land of talk @ boot and saddle

Half Waif

Land of Talk is back! Thanks to some friends I would've never checked the band out and I'm so glad I got into their music. The show was packed at Boot and Saddle. So much love in the audience at one point one of the fans shouted, "I'm so happy to be here!" But first, Half Waif! Half Waif I get to see again opening for Mitski this month. I'm excited because I really enjoyed their performance. The music reminded me of Psychic Twin a little bit who I really love. 

Liz came out and the whole place was exhilarated with boundless energy. It was so great to see Land of Talk for the first time, a lot of hardcore fans were there. Liz went off the stage and then came back for the encore, high-fiving us as she stepped back up to take her place behind the mic. She claimed she was looking forward to doing that. If you can read the upside-down set list below, bless. It was written on a napkin and someone beat me to it, otherwise it would've gone to a good friend.

.helium / mary timony @ boot and saddle

The cutest!

When I found out that Mary Timony was coming to Philly playing Helium songs I screamed and my voice became weepy as I exclaimed "Oh my god! Mary Timony!" It is so hard to find Helium vinyl and now with the 20th anniversary, cheers for the re-issues! Since her show sold out immediately a second show was added. Going to the later show there was no opener just MT and the band. So many familiar faces in the crowd it felt like home! Many people I met through Sleater-Kinney type bands that I talked to at previous concerts. It was nice to see everyone so excited over this whole ordeal.

She shreds!

Mary Timony came out in a lace black half-sleeved blouse which was funny because I put back an identical shirt in my closet a few hours earlier but we matched with gray high-top chucks. Witnessing her play guitar up close is like nothing I could have imagined. The first time I remember watching her plug away was through Wild Flag's Sonic Sessions on Youtube. That just blew me away when she would put the pick between her teeth and started tapping away. Her reach is incredible as her hand becomes a stretched out claw hitting those chords or plugging away. I think I shot 20 second videos of all my favorite Helium songs because I knew I wouldn't hear them live again. She was super smiley and appreciative of the audience. 

After her last song she blew kisses and like a dork I motioned the Wayne's World "We're not worthy!" with both of my hands. What a night! I finally properly met S-K fan Lisa and her son was rad, he asked for the set list and got it. Here were the songs she played. Out of all the songs I was happiest to hear "Vibrations." Looking at the DC set list I didn't see that song on there and thought she wouldn't play it. I was wrong. Three summers ago I discovered Mary Timony for the first time. I feel awful coming into the fandom so late but so grateful for this show! 

charly bliss @ boot and saddle

Yucky Duster

After a looooong hiatus from concerts I sort of returned this week with four. I know! Talk about toning it down. There were some I wanted tickets for but held off and tried not to overdo it. The first one of the week was Charly Bliss. The opening band was Yucky Duster from New York. The drummer was the one making all of the banter and comments which were really hysterical. They came highly recommended from a concert pal and followed her hype. Charly Bliss I heard good things about and listened to Guppy a few days before the show. I enjoyed all of the songs and their poppy playfulness. She is the cutest lil thing on stage. My favorite song is "Black Hole" and that was played about halfway through the set. You could tell the band was excited to play and just overjoyed to be there. They had some cute moments where they would form a stuck together three-some of guitars in different poses. Walking out I passed on the vinyl thinking I would buy a copy in the future. Honestly I should've purchased it that night. I nabbed the set list so here are the songs played...

SET LIST:
PERC
WESTERMARCK
MARBLE
VRGE
SCARE U
GATORADE
BLACK HOLE
RULY
HEAVEN
DQ
TURD
GLITTER
<3 ME

Here are some more pictures from the show...

.juliana hatfield @ boot & saddle

Laura Stevenson, you were wonderful!

 I've been a fan of Juliana Hatfield for a while. Most heavily in my late high school / early college days. This was my first time seeing her live so I was really excited. I was also excited to have Laura Stevenson open for her. The stars never aligned in seeing Stevenson because other shows always interfered. What I discovered is we apparently share a birthday and enjoy breakfast at the Silver Dollar in Cherry Hill. It was just Laura and her guitar, her songs about depression and break-ups. She politely squeezed in between me and another person to get to the stage. I failed to say "Great set" when she passed by me a second time. Words escaped me :(

In all her glory

There was an asshole couple in the crowd during the show. The girl clearly intoxicated and kept bumping into me. Finally they moved but to no avow got an extremely disapproving scolding from another fan in the crowd for being annoying. I could literally hear him shouting at them over Juliana's singing. As hoped, they stopped and moved back. Anyway, I arrived a little late because of parking and felt awkward squeezing up front. Literally I was four rows back but it looks like much further away from my pictures (which look grainy). Juliana kicked into "No Idols" and I was transported back to the early 90s, those carefree days. The woman still has it! She played a mix of older and then songs off of her new album "Pussycat." Her response to Donald Trump as President. Being good I restrained myself from merch and albums even though her tee-shirts were stylish. Looking at the tags on Instagram she has a handful of fans following her on this tour; taking pictures from the venues every night practically. Thanks Juliana Hatfield for making my 90s dream come true. I will read your book soon! Promise.

