A Hometown Odyssey Visits Philadelphia
Livingston in Philadelphia
In a world of post-One Direction pop, male pop artists' solo careers are in. These two solo acts showed the possibilities at their Philadelphia show at the recently remodeled club, The Foundry.
Kauffman The Foundry ‘24
Connor Kauffman opened the night with grit through his belting. He got personal with us when revealing his experiences being a donor child with a song intended for his father, the title track of his most recent EP called Two Hearts. For many of his songs, he used a complimentary track and live guitar. Throughout his set, he reminded the audience of his full name and kept following up with, “I’m supposed to say my name one more time” This got a small laugh from the crowd and had me thinking about the rules of success. He had a strong stage presence and consistent crowd engagement, especially when performing his cover of The Killer's “Mr. Brightside.” He continued to show us how to use music to cope with a relatable original song about anxiety called “Skin of a Saint.” He closed out his set with “Bleed” and reminded us of his name one last time.
After Kauffman’s set, I noticed the 18-24 demographic and many families with children in the crowd. Conor Kauffman is in his early 20s and Livingston is 21, making me feel old but still comfortable in the crowd. The show was overall family-friendly.
Livingston’s set started with a spoken intro voiced by J.K. Simmons to get us into his universe of A Hometown Odyssey. Accompanying him onstage was a track and drummer. Livingston got more intimate by performing “Fairytale” on keys. He then brought the vibes back up by showcasing his skills on the trackpad. Later in his set, He gave us insight into why he titled his most recent project “A Hometown Odessy.” Livingston explained the idea came to him in the Dallas airport and was inspired by his experiences being from a small town in Texas, an idea he worked on for 2-3 years. Throughout the night he checked in with the audience and brought us on an energetic and emotional journey. He ended the night with the second track of A Hometown Odyssey titled “Shadow.” He also concluded the night by expressing his gratitude and acknowledging that this dream “wasn’t supposed to happen,” referring to being able to pursue a career as a musician and his works gaining popularity.
The crowd was passionate and knew most of the lyrics throughout his set. They went especially hard on “Last Man Standing”. He claimed that Philadelphia was the ‘best crowd so far’ as the 7th stop on the tour.
Truthfully, I was going in blind but was pleasantly surprised by the emotion that the support act, Kauffman, and Livingston brought to the table. They are ones to watch.
Special Thanks to °1824 for the invite!
Focusing in on Philly Native, Michael J. Woodard
Philly Native, Michael J. Woodard gives insight into his career.
This article was inspired by the °1824 Michael J. Woodard virtual press conference held on January 23rd, 2024.
Philadelphia is known as an incubator for music careers. The City of Brotherly Love is an underrated habitat for establishing roots in music. Among those artists who have utilized Philadelphia's influences is Michael J. Woodard.
Photo courtesy of °1824
Woodard credits the Philly church scene for developing his ear, helping him understand harmonization, and inspiring him to incorporate soulfulness and emotions into his work. One of his first introductions to the stage and entertainment was singing at the church holiday pageant. Woodard says these cultural centers are “integrated into what you hear from [him] today.” The communal aspect of the church also helped develop his support system. He claims that “everybody knows somebody- that knows them” which makes sense if you're a Philadelphian, especially in the music scene.
After moving from the 215 to pursue a degree at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, he went on American Idol. During season 16, he made pop chart classics like “You Outta Know” by Alanis Morissette sound like his own. Woodard described his time on American Idol as a “simulation” of the industry and “an experience you just can’t buy.” This was where he solidified that he wanted to pursue a music career. He went on to captivate the audiences, including judge Katy Perry, with show tune staples like “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret and “Believe in Yourself” from The Wiz. His career then took off as he signed to Unsub Records, founded by Katy Perry in 2014. This connection made sense based on their similar tastes, and Perry’s musical upbringing, also founded in the church community.
