Live Concert Coverage

Sleater-Kinney’s Electrifying Sold-Out Show in Philly

Sleater-Kinney made their trek to Philly for a sold-out performance at the TLA to promote their incredible new album, Little Rope.

Sleater-Kinney arose from the Riot Grrrl movement that started in Washington State in the early ‘90s. Carrie Brownstein & Corin Tucker formed the band in 1994 and became one of the most prolific bands to emerge from the genre.

The crowd was pumped as Sleater-Kinney hit the stage. They defined a generation. The packed house not only included middle-aged ‘90ers but a huge crowd of younger people also filled the venue. The young in the audience got a taste of a band, that until now, was denied to them due to the span of time. The older folks got a chance to re-link with the renegade girls of their youth.

Brownstein’s furious guitar licks along with very impressive jumps and Tucker’s emotional vocals and simple rhythm guitar lines created a dichotomy of incredible music that can rarely be found today.

Sleater-Kinney’s performance at the TLA was as powerful as expected. They have an incredible stage energy and chemistry. They ran through a solid setlist including songs from Little Rope and plenty of old favorites. Personally, Sleater-Kinney is one of those bands I can see multiple times because they know to keep their stage presence interesting and energizing. And their anthem of “Peace” remains so relevant today,

COBRAH @ Union Transfer: A Performance of Unrestrained Mayhem

Coverage for AsburyParkVibes.com

COBRAH brought all her energy out to a packed house at Philly’s Union Transfer and gave nothing short of a spectacular performance. She owned the space, giving more than the audience could ask for from beginning to end.

COBRAH, whose real name is Clara Blom Christensen, is a Swedish electro-pop sensation. She is no stranger to risqué music, and, if you look at the photos, certainly no stranger to a risqué performance. With her sultry vocals and infectious energy, she shines when drives her performance into chaotic excess. COBRAH’s spellbinding stage presence established her own unique persona.

To kick off the evening, DJ Only Fire revved up the crowd. Covered in a helmet that looked like something from the horror movie classic “Alien”, his set had the crowd jumping & dancing into a frenzy for what was coming.

COBRAH is an edgy innovator with a scorn the ordinary, and it was a delight to see a non-stop assault on conventional values and behavior. She is an artist who doesn’t hold back with anything, and her live shows are no exception. Her performance was energetic, intense, fierce & very erotic. And her notoriously fervent fans would have it no other way.

From Iceland to Philly: Daoi Freyr’s Towering Performance @ The Brooklyn Bowl

Coverage for AsburyParkVibes.com

As I stood at the end of the photo pit of The Brooklyn Bowl, I leaned over and asked one of my fellow photographers, “So, have you seen him before?” “No, have you?” “Yea.” “So, you have no idea of what he looks like?”” “No, why?” “Nothing. you’ll see in about 3 minutes.”

The lights dropped and we all scurried to the to the front of the stage, jockeying for our spots. The minute the lights lit the stage and Daoi Freyr appeared, I just had to get the attention of my comrade. The look of amazement on this face was priceless. And his lips with the words “WTF” without sound brought laughter.

You see, Daoi Freyr stands close to 7 feet tall. 6’10” to be exact. By far the tallest performer I have ever seen. But the audience at the sold-out Brooklyn Bowl knew exactly what they were in for as they squeezed shoulder to shoulder on the floor.

Daoi Freyr is the hottest thing out of Iceland, besides the Northern Lights. He is on the short list to becoming a syn-pop icon. Every concert on his tour - a complete sell out.

Freyr put on a terrific show. His baritone voice was remarkable, and he never missed a note. In addition to an amazing musical performance, Daoi loves to fuse his brilliantness with a splash of humor. He infused jokes between songs and the audience loved every minute of it. The banter soon became infectious, everyone waiting for the next zinger, me included. He even sang a few songs in Icelandic, proving that music has no boundaries.

You would be hard pressed to find such a fantastic night of infused sync-pop with a few jokes and antics thrown in. Keep this guy on “your” short list for your next concert outing.

The Unstoppable Force & Message of Dorian Electra

Coverage for AsburyParkVibes.com

Experimental – pop artist, Dorian Electra commanded the stage with high velocity to a packed house at Philly’s Union Transfer.

The show was a feast for the eyes and ears. From Dorian’s dramatic entrance, which made the audience combust, to the incredible dancers, outfits, and everything in between, I was reminded why I love live music and how it is one of the true displays of artistry.

Electra struts the stage with an unparalleled presence, accompanied by two back-up dancers that bring energy to the set with their non-stop choreography. Setting the tone for the rest of the show: Drama, Energy, Fun & Theatre, would be the theme through the night.