.diet cig @ boot and saddle

Alex with her cosmic guitar!

So much to update on I'm falling behind! I saw Diet Cig a while back. To find parking right near Boot & Saddle was amazing in itself. The opening bands were Hello Shark (caught the last 2 songs in the set) and Daddy Issues (in October I arrived late to Tacocat so I didn't see all of their set). I felt bad. The bassist had so many issues with her amp but it was finally fixed. I really enjoyed their set and hope to see them again soon.

Diet Cig I knew nothing about and went into cold. I really loved what I saw! Alex is the cutest and kicked her legs to the side jumping around like an excited jelly bean on the tiny stage. Towards the end of the set her and Daddy Issues covered Yellowcard's "Ocean Avenue." Diet Cig is coming back in May to promote their new album, I already bought my ticket and anticipate their return. The merch was so enticing I pretty much bought everything! They have pins (mine is pink with a cute cactus), cassettes, vinyl, and tees. I also have the set list in possession so (FINALLY A SET LIST!)....

Setlist:
BLOB
TUMMY
SLEEPTALK
BREATHLESS
SCENE SICK
MOTM
POOL BOYZ
16
LEO
DINNER
LINK
BATH
BARFDAY

Encore:
OCEAN AVE
HARVARD

My friend informed me Pitchfork reviewed their album and gave it a 5? I'm sorry but these songs completely encompass the way we feel in our late teens and early 20s. Whatever! Keep doing your thing Diet Cig.

.stef chura @ boot & saddle

This was a last minute concert but a nice surprise. The crowd was small but that made it all the better. I don't know much about Stef Chura to be honest. She's from Detroit. She toured with Sad13 along with other cool artists and is doing her own thing. She describes her style as grungy feminist finger-picky. That alone has me sold. Plus my concert friend and I have such similar taste in music, she came highly recommended to me.  

When the band entered the stage Stef Chura looked something like a walking J. Crew ad with her circular spectacles and preppy outfit. Don't mistake her style for sound though. A cross for me of my favorite 90s women. A lyricist like Liz Phair, a crooning like Angel Olsen, and a cadence like Kim Gordon. The songs are Sonic-Youth-y, with a poppy twist. Stef Chura just got back from SXSW and was exhausted. "I can't keep track of the days anymore." She asked the audience for a medium sized pick which was funny because she claimed to only need it for one song. Getting comfortable on stage she kicked her shoes off and had the crowd mesmerized. After the show I restrained from buying anything but would like to purchase her latest "Messes" on cassette tape. It's that good you can listen to it all the way through without skipping songs, each really worth a listen.

.january concerts

ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-Cherry Bomb!

I had three shows to attend this month but ended up going to two instead (bummed I missed Cate Le Bon but AT LEAST I saw her in May! Still heartbroken though). The first being Cherry Glazerr at PhilaMoca. I've never seen Cherry Glazerr live before and I didn't know much about her. I'm one of those people that doesn't really do my homework on bands at times. Having an air of mystery is exciting to me. At this show I did something different and tried the balcony on the side. It was a really neat view and you can just chill and pull up a chair to sit. Some guy had a good amount of space and was dancing, having his own Cherry Glazerr dance party. If you want to read a really great review of the show, go here. Perfect description of the night.

SETLIST:

Bundle package = amazing

SIP O'POISON
NUCLEAR BOMB
HAD TEN DOLLAZ
INSTAGRATIFICATION
APOCALIPSTICK
TOLD YOU I'D BE WITH THE GUYS
WHITE'S NOT MY COLOR THIS EVENING
STUPID FISH
TEENAGE GIRL
TRICK OR TREAT DANCEFLOOR
ONLY KID ON THE BLOCK
NURSE RATCHED
DADDI
GRILLED CHEESE
CHEWING CUD

Today I received my CG bundle package in the mail. You get a poster, her album, cd, and a rare 7" which consists of two songs "Territorial Pissings" and "Nuclear Bomb" (acoustic). The album is a white and red splatter which goes perfectly with her lipstick theme. She's a fireball of energy and if the Muppet Animal was reincarnated to play guitar, it's her. 