Further into his career, he went on to vocally star in Netflix’s Arlo the Alligator Boy (2021). He explained that many of the records on the soundtrack are cohesive to his solo projects because he was responsible for many of the “vocal decisions.” When comparing the recording process to his solo works, he explained that his solo projects are 100% him in the writing. This can be heard on his firstborn EP titled “MJW1.” Woodard explained that over 200 tracks were developed prior to the EP release which had to be narrowed down to the 6 featured on the EP. This project was again influenced by pop chart classics including sounds of the 2010s. He expressed that “what you're hearing is what I've been doing for the past three years of being signed to Katy... I felt like it was very important putting out a project that not only tells you where I am now but is telling you where I was. I wanted to make sure my listeners and followers got an opportunity to grow with me…I wanted people to see where I started from and let that be a glimpse into where we’re going into the future ”
The insight that Michael J. Woodard gave us into his career makes me wonder if there is something in the Philadelphia wooder.
Special Thanks to °1824, °1824 representative- Caitlin McGeehan, and TCS Managing Editor- Marie Vassallo.
TCS’s Festival Survival Guide
TCS’s advice on how to make the most of your festival experience.
Festival season is officially upon us. Below are some things I’ve learned from being an avid festival-goer. As for my qualifications, I have worked festivals including Boston Calling, Tidal Wave, Adjacent Fest, HiJinx, Made in America, and three years of Firefly. I’ve also volunteered at many local festivals. If we want to go way back, my parents dragged me along to various music festivals before I could talk. I believe these are qualifications to share what I’ve learned on how to make it through the weekend and enjoy the event to its full extent.
Never let money stop you from having life experiences
—there’s always a way. If you research, most festivals have a work/volunteer option. I usually prefer working to gain music industry experience but also to see a whole other side of the festival that one would not experience as a regular attendee. For the past couple of years that I have worked at Firefly, I have worked with Clean Vibes. Clean Vibes “is a company formed and dedicated to responsible on-site waste management of outdoor festivals and events,” which is a romantic way of saying you pick up trash. Even though it’s demanding work, it’s a decent payoff when you are on a budget. They partner with multiple festivals each year including Electric Forest and Bonnaroo. In the past, I’ve done the early shifts so I would have the whole rest of the day to enjoy the festival for FREE.
Another organization that has volunteer options at festivals is Headcount. According to their website, “HeadCount is a non-partisan organization that uses the power of music to register voters and promote participation in democracy. We reach young people and music fans where they already are - at concerts and online - to inform and empower.” They provide opportunities to combine activism and music, a very complimentary pair. Volunteering is a great way to gain access to the event and participate in the community.
Bring the essentials
Below are some items that I’ve forgotten and wished I had:
Overall Essentials
Body Glitter
Sunscreen
Layers for the nighttime temperature drop
Bandana/mask (for dust)
Flashlight for portapotties
Hand sanitizer/alcohol wipes
Shoes that hold up in the rain/mud
Bonus Essentials For overnight festival camping:
2-gallon water with tap (mimics running water when your only option is porta potties)
Baby Wipes
Chair for hanging out at the campsite
Nonperishable food (light breakfast items/late-night munchies)
Van/Car*
*My first Firefly, I took the bus and camped. It was indeed a struggle. If you can, I highly recommend a car if you are camping.
Don’t rely on phone service.
You are partying on a farm in the middle of nowhere or better yet in an overpopulated city- two of wifi's greatest adversaries. In both of these settings, you will lose service at least once. For safety purposes, agree on a meeting spot with your friends. To help keep you organized, create a downloaded calendar with the set times to share with your group. Having a personal calendar saves you from having to wait for the festival app to load. Also if you do get lost, your friends will know what set you're likely at.
Explore
A music festival is worth it if you see at least 15 artists you already enjoy and 3 new artists. As said above, curate a schedule pre-fest in your favorite calendar app to keep track of all the sets you'd like to see. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t make every set. Do stop and listen to an artist’s set you happen to be walking by on the small stage. Your next favorite artist could be performing at noon on the smallest stage at the festival, and trust me you’ll look back and wish you had seen their performance when they get big and famous.
Take care of yourself
Stock up on vitamins (especially pre-fest), wear comfortable shoes, test your drugs, know your limits, and most importantly DRINK WATER! No barricade spot is worth passing out from dehydration. I also highly recommend taking a day off after the festival because the wook flu can sneak up on us all.
