The Weekend Shows

The holidays are closing in. After all the shopping and company parties, treat yourself to one of the fine shows coming to the IA area this weekend.

Photo By Ellisa Keller
Ted Leo is making the rounds this weekend with three shows. Playing his solo work and all the favorites as leader of the Pharmacists, two of the shows are already sold out and the other is sure to follow. In the opening slot is Aloha percussionist/pianist and White Williams member Cale Parks. He recently released a new album Sparklace and is set to drop another one on the new label Normative Music.

12/12: Baltimore @ The G-Spot
12/13: DC @ Black Cat *SOLD OUT*
12/14: Philly @ The Barbary *SOLD OUT*

mp3: Ted Leo - Sons of Cain
mp3: Cale Parks - Graveyard Barrier

Another multi-stop band this weekend is Wilmington locals The Spinto Band. They are kicking off the weekend up in Philly at the World Cafe as the XPN Free at Noon show. If you aren't able to make it out for lunch Friday, then head to the Talking Head Saturday evening for another great Spinto show, this time joined by Oxford Collapse and Baltimore natives Impossible Hair.

mp3: The Spinto Band - Summer Grof
mp3: Oxford Collapse - Lady Lawyers
mp3: Impossible Hair - My Little Brother

Wilco is bookending the weekend with shows in Philly and Baltimore. They are playing Friday at the Spectrum with the all-time great Neil Young. Opening the show is Everest. Sunday, The Lyric Opera House hosts with local songwriter Benjy Ferree opening.

mp3: Benjy Ferree - In The Countryside

Friday

My Brightest Diamond is heading up to the First Unitarian in Philly after a night in DC. Along for the ride is Clare & The Reserves.

Radar Brothers leave Philly for the Talking Head in Baltimore for a show with locals The Payola Reserve and E. Joseph and the Phantom Heart.

Jukebox the Ghost is hitting the District as they close out their December tour. Head over to the Rock & Roll Hotel for what is sure to be a great show. Also on the bill is The Postelles and Pretty & Nice.

Keep up with the Jones' at the Fire in Philly with the local indie-folk of Hezekiah Jones and IA anniversary artist Cotton Jones.

The Federal Reserve is having their Holiday Showing at IOTA, a benefit for Community Lodgings. Get out, enjoy great local music and support a good cause.

The Metro Gallery in Baltimore has quite the showcase with Parachute Musical, Pianowire, Eureka Birds and Bella Noir.

mp3: My Brightest Diamond - Inside A Boy
mp3: Clare & The Reasons - Pluton
mp3: The Payola Reserve - Music is Not Music
mp3: E Joseph & The Phantom Heart - Zero
mp3: Jukebox the Ghost - Hold It In
mp3: Pretty & Nice - Tora Tora Tora
mp3: Hezekiah Jones - Nothings Bound
mp3: Cotton Jones - Midnight Monday and a Telescope
mp3: Eureka Birds - Goodbye Space and Time

Saturday

Quite a few big names coming to the area on Saturday night. Here's the details:

Surviving and still thriving as a solo act after her stint in the '80s band Til Tuesday, Aimee Mann is playing the historic Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA. And speaking of surviving the decade, Duran Duran is still making a comeback and hitting the House of Blues in Atlantic City.

Austin electro-rockers Ghostland Observatory are back in DC at the 9:30 Club for an assured raucous show, while Jeremy Enigk is playing a more intimate set at Jammin' Java.

Boston band Pretty & Nice are off on their own after a night in Baltimore, heading to The Fire in Philly Saturday.

Local bands abound elsewhere. In Baltimore, J Roddy Walston & The Business team up with Gringo Star at the Ottobar. Soft Complex is joined by Cedars and Jupiter One at the Rock & Roll Hotel. And an all Philly line-up at Johnny Brenda's with Photon Band, Audible and Brown Recluse Sings.

mp3: Duran Duran - Nite Runner (stream)
mp3: Ghostland Observatory - Heavy Heart
mp3: J Roddy Walston & The Business - Used to Did
mp3: Photon Band - Cry Cry Cry Cry
mp3: Audible - Sunday Bell
mp3: Brown Recluse Sings - Western Meadowlark
mp3: Soft Complex - Barcelona
mp3: Cedars - Black Book