.pharmakon @ philamoca

Pharmakon and her equipment

I'm going to be honest this show was not what I expected. Pushing my musical boundaries most people would not expect me to like or listen to this type of music. When I first heard of Pharmakon I found her biography fascinating, how she incorporated sound with a battle against her body at the time and the psyche (how the mind can leave the body). My copy of "Contact" came in the mail a week prior to the show and those songs are so damn creepy. Requiem for a Dream is my least favorite movie that haunts me to this day so listening to music that sounds as though it could be on that soundtrack is pushing my boundaries. I wasn't sure what type of crowd would come out, I knew I would be the dorkiest of dorks attending this. 

There were two openers. S-1 reminded me of bands I saw in the First Unitarian Church when Sheer Mag played a show waaay back when. The lead singer came on the floor in front of the stage and people started to mosh. However, she never left the front of the stage and just moved about. It wasn't so out of control but some of the guys in the audience were getting rowdy. I could tell some of the female band members were almost rolling eyes hearing their "WOOOO!" and comments after a song. The next opener was Dreamcrusher. Being shy, sensitive, and not liking my personal space invaded I was really uncomfortable during this set. I understand that bands like to challenge their audience but not like this. When you spend 90% of the set off the stage, walking in the audience screaming in faces with your mic and pushing people that doesn't make for a comfortable situation at all. I'm guessing that's the aesthetic he was going for but it wasn't my cup of tea. During the entire set I stayed back against the wall hoping not to be victim of this guy's anger / set. There were a few other women just like me in the same position that I could tell felt uncomfortable.

Retreating to the balcony lol

When Pharmakon came out she did the same thing but was not as aggressive nor touched the audience. After a while this got to me so I waited for a moment when she went back to the stage to escape and retreat up to the balcony. This lasted for only one or two songs as her set ended. Despite my not so positive experience her equipment was really fascinating. Unfortunately everything conked out early on in her set and boy was she mad. Finally after two minutes things got going. I think she felt really flustered but the audience was really patient and understanding. 

As I exited the venue I thought that maybe this show wasn't the greatest idea. No offense to her fans, it's just not for me. I'd rather just listen and support via vinyl. When I crossed the street to walk past Union Transfer I heard the dreamy sounds of Perfume Genius (I passed on tickets) infiltrating the crisp air outside and thought, "Maybe I made the wrong decision tonight..."

.new pornographers @ union transfer

Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee

I don't own any New Pornographers albums or cds. My friends used to put songs of theirs on my mix tapes back in college. Liking what I heard I figured this would be a really great show and it was. Waxahatchee opened and performed songs off of her new anticipated album, "Out in the Storm." XPN has been playing a lot of "No Curse" lately and it's so good. I discovered Waxahatchee when Sleater-Kinney played their 5 nights in NY. The Crutchfield sisters are both super talented and amazing. It's funny because I see either one or both of them in the audience of concerts my friend and I attend in Philly. It's awesome to see them support other local bands.
 

Outer space or Union Transfer? You decide!

There were signs outside of Union Transfer claiming no photography during the performance. Even before the band set foot on stage there was an announcement reminding the audience of this. I didn't mind because I really enjoyed the show and it gave me the chance to really focus in on their performance. I know a lot of us get lost in our phones and taking the perfect shots. Recently I've gotten better at this and only take a couple 2-3 times during the performance. The audience was amazing. What a bunch of super friendly, chill, and low-key fans. Nothing beats that. When all of the members of New Pornographers came out it was mesmerizing! It honestly felt like I attended a concert in outer-space, really out of this world. I still cannot stop thinking about it. Before their encore I had to nab a quick picture of the stage since the lighting and neon colors fit the atmosphere of their new album. Another bonus, when I purchased my tickets for this concert, you get a free download of their new album. Excellent! Here is the set list...