Finally, Don’t let going alone stop you from living your life!
I’ve gone to several festivals by myself and have left each one very much not alone. I have made so many fest friends that I’m still in contact with today. Festivals are a great place to network if you are in the music industry especially because people come out from all over the world to partake in festivals. As for safety, I share my location with my family and friends and check in with them often. At the festival, you’ll find others that are also there solo and you can form a buddy system.
You can also truly embrace spending time with yourself. Going alone gives you the freedom to see whatever artist you want and do whatever you want without having to acknowledge someone else's schedule. It’s all in what you make of it!
DeTOUR to Philadelphia
Photograph by Morgan Medl. 2022
Union Transfer- December 1st, 2022
There’s been a lot of discourse about how the clock app has affected the live entertainment industry. Regardless of this issue, this artist used Tiktok to skyrocket her already successful career and land her first headlining tour.
Blue DeTiger: 24-year-old bassist, vocalist, songwriter, DJ, and tiktok creator (with 1.3 million followers) made her Philadelphia debut this past week at Union Transfer. This penultimate show of her ‘Blu DeTour’ brought out an agreeable crowd with ages ranging from 18 to 24 with some parents chaperoning younger fans who also enjoyed the funk-filled evening.
JDM GLOBAL opened up the show with meditative beats and catchy choruses. The artist, formally known as Josh Mehling, is originally from Texas but is no stranger to the east coast since graduating from Syracuse University and building his career in Brooklyn, New York.
Tiffany Day continued to warm up the crowd with bubbly and energetic personal experiences about shitty exes, FOMO, and optimism. She was not afraid to express herself through singles like “PARTY W OUT ME” as well as “DREAMS ABT OPTIMISM” which gave me “Miss the Rage” vibes.
The anticipation grew until Blu quickly jumped onstage with brother and drummer, Rex DeTiger, and guitarist, Horace Bray, opening with her single “Crash Course.” They then went on to play a majority of her EP How Did We Get Here and several of her singles. The trio also performed a cover medley that included “Style" by Taylor Swift, “Glamorous” by Fergie ft. Ludacris, and MGMT’s “Electric Feel.” While most of the set was full of upbeat-funky tunes, the recently named Forbes 30 under 30 artist also slowed it down with an acoustic intro to “Kinda Miss You.” She also brought up a young, novice bass player to encourage everyone’s appreciation for the instrument, and was delighted when someone claimed that they learned bass because of Blu’s influence. The bass-forward tunes were complimented by Blu’s sparkly blue bass, Horace’s pink t, and four glistening disco balls outlining the stage.
It is no secret that she has been performing since 7 years old as her expertise shined from the first beat to the encore of “Vintage.” Throughout the show, it was clear why she has collaborated and performed with many names including Caroline Polachek, The Knocks, Dominic Fike, and Jack Antonoff. Her talent has also landed her partnerships with DKNY, Levi’s, and Fender.
There’s no doubt that Blu’s Tiktoks are entertaining and influential but her stage presence came to life from beyond the screen. The bass queen said herself that “there’s really nothing better than live music and sharing this exchange of energy together.” I hope I get to experience this once again with Blu sometime soon.
Thank you to 1824° for this opportunity!
5 Things I’ve Learned Working in the Live Entertainment Industry (so far)
Here are some things I’ve learned working as a production runner this summer-
Among other things I’ve learned like patience, how to cope with driving in Philadelphia in a sprinter van, and how integral towels are to the concert industry: here are five main themes I’ve realized working as a live entertainment production runner.
1.) Timing is key
Let’s start with how I got the job. Truthfully, I wasn’t going to go to the job fair where I interviewed for the position. I researched more about the event and my industry friend let me know that production was gonna be there on the very last session of the job fair. I was hesitant to go but my friends convinced me. I went in-between classes during my hour break and even did my online course in an Uber. I am so grateful that I decided to go and I look back on that choice often. Just a few minutes can be life-changing.
6.3.22 // Lake Street Dive is one of my favorite bands and working for them was an opportunity of a lifetime.
