvenated. Tickets and information for the show can be found here. Continue reading →
Porter Robinson‘s experiences as a teenager and young adult are pretty unique. At just 18 years old, one of Porter’s first singles, “Say My Name,” reached Beatport’s #1 spot, quickly followed by his follow-up, “I’m On Fire.” After the resulting explosion onto the electronic scene back in 2010, Porter kept the momentum going, playing festivals all around the world, including multiple Ultra and Electric Daisy iterations. Continue reading →