Voicing the truth, Electra is a singer\songwriter who speaks from the soul. Dorian is an incredible live performer and seeing Electra firsthand it’s clear that Dorian is living the truth and doing what Electra wants to do. Much more than a musician, Dorian Electra is a performer and true artist. Electra paves the path of individuality and encourages others to do the same. Dorian is a person what isn’t afraid to share beliefs through authentic performance. Electra is a brilliant performer whose music, lyrics and imagery convey universal messages.

Dorian Electra’s music will catch your attention. However, it’s the live performance that will leave a lasting impression. If you ever get the chance, make sure you make every effort to see Dorian Electra live.

Mary Timony Rocks Philly’s Johnny Brenda’s

Johnny Brenda’s is in Philly’s Fishtown section. It was an area with a grimy, smokey, run-down bar on every corner. It was a section of town where my high school buddies and I would go to buy quarts of beer because the bartenders couldn’t care less if you were only 16 – a Sales is a Sale. For the past fifteen years, this small and dingy bar was the only reason to visit this section of town. To hear the great musicians that Johnny Brenda’s had to offer. Overtime, gentrification set in, transforming this rough and tough, blue-collar neighborhood into countless condo developments filled with a young, urban, fashion crowd.

But at the neighborhood’s epicenter, Johnny Brenda’s, this small, dingy bar still stands. With its tiny stage and poor lighting, it is the backdrop that Mary Timony roared onto, to assert that it is possible to grow up and move on but still keep the edgy core of who you are.

Mary Timony is legend and icon in the indie music world. For more than three decades, the prolific singer\songwriter & guitarist (ranked 95 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of top 500 guitarists of all time). Having been a member of Ex-Hex, Autoclave, Helium & Wild Flag, Timony was in town to promote her new album, Untame The Tiger. It is her 5th solo album and first in the last 15 years. It is an album that highlights tremendous personal loss & isolation. Both her parents died while writing Untame The Tiger, in addition to an end of a long term relationship.

Her audience, packed together like the proverbial “sardines” listened to her with intensity and cheering at the end of each song of her eleven-song set. Six coming from Untame The Tiger.

Keep a close eye on this woman. Her incredible guitar playing, and subject matter is something seldom found today.

Madi Diaz WOWS @ Philly’s World Café Live

Coverage for AsburyParkVibes.com

Lancaster Pa native, Madi Diaz, kept a WXPN’s World Café Live sold-out audience’s eyes and ears transfixed throughout the night with only her silky-smooth voice, guitar & heart felt lyrics. She proves you don’t need a chorus of back-up singers, a glittering light display and a group of choreographed dancers to completely captivate an audience. Her vocals were pitch perfect throughout the night as she awed with her guitar playing and singing.

Diaz is on tour to support her incredible new album Weird Voice She hit every track of the album, opening with “Same Risk” and closing out her performance with the album’s title track “Weird Faith.”

Throughout the night she filled the venue with banter and stories about family, mentioning her “dapper dressed “father several times. I spotted him later during the performance, smiling ear to ear, proud as a peacock of his daughter’s accomplishments.

Some of the most memorable concert experiences you may have will be an artist who graces the stage with nothing more than their voice and guitar. There’s something awe-inspiring about someone all alone on stage –astonishing hundreds of people all at once with nothing but the music of their heart. Marti Diaz was certainly no exception to that rule as her performance was as moving as they come.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Electrify The Met in Philadelphia

The Met in Philadelphia was alive with energy as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit took the stage for a spectacular sold-out performance.

Throughout the entire night, Isbell showed a great amount of emotion and substance in the delivery of his songs you can tell he cared about the songs and the songcraft.

With a smooth and soulful voice and exceptional guitar-playing abilities, Isbell is a standout musician. He plays great music – the real stuff, songs with heart, that rock hard.

Isbell brought powerful lyrics to his performance and served up tasty instrumental skills. There was a no-nonsense style to Jason Isbell’s performance that speaks to his ability to depict life’s situations in all of the complexity of feelings that rest just below the surface what appears to depict life’s situations in all of the complexities of feelings that rest just below the surface of what appears to be a simple existence.

A Night of Unstoppable Energy: Neck Deep at Philly’s Franklin Music Hall

I headed down to Philly’s Franklin Music Hall for an evening of pop–punk by the Welsh band, Neck Deep. I’ve seen Neck Deep before and their energy and stage presence never fail to impress, they really know how to work a crowd of fans and newcomers alike. The venue was packed from the barrier to the back door and the top of the balcony.

Neck Deep is on tour for their newly released album Neck Deep. The setlist included 8 out of the 10 songs off Neck Deep and the crowd’s reaction was overwhelming.