Timing is also essential in an everyday sense on a show day. If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late. Pretty much everything needs to happen at a certain time for a successful show. Rigging starts at 8 AM because sound check starts at 2 PM. The post-show pizzas need to be picked up at 9:30 PM because the show is over at 11 PM. When the audience commits to a ticket, they expect the show to start on time and to be entertained for a couple of hours. As a part of production, you commit to helping hit these deadlines.
So far no two days have been the same at work. The chaos of the unknown has been thrilling. In college, I had a couple of professors say that the music industry is a disease. In that case, I've caught the bug for the fast-paced environment and am always looking to better myself under pressure.
2.) Life is about moving money and s#!t around
As a local crew member, I have seen several tours pass through town. I am convinced that life can be simplified, at least in capitalism, to being about moving money and stuff around. This summer I’ve witnessed how much moving around really goes on in touring. There are even logistics people planning down to where, when, and how the semi-trucks arrive and park.
6.5.22 // Like many music industry jobs, I wear many hats every day. Some days I'm a tour guide, most days I'm an uber. On this particular day, I was a pizza delivery driver: Over 55 pies are pictured.
I’ve gotten a lot of great advice about life on the road (where I hope to be one day soon) from the diverse array of industry professionals I’ve met so far. One thing I always ask is where my passengers are from and more than once that's led to a conversation about real estate. With their advice in mind, I hope to ‘move’ the money I make from entertainment gigs and buy property someday.
I moved out of my apartment a couple of weeks ago and it reminded me of load in and load out, yet another parallel to everyday life. I think we can all agree that moving sucks- especially in the summer. Imagine doing that with backline and other gear at 4 AM every day. Send good vibes to your local labor union.
I have yet to get a taste of the touring life but I’m already dreaming and researching the fancy road cases I’ll be lugging all my crap in. I am trying to learn and network as much as I can before I officially get out there. I’ve already met some cool roadies but it’s important to remember that people come in and out of your life- so you can’t become too attached.
6.8.22 // Work bestie Sam and I! 1’m so grateful for an amazing crew this summer.
3.) Artists are people too
Artists are human. They SWEAT, eat, drink, and have emotions. They need their towels (I’m telling you-they are a integral part of this industry!!), special coffee, and lots of beer/alcohol. On stage, they may seem like untouchable stars, but when they walk past you they are only a couple of inches taller (which isn’t hard to beat- I’m 5’4” lol). They put their pants on one leg at a time just like us but I do still fangirl a little inside every so often.
4.) It’s all in who you know
If you have family in the industry you’re looking to get into- use it. I’m telling you that many others have no hesitation in using their connections to their advantage-so why can’t you? If you don’t have those familial connections, you need to network like crazy- especially linearly with your peers! I am very grateful that I've put in the work with a friendly and honest demeanor in the past and I continue to try and do so. I technically wouldn't have known about the job if my friend didn’t tell me about it. My web is already paying off!
5.) It’s a man's world
Recently, Amplify Her Voice published an infographic with statistics featuring data from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative about women in the music industry. My heart sank when I saw that women only make up 6.7% of live entertainment. I have been witnessing this statistic as most of my bosses and supervisors have been men. However, there have been more and more non-male managers and executives that I have worked with and it gives me hope. I am also grateful for the diversity within my immediate team and coworkers- things are changing.
Special thanks to Marie Vassallo and Angela Rogers for editing
A Casual Conversation with Catie Offerman
A warm southern wind makes its way to Philadelphia through the means of the Catie Offerman.
Photographed by Lauren Bulka. 2022
MilkBoy Philly - May 6th, 2022
Exactly a month ago today, I was graced with the opportunity for a casual conversation downstairs at the famous center city Milkboy with the °1824 crew, Bryan Dawley, and the Catie Offerman.
We first got down to talking about Offerman's writing process. She explained that most of her inspiration comes from past experiences mixed in with a bit of imagination. Some of her main writing ideas are formed around themes of heartbreak and awkward ex encounters like many classic country songs but with a Catie Offerman twist. We also learned that one of her main influences is the “King of Country,” George Strait. Knowing this tells you a lot about the structure and foundational material of her songs.
