girlpool @ union transfer

Dynamic duo of Girlpool

Third time's a charm seeing Girlpool. This time they played a much larger venue and had a back-up band which was an interesting addition to amplify their sound. Openers Lexie came out which was fronted by Greta Kline of Frankie Cosmos and Cleo played the drums. They were selling really cute home-made merch of pins and cards. Greta was so sweet and complimented my Girlpool shirt "Before the World was Big" at the merch stand. After Lexie was Hardly Art's Ian Sweet, a band I missed my chance of seeing in September of 2016. They were pretty good! I can't get over how tiny Jillian is though! 

Cleo and Harmony sounded even tighter this evening with the back-up band. They played so many old favorites (Emily, Before the World Was Big) but most off of the new album Powerplant. After the venue myself and some friends met Jillian and Cleo, it was amazing. I purchased the first Girlpool EP along with their new album. Cleo and Harmony signed their EP for me and signed other things as well for fans. Cleo was super nice and talked with a new concert friend we made outside of the venue. It was endearing. Definitely would go see them again.

.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.

.hinds

I'm kind of bummed about this particular show because of timing. See, Le Butcherettes were opening for At the Drive-In at 7:30 ten minutes away from this venue (not even). This show didn't start until 8:30 with Hinds not coming out until almost 10:00. StubHub was constantly fluxuating on ticket prices for ATDI. In the end I just decided not to go and here it would've totally worked out! Plus I still would've been able to catch a little of ATDI's performance. Oh well. I think I was nervous about not getting a front spot.

Going to Hinds was going in cold for me. I know NOTHING about the band except they are a garage band from Madrid who are adorable according to my friend and to go see them :) When they came out on stage I thought "Oh my goodness they are babies and look no older than 21!" So, Hinds babies. In all honesty they are not too shabby for younger musicians and they had so much fun on stage! My picture above accurately depicts their stage presence since they are all smiles the entire time. During their encore some people went up on stage and then everyone else joined in as well. Hinds didn't mind which was cool.

The band doesn't have a website. They told us if we wanted merch, now was the time! Totally sold out of tees, they had totes (I need another tote like a hole in the head), and albums. I went for the album and I've been spinning it non-stop. Like Aesop Rock they were also playing on Colbert the following evening. Love when bands you like get recognition!

.aesop rock

This is the third time I've seen Aesop Rock at Union Transfer. As always he puts on a killer show with Rob Sonic. He always has the best openers. I LOVED that Homeboy Sandman was back again. Since there was no barrier this time around we got quite wet in the front. Aes joked Homeboy Sandman drips buckets and joked about that later in his set. 

Skelethon was pretty good but Aesop's new album Impossible Kid really takes the cake. They opened with "Mystery Fish" which is the first track and one of my favorites along with "Rings" and "Dorks." The stage was in plastic animal decor and a faux flame. I felt like the dynamic duo were at it for at least two hours with rhymes and getting the crowd involved. They performed mostly newer songs with a few oldies (None Shall Pass, Catacomb Kids) and some Hail Mary Mallon jams. The first time I saw them they did "Dokken Rules" but I haven't heard it since.

Someone threw their black Phillies cap on the stage and Aes picked it up and wore it. Also he joked that they were playing on Colbert and how nervous he was going to be. If he could bring us all or had a crowd like us he would be more relaxed. I missed that performance but laughed when I saw on Aesop's Instagram a picture with him feet up in the desk.

What I really enjoyed about the show was how polite the guys were to me. Going to an Aesop Rock concert there aren't as many female fans in the mix or rather guys bringing their girlfriends. Some let me get in front of them in the merch line, asked what I was reading while waiting between sets, and gave me advice when I was debating what shirt to purchase. What made me the most nervous was my chance to meet Aes / Ian after the show. There was a line that formed before him as he graciously posed with fans for pictures and male fans turned into total fangirls which was adorable. When it was my turn I introduced myself, told him this was my third time seeing him and Rob, and asked a question. It was basically "What arcade were you guys in when you shot the video for Homemade Mummy?" I could've probably googled the answer to that ahead of time but I needed something cool to start conversation. Ian told me it's called Musee Mecanique located in San Francisco and how they have all these different games and weird shit. I just stood kind of dumbfounded like "Woah this is happening!" Here I thought they were in Brooklyn. Question answered. He was nice enough to take a picture with me which I will not post because I look gross and sweaty.  This made my night along with two pins (Kirby the one eyed cat and Impossible Kid's bat helmet) I purchased at the merch stand.

