The culmination of music, beer and food in one spectacular celebration known as Bloktoberfest returns to Philadelphia today on South Street between Broad and 18th. The event, now in its fourth year, will have two stages set up with live acts including Toy Soldiers and Grandchildren; the full line-up can be found here. While participants must be 21 for a Beer Bracelet, Bloktoberfest is an all-ages free event, and it begins at noon. More information can be found here. Below, download Toy Soldiers’ single “Been Here All My Days.”
World Cafe Live at The Queen
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Tonight’s Concert Picks: Gemini Wolf opening for The Octopus Project at North Star Bar, Spirit & Dust at The Fire, Sonny Landreth at WCL Wilmington
Innovative Philadelphia electro-pop group Gemini Wolf is opening for The Octopus Project tonight at North Star Bar. Gemini Wolf, which is made of Megan Cauley and Michael McDermott (who perform under the names Pandar and Mikronesia, respectively) released a 2011 LP Infinite Sand Dunes following their 2010 remix album, Rare But Serious Side Effects. The 21+ show tonight begins at 9 PM and more details can be found here. Below you can listen to Infinite Sand Dunes in its entirety.
Mike Doughty plays Low, Red House Painters, John Denver on covers album (coming to World Cafe Live at The Queen)
Consummate music nerd Mike Doughty has always been known for impromptu song renditions and pop-culture references that punctuate his live set. This fall, he’s recorded them for posterity, and will release them as the album The Flip Is Another Honey on Snack Bar / Megaforce Records on November 6. The set will feature versions of songs by John Denver, Red House Painters, Low and Cheap Trick, as well as two new originals. Check out his version of “Take Me Home Country Roads” and the opening original track “Sunshine” below, as well as the full LP track listing. WXPN Welcomes Mike Doughty to World Cafe Live at the Queen on Saturday, October 13. The all-ages show begins at 8 p.m., tickets and information are available here.
Tonight’s Concert Picks: ∆ (Alt-J) at Johnny Brenda’s, William Elliott Whitmore at Underground Arts, Field Report at World Cafe Live at the Queen, Cheers Elephant at Steel City, Danelia Cotton at Sellersville Theater
Buzzing UK four-piece ∆ (that translates into English as Alt-J) plays its first Philly show tonight at Johnny Brenda’s. Moving in similar midtempo electronic / pop territory as The xx and The Notwist, the band is set to release its debut full-length An Awesome Wave on Tuesday, September 18. For now, you can stream the album below. The 21+ show begins at 8:30 tonight, admission is $12, tickets and more information are available here.
Beta Hi-Fi Part Two: The Districts, XVSK take top honors at The Queen
The annual Beta Hi-Fi emerging band competition continued last night with its first-ever installment in the vintage moviehouse grandeur of The Copeland Theater at Wilmington’s World Cafe Live at The Queen. Some random fun facts about this impressive space learned while taking my seat at the judge’s table: before opening in 2011, the Queen sat shuttered and unused on Market Street for over half a century. A reel of the last film shown there, 1959′s House on Haunted Hill, was still lodged in one of the projectors when renovation began. Spooky.
In addition to the notably different vibe of the setting, the lineup at The Queen’s Beta Hi-Fi finals was something else altogether from its northerly equivalent. While competing bands in Philly were chosen solely by audience vote, The Queen determined its last round through a mix of audience vote and panels of judges throughout the week – meaning some acts vying for top honors were unconventional and experimental, rather than purely being crowd-pleasers. Continue reading
Just Announced: Lucy Stone fall tour dates (playing World Cafe Live at The Queen 9/20)
Lucy Stone and her band just announced new tour dates for the month of September, including shows supporting Rusted Root in the Northeast, Midwest, and Canada. Stone’s tour includes a stop at World Cafe Live at The Queen in Wilmington with Jen Creed on September 20th, as well as a TBA Philly show on September 28th. Tickets for the all-ages show at The Queen are on sale here for $10 and the show starts at 8 p.m. See Lucy Stone’s entire tour schedule and watch the band cover Young the Giant’s “My Body” below. Continue reading
Tonight’s Concert Picks: Kensington Picnic, Aloe Blacc, Oldermost, Sharon Little, and Spring Standards
Summer time is for being outdoors, eating ice cream, and enjoying time with friends. You can experience that all today at the Kensington Picnic on Frankford Ave. between Susquehanna and Dauphin Street. It’s a folk-y phenomenon with performances from Meg Baird, Steve Gunn, Birds of Maya, Blues Control, and more. This free show kicks off at 1 p.m. and will go till’ it’s over. Bring your picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs for a perfect summer day. You can find more info on the picnic’s event page.
American descendant of Panamanian parents, Aloe Blacc grew up in Los Angeles and became invested in the California hip hop scene. He worked in troupes such as Emanon and Jazz Liberatorz, and began his solo career in 2006. He has released two LP’s that evoke his R&B style underneath his eclectic singing and rapping skills. He plays tonight at the TLA at 7 p.m. Tickets to this all ages show are $20. Below watch Aloe Blacc’s video for “I Need A Dollar”.
Philadelphians Oldermost produce beautifully-crafted melodies drizzled with soft-spoken vocals, delicate piano strokes and steady rhythmic drumming. You can listen to their EP Lose Your Mind on their bandcamp page. Their warm energy will be flowing tonight at Johnny Brenda’s, along with Capewrath and Daniel Ryan Belski. Tickets to this 21+ show are $10, grab yours here. Doors open at 8 p.m.
The Candlight Concert for Epilepsy Awareness is a concert series taking place in Pennington, NJ. It is a chance to raise funds and awareness about the effects of epilepsy. Tonight’s feature is righteous soulful singer Sharon Little. She recently released her sophomore album, Paper Doll. Catch her tonight at the concert while donating to a worthy cause at the same time. Doors are at 7 p.m., show at 8; tickets are $15. And if you can’t make it out to the show, you can stream it live on StageIt.com.
WXPN welcomes The Spring Standards CD Release Show to World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington, DE. They released their double EP Yellow // Gold, and it reflects their memories of growing up as folksinger children and provides a snapshot living life today in the big city. Also playing tonight is Wilmington’s own, The Spinto Band. The show starts at 8 p.m, tickets are $18-20. Below watch The Spring Standard’s official video for “Heavy Home” off the EP.