Her story is quite inspirational. At just 19 years old, she graduated from Berklee College of music. Shortly after graduation, she made her way to LA but quickly realized it wasn’t her scene. Originally from Texas, the south fit her vibe more so she followed her path down to Nashville and immediately found a home in the flourishing music community that the Capital city of Tennessee had to offer.
As for her musical journey, she grew up playing the fiddle, then learned guitar—singing came last. These talents have allowed her to receive a publishing deal with Universal Music Group and to be named one of The Boot's 2021 artists to watch.
Photographed by Lauren Bulka. 2022
We also got to chat with her co-guitarist and vocal support, Bryan Dawley. Dawley is also from the south and found himself in Nashville because of his music career. Some of Bryan’s credits include touring with Ruston Kelly as well as acting as the second half of the country-pop duo, Native Run who are signed to Show Dog-Universal.
For their performance, we got a taste of the way Offerman revisits country music at its roots but in a modern way. “Go Get a Dog,” “Good Morning Afternoon,” and other tunes in the set told very relatable stories resembling classic country songs. Occasionally country tunes can tend to be the same old out-of-touch relics, but her stories kept my attention through their relevance.
Not to show just how much I’m from the north/east coast...but I couldn’t get over how soothing her southern accent was. She brought a warm southern charm to Philadelphia and the comforting vibe made me reconsider why I’ve never visited. Hopefully, the unfortunately chatty crowd did some self-reflecting as well.
Until I make my way down to the south for a Catie Offerman set at the next chance I get, I’ll be listening to the songs she currently has out now including “Happyland Trailer Park” and “Don’t Do it in Texas.” At the conclusion of her performance, she reassured us that there’s more music to come. I’ll be on the lookout and I encourage y’all to do the same.
Special thanks to Marie Vassallo for edits
Heaven’s Gate
it was only a visit…
Presented by Virtua94
February 12th, 2022
Heaven’s Gate Bill. Rayne 2022
It’s the weekend and if you’re in college and you're not at a bar or frat party - you’re probably at a house show. One popular category of house shows is DJ sets.
To be completely honest, I’m a hyperpop fan newbie but that means I have a fresh appreciation for Sophie, Dylan, Laura, Charli, and many other giants in the genre. This night was a chance to honor these greats but also get into the local hyperpop ringleaders. This was especially true when a remix of “Haunted” by Laura Les as well as samples of Charli’s “Track 10,” were played.
There wasn’t a dry armpit or forehead in the place. The air was so thick in the basement venue from our hot breath and everyone dancing their asses off but that’s what created the vibe, alongside no one being afraid to be themselves. It was a beautifully queer space as the genre is heavily intertwined within the LGBTQIA+ community.
With this in mind, the maximalist aesthetic is just as important, if not more, than the music generating an artform- a gesamtkunstwerk if you will. From the glowing neon fashion to the mindfuck visuals- all of the details are heavily invested in by the artist and in turn, appreciated by the community. For a large portion of the night, I was mesmerized by the various game consoles and monitors upstairs-including a monitor displaying a VCR of James webster’s VIRTUAL UTOPIA EXPERIENCE: The Movie. This piece exemplified my previous claim about the entirety of the artform.
Popular Online. Rayne 2022
The DJs of the night: AmericaLovesMe, Pumpfake, Angel Jelly, Popular Online, Hideyoshi, James Webster of Death’s Dynamic Shroud, Nineishuman, and Hayleyy Sparxx shared their addicting mixes and allowed me to put most of my worries at the top of the stairs and bang my head away in the show area. The only concerns that were in the back of my mind were the looming anxieties of the pandemic (even though, thankfully cases are dropping in Philadelphia) as well as the way that everyone was just casually hotboxing this tiny basement. Someone even lit some sort of incense next to me and I was so nervous that my hair was gonna catch on fire. However, we thankfully made it through the night as it was only a visit to Heaven’s gate (the keys drawn on our hands were only temporary) and we get to live another day to have more opportunities to experience the Philadelphia hyperpop scene.
