The Area Weekend: Welcome Back! Part One

When I saw the calendar for the weekend, I initially thought that Joe was out of his skull and put down shows for the wrong dates. Then after some quick fact checking, I found the truth. Every band and their mothers, uncles and 3rd cousins once removed are either coming back home from Austin or making the IA area the next stop on their East Coast swing. With so much to tell you about, it is best to break it up into two (or more) posts). Part One (this post) will focus on those performing on Friday as a single show or making a double (or triple) stop sometime from now til Sunday. Part two comes later (obviously).

Gomez (via band myspace)

So many acts are pulling double duty this weekend. Where do I even begin? The obvious choice is the band kicking off the weekend at XPNs Free at Noon. Gomez is set to drop a new album, A New Tide. This show is already sold out, but you can catch them 3 more times in the IA area. After the lunch show, they head west to Lancaster and The Chameleon Club. Killer soul/funk band from Austin Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears are set to open. Saturday they head back to Philly and the TLA for a show with Blind Pilot. They then head to the 9:30 Club Sunday and rejoin Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears to close out the weekend. All still have tickets available, but they may go fast. And to make this a little more confusing, before heading to Philly, Blind Pilot has a solo show at IOTA Friday night.

mp3: Gomez - Mix (via RCRDLBL.com)

Another triple city set of shows is in the works for Asobi Seksu, with their mix of sugary late '80s pop and early '90s shoegaze and support from the lo-fi band from Michigan, Tyvek. Start in Baltimore Friday at the Ottobar, featuring local favorites Thrushes, then follow them to DC and the Rock & Roll Hotel and finish Sunday in Philly at Johnny Brenda's. Worth the road trip.

mp3: Asobi Seksu - Familiar Light (via r5productions.com)
mp3: Thrushes - Loyalty

Yet another band is hitting three cities in three days. DD/MM/YYYY are starting their journey at The Red & The Black in DC with Chambersburg's The Shackeltons. Also on the bill for this show is locals Surprise! Arizona and Brooklyn's Cinema Cinema. I would make every attempt to go to this show. They then head to Baltimore for one more show with The Shackeltons, this time joined by Magic Missile. Finally, Philly get the finishing act at Kung Fu Necktie with Reading Rainbow.

mp3: DD/MM/YYYY - Infinity Skull Cube (via killbeatmusic.com)
mp3: The Shackeltons - Your Movement (via band)
mp3: Cinema Cinema - I Don't Wanna Be Yr Boyfriend (via band's website)
mp3: Reading Rainbow - Be Who I See (via band's myspace)

A little more reserved are Phosphorescent and Deer Tick as they hit only two cities this weekend. The G-Spot is the venue for Friday, while Johnny Brenda's hosts Saturday's show. As an added treat, local troubadour Peasant is also set to perform for the Philly show.

mp3: Phosphorescent - A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise (via scjag.com/Dead Ocean)
mp3: Deer Tick - Long Time (via partisanrecords.com)
mp3: Peasant - We're Good (via Paper Garden records)

Brooklyn's The Jaguar Club is also performing in two cities this weekend. First stop is the Metro Gallery in Baltimore with an all-local supporting cast. E. Joseph and the Phantom Heart are set to perform as they channel the Bunnymen and The Church, as are FFHH and The Jennifers. TJC then head to The Red & The Black Saturday. Joining them are Loose Lips, Paperhaus and Mary Bragg.

mp3: The Jaguar Club - World Gone By (via band)
mp3: E. Joseph & The Phantom Heart - Pulling Me Under (via band)
mp3: FFHH - From the Shadows (via band)
mp3: Loose Lips - Heels Under Head (via band's website)

Not quite done yet. Still some bands playing only Friday night. Here's what else to consider.

As previously mentioned in an earlier post, Death By Sexy is dropping a new disc and they are having a party at the Black Cat to prove it. Join them with locals Cobra Collective and Blackjacks for what is going to be a hell of a show.

mp3: Death By Sexy - I Ain't Gonna Chase You Down (via band)
mp3: Cobra Collective - Hannibal at the Gates (via band)

At the Zodiac in Baltimore, locals Arbouretum perform some new tracks off their latest release Song of the Pearl, as well as your favorites. Get their early for The Existencils and Happy Salmon.

Johnny Brendas is hosting a great show for all of you in Philly. Say Hi is joined by local favorites East Hundred and Seattle's and Merge artist Telekinesis. I may have to make my way to Fish Town for this one.

mp3: Say Hi - Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh (via band's website)
mp3: East Hundred - Slow Burning Crimes (via band's website)

The Danes are coming to the First Unitarian Church in Philly in the form of 10 member strong Efterklang. Fellow countryman and sometimes band member Peter Broderick is also set to perform.

mp3: Efterklang - Step Aside (via r5productions.com)

Glasvegas has a huge following. West Chester, PA is a small college town. The Note is a small venue in said town. This Friday night should be interesting. For those interested, the show is obviously sold out.

mp3: Glasvegas - Geraldine (via RCRDLBL.com)

The North Star gets sultry and soulful as Eli "Paperboy" Reed hits the stage. Set to open is Baltimore's The Payola Reserve. And for those up in the Harrisburg area, head to Messiah College for two great singer-songwriters, Josh Ritter and John Francis

Part 2 coming soon.