Tina in motion and rocking hardcore!

A few nights later there were charity concerts happening around Philly. It was hard because Ian Sweet was playing the same night as Sheer Mag but I decided to see Sheer Mag. My friend had a good point of seeing them in the past at venues where the sound wasn't great. Boot and Saddle has the best sound set-up and boy what a difference! Tina is always really amazing. The entire band is great fun and they enjoy playing. Plus they raised a lot of money for New Sanctuary of Philadelphia.

SETLIST:
INTRO
BUTTON UP
HARD LOVIN
SOPHIE
NOBODY'S BABY
SIT AND CRY
FEEL
WHAT YOU WANT
SUFFER
? (CAN'T MAKE IT OUT)
WORTH THE TEARS
CAN'T STOP FIGHTING
FAN THE FLAMES
POINT BREEZE

.ladyhawke

This was my first Ladyhawke concert. Back in the days of Myspace I think I first discovered her music. I didn't fully immerse myself until May when P showed me the video for "Love Song." Of course being a child of the 80s I completely loved the video and the song. I was completely sold. Ladyhawke also has a really interesting background and went through a lot during her childhood and 20s. Her lyrics are brutally honest, especially her songs off of Anxiety which explore this dark period in her life. But hooray! She made the trek all the way from New Zealand to visit us briefly this evening and tour a bit of the USA. Everyone there was excited to hear her new jams.

Boot and Saddle is one of my favorite venues. The sound is excellent and the room is tiny but intimate. Opening for Ladyhawke was Psychic Twin. If I could describe their sound it's ethereal new-wave. They are a cross between Florence and the Machine, Fear of Men, Cocteau Twins, with 80s beats. After a small handful of songs, their last song was performed with flashing white lights in a darkened room. I had to laugh because many people captured this song on their Instagram looking through the tags. After their performance I purchased two of their 7" albums since they don't have a full LP out yet. Both of them were sweethearts and thanked me for my purchase. I said I was so impressed that they were really great and to come back again.

Ladyhawke rocked it. The first thing you noticed on the stage was a neon sign resting on the floor that said "Ladyhawke Wild Things" with a neon lit palm tree. She kicked into a good number of songs and the crowd was loving it. Some songs she took out her tambourine others her yellow fender. At the end of the show she announced she would sign merch. Perfect. P held my place in one line while I went to purchase some things in the other. I bought her new album which is pastel yellow vinyl. Then I bought the tee shirt "Wild Things" that she actually sports on the vinyl's cover. They only had size L left but I did not care. Worse case scenario is sporting it like a dress with leggings underneath. Or, I could shrink it. Anyway here's her set list...

WILD THINGS
THE RIVER
GOLDEN GIRLS
ANOTHER RUNAWAY
MANIPULATING WOMAN
PROFESSIONAL SUICIDE
MAGIC
BACK OF THE VAN
LOVE DON'T LIVE HERE
BLUE EYES
DUSK TIL DAWN
SWEET FASCINATION
LET IT ROLL
A LOVE SONG
PARIS IS BURNING
MY DELIRIUM 

As we neared our little meet and greet, Ladyhawke graciously got in pictures with fans. She told me and P she'd stand in the middle of us. Ladyhawke signed our set lists. She also wrote messages on our albums. She asked me if I would like her to write out a message to me and asked my name. It was just a "d'awww" moment. P knicked the Ladyhawke poster in one of the bathroom stalls (dying because I saw it there first and figured she would take it) and had her sign it. Definitely check out her music videos too. "Delirium" has a Thelma and Louise vibe and is done partly in animated watercolors. 

.day wave

I was torn between seeing Day Wave and Parquet Courts since their shows were on the same night. I'm glad to have made this choice. Day Wave are a band I discovered through Vinyl Me Please. Jackson Phillips infuses beachy, shoe-gazey California sounds into upbeat little songs. It's a relaxing album to listen to on a Sunday afternoon or drive to the shore. Their opener was Joy Again who apparently live a few blocks from the venue. Their enthusiastic friend Bill was in the audience talking up the band the entire time. Bill actually came on stage and held up his pals shredding guitar in mid-air or ferociously bopping along to the beat. Everyone loved Bill. He was more entertaining than the band to be honest. 

Day Wave came out and were very appreciative of the crowd and the turn-out. We egged them on for an additional song at the end and they were kind enough to follow through. As they exited the stage many people from the audience shook their hands and offered them drinks. The videos I took came out really incredible, especially the sound. The band ended up liking my video on Instagram. This was also my first time at Boot and Saddle. It's a very tiny venue but a really cool atmosphere. I can't wait to see Ladyhawke there in late June.