Special thanks to Marie Vassallo for advising and revisions
Q102 Presents Dillon Francis x Yung Gravy
Volunteering for Headcount while getting a taste for Yung Gravy and Dillon Francis
February 10th, 2022 - Franklin Music Hall
It’s always a pleasure volunteering for Headcount but sometimes you gotta be strategic and take initiative to get put on shows. With that in mind, I decided to volunteer for some artists I haven’t heard of before. As a bonus, I’ve always wanted to check out the Franklin Music Hall so I thought ‘why not’ when signing up for Dillon Francis.
Save the Vote! Headcount campaign pins. Rayne 2022
When I got to the venue (which was giving me industrial vibes), I quickly realized that Yung Gravy was opening. This was exciting as I know a couple of his songs. After learning this, I scoped out the venue which was essentially a centralized tin box with minimal sections. Because of this setup, we got to see the whole show from the lobby area while we registered people to vote and promoted the Headcount mission.
Dillon Francis. Rayne 2022
The rest of the night, we people watched from our stand. The demographic, or “assortment of beautiful people” to quote Gravy, was mostly younger. There were times when I felt like I was at a high school dance. The pre-show DJ played some throwbacks like Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” and club versions of One Directions’ “What Makes You Beautiful,” and Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me,” which only encouraged the feeling. Although, There were a decent amount of at least 18-year old looking people and a quarter of those who were 21+ in the bar-only area. I felt old enough to complain about $11 for a slice of pizza but not old enough to be a MILF. I felt even more out of place as everyone was dressed in very colorful clothing-there were a TON of milf related tees and signs.
With the demographic and Yung Gravy’s set combined, I couldn’t help but think “this is what straight TikTok must be like.” This was emphasized when the crowd got a “fuck Ben Simmons” chant going encouraged by Yung Gravy’s DJ, DJ Tip.
Another vibe I was getting from Gravy’s set was grandma core. Many of his transitions along with media projected behind them contained oldie songs and movies clips including some from the Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz. He is definitely influenced by the women in his life as Gravy showed a lot of care for his fans in announcing that he will stop the show at any time to make sure everyone is safe. He especially showed care for the ‘ladies’ and future MILFS in training.
It was clear that Gravy was the star of the night from the way that over half of the crowd flooded the exits after his final song. For some reason, during this time the venue was playing straight smiths songs for a good fifteen minutes.
Then Dillon Francis abruptly came on. I stayed for a couple of his songs but I was truly not in the hype DJ set mood. I now regret not witnessing some Cake and Cognac live. Either way, I was excited to experience the venue along with Yung Gravy’s presence for the first time as well!
Dorian Electra: My Agenda World Tour
Dorian Electra casts a green hue over Philadelphia
with LustSickPuppy and Siouxxie
February 5th, 2022 - The Foundry
Who would’ve thought a gothic knight in a saturated green glow would teach me about gender and society through pop music? This was the night I was pleasantly surprised:
When we got there at 8 PM, there wasn't a large crowd in general admission yet, so my friend and I roamed around. Next to the gender-neutral bathrooms, there was some merch including a My Agenda video game/CD and a Dorian Electra full body pillow. We then discovered the drink of the night called “Ram It Down,” after the song with the same name on Dorian’s My Agenda. The alcoholic drink was a mix of lime, orange juice, and coconut syrup. The coconut was a nice touch parallel to the song on the album.
LustSickPuppy, Rayne 2022
After settling with our findings, The only thing left to do was wait for the show to start. While doing so, the audience was occupied by the pre-show playlist featuring some bangers like “die4u” by Bring Me the Horizon, “Haunted” by Laura Les (yes, everyone was murmuring about Lexi’s Euphoria episode), Injury Reserve’s “Three Man Weave,” Kim Dracula’s cover of “Paparazzi,” “Sine From Above (with Elton John)” by Lady Gaga, and Ashnikko’s “Cry (featuring Grimes).” The patient crowd bonded over the playlist. Everyone seemed chill, respectful, and gay. I knew I was in a safe place. My initial self-conscious state of mind about my outfit and makeup quickly turned to empowerment as I felt properly dressed in seeing other audience members’ creative expression in their appearance.