I did not see Rob Sonic after my Aes encounter nor did I want to repeat my awkward hug like I did the year before of giving a half-assed hug because I was shy and practically bolting out of the door because I am shy. So I left with Homeboy Sandman to my right with a line of folks, smiling with him for pictures. Even though I can only rap 50% of None Shall Pass despite hearing it 100+ times and for the life of me cannot keep up with any of his rhymes, I come back each time amazed and wanting more. 

.wolf alice

I'm going to start this entry off with three words..don't judge me. If there's anything I can't stand it's people who belittle or harp on others for just getting into bands or not being "hardcore" in the fandom since the dawn of time. This being said I am a newbie Wolf Alice fan. Going to this concert I only knew a small handful of songs. It doesn't make me any less deserving to be there. The whole reason I've been going to so many shows lately is to experience new music that I would've never heard of if it hasn't been for friends or the internet.

Anyway the opening band was a bit of a mystery. Slaves from the UK. Who? When this duo from Kent came out on stage I loved them immediately. The lead singer Issac stands up and drums while Laurie plays guitar / bass. The lads reminded me a bit of Public Image Ltd and if you know me, you KNOW I love my crazy John Lydon to bits. My favorite song was "Cheer Up London" which kicks into the verse "Put another 0 on your paycheck. Are you done digging your grave yet?" Honestly I liked them a tad better than Wolf Alice dare I say it. Their energy was infectious as Laurie bounced around the stage and Issac rasped into piercing shrieks. They seriously should've opened for Savages! However the crowd was loving them as they had a bit of a following in the audience with people chanting back the lyrics of songs. 

There was a huge crowd for Wolf Alice and of course all of them young 20-somethings with golden glitter scattered on anxious faces. My Le Butcherettes crew was there as all three of us were towards the side of the stage. Arriving an hour before the show in the pouring rain I was about 30th in line this time. The back of my jeans were soaked although I carried an umbrella (which I left at the venue!). Still it was fun to see everyone rocking out, especially at the end to "Giant Peach," "Moaning Lisa Smile" and my absolute favorite "Your Loves Whore." When they kick into the last part of that song it completely transforms the entire dynamic of the song. So good. The most annoying thing were the bros. Two douche bags thought it would be fun to just randomly jump on the stage, sing into the mic and then crowd surf off of the stage. I am so surprised security did not react quicker to this. As both got their moment of fame the security guards ushered them out of the venue. Then a man towards the center of the audience made the people around lift him up to crowd surf on stage. Security caught this before it got any further and ushered him out. Geez! Overall it was a fun night. Liz's friend has seen Wolf Alice a few times in concert and she was so pumped seeing them, she got me excited to see them. Here is the set list..

NEW INTRO
YOUR LOVES WHORE
YOU'RE A GEM
FREAZY
BROS
LISBON
90 MILE BEACH
SILK
THE WONDER WHY
STORMS
SWALLOWTAIL
FLUFFY
SHE
MOANING LISA SMILE

TURN TO DUST
BLUSH
GIANT PEACH

.savages

I have stared at this picture I don't know how many times. It is my phone's wallpaper and my Twitter wallpaper. If it was a snake it would've bitten me by now. My heart has ferocious love for these four. My favorite Savage is Fay Milton. When she bangs on those drums during "Fuckers" she is just having the best time of her life. Someone commented seeing them live is like seeing Siouxsie Sioux in the 70s and I couldn't agree more. Savages I first discovered in early January and loved the song "Surrender." When I saw they had no Philly dates lined up I wanted to cry. I was willing to go all the way to Irving Plaza, take the late train home, arrive home at 2am, and sleep in until 6am for work the next morning. Thankfully they added a Philadelphia date to Union Transfer. Perfection.

