Music Shortlist: 7 Shows to See This Week (and What They’ll Sound Like)
All Dogs plays the Church on Saturday.
The Big Pink @ Johnny Brenda’s | Monday 2/29
What, you’re gonna stay in on Leap Day? London synth pop band The Big Pink returns with more bombastic, heartfelt dancefloor jams. They’re kind of a slow build, so give “Beautiful Criminal” a minute to get its hooks into you.
Radiation City @ Boot & Saddle | Tuesday 3/1
Break-up records are usually a one-sided kinda thing, but Portland, Ore., electro-pop band Radiation City says its primary songwriters — Cameron Spies and Lizzy Ellison — called off their wedding during the making of Synesthetica, released last month. And then they kept making it. Are they back together? It’s hard to tell from this Bandcamp bio, but they are still touring together. The record’s got all kinds of weird energy.
Hardwork Movement @ Boot & Saddle | Thursday 3/3
Keep your eye on Philly hip-hop ground Hardwork Movement. And listen to “Spun” a love song with stutter-step hip-hop verses and a pleading, harmonizing r&b chorus.
Lily and Madeleine @ World Café Live | Friday 3/4
Once pretty in a minimalist way, the music of Lily and Madeleine is now all gussied up: lush, swooning, bold. “Hotel Pool” is especially charming. Social media off. Headphones on.
Wolfmother @ the Trocadero | Friday 3/4
After a solo sojourn, Andrew Stockdale is back with his old band and making loud, riff-heavy retro rock. His high and mighty Robert Plantish voice remains a force to be reckoned with, though “Victorious” feels kinda lightweight compared to what the band is capable of. Don’t worry: Their self-titled debut dropped 10 years ago, and judging by this review, you’ll hear plenty of old favorites at the Troc.
All Dogs @ First Unitarian Church | Saturday 3/5
Kicking Every Day was surely one of the most exciting debuts in indie rock last year. If you slept on it, check out “That Kind of Girl” at top volume. Thematically, it was the righteous alter ego of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Your Type.” Where CRJ is moping in the wings about who she is, All Dogs’ Maryn Jones comes out swinging at anybody trying to define her. “That Kind of Girl” is a good-hearted frustration fight song. Catchy as hell too.
Mary Lattimore @ PhilaMOCA | Saturday 3/5
The undisputed number one harpist in the Philly music scene celebrates the release of the mesmerizing new At the Damn on the Ghostly International label. When she’s not playing solo, Lattimore is also a sought-after accompanist, playing with Kurt Vile, Steve Gunn and other rockers looking to add depth and texture to their work. Her duet project with Jeff Zeigler, by the way, just played the Getty Museum in L.A., providing a live score for experimental film Le Revelateur. There will be a “big time guest” joining her on stage at PhilaMOCA; by your tickets now.