SET LIST:
HIGH TICKET ATTRACTIONS
THE LAWS HAVE CHANGED
TWIN CINEMA
MOVES
COLOSSEUMS
DANCEHALL DOMINE
THE FAKE HEADLINES
WHITEOUT CONDITIONS
CHAMPIONS OF RED WINE
ADVENTURES IN SOLITUDE
ALL THE OLD SHOWSTOPPERS
THIS IS THE WORLD OF THE THEATER
BACKSTAIRS
TESTAMENT TO YOUTH IN VERSE
SING ME SPANISH TECHNO
PLAY MONEY
SWEET TALK SWEET TALK
AVALANCHE ALLEY
MASS ROMANTIC
-----------------------------
CHALLENGERS
BILL BRUISERS
THE BLEEDING HEART SHOW

Neko Case recently tweeted someone's pet bird rocking out to "High Ticket Attractions" if you want a really good laugh. I've only listened to Whiteout Conditions once in it's entirety before the show and it's like I know all of the lyrics singing them back during the show. The songs are *that* catchy.

.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.

.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.

.philly and the arts

Teri! Le Butcherettes @ Underground Arts 2016

Despite a concert-less weekend (which is fine, I like to recharge!) I went to Ox Coffee off South Street. Here I popped in to check out "Sound Into Sight" my friend Chris's opening night of concert photography (to be displayed up until May). Many people may know Chris as "countfeed" on Instagram. He goes to numerous concerts and captures so many interesting moments (especially hair flying in the air as a cascading waterfall). Some of his photography includes Le Butcherettes, Sleater-Kinney, Radiohead, Bruce Springsteen, Screaming Females, Patti Smith, Adia Victoria, and more. As I perused his gallery I found myself saying, "Yes! I remember that show!" I chose this image (above) to upload on Instagram because it was the first concert where I met Chris, M.J., and other Philly concert friends. If you are in the area definitely stop by and check out his portraits or give him a follow on Instagram for live performance goodness...

.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. 

.peter murphy

Okay so I know very little about Peter Murphy. I know he was in Bauhaus since my friend taped me "She's in Parties" during my college years. I love the movie Box of Moonlight since Peter Murphy's "Cut You Up" is played during a really great scene. /end knowledge of Peter Murphy. Basically I attended the concert because my friend Nicole has ferocious love for PM and her friend couldn't make it. 

The one thing we were excited about was it being seated. After 6 nights of seeing shows back-to-back, I had a break on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday was this show, therefore I was over-the-moon to sit down. When we went into the room there were no seats. All of a sudden towards the side of the stage a metal barricade was put up but not completely enclosed. There was a small entry way we could squeeze through. The seats were not tagged "VIP" and there was no one guarding the entry. We took it upon ourselves to just sit and it was enjoyable! Neither of us were questioned or kicked out from the area. It was nice to catch Peter Murphy seated and a fantastic side-view from the stage. There were at least 3 times he came over to us (picture below captures this in blue) but we did not get to shake his hand. The best thing about this show (aside from Peter covering Bowie and Iggy) was seeing Nicole actually cry tears! She was completely immersed and in-the-moment. I was really happy for her <3
 
Sadly other people nabbed the set list and poor Nicole was left with the encore portion of the set list. She claimed "This doesn't mean shit to me but whatever! I'll take it!" We also found out from her set list he did not play all of the songs from the encore and did not come out for a third encore. Nicole was like "That fucker! I'm going to talk to him about this." But of course she said it with love. Here's what he played....

CASCADE
THE SECRET
INDIGO EYES
SISTER MIDNIGHT
ALL NIGHT LONG
MARLENE DIETRICH'S FAVOURITE POEM
LUST FOR LIFE
A STRANGE KIND OF LOVE
THE ROSE
KING VOLCANO
KINGDOM'S COMING
SILENT HEDGES
NEVER FALL OUT
GASLIT

ENCORE:
THE BEWLAY BROTHERS
ALL WE EVER WANTED WAS EVERYTHING
THE THREE SHADOWS PT 1
HOLLOW HILLS