Heading to the venue an hour and a half before doors, I was fourth in line! The two ahead of me saw them at Irving the night before, both of them New Yorkers. When he said his friend P was coming I was so elated! I met her at the Le Butcherettes show. Our friend L was there too but stood on the second floor so she got to catch all of the action from below. My mind kept thinking about Savages and counting down until they came out during the opener. I kind of zoned out. When all four of them hit the stage it was like I was transported to London at some punk underground club. It was totally unreal! P and I were laughing because Jehnny kept missing my hand when she was touching hands in the audience. Finally she grabbed my arm and stretched it high, low and behold it happened! Carrie Brownstein, Emily Haines, Marissa Paternoster, now Jehnny Beth. My hand feels golden. I didn't want the show to end. Jehnny Beth is such a dynamic performer she has the audience in the palm of her hand. Her movements, eye contact, strong voice is unwavering. As the four took their bow to unrelenting applause, they promised to come back. Here's the stellar set list of songs...

I AM HERE
SAD PERSON
CITY'S FULL
SLOWING DOWN THE WORLD
SHUT UP
SHE WILL
HUSBANDS
SURRENDER
EVIL
WHEN IN LOVE
I NEED SOMETHING NEW
THE ANSWER
HIT ME
NO FACE
T.I.W.Y.G.
MECHANICS
ADORE
FUCKERS 

I follow some of the Savages on Instagram and discovered Jehnny Beth has a Tumblr. I started reading some of her entries and found her to be a very prolific writer. She puts it all out there from her lowest of lows to her battles with alcohol. The entry that really resonated with me is about her desire to be a performer. It reminded me so much of what Carrie Brownstein and Amanda Palmer wrote in their books. They GET IT. So does Jehnny Beth. Just read this. She puts it all EXACTLY into words...

"The expression of love when you are onstage is one of the most amazing and intense feelings one can experience in life. People are kinder in venues than they are in the streets, they are open and generous, they are ready to feel alive. Somehow one finds in the passion of the crowds what every human is looking to experience;  the assurance to be alive and the freedom to love and be loved. To me personally, I can definitely say that audiences around the world cured me from most of my terrors."

This is why I love Savages so much. 

.jukebox the ghost

The day after my Girlpool excursion, my NY friend J and I hopped the train back to Philly to attend a Jukebox the Ghost concert. J is a little more hardcore in her JTG fandom. I only know a good handful of songs and discovered them in 2011 at the XPN Music Festival. A lot of us stormed in front of the stage when they played "Schizophrenia" which was great fun. It wasn't until 2014 when I saw the at Union Transfer in the fall. Covering Queen songs it was an interesting show.

J and I like to get front row spots. We decided to go outside of the venue early. Well! Philly must have a hardcore Jukebox the Ghost fandom because an hour and a half before the show we were 30th in line. Thankfully a handful of people before us went upstairs. We ended up on the side of the stage but towards the left. Their opener was Greg Holden. I had no idea he sang the "Kissing Boys in the Street" song because I just about ball every time I hear that on XPN. He also sings "Home" which was played a lot during the Olympics. The audience knew the song and sang along with him. Then Jukebox the Ghost came out and the fun began. They have a wheel that is spun during each show. It lists the songs they don't normally play, one song (Hold It In) where they play each other's instruments, and a fan's choice. The fan was Steve. Everyone kept chanting, "Steve! Steve! Steve!" but alas it was not in the cards for Steve. "Black Hole" won which is a song from the Mr. Peabody show and then they spun again, "Hold It In" which I thought they performed really well! Here's a set list, not entirely accurate but good enough...

Good Day
The Stars
Girl
Empire
Schizophrenia
The Great Unknown
Black Hole
Hold It In Supreme
Made for Ending (my new favorite song)
Postcard / Somebody
Undeniable You
Hollywood
Sound of a Broken Heart
Keys in the Car
Victoria
Under Pressure
Static to the Heart
Carrying
Jesus on the Moon
Bicycle Race
Adulthood 

After the show the venue played Bowie songs back-to-back so J and I just started dancing on the floor. We were stupidly told to leave when we wanted to continue the party. Party poopers. I was good and did not buy any merch this time. J bought me a Jukebox the Ghost pin to add to my collection <3