The band exploded on stage with the opening track from the album entitled “Dumbstruck Dumbf**k” and the crowd was immediately ignited with unrelenting energy. It was amazing to see fans instantly start yelling the lyrics at the top of their lungs, bodies surfing to the front of the stage in full force, not giving the security forces a chance to breathe. The punk kids letting their adrenaline go wild in the mosh area.

The guys kept the energy up the entire night, jumping and leaping around the stage, their fast and blistering guitar riffs and powerful drums and bass, held up by frontman Ben Barlow’s impassioned raw, and powerful voice.

Neck Deep is one of those bands that will never leave you dissatisfied. They have extremely high energy and have a way of sending shockwaves into the crowd.

Sammy Rae & The Friends Ignite The Fillmore in Philadelphia

There are times when you come across an artist and they completely challenge your expectations in a way that leaves you reeling after you’ve heard and seen them perform live for the first time. Sammy Rae & The Friends was that band for me. It took only one performance to make me a believer in their magic.

Sammy Rae & The Friends are deep-rooted in soul, funk and R&B. Sammy Rae, backed by her incredible band, their performance at The Fillmore in Philly had me grinning from ear to ear. And make no mistake – this band is meant to be heard by the naked ear.

Before anyone sings a note, before the first drumbeat, the crowd buzzes with energy. The audience is in complete uproar when the band finally hits the stage. The stage simmers with the performance. Weaving between up-tempo numbers with metaphoric lyrics conveying powerful messages, Sammy Rae & The Friends take us on a life journey. As the set moved along and the party intensified, it was obvious that the band dialed in its sound. The band’s energy on the stage is why they continue to grow their fan base with no end in sight.

Though her incredible voice and energy were a large part of the concert experience, Sammy Rae’s presence on stage was about spreading love to her bandmates, ensuring the audience had a very clear understanding of how crucial each member was to the equation. Every member brings the energy to an even greater level of expectation. Every one of them had many moments to share that night.

The band’s energy on the stage is why they continue to grow their fan base with no end in sight. Making them feel like old friends is one way to ensure they will come back for more, and making sure they have a great time is another. Sammy Rae & The Friends did both extremely well

Brigitte Calls Me Baby Brings a Generational and Classic Sound In Their Debut 2024 Album

Captures by Steve Cerf

Words by Erin Hunter

It’s hard to be timely and even harder to be timeless, but Brigette Calls Me Baby is on its way to achieving both.

At The Lounge at the World Cafe in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Brigitte Calls Me Baby performs a sold-out show while on the East Coast/Midwest leg of their national tour. Philadelphia-based Alternative/Indie band, Tisbury’s, opened the show, performing their local hit Garden, which has been featured on WXPN Radio.

When Brigitte Calls Me Baby performs, frontman Wes Leavins sings, he teeters around amplifier chords, microphone stands, and fellow bandmates, stopping to fold forward and push out the next note– deep and emotional and full of vibrato– rising as the note reaches a dramatic crescendo reminiscent of Roy Orbison, Elvis, and Orville Peck.

Newly signed to ATO Records, Brigitte Calls Me Baby is set to release their freshman album, This House is Made of Corners, in 2024, according to their Spotify. Their music is timely because it is timeless, as it recalls early rock and roll and the sounds of Americana Rock, Indie, and Post-Punk Revival. This is apparent in the band’s recent hit ballad, ‘Eddie My Love,’ which balances an upbeat rhythm with lyrics about heartache and Leavens’ angsty, emotional voice.

Their music connects audiences of all generations. I see 2 middle-aged women in the crowd close their eyes and move their hands like tree branches while a guy screams the spontaneous “You guys rock!” An older gentleman vigorously shakes his head and films bassist Devin Wessels, who moves closer to the fan’s camera for a generous close-up shot, while I (a Gen Z’er) sway my hips side-to-side and feel nostalgic about a time during which I wasn’t even alive.

When I decided to come to the concert, I only knew 2 of their songs, but I came away liking the entire setlist. Brigitte Calls Me Baby understands that going forward may mean looking back at the music that has shaped all of us over the generations.

Tisbury’s

Tinashe’s Dazzling Display of Music & Dance at The Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia

As the lights dimmed and the stage illuminated, the screams and cheers from the crowd echoed throughout The Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia.

Tinashe stepped on to the stage, her presence captivating the packed venue. Everyone was spellbound by her presence. Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe, now known as simply - Tinashe - is a singer, songwriter, dancer, engineer, & producer -can I possibly add any more credits? Her music is described as a combination of R&B, pop and electro R&B, though she feels she “does not fit into any particular genre.” She is on tour in support of her new album BB/ANG3L

She’s a mesmerizing performer and her live show was truly spectacular. Every part of the show is tight, flawless and entertaining. Effortless showing off her dancing skills, the intricate choreography, visuals, and Tinashe’s stage presence showed she’s a big-time performer ready for even a bigger stage. And she doesn’t only look amazing, she sounds amazing also, her voice soaring and dipping with every note.