The intro music got more intense as we got closer to showtime. Finally a remix of “How Much is that Doggie in the Window” introduced the opener, LustSickPuppy. One of their first songs was not only a great beat but also a clever marketing tactic as she had the audience recite her name over and over. Their tunes were catchy but my attention was truly put in a chokehold by their facial expressions and emotions conveyed in their body movements. Their fiery blue makeup only emphasized their actions.
After their set was over, we waited a bit more for Dorian and I kept getting an obscene amount of airdrops from my fellow audience members. Some pictures were funny memes and some . . . had me traumatized.
Then, the second opener appeared and saved me from the airdrops. When Siouxxie came on stage with DJ Gunk and hype man Joey Dez, the audience was ready for a good time. The trio taught us how to count, about cupcakes, and even about foreplay. I felt extra special to be able to witness the last night of the tour with these specific opening acts.
Gunk, Joey Dez, and Siouxxie, Rayne 2022
After their set, we waited once more and jammed to the pre-show playlist as the crew brought out some props including a DrinkTheWater ™ company flag (as seen in the “My Agenda” music video) and an impressive sword only Dorian could possibly wield. What the audience didn’t know, was that the crew's appearance would be the most exciting thing to happen for the next hour.
FINALLY, the house went dark around 11:15 PM signifying Dorian's entrance. Unfortunately, during this time I got lost in the audience behind all these tall people so I moved back a bit. I was extremely grateful for the high platform that Dorian appeared on for most of the night. I stood for a couple of songs but I was fading fast after a long day. Thankfully, I found some couches by the sound booth and ended up having the time of my life on that couch for a couple of songs, including my favorite, “Give Great Thanks.”
Dorian Electra, Rayne 2022
Eventually, I went back to the crowd and found a decent spot in the back by the bar. In that spot, I was able to immerse myself in the religious experience that is Dorian Electra. So many of the musical transitions for quick changes had holy vibes- something I can only describe as a yassified church but in a video game where Dorian is the cantor. These angelic yet eerie sounds made me curious about Dorian’s musical background.
Occasionally it was hard to tell what was live sound vs. what was a track during the performance. However, under the processing and effects, I heard a well-trained musician. Their range through several octaves and control in vocals, whether it’s natural or edited, is truly what makes Dorian’s music so unique.
The music was only complimented by several majestic costumes, dance moves accentuated by backup dancers, and props. It seemed like they wanted to create an experience that engaged multiple senses especially during “My Agenda,” when the line “out here flexin’ in my rainbow suspenders” was emphasized by super soakers sprayed all over the crowd-yet another unique element that took me by surprise.
I thought I knew what I was getting into as I’ve been hooked on Dorian’s tunes and creations for a couple of months now but I was not expecting to feel as introspective as I did during the concert. This experience reminded me of my journey in learning about gender and sexuality and questioning where I fit in it all. Dorian is a role model that isn’t afraid to explore these themes in such a creative way. Not to mention their confidence in the way they present these understandings- is highly contagious. The experience not only made all my insecurities and worries melt away for a couple of hours, but it also made me think. That means the artist did their job.
Special Thanks to Marie Vassallo and Sarah Feldman for advising and revisions
2021 in review: Outlaw Music Festival
Willie Nelson comes to town with outlaw friends and family…
The Mann Center - September 11, 2021
I was finally able to catch the tail-end of this iconic summer tour that I’ve heard so much about. However, I quickly realized that this festival is not my usual scene- I was grateful to at least have my denim jacket on to just barely fit in. The demographic was unique in the combination of pot-smoking hippies dancing alongside country-loving republicans. Whatever they supported, many of them proudly advertised their causes on their t-shirts. The crowd was a fine example of how music truly brings people together.
I got there just in time to see Sturgill Simpson’s set with eight bluegrass musicians on stage and many strings including mandolin artist, Sierra Hull. While the core of the music was country, I also heard a few bossa nova or island-influenced beats.
Then, Willie Nelson and his family came on to polish off the night. The first thing I noticed as Willie took his seat onstage was his guitar. The instrument, famously named “Trigger,” was barely holding on with a strap binding its holey, worn-down face and sides together. Talk about loyalty and trust!
