Music: 7 Shows to See in the Next 7 Days
Ceramic Dog, Run the Jewels, of Montreal and more.
TRØN & DVD play Kung Fu Necktie on Sunday. (Janette Beckman)
Satellites Are Spinning: A Sizzling, Sonic Celebration of Sun Ra @ Johnny Brenda’s | Wednesday, March 28
Philadelphia Jazz Project’s tribute to Philadelphia/Saturn immortal/departed jazz legend Sun Ra continues. Dancer-rapper-producer Raphael Xavier leads a giant band full of horns, strings, vocalists and more in a set that starts with Sun Ra and makes its way to OutKast, Talking Heads and so on. Here’s a video of Xavier doing his thing.
of Montreal @ Union Transfer | Wednesday, March 28
Kevin Barnes’ Athens, GA indie mainstays released White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood earlier this month. They say its upbeat, Narnian funk sound was inspired by ’80s extended dance remixes of pop songs and the writing of James Baldwin, Angela Davis and Kathy Acker. These tracks are long and winding with bedazzling titles to match: “Plateau Phase/No Careerism No Corruption,” “Writing the Circles/Orgone Tropics,” et al.).
Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog @ Johnny Brenda’s | Thursday, March 29
Newark, NJ guitar hero Marc Ribot leads this formidable punk-jazz-funk-rock trio. They’ve got a new record dropping April 27 called YRU Still Here?. It’s a trip, man.
Big Nothing @ The Pharmacy | Friday, March 30
This Philly band specializes in gloriously catchy pop-punk like The Get Up Kids and Promise Ring used to make.
Teemonee / TRØN & DVD / Da Kid Emm @ Kung Fu Necktie | Sunday, April 1
A solid night of independent rap. New York duo TRØN & DVD — aka brothers Norvin and Darian Van Dunk — released Afraid Of The Dark last year on Kiam Records. They can do tough, and they can do nerdy:
Lorde / Run the Jewels / Mitski @ Wells Fargo Center | Monday, April 2
A wonderfully eclectic arena show, and a great excuse to play one of my favorite videos.
Cigarettes After Sex @ Union Transfer | Tuesday, April 3
This El Paso-to-Brooklyn band makes sparse, moody songs about love and awe, with lots of soft vocals and hazy melodies. Somewhere between Mazzy Star and New Order, maybe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZEMoMQAHI8