Tinashe gave it her all. Incredible vocals, choreography, glitz and glamour. She’s not only earned industry respect but also her fans, who were audibly excited throughout her performance. It’s been a while since I’ve seen an audience respond with such energy and passion

The Art of Connection: Mitski Captivates at The Met in Philadelphia

February 7, 2024

Mitski’s back-to-back, sell-out performances at The Met in Philadelphia were nothing short of spectacular. There is always something new to hear at a Mitski concert but always with the same absorbing, hypnotizing effect. Her lyrics and voice are what I love most about her music and felt her concert was designed to let her talent shine.

Mitski is on tour to support her latest critically acclaimed album The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We. And every concert has been a complete sell-out! Her stage presence was both electric and calming. She dazzled her audience as she brought us into her world. Mitski became a conduit for the shared experiences, joy, isolation, and self-reflection that delivers us all. Throughout the night, she invariably stuck to the relaxed, delicate, vocal style that is the hallmark of indie style. Her vocals were crisp and clear, and the result was a performance almost peaceful in execution.

There was a special and beautiful spell Mitski cast over her audience for 80 minutes. From striking visual statements to the connections nurtured with her audience, this night will forever remain in memory. She took her fans somewhere else – somewhere those fans are eagerly looking forward to their next trip. Mitski’s performance was an unmatched presentation of her talent – and a “must-see” for concertgoers.

Twin Harmonies: Lucius’s Sold-Out Performance at The Brooklyn Bowl - Philly

February 6, 2024

Lucius, led by Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of their debut album, Wildewoman with a phenomenal, sold-out performance at The Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia. The duo, known for their distinctive matching outfits, wigs and hairdos, more importantly, have mastered the art of making incredible music.

As I took photos at the front of the stage, I turned to see every eye in the packed house fixated on the duo. And for good reason. Every note was true harmonious precision. The sound coming from the stage – pure bliss to the ear. It was live music at its finest.

Lucius’s chemistry and stage presence were undeniable, making it clear why they have been celebrated as an indie sensation for over a decade. The evening at The Brooklyn Bowl was a journey through a decade of Lucius’s music, highlighting not only their growth as artis but also the timeless quality of their work.

Grace Potter: A Night of Wild Energy @ The Fillmore - Philly

January 31, 2024

Grace Potter knows how to bring a party. Unruly, wild & eager for a great time, Grace was in her element on stage at The Fillmore in Philly.

Performance seems to come naturally for, as Potter takes full control of the stage as she keeps the spotlight fixated on herself throughout the night. Her energy is infectious. Grace owned the stage as she energized the crowd with songs from her recently released album, Mother Road. Definitely her Best Release yet!

In a world filled with talented artists, Grace Potter found a way to stand out from the pack. The talent and passion behind this dynamic performer are both genuine and rare and her sound is all her own. Grace Potter has a bright future ahead of her as she continues to carve out a niche for herself in the music industry.

Coverage for Asbury Park Vibes.

Torres at The Foundry in Philly: A Night of Lyrical & Vocal Magic

January 31, 2024

If you haven’t heard of Torres, you’re missing out and I don’t say that lightly. The Brooklyn – based singer-songwriter is on the verge of making waves in the indie-music world.

The reason why is that her lyrics rattle around your head well after you’re done hearing them – which is the sign of a true lyrist. Her voice slides over the notes with ease. Now, I’ve seen dozens and dozens of musicians sing beautifully live but not many can do it with such a relaxed sense of confidence. That is the magic of Torres. She is truly captivating without even trying.

Torres is touring for her newest studio album, What an Enormous Room, released just days ago at the time of this writing and already gained rave reviews. Torres and her band kicked off the performance with the album’s title track, “Happy Man’s Shoes” with its hard hitting, pulsating rhythm, grabbing the crowd’s immediate attention. Of her 15-song set list, seven were from What an Enormous Room.

Torres had an amazing connection with the crowd. She was at ease when interacting with her audience throughout the show. Discussing her Baptist upbringing and coming to terms with her metamorphosis to her recent marriage. Speaking directly to her audience and explaining the meaning behind the songs. She poured unbridled emotion into the performance.

Without a doubt, Torres is a performer that has the substance to back up the buzz surrounding her. And with the release of What an Enormous Room, Torres continues to push the envelope of both sound and live performances.

Coverage for Asbury Park Vibes.