Willie Nelson, his classic braids and band members playing upright bass, percussion, harmonica, his sister Bobbie Nelson on keys, and his son Micha on guitar then performed for around an hour as the classic American flag decorated the stage behind them.
The family band picked and sang some memorable tunes including Particle Kid's cover “Everything is Bullshit,” and the classic American song “Keep on the Sunny Side.” Every song felt like a pit stop in the south with harmonica solos to accompany you on your journey. Songs including Ray Charles’ “Georgia on My Mind” and Billy Jo Shaver’s “Georgia on a Fast Train” and the iconic “On the road again,” only emphasized this feeling.
The warm country sound filled the northern air and transported us to the southern regions for the rest of the night. I only snapped out of the fantasy when I had to scan my septa keycard and step aboard the SEPTA route 40 bus to return to my Philadelphia apartment.
2021 in review: The We Made It Festival: Opening
The Fire kicks off their re-opening with some up-and-coming talent.
The Fire - September 11, 2021
After a long year of having no shows, The Fire wanted to kick off with a bang by holding “The We Made It Festival.” Summer storm season was still reigning over Philadelphia, but the weather finally permitted the venue to kick off their event. This grand re-opening allowed them to showcase all their new renovations and once again support the sounds of Philadelphia.
This Fall show started with Philly emo rock band, Versailles. Their covers and originals were loud and on point. I’d be excited to see them in the future as they had room for growth in their stage presence.
The band Devixe continued the bill with a heavy sound. This five-piece band with two guitarists, a bassist, drummer, and singer shook the performance room with several originals and covers.
Away Game (formerly known as The Spins of South Jersey, or what they referred to as “Philly jr.,” at the time of the show) kept the energy of the matinee going with harmonies and sprinkles of pop-punk to change up the heavy metal/rock sounds we heard previously in the day. They made a strong impression at their first Philly gig.
Local band and frequent friends of The Fire, the band Valendina, also took the stage with their four members. They kept the pop-punk alternative rock vibes going with their sound.
Finally, singer-songwriter, Fataday Korngor, mellowed out the day- taking the stage only with his acoustic guitar, banana button-down, and bucket hat. Korngor performed some originals and covers including a punchy rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone.”
Elena Brokus Productions has an eye for up-and-coming talent and this show was another example of just that!
2021 in review: The Struts: Strange Days Are Over Tour
A taste of how the Brits’ do Rock n’ Roll
with Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves
Skyline Stage at The Mann Center - September 10, 2021
Some people say they were born in the wrong decade. However, I think I’m too addicted to 21st-century technology to also claim that. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love a time machine just to go back and experience music throughout time- especially the beginnings of rock and roll. Until time machines are invented, I am grateful for rock shows and bands like The Struts to take me back.
Opener Nick Perri and The Underground Thieves (Rayne 2021)
The night started with Nick Perri and The Underground Thieves. Nick Perri, the older brother of Christina Perri, and his band had an American rock feel given Perri’s origins in Philadelphia. They warmed up the crowd adequately for our British friends.
We then jumped across the pond as The Struts made a grand, colorful entrance. Guitarist Adam Slack, bassist Jed Elliott, drummer Gethin Davies, and vocalist Luke Spiller came onstage as the crowd soaked in the hot pink light and were in awe of the band's bright costumes. As for the crowd, it was one of the smaller audiences I’ve been a part of at the skyline stage. The demographic was full of loyal 93.3 WMMR listeners- some even brought their children.
The Struts immediately started with some of their most popular songs including “Body Talks” and “Kiss This.” They powered through their set until one of the more memorable parts of the night when Luke and Adam performed “Merry Go Round” acoustically on piano and guitar. This was followed by a couple of Les Paul solos and unfortunately some bass troubles where a crew member, named Beef as mentioned by Luke, eventually saved the day.
Spiller on Keys (Rayne 2021)
Other characteristics I couldn't help but notice included the style of mic Luke Spiller used that furthers the comparison of him to Freddy Mercury. Luke also added even more flair by constantly rolling his Rs.
Another thing that was hard to miss was the large union jack backdrop starring down the audience throughout the concert. It almost made me feel like I was experiencing the British invasion for one night.
I think I can hold off wishing for a time machine a little longer.